#407 — Can We Ever Return to Normal Politics?
In this episode of Making Sense with Sam Harris, former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau draws sharp contrasts between the Obama and Trump administrations' ethics and adherence to democratic norms. Favreau recounts how Obama's presidency, though imperfect, aimed for competence and public service. By contrast, he argues Trump's chaotic tenure prioritized self-enrichment over governance, eroding democratic institutions and due process.
Favreau details troubling examples of corruption under Trump, from unethical business dealings to disregard for asylum procedures. He warns that this assault on norms, if left unchecked, may permanently undermine public trust. Listeners will gain insight into the pivotal role ethical leadership plays in preserving democratic values amidst the shifting political landscape.
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Favreau's Political Career and Role of Speechwriter
Jon Favreau joined Senator Barack Obama's team in 2005 and quickly rose to become his head speechwriter for the 2008 presidential campaign and during Obama's White House tenure until 2013. As Sam Harris notes, speechwriting involves synthesizing policy into clear messaging through collaboration and negotiation with stakeholders.
Obama vs. Trump: Ethics and Norms
Favreau argues that Obama's administration upheld competence and public service despite mistakes, contrasting it sharply with Trump's "cult of personality" focused on pleasing the president over ethics or norms. Favreau was appalled by the Trump era's chaos, corruption, and norm violations prioritizing personal enrichment over governance.
Concerns About Trump Administration's Corruption and Democratic Threat
Favreau highlights troubling examples like the Trump family's self-enrichment schemes, such as hosting a Saudi-backed golf tournament at Trump's resort. He fears the administration's disregard for due process, like wrongful deportations without proper procedures, erodes the rule of law.
Favreau warns that Trump's chaos and corruption may unravel democracy by disregarding norms and having civil servants act primarily in the president's interest. He worries the lasting damage to public trust and institutions under Trump may prove difficult to repair, especially if the economy falters and tolerance for corruption decreases.
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Clarifications
- Jon Favreau played a crucial role as Barack Obama's head speechwriter during the 2008 presidential campaign and throughout Obama's time in the White House until 2013. As a speechwriter, Favreau was responsible for crafting Obama's speeches, helping to convey the administration's policies and messages effectively to the public. Favreau's work involved synthesizing complex policy ideas into clear and compelling language, shaping the narrative and tone of Obama's speeches. His role was instrumental in shaping how Obama communicated with the American people and the world.
- Obama's administration, according to Favreau, was seen as upholding competence and public service despite mistakes. In contrast, Trump's administration was criticized for prioritizing the president's interests over ethics and norms, leading to chaos, corruption, and norm violations. Favreau highlighted concerns about the Trump administration's actions, such as self-enrichment schemes and disregard for due process, which he believed posed a threat to democratic principles and the rule of law. The comparison underscores the differing approaches to governance and ethical standards between the two administrations.
- The potential consequences of Trump's actions on public trust and institutions include a lasting erosion of faith in government, weakening of democratic norms, and damage to the credibility of key institutions like the presidency and law enforcement agencies. This erosion of trust can lead to increased polarization, decreased civic engagement, and challenges in upholding the rule of law and democratic principles. The impact may extend beyond Trump's presidency, affecting future administrations and the overall functioning of the government. Restoring public trust and rebuilding institutions may require significant efforts and time to address the damage caused by the perceived corruption and norm violations.
Counterarguments
- Favreau's perspective on the Obama administration may be biased due to his close involvement and role as a speechwriter; others might argue that the administration had its own shortcomings in terms of transparency and policy decisions.
- While Favreau criticizes the Trump administration for a "cult of personality," supporters might argue that strong leadership and a decisive executive can be beneficial for effective governance and that Trump's approach resonated with a significant portion of the American electorate.
- The assertion that the Trump administration prioritized personal enrichment could be countered by pointing out that many politicians, regardless of party, have been accused of leveraging their positions for personal gain, and that such issues are not unique to the Trump era.
- The claim that Trump's administration had a disregard for due process might be met with the argument that every administration faces challenges in balancing civil liberties with national security and immigration policy, and that some of the measures taken were in the interest of protecting the country.
