Obama Staffers Explain What Joe Biden Should Say At His Inauguration

Former Barack Obama Speechwriters Jon Favreau and Jon Lovett explain what goes into writing an inaugural address and what they'd like to hear Joe Biden say in his historic address next week.
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Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us-one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. At a time when it’s increasingly easy to feel cynical or hopeless, former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor have created a place where people can have sane conversations that inform, entertain, and inspire action. In 2017 they started Crooked with Pod Save America-a no-bullshit conversation about politics. Since then, we continue to add shows, voices, and opportunities for activism, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world. That’s it. End of mission.
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[@mrbqkc]

I want the clip of Lovett saying "we used to write speeches for the President, smash that button" at the end of all their videos 😂

[@CJXalax]

"We used to write speeches..." *JFavs can't hold in the laughter* "...for the President...smashthatbutton"

[@NoUploadJustComment]

I'd like for him to eschew the pomp and circumstance afterwards (the galas and luncheons), and go right to the White House and start signing Executive Orders.

[@eldridgedavis]

Amen

[@intothewater1279]

The Congressional Luncheon and all of the Inaugural Balls are cancelled this year and from an optics point of view, Thank God, it would be such a terrible look. They even canceled the Parade, there will only be a troop review most likely. From a practical point of view, there really are so many crises going on right now that Biden literally has to go to the White House immediately to get on top of it all right away.

[@telectronix1368]

"We have no time for spectacle. The previous, republican administration left us compromised, weakened and facing multiple crises. It's time to get to work."

[@pattygould8240]

@@telectronix1368 do you write speeches too?

[@pakde8002]

Yeap, five minute speech, thanks everyone who fought to make this happen, buckle up and buckle down because we're going in hard. Then go straight to the Delaware White House and start signing EOs while the White House is being fumigated.

[@raygiannamore]

I wish you'd do more of these. This is really interesting.

[@douglasroff4131]

You are sooooo correct.

[@richardwright8554]

PLEASE!

[@naylas3908]

I agree!

[@fergus247]

@@naylas3908 BURN IN HELL BOTS

[@pattygould8240]

My favorite moment from an inaugural is second hand but apparently after Trump's, the younger Bush said "well that was some weird shit".

[@pakde8002]

LMAO

[@carolinej3074]

Lol I heard about that too!!

[@jamiejames8575]

For a borderline criminal who drove our economy into a f*cking ditch, that was an unforgettable statement by Bush and it made him look cool af.

[@katerinakemp5701]

Yeah nah this was stated on the Graham Norton Show by a prominent USA citizen.

[@pattygould8240]

@@katerinakemp5701 I. Heard it from HRC.

[@Beygent]

I've been watching a lot of Obama interviews; I had forgotten how soaring his oratory could be. Just phenomenal talent.

[@bargh70]

Literally anything would be better than the "AMERICAN CARNAGE" speech

[@katymcdonald5481]

When you think about it, carnage is the only thing Trump has delivered. Death & destruction 😞

[@jennifercockrill6356]

John Lovett is funny, but I like him best when he is being serious. He's also a master wordsmith.

[@DracoMalfoyable]

My favorite political speech will always be Bobby Kennedy talking about the assassination of MLK, because it’s just so poignant and raw and beautiful and really negates the thought that Jack was the articulate one of the Kennedy brothers. I think it’s just the most amazing and touching speech that I’ve ever heard

[@susanne5803]

Yes. It's my favourite, too. Especially the Aeschylos-quote: "My favorite poet was Aeschylus. He wrote: "In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.""

[@mrt.7146]

"Eight years ago, I said it was time to change the tone of our politics. Clearly, in hindsight, I should have been more specific!" 😂

[@colleensnyder8943]

You have the best platform for civic lessons- please use it more often and I believe your subscribers would be happy to share. Great work guys.

[@obcl8569]

Like Lovett said, Biden's BEEN giving his inaugural speech - pretty much every chance he's gotten. Unity + a quote from an Irish poet that harkens the voice of FDR. Done.

[@rofljen666]

I'll hire you, Lovett To do what? I do not know.

[@pakde8002]

Just attending dinners and waxing philosophical in his distinct, elegant, profound and prosaic fashion 😍😁 But never an automobile detailer, the guys a pig LoL (previous podcast describing passenger side of his MIL's car, which he has been using during the pandemic)

[@benroth5184]

Can we PLEASE talk about just how handsome Jon Favs is? Like COME! ON! He’s got it. Lovett, we have not forgotten about you. You’re skin is lookin’ toight and you are also HAND 👏🏻SOME 👏🏻 Also they smart, well versed, and greats hosts. Listen to them. Now. Thank you

[@bethchaplin2023]

Who wouldn't want to hire Jon Lovett? Just give me their name...

