Jon Favreau: Obama's Mind Reader Prepares for Congressional Address

As Favreau is learning, the job isn't all glamour. It can be quite tedious, past speechwriters say, involving the writing of an endless series of five-minute remarks for appearances, dull policy pronouncements, opening statements at news conferences and social receptions, and reactions to sudden news developments. And all the while coordinating with senior policymakers who are sticklers for detail. Some of Favreau's predecessors had trouble keeping up with the demand, and it's unclear how Favreau will cope with the pressure.

Not everything has gone smoothly. Over Thanksgiving, according to the Washington Post, he posed next to a cardboard cutout of Hillary Clinton at a party. A friend put the photos on Facebook, including one showing Favreau appearing to grope her cardboard breast. It became a controversy after the media discovered the pictures and raised questions about his maturity. Favreau called Clinton and Obama and apologized, and both said all was forgiven.

In recent weeks, he has declined media interviews, including a request from U.S. News, and White House officials have kept mum about him. Favreau feels that he has gotten enough exposure, a White House aide explains, and he doesn't want to call more attention to himself because he believes speechwriting should be a collaborative process. Besides, he told associates, he needed to focus on Obama's address to the joint session. But in December, he told the Post, "We know that we're going to have to approach the White House our way and have some fun with it because that kind of attitude is what made us successful." Now, there may be no time for fun. Not with the president dealing with one of the worst economic crises in modern times and Americans looking for reassurance and inspiration from their new leader. Favreau finds it all more than a bit daunting but tells friends that he feels honored to be present at the creation of a new era.