Jon Favreau left the White House a few weeks ago…
*****
Some people were having a problem viewing the video here is youtube version
At the JFK School of politics; Favreau discusses how he met then Senator Obama at the 04 DNC convention, his job interview w/ PBO the week after he was elected, fun anecdotes like his fear of flying and the process/stories on how famous PBO speeches over the last decade were created.
White House.gov
Hey, First. YAY!!
We have to get rid of these crazy Re-thug governors. Gov. Tome “Cut Iit” Corbett of PA, and Gov. Nimrata Nikki Randhawa Haley of SC, don’t want to expand Medicaid to cover constituents in their states. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE!!??
Yay!!!!!! Congrats isonprize! Good to see you up there
Congratulations on first, isonprize.
Congrats isonprize!
Congrats isonprize, in lieu of the NCAA tourney he pulls up…..he shoots……he scores #1
Lovelyplains, that is just TOO COOL!!!
LL, I don’t see anything under the headline, just white space. Is there a secret code you are using on me?
Great one LL…
How interesting!
okay, wait a minute. WHERE IS everybody???
Congrats isonprize on #1!
Isonprize, Congrats on #1! I was still reading the last thread before I found out that there was a new one. I agree with you totally about working hard, in 2014, to get rid of these headless tea bag governors. There are quite a few of them (SC, PA, FL, OH, MI, WI) up for re-election.
*headless tea bag governors* = Love it. The headless part.
JO, sometimes typos come out sounding so creative. I actually intended to say heartless! But, come think of it, may be “headless” was not that far off the mark! As far as I am concerned, these heartless GOP governors have also lost their heads.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Easter!
Ha! Headless or heartless, they are that!
Happy Easter to you, as well!
Just peaked in, first time today, picked up where left off, that being ” complete randomness” OMG.
Brakes! Screeeeeeeeeeech!! STOP! Made it!
We’re you speeding VC?
Picked up speed when I realized I was being left behind, CM.
I’m slowing down.
isonprize already had her eyes on the prize…unfortunately for you and I
Congrats, Isonprize!
Ah Chips, I can’t keep up with you. Listen, I thought they were somebody’s fingers in that soup. My dad used to love chicken feet, but I never saw mama cook ‘em. If they look like that, then I’m glad I didn’t.
(I finally figured out that they weren’t hands, but it took somebody’s post to tell me what they really were.)
Between PBO’s photo and those chicken feet, I think my circuits have short circuited. Need to go to bed. Thank you for all you do, I think.
Dammit! No fair.
Again, Vanity 6, which my neighbors are playing.
The one in the black dress is a born again christian now. I believe her name is Denise, I have seen her on that christian channel TBN talking about her life.
I was just getting ready to call it a night, when I saw the new thread…so good night all, have a great Easter morning. We’re expecting non-stop rain here tomorrow so all Easter egg hunts are going to be pretty soggy.
Hopefully, my 2-year-old great grandson, who now calls himself “Stuntman,” will be having his Easter egg hunt in nice, balmy Florida weather tomorrow! I won’t see him again until June, but I can picture it!
I just came back to my computer and it was still on the other thread and I was about to respond to LL’s Hulu drink, when I noticed an email indicator on my inbox and “it’s another new thread”!
A well rounded piece on kenya elections.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21732733
So, as a frequent visitor, do you think the winner actually won?
I wasn’t there during the elections, but have had 3 batches of kenyans in my shop in last one month, the first, just before the elections, the second, on the day of elections and the third, last week. The support was evenly split between kenyatta and odinga. Given the 7 point spread, even odinga supporters agreed that they had no chance even if there was a re-election. And the parliament and state elections were more or less evenly poised with both parties having enough reps.
It will be interesting to see how the west (read us and uk) will move on from their openly hostile attitude to the new prez during the elections since kenya is a strategic key security ally in that part of africa.
I was there a month after the last elections and fear of violence was everywhere. I was advised not to move out of the hilton hotel till a company rep picked me up. Even then, my cab was subjected to stone throwing in Nairobi near the university and my driver was smart enough to drive away from the crowd with a broken windshield. I am glad this time it was largely peaceful. Odinga’s statement after the sc decision was classy. Kenyans must be proud of this election.
