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Cody Keenan, former director of speechwriting for Barack Obama, shares his experiences and insights into the process of writing speeches for the President. He reflects on the valuable lessons he learned as an intern in Ted Kennedy's mailroom, emphasizing the importance of listening to people's stories and using them to make a positive impact through speeches. Keenan reveals that in the White House, they made it a priority to read every letter sent to the President, using them as a source of inspiration and insight into people's challenges. He discusses the different types of speeches they worked on, including everyday message events, ceremonial speeches, political stump speeches, and major policy addresses. The process of writing a speech for Obama involved collaboration, research, and careful crafting to ensure clarity, accuracy, and impact. Keenan explains the preparation for the State of the Union address, which started months in advance and involved gathering ideas, conducting polls, and making informed decisions about the speech's content. The speech would go through revisions and edits, with rehearsals being an essential part of the process. Keenan emphasizes the importance of rehearsing speeches, even for experienced speakers like Obama. He also discusses the challenges of giving a speech without an audience present, suggesting adjustments to the approach and keeping virtual speeches shorter. The conversation concludes with the importance of rehearsing speeches, even for non-Obama speakers.
Cody Keenan, former director of speechwriting for Barack Obama, shares his experiences and insights