Speechwriter Obama Gets Competitive

Inaugural address pressure is on, but Lincoln may help

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Jan 16, 2009 12:50 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama has nearly completed his inaugural address, and he's uniquely qualified to take on a seemingly insurmountable challenge: living up to the example set by the likes of Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy. "I would think we would hear the most eloquent speech since JFK’s 48 years ago," Kennedy speechwriter Ted Sorensen tells Politico. So ... no pressure!

Chief speechwriter Jon Favreau finished the first draft within a month of Election Day after meeting with Obama and David Axelrod; it's gone through at least two more drafts. As always, Obama—who visited the Lincoln Memorial in search of inspiration—has the final say. A Clinton staffer sees a definite contrast with No. 42's approach: "We were the kind of people who would write the term paper the night before it’s due."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

IN this Jan. 20, 1961, file photo, President John F. Kennedy delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath of office at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo, File)

White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emmanuel, left, and adviser David Axelrod listen as President-elect Barack Obama speaks, Dec. 3, 2008, during a news conference in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

This Nov. 4, 2008 file photo shows President-elect Barack Obama smiling during his acceptance speech at Grant Park in Chicago. (AP Photo/Morry Gash,File)

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There is a genius to Lincoln that is not going to be matched. - Barack Obama

Obama is the most eloquent presidential candidate since JFK, and I would think we would hear the most eloquent speech since JFK’s 48 years ago. - Ted Sorenson, speechwriter for JFK

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Guest

Jan 17, 2009 7:03 PM CST

couldn't he write his own speech? Lincon he'll never be. It would be nice if these fantasy people would be themselves. And just compare their selves to what ever works they have done. I'm tired of hearing how so and so thinks he or she is some other president or shiek or whatever. Just be your frickin self!!!

Caps

Jan 16, 2009 7:46 PM CST

Amen.

justme

Jan 16, 2009 7:44 PM CST

Good luck to Obama. He has to appease the left, try to pull in the center/right and deal with the Democratic egos who still see him as the junior senator from Illinois. He is an eloquent speaker who can reach the country. We certainly need the leadership.

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Barack Obama • John F. Kennedy • Bill Clinton • Abraham Lincoln • inauguration • President Obama • Theodore Sorensen

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Speechwriter Obama Gets Competitive