Well, speak of the devil.
W.H. urges peaceful acceptance of Kenyan election results
“On behalf of the President and the people of the United States, we congratulate Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as president of Kenya. We also congratulate the people of Kenya on the peaceful conduct of the election and commend Raila Odinga for accepting the Supreme Court’s decision,” Carney said in a statement. “We urge all Kenyans to peacefully accept the results of the election. The electoral process and the peaceful adjudication of disputes in the Kenyan legal system are testaments to the progress Kenya has made in strengthening its democratic institutions, and the desire of the Kenyan people to move their country forward.”
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/03/wh-urges-peaceful-acceptance-of-kenyan-election-results-160541.html?hp=l4
This is good news!
My jelly beans should be in full bloom tomorrow morning!
Is anyone watching the video at the top of the post? I cannot resist the tapes where people present the President honestly ….even when the video is long.
All I have is a white space where the video should be. I’d love to see it though.
I added the video up top, don’t know why it didn’t show up for some….
Oh, thanks for this!
Thanks LP. Thought you were playing a trick on us. Thinking of posting o/t! What program was it?
Its a really great video…..you will get anecdotes you have never heard before, from one of the people who have been with the president since 2004…day in and day out. They also play clips from the WHCA dinner, the Iowa Jefferson/Jackson dinner when PBO was down 20 to Hillary, the speech after the NH primary loss, the Philidelphia race speech, first inaugural, ect… And Jon explains how the speech was written, the content, the timeline….just awesome stuff. And during the Q&A some great tips about writing to boot.
{{{Lovely Plains}}} - I thank you for this!
I’ve just watched half of it - two things resound
- the Speech of look at the big picture - we can’t run campaigns based on things that don’t matter (I think part of the “race” speech”)
- the inauguration - no-one knew how bad things were
I still think so many - especially of the GOP variety - have no idea what the President did to save the economy - and the media and the GOP still use those things - that really don’t matter - rather than address the big picture. Listening to some of those things - it is criminal - and terribly sad - that the GOP stops any real attempts to do anything - other than rob the middle class and hope that the poor die young.
Thanks LP - it is a delight to have someone who thinks, believes and does everything in his power to put those ideas into action.
vc, when does Jon start to speak on the vid? The guy doing the intro talks waayyy too slow for me, I’ll fall asleep before Jon comes on.
I can’t check GG because I’m still watching it (at the 40 min mark is where I am right now). It is really interesting, and despite the questions Jon is doing a fabulous job presenting the Pres. This is one I am going to listen to again, though not right away.
Can u imagine its just been 3 months since PBO was sworn in? These rightwingers have already exhausted my patience with their obstruction
I was at that point, already, between the election and his swearing in. Argghhh.
‘Barack Obama has a core.’ He sure does, Jon F.
Oh Good Grief!
hopefruit2, Can someone tell me who is it POTUS suppose to have murder?
Probably John McCain’s career, from that buzzard’s point of view. McCain has turned out to be a sorry-ass excuse for a human being. I think he was that way all along, but had fooled people. Now the ugly fangs of envy and bitterness have chipped away at his fake outer rim, and we get to see his hollowed-out insides.
John McCain has lived since Vietnam on the role of “wounded veteran” - he has received more support, more help and more of everything than 99% of veterans of any war - and still he wants more - for John McCain. I grew up with families where the fathers were prisoners of war for many years - where most of their friends died & where they returned less than half the men they used to be. Many did not survive to get to 60 years - they did what they could, never talked about their suffering and faded away - supporting their government and doing no harm to anyone.
No matter - Benghazi - McCain lost - and the brainless woman he took on as VP helped him lose. He probably made many worse decisions in his youth - but he has shown his complete lack of intelligence & judgement in the past 6 years. Benghazi is just another example - there is NOTHING with which to attack PBO - so McCain makes stuff up.
So sorry about the sad stories you related … but well said. If even McCain - just that one ugly Republican - would leave the national spotlight, our world would be such a nicer place.