[@isaachoffman2607]

Joe Biden and Tony Blinken

[@tracyveronika]

Neera Tanden!

[@TheFiridian]

I'm assuming blocking Lovett would be because he had worked for the Clinton campaign in 2008. So you're looking for someone who was most likely an Obama campaign person, and also someone who worked in the West Wing, most likely the communication shop in the early days of the administration. Blinken worked for Biden's campaign in 2008, and then worked as nsa for Biden when he was VP. Biden himself wouldn't get involved in those kind of staffing decisions unless he had humongous objections. Neera Tanden was a Clintonite herself in 2008, and first worked at HHS in the Obama administration. The person who seems to fit is Jen Psaki. She worked on the Obama campaign in 2008, was deputy communication director in the beginning, and is now going to serve as White House Press Secretary (which is certainly a prominent role) in the BIden administration.

[@isaachoffman2607]

@@TheFiridian tony blinken worked on the transition and tried to block a lot of people from the Clinton campaign, and used Biden’s name, and was sometimes aided by Biden. I simply assumed that’s what they meant, but your probably right about Psaki

[@kathleencooper5761]

@@TheFiridian jon's joked about it a couple times previously. one of the times he said it was someone at CAP (so i'm guessing neera).

[@kathleenswenning9915]

Thanks guys!!!! Sometimes I forget what impressive jobs you had, that is truly so so so cool!!!!!!

[@ONEPIECEFIRE]

4:53 - "Sometimes the best answer to a lie is not a fact, it's a deeper truth."

[@liz9147]

Favs being visibly moved by Obama’s (and his) speech at 6:40 is everything ❤️

[@kyttraus]

Guys I am from Romania but I like a lot what you do! Keep it coming!

[@wayneurquhart1967]

Is Transylvanian real?

[@andrewtelfer6107]

Delivering actual results is what I’m looking forward to. 🙂👍🏼

[@fergus247]

Democrats have house, senate and white house so they should be able to fix alot of things

[@epiccollision]

@@fergus247 that was the first 2 years of Obama too, let’s stay on point this time.

[@fergus247]

@@epiccollision Oh thats right Biden has been in the white house before

[@TrentMenssen]

"I want that vaccine. I'm sick of this shit." *the* mood of the past year.

[@thomaseuyang3403]

"Here's how we get it done. We need to like work together." - Jon Favreau

[@nncdrmr]

Thank you! Reminds me of a time when men had intelligence and a plan to make things better. This was excellent!

[@judithacena4330]

😍😍😍thank you guys ♥️♥️🇨🇦🇨🇦from Canada you guys are great!!!

[@obcl8569]

Favreau's face reacting to Obama's speech was everything.

[@MLP88]

Only Jon Favreau can say with deadly conviction: "F... Ted Cruz!"

[@mail4dodi]

If only I could smash that button again! 😂😂😂

[@DrEcho]

If you unsubscribe real quick, you can! That’s what I did, but fair warning, it’s not the same as the first time :(

[@jamiejames8575]

The graphic inserts are so extremely entertaining. DO THESE FOR EVERYTHING! I promise, I know whereof I speak.

[@FloridaMan4205]

Now I need to know: who didn't want to hire Jon Lovett?

[@C.u.d.s]

I really want the inaugural to just start with, “suck it losers”.

[@MAYK1NG]

This editing style is extremely engaging. Keep on keeping on!

[@joaopedrocaetano4507]

My favorite speech is Bobby Kennedy's "On the Mindless Menace of Violence in America". It's extraordinary writing, with an extraordinary delivery when originally spoken. And STILL -- STILL!! -- extraordinarily relevant and resonant. What I think makes it stand out from a lot of other political speeches is just how raw and deeply felt and human it actually is. Bobby is hitting bedrock and reaching immense heights. It feels totally spontaneous but totally in control, totally of the moment and for all time. I would love it if both Jon and Lovett could go through that speech in detail for a whole video, really dive deep. Greetings from Portugal!! Stay strong!

[@klh2610]

I only regret that there is but one crooked media subscribe button to smash.

[@annemacleod1421]

Loved this conversation! I discovered you guys back in 2020 during our New Zealand lock-down....!! FDR’s Inaugural speech captured the ever present issue of “fear” ... in my view, fear has driven Trumpism ... And Trump has not been afraid to exploit it over the past five years. He never sowed hope, equality, justice. He’s not capable. 🇳🇿🇳🇿🐑🐑😷🤗

[@Dancewithdre]

The ending was so delightful.

