Obama's Mind Reader

His official title is "Assistant to the President and Director of Speechwriting," but President Obama calls Jon Favreau his "mind reader."

Here's how US News profiled this 31 year-old back in 2009.

As one of the youngest people ever to serve in his job, "Favs," as his friends call him, has had nearly unlimited access to Obama for the past two years as the speechwriter for his presidential campaign. At that time, Favreau lived with six friends in a Chicago house. Sometimes he went unshaven for days and turned to video games for relaxation and diversion. Now, working out of a small basement office in the White House, he's trying to develop a more settled approach to his work. He has upgraded his wardrobe from jeans and sweaters to jackets and ties and lives in a one-bedroom condo near Washington's fashionable Dupont Circle neighborhood...

It's not easy writing for Obama, who not only considers himself a writer but has two bestselling books to prove he is actually good at it. White House officials say Favreau, after working with Obama for four years, has become an expert on Obama's elegant and eloquent style of writing and speaking, an alter ego. Obama has called Favreau his mind reader, White House associates say.

The speechwriting process typically starts with Favreau chatting with Obama for an hour or so. Obama tells him what he wants to say, and Favreau types notes on his laptop. Favreau also consults with other senior Obama advisers, including David Axelrod, a former journalist and a longtime Obama confidant. Favreau submits a first draft, and Obama edits and rewrites it, in a collaborative process that often includes numerous other versions. They often work out the final draft together. Favreau compares being Obama's speechwriter to being "Ted Williams's batting coach," referring to one of the best hitters in baseball history.

And now, the eye candy...