I’m a true “boomer” jacqueline - so grew up in a time when the majority of fathers were WWII vets - In later years I’ve become something of a pacifist - I hate what war does to people and I hate the meaningless “thank you for your service” if it is not followed with help and support. I love what FLOTUS has done to support the military - support where and when needed - so much more important and relevant than screaming “Benghazi” on every news show in town. John McCain could have used his history to make a difference - he just wasn’t and isn’t a man to remember.
In the annals of history, he will only be known as the man defeated by President Barack Obama. That he know this - is good.
I’m an “original boomer,” and my dad, too, came back changed from WWII - and that changed and broke up our family as time went on, over the next couple of years, because he couldn’t get back to a “regular” life with responsibilities. I didn’t remember him and didn’t see him again until I was in my early 30s and my mother (we had bought a house together at the time, and my son was about 11) heard he had emphysema and lung cancer and wanted to bring him home to take care of him. She wanted to do that after 30 years, so that was some torch she was carrying! She was like a school girl when we picked him up, in another state, and brought him home. He didn’t live long after that, but he got to be back with his family.
My mother never said one bad word against him to my sisters and me, the entire time we were growing up (which some parents should choose to do today, instead of all the bad-mouthing, which only hurts children), so he was welcomed. He was just a simple man sent off to war without the skills to cope … and, as you said, without the benefits of the background (and Admiral daddy) that the defeated McCain took for granted and abused.
I’m pretty much a pacifist, myself, for this and other reasons.
Thank you so much for sharing jacqueline - I guess I was lucky that my father came home mainly in one piece - physically and mentally. He did learn a “live for today” attitude - which sometimes made things hard for my mother - especially financially - but they were together almost 64 years - sometimes I would wonder why she stayed - but she was always on his side - so I see your mother’s thoughts when she wanted him at home when he was ill. I can still remember my Dad lecturing me on some of the “fathers” who were “a bit strange”. I was to be polite, kind and not stare. It was a different world.
In many ways, they were still the greatest generation! But then our generation came along, and - wow - did we make some changes, many for the better, some we’re still waitin’ to realize!
JOB, this must have been very hard for you growing up. It’s very difficult to live without a father, especially in the fifties and sixties when being a single mom was not common. My father died of cancer when I was five years old and it still feel a hole in my heart. Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman-you were lucky to have her.
Thanks so much for those words, Jackie - Yes, I was lucky to have my mom.
Also so sorry to hear of your own dad’s passing, when you were so young. We’ll never forget any of those who have left us, will we?
I hope Hell exists just so that GWB and Cheney can inhabit it after their worthless lives have run their courses.
Tomas Young: Dying veteran takes parting shot at Bush,
Maybe Rumsfeld and a few others can hitch a ride with ‘em.
Sweet dreams everyone! Happy Easter tomorrow! Hugs all around! {{{{Chipsticks}}}}
{{{{{{PBO}}}}} {{{TOD}}}
Happy Easter, the Mighty Pamela!
Eiffel Tower evacuated over ‘threat’.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21985492
Yes but all was well (saw a tweet hours later).
Jon worked 8 years with President Obama and speaks lovingly of the President’s AUTHENTICITY!
And anyone working that closely with him oughta know!
Anyone with their eyes open can see that this President is authentic. Those who can’t, are simply choosing to be ignorant.
I really enjoy the video of the former speech writer Favreau.
Isn’t it great, Annieb? That young man has certainly had a terrific experience. I love the way he repeatedly shared the fact that the President virtually outlined all his speeches, and how he found the teleprompter comments silly.
I also LOVED the fact that the interviewer was so inconsequential to this interview.
I almost gave up watching when he was talking about Peggy Noonan! I think he was a GOP speechwriter from times past - very inconsequential.
I don’t like him, haven’t since 2008 on CNN, though I think he’s supposed to have been a ‘bi-partisan’ political adviser. He really is irrelevant here IMO.
‘He doesn’t do artifice well.’ You’ve ALL got to listen to Jon Favreau’s final answer to David Gergen about who the president really is!
