Superflack Kennedy Writing Clinton's Speech

Hillary Rodham Clinton, never one for leaving stuff for the last minute, has begun writing her much-anticipated convention speech with the help of longtime Clinton aide Jim Kennedy, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Kennedy, who quit his job as communications director for Bill Clinton's foundation to become a senior vice-president at Sony Pictures in 2005, is apparently under no illusions his opus will emerge pristine.

"Jim will write the first draft," the person said. "He knows they [Bill and Hillary] will edit draft No. 27."

Kennedy quietly emerged as a key adviser to the former first lady this spring when her press operation was at a low ebb. Since the 1990s, Kennedy, known as a calming presence inside the tumultuous Clinton camp, has worked as a spokesman in the Clinton White House and an adviser to Al Gore and Joe Lieberman.