GLENDALE — The Armenian American Museum has released a new video interview with distinguished presidential speechwriter and political strategist Ken Khachigian, offering an inside look at the power of words, the reality of working in the White House, and the enduring role of Armenian American voices in public life.
Conducted by Armenian American Museum Communications Director Arsine Torosyan, the conversation reflects on Khachigian’s decades at the center of American political history, where he served as a trusted advisor and speechwriter to Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, and touches on Khachigian’s book, “Behind Closed Doors: In the Room with Reagan & Nixon”, which offers a personal account of life inside the Oval Office and the personalities that shaped a defining era in American politics.
Khachigian discusses the craft behind memorable political messaging, including the famous question delivered during Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign: “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” The line became one of the most recognizable moments in modern campaign rhetoric.
“The goal is clarity, conviction, and authenticity. You’re not thinking about lasting decades, you’re trying to break through in the moment. But when a message reflects real conditions and reaches both the head and the heart, it stays with people.”
The conversation also explores the realities of witnessing historic events from inside the White House. Khachigian explains that moments later remembered as historic often felt surprisingly ordinary at the time, shaped by conversations, decisions, and the steady pace of daily work behind closed doors.
Khachigian also reflects on his Armenian heritage and the role cultural identity can play in shaping perspectives on leadership and public service.
“My father, a genocide survivor, instilled in me the importance of being driven, resourceful, and determined, lessons that stayed with me in every high-pressure moment,” said Khachigian. “That legacy speaks to a broader truth about Armenian Americans, one rooted in resilience, responsibility, and a commitment to civic life as both an opportunity and an obligation.”
Readers interested in learning more about Khachigian’s experiences in presidential politics can purchase his book “Behind Closed Doors: In the Room with Reagan & Nixon” by clicking here.
The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is a world-class educational and cultural institution currently under construction in the heart of Glendale’s Arts and Entertainment District. The museum will feature Core and Temporary Exhibitions, Auditorium, Learning Center, Demonstration Kitchen, Archives Center, and more. Its mission is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience.
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