Friday, April 6, 2012

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...

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket







Photobucket

Photobucket

13 comments:

  1. Well, thx, Mr. Pants. And what great eye candy it IS.........both of them. Sure started my day right today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm Ms. Pants - which might give you some idea about why I enjoy the eye candy so much ;-)

      Delete
  2. Dayum! Just dayum! Pretty AND smart ... the both of them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I thought about just going ahead and making the title of this post "shameless." But as Catzmaw says...dayum its ful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the 'subtlety' of your chosen title better than 'shameless'. ;-)

      O/T #1. Have you seen this yet? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBRwiuJ8K7w&feature=player_embedded

      #2 - I've finally found 'When God was a Woman' after weeks and linking up with my public library inter-library loan system. This is after searching and searching in the major bookstores. Of course this is not the type of serious stuff that I read anymore but I'm going to give it a try. Wish me luck since I got the idea from you. ;-)

      Delete
    2. VC,

      Be prepared for a very dry book. I'm not sure why it impacted me so profoundly - perhaps it was just "my time." So I'll be anxious to hear what you think.

      Delete
  4. Canada wants to adopt both of them. Please? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. See?????

    Gotta lock ALL of y'all away!!! Must SAVE you from yourSELVES.

    But, not before all of you gentle - orrr NOT so gentle - women VOTE!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think somebody is enjoying his single years. DuPont Circle? He does have to be careful. Broke hearts refuse to act right.

    Vic78

    ReplyDelete
  7. HEEY Smartypants. ***BIG HUG*** :>)

    WHEW LAWD!! - ---All that --BRAIN POWER --in 1 room. :>)

    It's GR8 that MR. PRESIDENT has a competent person 4 his speech writing. :>) GR8 article annnd PICS!!

    Good 2 C U. :>) GreenLadyHere.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good thing he's so good-looking cuz he will never ever have a better job than the one he has now.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, sorry, Ms. Pants. I guess Smartypants sounded kinda male to me. I surely won't make that mistake again.

    ReplyDelete

Why Christian nationalists fear freedom

For years now a lot of us have been trying to understand why white evangelical voters remain so loyal to Donald Trump. I believe that the an...