(I notice Gergen was still perpetuating the myth.) That sentence I quoted is just one of a group of sentences that we all could attest to even though *we* haven’t Gergen’s exposure!
Glad it’s not just me having concerns…
He is a libertarian punk masquerading as a lefty. Hopefully the stupid left won’t pull a 2010 in 2014 listening to frauds like him.
I think the good news is that many folks have become aware of the emoprog/Libertarian antics. There may come a point when smug Little Chris finds himself wondering whaaaaapen?…..
AMK, I agree with you 100% about Chris Hayes. I doubt that the “holier than thou” left has learned anything
Not sure he’s a libertarian. I see him as a “limousine liberal”, or to borrow an expression from Barack Obama, a “bourgeois liberal”. The kind of guy who pontificates for hours with others over a cup of coffee in a chic café, says that all politicians are bad and don’t know how to govern, points out all that’s wrong, but never WORKS for real change.
Chris subscribes to liberalism, but from what I see, he could learn a thing or two if he got out of his comfortable life and went in the field, either at the grassroots level doing some “community organizing”, or in government to see with his own eyes how tough the job is.
Chris Hayes, Rachel, Katrina Von “something”, they are well meaning people, and sometimes they ask difficult questions that have to be asked, but what gets to me is how they are so in love with themselves, the tone of condescension, the patronizing, etc… They wouldn’t survive one week in the President’s shoes.
Look at Jon Favreau, who’s of the same generation. He HAS been inside, he HAS SEEN how difficult governing is. He has a much more realistic view of how hard it is to make change happen.
Thanks so much! This video is now a favorite, right up there with the Michael Lewis one. I wanted to slap Gergen for his nasty final question, but Jon really blew him away with his answer. Our President really picks talented staff. Bless Jon for working so hard for Obama these past 8-years. He said it will be one of the most memorable experiences of his life - no doubt
Wasn’t that brilliant overall, Sara? I love the way Favreau repeatedly praised the President in a very natural, no-fuss way, dropping key pieces about his personality without overdoing it.
No wonder they got along so well, and were on each other’s page, literally and figuratively. Both are understated, talented, and in it for the greater good. Jon Favreau will go even further than he already has, at such a young age.
What do you make of this? http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/high-online-engagement-level-between-mainst
High Online Engagement Level Between Mainstream GOP and Extremists, Study Shows
Of course, we have been saying the same thing for years now - teabaggers are goopers.
Cast your eyes on this dancer.
http://www.nationalmemo.com/smashed-records-dead-theories-in-first-quarter-top-tax-rate-went-up-and-markets-soared/
Concluding the first quarter of 2013, we still await the portents of doom that preoccupied the right as the year began three months ago. Ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans – which President Obama insisted must be part of the “fiscal cliff” deal – would be ruinous to the economy, said his Republican critics. Unless we extended those tax breaks again, growth would be stifled and the consequences would be dire.
So far, so wrong, at least so far as the markets indicate: During the first three months of this year, stock indices have broken records that have remained intact since 2007. In fact, this quarter is the single best recorded by the Dow Jones index since 1998, with an increase of more than 11 percent. Standard & Poor’s went up by 10 percent and NASDAQ increased by 8 percent.
http://www.nationalmemo.com/documentary-hits-fossil-fuel-industry-funded-climate-change-deniers/
I’s going to read a bit before turning out the lights! Toodle-di-doo y’all.
It’s always about “the hoax on the american people” - It is so refreshing that President Obama knows - and sees - America in a world context. The GOP sees the rest of the world as “enemies” of the US and it is very sad to watch from afar.
It’s very sad to watch up close, too.
Lovelyplains, thank you for posting the video. I got myself comfortable and watched it all the way through and enjoyed it!
GM GGail….
so did i..
That’s horrible - and scarey
Whoa….
https://twitter.com/ekk120/status/318223461237526529
The “tweets are protected,” amk …
Sorry, I can see the tweet. I don’t know why others can’t see or why it wouldn’t post here.
