The Obama Years: The Power of Words

Overview

Barack Obama launched into our national consciousness at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and ever since, he's delivered messages of patriotism, unity, and hope through the power of words. But of all the speeches he's given, six in particular may define his legacy as, in historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's words, "one of the best writers and orators in the presidency." Interviews with eminent historians and key figures in his writing process give rare insights into these iconic speeches, as well as the Obama presidency and the man himself.

Cast

Jesse Williams

Self - Narrator (voice)

David Axelrod

Self - Senior Advisor to President Obama

Douglas Brinkley

Self - Presidential Historian

Jon Favreau

Self - Speechwriter for President Obama

Doris Kearns Goodwin

Self - Historian

Valerie Jarrett

Self - Senior Advisor to President Obama

N/A

Clark Judge

Self - Speechwriter for Ronald Reagan

N/A

Cody Keenan

Self - Former White House Director of Speechwriting

John Lewis

Self - Congressman and Civil Rights Advocate

N/A

Harry Rubenstein

Self - Curator of Political History for the Smithsonian

Barack Obama

Self (archive footage)