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Feb 4, 2008 4:44 pm US/Eastern
Local Man Behind Obama's Inspiring Speeches
NORTH READING (WBZ) ―
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Barack Obama, a Democratic presidential candidate addressed an overflow crowd of supporters on the University of Denver campus Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.
CBS
When Barack Obama delivers a rousing speech, North Reading's Jon Favreau gets a lot of compliments.
At 26, Favreau is the Illinois Senator's chief speechwriter.
"I get a few odd looks from people when I first meet people and they find out I'm his speechwriter, because I guess I'm a little young," says Favreau.
But there's little surprise at Favreau's alma aater, the College of the Holy Cross.
"I knew as soon as I got to know Jon that if the political system worked, it would be lucky to tap into people like Jon," says Stephanie Yuhl, Jon's college history professor.
While a staffer for Sen. John Kerry, Favreau met Obama at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Later, he joined Obama in the Senate and began to "learn Obama's voice."
"He gives me lines he wants to use, phrases, ideas, emails with chunks of outlines, so it's a real collaborative effort. It really works out well," says Favreau. "It's a little like being Tom Brady's quarterback coach."
But the question remains - when you listen to a Barack Obama speech, do you hear Jon?
Yuhl says not exactly.
"It's a good question. No. I don't necessarily hear Jon, because Barack Obama himself is a great speaker," she says. "I do hear certain ordinariness. There aren't platitudes, it's accessible," says Yuhl. If that's Barack Obama, that's great. But I know its Jon Favreau."
"It's inspiring. It's inspiring to see him own the words, (laughs) because most of them are his," jokes Favreau.
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