Why President Obama Likes To Call Cody Keenan By His Nickname, "Hemingway"

Stephen welcomes former White House speechwriter Cody Keenan for a chat about his time writing for President Obama, and learns the "dirty little secret" of how he earned his nickname. Cody's new book, "Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America," is available now. #Colbert #Grace #CodyKeenan
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via Paramount+, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[@kkpenney444]

The whole Obama team- such class. It seems like such a fairy tale now.

[@JAppJohnAndrewPatrickPeters]

True Story

[@utubefreshie]

Also such intelligence! Because you know everyone's well-read and thoughtful and highly educated in that team. As opposed to the guy that pandered to the "poorly educated" to get their votes.

[@nycatlady2314]

He was on Pod Save America with 2 others from Obama’s team this week. It was very insightful and telling about how truly humble and intelligent they all are.

[@kkpenney444]

@@utubefreshie To paraphrase: I love the well-educated!!

[@kkpenney444]

@@nycatlady2314 I mean, if we're inevitably going to have a dictatorship, why can't it be them? 😭#benevolent

[@lisa6894]

He is responsible for some of the best presidential speeches in history! Thank you for your service! ❤

[@naylas3908]

He was not the only speechwriter for Obama. Let’s not forget Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett and Ben Rhodes.

[@ChineduOpara]

@@naylas3908 Yeah as well as James Rhodes and Tony Stark.

[@wewper]

Obama was such a magnet for personalities like Cody-smart, patriotic, compelling, fluent, persuasive.

[@Obiter3]

A sure sign of his fluency and intelligence is the glaring absence of starting most sentences with "so" and ending them with "right?"

[@leadoucet1432]

That's because Obama is all those things you enumerate. Good people tend to attract other good people.

[@rrrjjj5572]

@@Obiter3 Yes! Thank you. These faddish, unconscious words that dot our spoken exchanges are infuriating to me. I hear them coming from MSNBC news anchors.

[@catalinacurio]

How especially lovely to have Obama give you a nickname! 😊

[@Washougalite1]

Especially that one.

[@whispersmith]

Better than the nicknames W gave people

[@SusanOnTVShows]

@@whispersmith orTrump.

[@angprt2]

I miss Obama so much. We were so blessed.

[@thunderousapplause]

Yes AND Biden is accomplishing MAJOR positive changes.

[@leadoucet1432]

@@thunderousapplause they learned from each other, didn't they? In a good way.

[@BlakieTT]

Wow... what an extraordinary communicator! It makes sense... the speech writer for a President being a good story-teller, eh? :)

[@nyuuuchan]

this guy is compelling and charismatic. no wonder the speeches worked

[@thomthom6268]

Why is it that everytime i see any Obama worker, i like them? Its almost like he hired the best people.

[@jannichi6431]

Obama's 💜Chi town, Austin 💌 Barrack 🎸🤠💞

[@markkunkel7401]

That was a great idea. If only......

[@jamesgoines7663]

They haven't been indicted, nor convicted nor jailed. Any of those reasons may apply.

[@jannichi6431]

Dems are generally happy, and loving 😍 Mine, mine Mine grievance and greed motivated RADICAL Right want ZERO Government to regulate the pillage, Far Right playbook of Meloni, Orban, Putin and throw in Balsonaro 💪🩸 USA vulnerable Unless we regain our values and '. Biden 'Soul', Biden KNOWS 🗳️🌊🗣️

[@Atlantya]

Because, people who know their stuff would never work for someone like Trump. That’s why all his past employees are clowns, where Obama had the cool kids.

[@deborahwinney7153]

Worth listening to. Obama had a real team

[@utubefreshie]

Such a fascinating and intellectually-stimulating & engaging interview! I could listen to this guy speak for hours. Makes sense why he's a prof now and why he was chosen as Obama's speechwriter. As a writer myself, it would've been such an honor to have that job.

[@Rebel_AF]

What a killer reason behind that nickname. A Moveable Feast is a phenomenal story 😍

[@verysmarrname]

🤔 I didn’t get it

[@Bitfire31337]

Ahh, now I get it. "Movable Feast" is a story or book by Hemingway... 🤦‍♂️😅 Not obvious to non-native English speakers who aren't Hemingway nerds. When he finished his story I was like "and what has Hemingway to do with that?"