[@josephtaylor6285]

...And I say to you, I have ever been grateful I had the wisdom to smash that subscribe button!

[@tylerhackner9731]

Please do more of these

[@anniebell6846]

Can you also take apart some dictators speeches it would be interesting to compare techniques used.

[@monicamazzaro2811]

Oooooooo love that idea 💡

[@EmilyKnight413]

was there at the capitol in 2009. aretha! the flags! the cookie that I still have in a box from au bon pain at 4am during that amazing COLD walk to the monument. what a day.

[@roofterrace4930]

when you wake up and think ugh another shit day in an endless series of shit days and then you see this vid LOL

[@Jimmy-b1y5q]

I'm watching that obama speech and no one in the crowd has a phone out. I miss that time.

[@pualanalstyle]

You guys are the best. Thank you for making these horrific Trump years more tolerable.

[@stevenwymor1398]

Ooooh, Lovett, dish on the hot goss of who in the Biden team didn’t want you hired.

[@Hipchick38]

!!! You guys rock! Too bad the Biden camp haven't enlisted the best speech writing team in American history! Love your work guys!

[@elliebluesea]

your faces so sweetly solemn as you listen to Obama. Love you guys. xx

[@beenice9867]

I discovered you guys a few months ago and seriously cannot get enough, so I’m going backwards in time. Love how honest, decent, and hysterically funny you all are.

[@amandaalmeida398]

Every time Jon talks about "smashing that button", I lose it. Every time.

[@pakde8002]

"A rendezvous with destiny" That speech literally gives me chills when you know how prophetic that statement was and what the nation and world was forced to contend with in the following decade. This generation is facing an existential crisis no less bewildering than that met and overcome in a glorious way by that greatest generation, and perhaps even greater as we are challenged not only with rising fascism and authoritarianism in our own country but a global pandemic, the possibility of another depression and just for shits and giggles global warming and several extinction event astroids that will pass within the striking range of Earth. Yet the nation hasn't been this divided since the civil rights struggle or possibly since outbreak of civil war. That better be one helluva speech.

[@midnightrose241]

“In the moment and of the moment.” Poignant. And while I’ve never heard the ‘36 speech before, Lovett is exactly right when it comes to the power of the potential of a liberal agenda

[@KevinCrouchWX]

I’d like to see commentary on Carter’s “Crisis of Confidence” speech.

[@nautilusbelauensis6292]

Really interested in these, would love more!

[@pegweg47]

What about writing for women? Different sensibilities?! Different strategies? “Enquiring minds want to know!”

[@HussainFilm]

there's an old video they did on convention speeches which includes lovett talking about writing hillary's 2008 convention speech and her rallies, type of one-liner jokes they used etc.

[@BlueRaven990]

Been here since Keepin it 1600 Hon. 💙💙💙!

[@rustyb2692]

How could they!!!! Not hire Lovett💙💙💙💙💙

[@GretchenVaughn]

Next political speech genre to break down: Eulogies. Those are impossible to write, impossibly good when done well.

[@podsaveamerica]

Great idea!

[@nickgjarlis2690]

Tony Blinken tried to stop Jon Lovett from getting the job as speechwriter for President Obama or not

[@megalodontheestallion5241]

THANK YOUUUU! I KNEW I COULD TRUST THE COMMENTS SECTION TO FIND OUT! I thought it might be him, I just couldn't think of his name.

[@CrazyCupcakeFairy]

Are u sure? I thought it was Neera Tanden

[@megalodontheestallion5241]

@@CrazyCupcakeFairy was she in the Obama white house?! I thought she was more closely aligned with Clinton? Hnm..i guess the search for a more definite answer continues...

[@CrazyCupcakeFairy]

@@megalodontheestallion5241 I think so but she also worked on the Clinton Campaign in 2008 with Lovett. Favreau would have asked her for a reference. Also they said before that that person worked at CAP and she did

[@nickgjarlis2690]

@@CrazyCupcakeFairy I am not sure at all

[@Useyanoggin]

that fauci joke hit different

[@ceci2894]

THE JOE MANCHIN PART

[@unvergebeneid]

0:25 I want to know more about that tea!

[@ceezb5629]

The only thing I’d like to see is having someone of minority background provide input and be involved in drafting this inaugural address.

[@richardfrank8015]

I’m incredibly happy that I smashed the subscribe button!

[@podsaveamerica]

So are we! :)

[@dianemccall2898]

Fascinating stuff guys. Top job!

[@jamisonbundy3911]

They definitely made me hit that button.

[@olabaranska285]

Ok I know it's beside the point, but WHO didn't want to hire Jon? It's pretty much all I can think about now.