- The idea that Trump's administration could unravel democracy might be countered by the view that the American democratic system has checks and balances in place, and that the electorate has the power to change leadership through elections.
- Concerns about lasting damage to public trust and institutions could be met with the argument that public trust fluctuates over time and across administrations, and that institutions are resilient and capable of recovering from periods of stress.
- The suggestion that tolerance for corruption might decrease if the economy falters could be countered by historical examples where economic downturns have led to increased scrutiny and reform, potentially strengthening institutions in the long run.
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Favreau's Political Career and Role of Speechwriter
Jon Favreau's political beginnings and his progression to becoming a key speechwriter in the Democratic Party form an exemplary narrative of how speechwriters evolve in tandem with prominent political figures.
Favreau's Experience: Speechwriter For Democrats, Senate, White House
Jon Favreau's career took off when he joined John Kerry's presidential campaign as a press assistant in 2004, directly after graduating from college. Post-Kerry's loss, Favreau joined forces with Senator Barack Obama in 2005.
Favreau Started As a Press Assistant on John Kerry's 2004 Campaign and Rose To Top Speechwriter for Barack Obama In the 2008 Campaign and the White House
Favreau quickly rose through the ranks, serving as the head speechwriter for Obama throughout his tenure in the Senate, the pivotal 2008 presidential campaign, and then in the White House. His tenure as head speechwriter in the White House continued until 2013 when he departed the role.
Favreau's Role as Speechwriter: Policy Synthesis, Communication, Collaboration
Sam Harris inquires about the nuances of a speechwriter’s role—whether it is a mere transcription of politicians' thoughts or an engagement with policy and crafting messages. Although Favreau does not provide a direct answer, the question highlights the complex facets of the speechwriter's job involving policy synthesis, strategic communication, and collaboration with different teams.
Speechwriting: Diplomacy and Negotiating Content For Stakeholders
In contrast to the motivational focus prevalent in Senate and campaign speechw ...
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Favreau's Political Career and Role of Speechwriter
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Actionables
- You can practice synthesizing complex information by summarizing news articles into a single tweet. Start with a topic you're interested in, read a detailed article, and then try to condense the main points into 280 characters without losing the essence. This exercise will help you learn how to communicate complex ideas succinctly, much like a speechwriter distills policy into key messages.
- Develop your strategic communication skills by creating a blog or vlog series explaining a complicated hobby or interest in simple terms. Choose something you're passionate about, like a sport, craft, or technology, and break down the concepts for a beginner audience. This will teach you how to make specialized knowledge accessible, a key aspect of effective speechwriting.
- Enhance your diplomatic content creation by role-playing stakeholder ne ...
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Obama vs. Trump: Ethics and Norms
Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for President Obama, draws a sharp distinction between the leadership styles and ethical climates of the Obama and Trump administrations while reflecting on his experiences in the White House.
Obama Administration Upheld Competence and Commitment to Public Service, Despite Mistakes
Favreau argues that the Obama administration was led by serious individuals committed to public service, striving to do their best, even in the face of mistakes. He believes that during crises or disasters, the administration showed trustworthy civil servants and political appointees who worked hard to resolve problems and assist those in need.
Favreau Believed Competent, Principled Leaders Under Obama Aimed to Address Crises and Help People
Favreau reminisces about the process of speechwriting and policy communication in the Obama administration, implying that it was one rooted in principle and a disciplined, structured approach. President Obama himself was deeply involved in the crafting of his speeches, reflecting his principled leadership, according to Favreau.
Trump Administration Marked by "Cult of Personality," Prioritizing Pleasing the President Over Ethics or Norms
Conversely, Favreau describes the Trump administration as one dominated by a "cult of personality," where the primary goal was to please President Trump, often without regard for ethics, policy efficacy, or individual views. According to Favreau, this resulted in a less structured policy p ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Obama vs. Trump: Ethics and Norms
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Jon Favreau is a former speechwriter for President Obama. He played a key role in crafting Obama's speeches and communicating policies during the Obama administration. Favreau is known for his work in shaping the messaging and narrative of the administration. His experiences offer insights into the inner workings and values of the Obama White House.