[@071949]

@@Bitfire31337 Correct! It is Ernest Hemingway's memoir about living as an American expatriate in Paris from 1921--1926.

[@janefreeman995]

That encapulates the transformative incisive inspiration of Mr. Obama. ... In a small way, I had this happen with his sister. I was living and breathing his campaign. His sister was supporting a local candidate as well and came to my town in Hawaii. The night before S.Palin was introduced and initially gave Sen. McCain a boost. I was incredulous and worried about it. The town has a UN sponsored peace parade every year. I arrived at the campaign event at the same time as his sister parking next to each other. Walking to the event I explained about the concurrent local parade.... and she asked if I felt peaceful. It was all I could do to hold back tears and I'm not an emotional sort. ... it was a piercing moment and the thought crossed my mind that somehow maybe thru their upbringing there was that knack to get at the core of something... just a thought. He also helped me look for my car keys in the sand when we were teens, but that's another story. :)

[@weburnitatbothends]

What an awesome interview, thanks Cody

[@azusa9963]

What a great interview! I have been watching interviews with Cody over the past few days since his book came out and this interveiw has convinced me to go get his book. Thank you Stephen, you truly are the best interviewer, l love the way you drop the question and then let them speak. I am so impressed by Cody. I miss president Obama so much. 💙❤️

[@yurielcundangan9090]

Colbert never dissapoints! Wonderful Comedian

[@carinalundgren]

Wow!! Now I see how Obama did his fantastic speech!🥰

[@NewMessage]

I'd much prefer Obama giving me a nickname than Donnie.

[@JAppJohnAndrewPatrickPeters]

lol 100%

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Trump can't remember names, hence the derogatory monikers.

[@jannichi6431]

Obama' captured the heart and soul of our Nation with his speeches. 💝🥇Thank you for your service, can ya give Biden some delivery tips, ha🙏💙🌎

[@JAppJohnAndrewPatrickPeters]

Holy crap this man WOW, Confident and Just makes you want to listen

[@dougcaron5958]

After hearing that last part on Miles Davis, I am going to find out his class schedule, head up to Evanston and sit in on one of his lectures.

[@petergosney6433]

Can anybody imagine 45 relating to his speech writer like that?

[@zuko8312]

"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good ol' days... before you've actually left them." -Andy Bernard

[@themorales6]

Love hearing this story!!! And I love that Ben was part of the crew that stayed out all night.

[@nancyboss7599]

I want to read this book slowly so I won’t be done too quickly. I love the ideas and the beautiful phrasing. Thank you.

[@arkadeyellow2931]

Wow! This guy is a university professor and was head speech writer for Obama, and Obama taught HIM a few things about speech writing! Lot of people don't know that Obama taught Constitutional Law. And of course, Trump taught... Never mind!

[@DJames-fn3cl]

El Trumpo taught "HOW TO LIE AND STEAL IN EVERY FACET OF LIFE".

[@gregbrogan9061]

I bet the book is very well written! LOL. And if there is an audio book, Cody should definitely read it - such a great voice and vocal rhythm. And this interview just reminds me, I miss Obama....

[@T-marie-N]

He does read it and it's very good.

[@gregbrogan9061]

@@T-marie-N - THANKS

[@JBearwa]

Brilliant and yes … that is how you do music. And life.

[@pattystewart1985]

President Obama always went so high while Republicans always go so so low with Donald going lowest of the lows.

[@ChineduOpara]

It's gonna get worse before it gets better.

[@shandorkato]

We need to believe again.... such a great message. 👏

[@jannichi6431]

Everybody should know at least one Northwesterer💝 Your book sounds lovely, hope it becomes a documentary. Austin LOVES the Obama's and team🎸💙🙏

[@BigLar56321]

As a proud alum, I agree. Go Cats!

[@sallyfromlondon8593]

Articulate beyond measure but accessible. At last someone who coined it spot on. Just downloaded the book. AND well done to Colbert, didn’t interrupt or say anything stupid!! Excellent interview. And for what it’s worth I’m a Londoner in UK.

