JFK's Speechwriter Now Putting Words Into Obama Campaign
If you wonder why Barack Obama's speeches remind you of the speeches of John and Robert Kennedy, it's because their speech writer, Ted Sorenson, is writing Obama's speeches. ---BBB
JFK's Speechwriter Now Putting Words Into Obama Campaign
Written by: Doug G. Ware
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Last Update: 2/09/08
Theodore C. Sorensen, Special Counsel and primary speechwriter to U.S. President John F. Kennedy. (Abbie Rowe - National Park Service)
"He is more like John F. Kennedy than any other candidate of our time" - Ted Sorenson, adviser to JFK, about Barack Obama NEW YORK CITY - The man who actually hand-wrote some of the most popular and historic words ever heard from the White House is now lending his creativity and support to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Theodore Chaikin "Ted" Sorenson was Pres. John F. Kennedy's speechwriter in the early 1960s. He wrote some of Kennedy's most-remembered speeches and conducted some of the Administration's most critical business -- that sometimes went far beyond the realistic expectations of a mere wordsmith.
In fact, some historians say Sorenson's talents saved the world from nuclear destruction.
Sorenson, who turns 80 in May, has long been retired from actual speechwriting but he now feels compelled to lend creative service to who he feels is the country's best option right now: Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
"I endorsed Barack Obama for president... because he is more like John F. Kennedy than any other candidate of our time," Sorensen said recently.
He also noted similarities between Kennedy and Obama, like how both canddiates were called "too young" and "inexperienced." Sorenson also makes mention of the social challenges both candidates had to face; Kennedy being a Roman Catholic and Obama being an Afro-American.
"The times are too important. We have got to have someone with judgment leading this country," he said. "I'm supporting Obama because I believe he has that same spirit, that same desire to call to public service... especially the young people, but all the citizens to live up to their obligations." (Watch video of Sorenson endorsing Obama)
Sorenson graduated from the University of Nebraska and immediately went to work for John Kennedy. By the time the Massachusetts senator became president in 1960, Sorenson was penning his speeches -- including the famed words on inauguration day 1961 that urged Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you... ask what you can do for your country."
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shares a laugh with reporters during a flight from St. Louis to Wilmington, Del., Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
According to reports, Sorenson has now become close with the young speechwriters in Obama's camp -- and has occasionally thrown in a creative phrase or a clever one-liner to be used during one of the senator's future exhortations. In addition, Sorensen is said to be giving advice and support to the Obama campaign.
It would almost be unthinkable for Obama to refuse the offering, too. Sorenson's acts during 13 days in October 1962 are believed, by some, to have saved the world from nuclear annihilation.
In addition to being JFK's primary speechwriter, Sorensen also served as Special Counsel and Adviser to the president -- meaning he weilded significant influence when it came to matters, foreign and domestic. The foreign part was put to use at the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis on Oct. 14, 1962.
President Kennedy and Sorensen drafted communications to be sent to the Soviet Union with hopes of striking a deal to stop the crisis. Soviet ships carrying nuclear warheads were bound for Cuba -- less than 100 miles from the U.S. cost -- while other missiles were already being put together on the island.
At one point during the crisis, Sorensen even met with a carrier for the KGB on a Washington, D.C. street, where he exchanged a newspaper that contained an important message for the president.
In the film Thirteen Days (2000), a retelling of the crisis, Sorenson is played by actor Tim Kelleher and is portrayed as a crafty speechwriter that, accurately, contributed greatly to the situation.
Obama's campaign can certainly use Sorenson's proven skills as many polls indicate that he lacks Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. However, the two are neck-and-neck in the amount of delegates they have secured so far; 832 to 821 for Clinton and Obama, respectively.
2,025 delegates are needed for the official nomination.
