Topic: Obama Speechwriters

Former Obama speechwriters on the Pod Save America podcast criticize the writing style of Trump advisor Stephen Miller. The hosts argue that Miller's writing is objectively poor regardless of his political views, comparing it to bad motivational speaking. The discussion highlights the competitive and often dismissive nature of professional political speechwriters.

Actor and activist Jesse Williams appeared on CBS This Morning to discuss a documentary about Barack Obama, praising the former president's "intellectual heft" and teaching style. Williams argues that Obama's connectivity and vocabulary were essential to his communication success. The hosts characterize the interview as an example of "Dimension B" media worship and contrast it with the communication style of Donald Trump.

A podcast featuring former Obama speechwriters and Dana Perino is noted for using the phrase "Resist We Much," a term popularized by the No Agenda show's mockery of Al Sharpton. The hosts suggest that mainstream media figures are secretly listening to the show, as the phrase is a specific linguistic error that would not occur naturally.

A New York Magazine profile of Ben Rhodes revealed his disdain for the "blob" of the foreign policy establishment and his pride in deceiving the public regarding the Iran deal. The hosts discuss a Charlie Rose interview featuring Obama speechwriters, including Jon Lovett, who reportedly wrote the "if you like your insurance, you can keep it" line for the Affordable Care Act.

President Obama discussed transitioning away from "dirty energy" by changing the management of oil and coal resources to fund a 21st-century transportation system. The transition in the speech from energy subsidies to high-speed rail was noted as a poorly written non-sequitur. Reports suggest the speech was the result of a 48-hour "binge writing" session by White House staffers.

The hosts critique the visual staging of a recent presidential speech, noting the use of six American flags behind the podium. They also mock the use of the word "moreover" in the script, attributing it to Microsoft Word's auto-suggest features.

The hosts mock President Obama for using the phrase "déjà vu all over again" during a speech. They identify the phrase as a famous "Yogi-ism" from baseball legend Yogi Berra and question whether the president's speechwriters understood the comedic origin of the tautology.

The inauguration speech, reportedly written by a 27-year-old staffer, is criticized for suggesting collective responsibility for the economic downturn. The hosts argue that responsible small business owners and individuals who do not use credit cards should not be blamed for the financial crisis.

An analysis of Barack Obama's speaking style focuses on his heavy reliance on dual teleprompters and rhythmic head movements. Discrepancies between official transcripts and his actual delivery in Berlin are noted, including a verbal slip regarding Afghan poppies and heroin in Berlin. The speech is criticized for being heavy on alliteration and metaphors but light on substantive policy, reflecting a "neoliberal internationalist" agenda.