Anyhoo, the gist is
Hay Republicans, it seems you only pay attention to what the Bible says when it talks of homosexuality or abortion, but what about what is said about helping the poor, the sick, the homeless, those in prison, the orphans, the widows. I don’t recall the Bible saying anything about look down on the poor, treat and talk about them like they are no bodies. I don’t recall the Bible saying look after the rich and to hell with the poor.
Love this, anniebella
Beautiful picture, amk.
I’m just seeing this, and it’s profound, of course. Thanks!
I just love it when people fight back:
Great Interview……loved it…..
“Take the Long View”
Night everyone,,,,truly enjoyed all the threads and comments from TODville..
Sleep well, prettyfoot!
Good morning Chips and my TOD Family. I have been lying low for a few days because of physical adjustments, however, I have missed my family here so decided to try reading some tonight.
The video with Jon Favreau is so beautiful. I sat and just listened to his every word and his spirit just moved me to tears. I am so elated to see him doing interviews of this nature. Jon spoke with so much knowledge about POB and so truthful that it brought so much pride in the fact that he not only loved his job, he loves his president and totally respects him.
I urged everyone to take the time to sit and watch and listen to this one. Blessings of many joys always go with this wonderful, brilliant young man. I know that Jon will always be in POB’s life just as we see Reggie still hanging with POB. I saw Reggie with POB at the game today. These beautiful young people will have so much to share with all of us, if they choose to do some writing. Great watching.
Everyone please have a beautiful Easter and cherish your time with family and all those you invite into your space.
A loving celebration tomorrow to our wonderful president and First Family. ((((Blessings and lots of love, Chips)))HZ
THIS!!
Jon Favreau is just the sort of young man that you can imagine PBO mentoring. Smart, respectful, funny, engaging and a bit irreverent. What an amazing 8 years he’s spent with our President!! He saw it all, up close. I treasure their work together.
The way he describes PBO is exactly how we experience him. I truly hope all of you have the chance some day to meet President Obama in person. He will impress you beyond belief with his integrity, warmth and authenticity, exactly as Jon conveys so beautifully and playfully.
Thank you so much Lovely Plains for sharing this video! Speaking for my self, I was just amazed at how Jon Favreau confirmed everything I feel about President Obama though I’ve never met him personally. But then again, I’ve never met any other president face to face. The only person running for president that I met face to face and shook his hand was Robert F. Kennedy. I remember his handshake and the time he spent on acknowledging me, a young, insignificant college student. But that’s because RFK was, to use Jon Favreau’ s words, “AUTHENTIC.”
After reading two of President Obama’s books, and watching his speeches and interactions with people, there is no doubt in my mind that President Obama is one of the most “AUTHENTIC” politicians in my life time. That’s why I’ve never understood the false meme pushed by the media that he is an arrogant and remote person. The media can get away with that false meme because they refuse to show how President Obama was received by, and interacted with, people in foreign countries like Ireland, India, Thailand, Brazil, Australia, Ghana, U.K, etc., etc. They also routinely refuse to cover how he interacts with, and is received by, people all across this country. I was so glad to see John emphatically reject the media’s false image of this great and decent man we twice elected President of the United States. I can’t remember a President who genuinely hugged ordinary people, and was so comfortable with Children, as President Obama has been.
The white establishment corporate emmessem can’t handle the fact that he is still personally popular with people world over despite their constant ‘the other’ meme and that he doesn’t give two hoots about them or hate-filled views about him.
Apple denied iPad Mini US trademark
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21987831
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/white-men-have-much-to-discuss-about-mass-shootings/2013/03/29/7b001d02-97f3-11e2-814b-063623d80a60_story.html
Imagine if African American men and boys were committing mass shootings month after month, year after year. Articles and interviews would flood the media, and we’d have political debates demanding that African Americans be “held accountable.” Then, if an atrocity such as the Newtown, Conn., shootings took place and African American male leaders held a news conference to offer solutions, their credibility would be questionable. The public would tell these leaders that they need to focus on problems in their own culture and communities.
But when the criminals and leaders are white men, race and gender become the elephant in the room.