[@bangfroggy]

Loving the book. So well written and a fond memories of transformative leadership. There was a lengthier conversation with him on Pod Save America on Monday as well that is worth a listen - Jon Favreau was Director of speechwriting until he left in March 2013, and Keenan took over his position, so it was a very collegial conversation.

[@gloriareszler4196]

Wow! Obama makes some of the most powerful words ... and the lack thereof. Silence matters!💕 powerful

[@ttf4now]

I really want to read that book

[@DrNancyLivingCoCreatively]

What a beautiful man. Bring back civility! Vote Blue 💙😎

[@looseheadtom]

Ironically Cody Keenan looks more like Jon Favreau than Jon Favreau looks like Jon Favreau

[@mistifa2908]

Touche!

[@FelineFriendly4]

Excellent interview with Cody Keenan, really fun and very interesting and inspiring!!

[@coolsvillecreativellc8211]

Finished the audio book today. Highly recommend. Excellent writer and had a great collaboration with Obama.

[@rebeccahenderson7761]

Wow, the world really misses President Obama!

[@ravenc1298]

Yes!!!!! Great interview!

[@shirleyrhodes3741]

That was quietest I have ever seen Stephen on his show!!

[@jeanneratterman]

Another interesting amazing interview! Thank you!!!

[@greggoreo6738]

"Politics is worthy of our time...."Bravo. (And. NO time for traitors.) Gregg Oreo long Beach Ca

[@jostrong2385]

I have (had) no idea who this man is. I am so sorry that his book is coming out at such a crazy time...

[@susungallery1]

Music to my ears, thank you!

[@BizzeeB]

Anyone else think he sounds a lot like Jon Hamm?

[@kinkong1961]

What America needs is Obama back as president he was the best thing that happened to that country in such a long time or someone of his stature

[@RevCeleste]

Considering the adversities this country faces, I think Biden is holding his own pretty well this year.

[@kathycrawford5277]

Phenomenal book!

[@LRoss-pj6qj]

This is an example of “all the best people”. Other politicians should take note. Blue in ‘22!! 💙

[@msantos545]

No edits?! As a writer, that always makes me nervous! 😅

[@meganbreen1380]

cool interview, def buying this book!

[@thunderousapplause]

Stephen is entranced w the stories. Doesnt often happen.

[@Rambit]

7:39 did the band seriously just start playing Milestones after Miles Davis got mentioned once haha that's awesome

[@yurielcundangan9090]

Rick Scott dodged a question like trump dodged the Draft

[@moimeself1088]

When your speechwriter has to take over 6 years to figure out what to say vs the pumpkin's staff who take 5 minutes 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@bretfoltz7737]

What a cool, well spoken guy. I get why President Obama chose him as a speech writer. He is as cool as the President.

[@podracer35]

That story about "find some silences" is amazing

[@elsiebartlett6808]

I wonder if “grace” is a reference to grace notes in music? Curious. Especially his references to jazz throughout conversation

[@ANARABWHOWANTSPEACE]

Why President Obama Likes To Call Cody Keenan By His Nickname, "Hemingway" he didn't say it

[@lorrainescandia6267]

Excellent interview. Obama did choose some really good people to be a part of his administration.

[@matthewsimpson1268]

There is a pretty stark difference between the books written by former staffers of Obama and those written about Trump. Genuine respect and admiration vs. pure disdain and contempt.

[@robertmaeurerofficial]

Just imagine for one second if 45 actually hired people around him that were competent and he listened to them. This is why everybody loves 44. Obama knew he did not know everything there is to know so he hired people around him that filled in the blanks thus Obama educating himself even more.

[@MikeLinPA]

Did he write that interview himself? (LOL)

[@wallygator2107]

Politics is worthy of everybody's time. They are literally foundations that daily life is lived upon. If you don't follow, care about or like to follow politics your setting yourself up for moments of unbelievable ignorance.

[@mayazvideoz]

He is so insanely cool

[@pal4204]

Could you please change the music on your channel. Jon is gone. Play some Louis Cato and the Late Show Band!

[@scott1853]

Listening to this guy is like listening to Obama. Very clear why Obama had him write for him.