- During the Obama administration, some notable crises and mistakes included the response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the initial rollout issues with the Affordable Care Act's healthcare exchanges in 2013, and the contro ...
Counterarguments
- The Obama administration, while generally viewed as ethical, was not without controversy, such as the handling of drone strikes and surveillance issues.
- The commitment to public service is subjective, and some may argue that the Obama administration's policies did not always align with public interest.
- The structured policy process under Obama may have been seen as slow or bureaucratic by some, potentially hindering rapid response to certain issues.
- The Trump administration, despite criticisms, had supporters who believed that its unorthodox approach was a necessary disruption to Washington's status quo.
- Some may argue that the Trump administration's focus on deregulation and business-friendly policies was a form of public service aimed at economic growth.
- The term "cult of personality" could be viewed as a biased interpretation, and some might argue that strong leadership can be effective in driving policy.
- The less structured policy process under Trump could be seen as more flexible or adaptive to changing circumstances by its ...
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Concerns About Trump Administration's Corruption and Democratic Threat
Favreau voices deep concerns about the potential corruption within the Trump administration and how it could undermine the foundations of American democracy.
Favreau Troubled by Corruption, Conflicts in Trump Administration
Examples Include Trump Family's Self-Enrichment Schemes: Amazon Deal, Saudi-Backed Golf Tournament at Trump's Resort
Favreau, troubled by the chaos during Trump’s presidency, sees it as a sign of democracy’s fragility. Harris raises specific instances, such as Amazon paying Melania Trump 40 million dollars for film rights to her memoir, which he views as akin to corruption, effectively a form of bribery to the "Trump crime family." He also brings attention to the financial conflicts of interest that arise from Trump's golf courses benefiting from spending by the Saudi-funded golf association.
Favreau points out that amidst market turmoil, Trump’s resort hosted a Saudi-backed golf tournament, allowing Trump to profit. Such self-enrichment schemes, he argues, could unravel democracy by destroying public trust.
Favreau Fears the Administration's Disregard for Due Process in Wrongful Deportation Erodes the Rule of Law
Favreau’s concern stretches to the administration's approach to due process, particularly in deportation cases. He talks about the U.S. government deporting people to an El Salvadorian prison known for human rights abuses, without due process, under a contract that pays the El Salvadorian government—led by a self-proclaimed dictator—$6 million a year to house these detainees. He cites the case of a Maryland man with credible threats to his life being wrongfully sent to El Salvador, despite legal protections against deportation, and asserts the court's complicity in refusing to intervene by labeling it as a matter of national security and foreign policy.
Favreau Fears Trump's Chaos and Corruption May Un ...
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Concerns About Trump Administration's Corruption and Democratic Threat
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Counterarguments
- The Amazon deal with Melania Trump could be seen as a legitimate business transaction rather than corruption, especially if it was conducted at fair market value and with no preferential treatment due to her status.
- The hosting of a Saudi-backed golf tournament at a Trump resort might be considered a continuation of pre-presidential business dealings, and not necessarily an attempt at self-enrichment through the presidency if similar events were hosted at the venue before Trump's term.
- The chaos observed during Trump's presidency could be interpreted by some as a result of challenging the status quo and disrupting the established political order, which some voters may have found appealing.
- The administration's approach to deportation and due process might be defended on the grounds of prioritizing national security and immigration control, which are legitimate concerns for any government.
- The case of the Maryland man deported to El Salvador could be argued as an unfortunate error rather than a systemic disregard for due process, especially if there were legal or bureaucratic reasons for the decision.
- The idea that Trump's actions may unravel democracy could be countered by the argument that the American system has checks and balances designed to withstand such pressures, and that the resilience of its institutions should not be underestimated.
- The suggestion that civil servants acted primarily in the president's interest could be ...
Actionables
- You can educate yourself on the importance of due process by reading about cases in your local community where it may have been bypassed. Understanding local instances can make the concept more tangible and encourage you to advocate for fair legal practices in your area.
- Start a habit of checking the financial disclosures and voting records of your representatives to become more informed about potential conflicts of interest. This can be done through government websites or non-partisan watchdog groups, which often summarize complex information into more digestible formats.
- Encourage transparency by writing to your local offi ...
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