[@PastorTheGathering]

I wouldn’t start my day without y’all.

[@elijahsanders3649]

do more inauguration stuff i love it. It could be simillar to the dnc one as a multiple part series

[@podsaveamerica]

Come back on Monday for a new video about how inaugurations are planned with Alyssa and Dan! And then we'll have live coverage on the day as well :)

[@pamelamattox7881]

Great show, love your work.

[@podsaveamerica]

Thank you very much!

[@claudiavera370]

I love you guys! All the way from Argentina! YOU ARE FANTASTIC!

[@shelofol]

Loved this!

[@marietellez6021]

Beautiful Barack Obama 🙏🏾💙🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✊🏽💯💯💯

[@renefuentes7085]

Lol... I smashed the subscribe when you asked. There’s a first time for everything

[@_k3nny]

These are awesome! Can you guys do more breakdowns?

[@podsaveamerica]

Ask and ye shall receive!

[@preethibalasubramony4890]

Maybe Biden could start by saying “Now THAT’S a crowd! Am I right?!”

[@2adamast]

The national guard?

[@catesauri]

I feel like this should have way more views

[@podsaveamerica]

Share it with your friends :)

[@CompletelyCr]

I'd love to smash the like button, but that would decrease the likelihood of Dan being forced to ask in the future, and that is far more hilarious.

[@HussainFilm]

Speechwriters react idea: State of The Union/Addresses to Congress with anecdotes about Obama's that Favs and Lovett worked on in the first term. What the objective of these are, who the audience is, what they made of the "you lie!" joe wilson moment etc.

[@andrewchavez4479]

"Haven't done my taxes, I'm too turnt up!"

[@neuroticmonkey]

I know it may be seen as fluff, but I think it would be cool to have Lovett and Favreau dissect presidential speeches from TV and film. Independence Day, Dave, The American President, Deep Impact, Nixon, etc. And discuss what politicians can learn from dramatic rhetoric and how to best employ it (specifically Dems who are awful at messaging).

[@TheGerm24]

I smashed the button for you guys.

[@podsaveamerica]

Thanks!!

[@phhplover02]

Love this! Can you break down famous speeches from congressmen and women in a future video?

[@amandapirot1022]

Awesome you guys!

[@naptownlarjbeats5473]

Great video guys! You guys should definitely do more videos like this because I found this really interesting!

[@enricodeguzman9646]

Good show!

[@V1ckyL]

This was really interesting

[@vonkug]

Nixon's inaugural was pretty wonky, love to see you cover it.

[@kathyraidt16]

Luv this!

[@KevinRblueneuronnet]

Been too long since we've had one of these.

[@Canadasorryeh]

Interesting. Glad I found this channel.

[@gaylehilbert8126]

How many times can I smash the subscribe button?

[@ems7623]

Tempted to take a clip out of this when you say "It's time to smash that ..." and circulate it as a meme.

[@friedrice4015]

That Obama speech was tickling something in the back of my head, which was weird, because I wasn't really old enough to be involved in politics when it happened. Then I realized: That speech was on a standardized test I had to take a few years ago in highschool for the state of Florida. Millions of students had to write an essay about that speech and were probably cursing you the entire time.

[@podsaveamerica]

Hope you passed!

[@shannonstone290]

I would SMASH THAT BUTTON EVERY TIME!!🤣🤣🤣😍😘

[@miaomiaochan]

Heck, just give WV and AK whatever they want.

[@pakde8002]

Marrying underaged first cousins???😱😱😱

[@tobistein6639]

I'd love to see an analysis of populist speeches vs policy speeches. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each, what kinds of candidates or voter bases are best suited to which type, etc.

[@unreliablenarrator6649]

You guys are at your best when discussing your craft and how/why to frame issues. (And at your worst talking about foreign policy, LOL).

[@erikwick]

I wanna know what Ronan is working on. Cuz you KNOW he's working on something good.

[@ellenw391]

I'm in the middle of the most honest reflection... I don't know what to do when 1 of my favorite podcast Far exceeds pretty much every history class I had. I of course had seen Kennedy speech but none of the others. I didn't even know there was film on them. I had heard audio on the "nothing to fear" line, but video? Never. And while it might be eons later, I always thought I had a pretty good education. So history that includes great humor. If I hadn't already smashed all the buttons I would LOLOL

[@podsaveamerica]

haha glad you enjoyed it!

[@zackzada]

Liked and subscribed!

[@0321MrsJones]

SMASH all buttons!!!

[@jetaime200]

we want more!!!!!

[@palmertd05]

I wish I could subscribe again because of that pitch. Great video guys!