This should cause quite the stir…Good morning everyone
A little more from this piece:
Nearly all of the mass shootings in this country in recent years — not just Newtown, Aurora, Fort Hood, Tucson and Columbine — have been committed by white men and boys. Yet when the National Rifle Association (NRA), led by white men, held a news conference after the Newtown massacre to advise Americans on how to reduce gun violence, its leaders’ opinions were widely discussed.
Unlike other groups, white men are not used to being singled out. So we expect that many of them will protest it is unfair if we talk about them. But our nation must correctly define their contribution to our problem of gun violence if it is to be solved.
When white men try to divert attention from gun control by talking about mental health issues, many people buy into the idea that the United States has a national mental health problem, or flawed systems with which to address those problems, and they think that is what produces mass shootings.
But women and girls with mental health issues are not picking up semiautomatic weapons and shooting schoolchildren. Immigrants with mental health issues are not committing mass shootings in malls and movie theaters. Latinos with mental health issues are not continually killing groups of strangers.
Thx df. Tweeted
Why are white male congressmen leading the fight against gun control?
If Americans ask the right questions on gun issues, we will get the right answers. These answers will encourage white men to examine their role in their own culture and to help other white men and boys become healthier and less violent.
I agree desertflower. They wouldn’t give a darn about second amendment rights if blacks were going around killing whites. But where is the media at to ask the question what is it with white men and boys to make them commit these mass murders?
Don’t hold your breath. They will never ask that question.
This is my point from the article….
but i do not expect much buzz on this article…i do not expect our press…composed of primarily white men to take on this challenge…this is why it matters to have a folks of color/gender…etc….be in all aspects of our society including the press…because they bring that perspective that only they can bring…
**********************************************
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/white-men-have-much-to-discuss-about-mass-shootings/2013/03/29/7b001d02-97f3-11e2-814b-063623d80a60_story.html
For example, our schools teach American history as the history of everyone in this nation. But the stories we learn are predominantly about white men. To study the history of other groups, people have to take separate classes, such as African American history, women’s history or Native American history. And if we take “Hispanic American History,” we don’t expect to learn “Asian American History,” because a class about anyone but white men is assumed not to be inclusive of anyone else.
This societal and cultural programming makes it easy for conservative, white-male-led groups to convince the nation that an organization led by white men, such as the NRA or the tea party movement, can represent the interests of the entire nation when, in fact, they predominately represent only their own experiences and perspectives.
desertflower, I agree. You know I have been thinking for some time now, that if it was black Americans, specially young black men buying up the weapons, buying these assault weapons like white folks does, there would be something done about it by the Congress. Because white folks would would claim to be in fear. If it was black men going around committing these mass shooting white folks would be in fear and want the weapons out of the hands of the black men.
AKA…Reagon passing gun laws to take guns out of the hands of the Black Panther Party…
Thanks amk and annie…..here’s another, asking a similar question. See a “pattern” here???
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/03/31/terrorists-of-the-right-color/
Hi TODers, Happy Easter to you all.
Watching that video of Jon Favreau, it is quite telling that Trey Grayson (FAILED 2010 GOP senate candidate from my state Kentucky - lost to Rand Paul) avoided mentioning President Obama by name when introducing the guest speaker. such wingnut hatred!
For those of you that like to ruin a completely good, quiet Sunday…here’s the complete list of talking heads for today….
http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/sunday-morning-bobblehead-thread-215
Let me wish everyone a Happy Easter.
New Post. Rise and Shine!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/03/31/rise-and-shine-baracktastic-and-michelleicious-easter/
Good Easter morning to those that celebrate. Loved the videos Chips. Watched until the end. I wish one of the speeches covered was his 2008 DNC acceptance speech. That too was worth a mention.
New post Rise and Shine by UT!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/03/31/rise-and-shine-baracktastic-and-michelleicious-easter/
Excellent, Jon Fav. He looks like Ben Afleck……when Afleck was younger.
The guy is fantastic. What an accomplishment at such a young age? I listened to the whole 1hr and 18mins. Thank you LovelPlains for this post. Great Job!
NP Nena, anytime.