[@markphc99]

I wonder what Trump's ex speechwriter is doing now? apart from crying

[@hualani6785]

The edit from. Hemenway nickname story, its final line or punchline thats missing? He didnt finish the story with POTUS saying “hey the moveable feast ….”

[@tandyjen]

Read A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway. A fine book of gossip & gab, but it hurt some peoples' reputations & feelings. Not Hemingway's best book, but all about partying.

[@YanPutrisuryo]

Does Trump know about Hemingway?😀

[@demonorse]

No.

[@photografr7]

I’m writing a book. I’ll use your lessons to make my book better.

[@jeanneratterman]

I close my eyes and Cody sounds similar (albeit slightly less exuberant) to Neil Degrasse Tyson 🤗🤗

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

So one American president gets Miles Davis. The other one just got McDonalds...

[@JBearwa]

Politics is worthy of your time

[@NewWorldDAO]

I’ll plan symbolism

[@j.mccarthy3008]

RAH! RAH! OUR country has become WAY TO CYNICAL!

[@benr3799]

Dang he literally lived out the imaginary ending of La La Land with Ben Rhodes 😭 lucky man

[@taipan939]

Listen to this guy! Fresh breath instead of the stinky Trump toilet that suck out all oxygen out in the air!

[@leavingitblank9363]

Did he ever actually explain why he's called "Hemingway"??

[@allanguindon2156]

Please interview the speech writer for trump.

[@kingda117]

He is probably in prison or about to be. He loves crooks around him.

[@JRR0013]

Did Trump actually have a speech writer? Idk, it seemed like he was "off script" most of the time. It never occurred to me that he would have a speech writer.

[@pauldockree9915]

The Supreme Court. Of the United States. Utter tosh!

[@sebastiangray1196]

one thought here-- "What if the court says that gay people can't get married, and they become second-class citizens?" bitch we were ALREADY second-class citizens, that's why we couldn't get married in the first place 🙃

[@ronismith9883]

The whole Obama team was what really mattered: truth, character, deep thinking, critical thinking. None of that existed in the Trump administration, and the rot started at the top with him and moved downward really quickly. How I miss those Obama years. It's hard for me to believe, at 70 years of age, how much ground we've lost in 5 short years, due to the rantings of the last so-called President. He did NOTHING for the masses, it was all about him, and it still is. I despair that we will ever find another Obama.

[@Salma_Nella]

A fan of bull fighting 😲😲😲

[@michaeldiogenesbest6127]

Bullfighting is a cowardly "sport".............

[@lindaward3156]

did he just rat out his friends? i'm sure he didn't and it's much after the fact but...at least these are funny, I'm still getting over the abusive last guy

[@PaliAha]

Id love to hear Cody evaluate the speeches of Donald Trump 🍉🍊🍌

[@Hadsac]

คนนี้ใช่มั้ยเพื่อนที่ท่านนายกเราพูดถึง

[@macomg.7169]

I mean, his ego is unbearable, but I'm sure he's at least good at his job

[@jeremybenoit759]

That's interesting, I thought the president's name is Biden, Obama is an ex president much like trump is an ex president yes? Or is the American public wrong about that?

[@AllenSJ5]

Ex-presidents are customarily addressed as “President.” Living ex-presidents: President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, and President Trump. And President Biden is the incumbent president. Hope this helps.

[@NewWorldDAO]

That was a week Trump came down the escalator

[@ropro9817]

Wow, this guy loves himself a little too much. Ewh... I need to take a shower now.

[@courtneyn.m.1687]

Obamacare never got affordable so it’s weird to hear him say that “tens of millions of working class people who just got healthcare” wouldn’t have it anymore.

[@ahorrell]

I want to like this guy, I really do. But he just seems unbearably smug

[@AmericaFirst76512]

How many different communities will Boe Jiden claim to be raised in ?

[@muzzy9267]

So much bloviating, so little time

[@fredricclack7137]

🚸 📚?!

[@michaelford3391]

he seems like one of those super-smart guys who never lets you get a word in edgeways.

[@sarahaltizer2285]

I didn’t like this guy at all. 😑

[@rainbowyahi]

I might be the dissenting voice here, but I had to listen to this interview on 1.5 speed because this dude is sooo verbose. Get to the point!!