Jon Favreau (L) and unidentified friend with Sen. Hillary Clinton cutout. (from the Washington Post "44" blog.)
by Frank James
A colleague tipped me to a Washington Post posting from the "44" blog which reports on an incident which is like something from a "West Wing" episode.
As the WaPo's Al Kamen writes, Jon Favreau, 27, who President-elect Obama has named his speechwriting chief, did something really dumb at a party:
... Some interesting photos of a recent party he attended -- including one where he's dancing with a life-sized cardboard cut-out of secretary of state-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and another where he's placed his hand on the cardboard former first lady's chest while a friend is offering her lips a beer -- popped up on Facebook for about two hours. The photos were quickly taken down -- along with every other photo Favreau had of himself on the popular social networking site, save for one profile headshot.
Asked about the photos, Favreau, who was recently appointed director of speechwriting for the White House, declined comment. A transition official said that Favreau had "reached out to Senator Clinton to offer an apology."
Considering the photo, I don't think I would have used the phrase "reached out to Sen. Clinton" in that statement.
Could you imagine being Favreau and having to apologize to the president-elect or Sen. Hillary Clinton for this? And you thought you were having a bad day.
Reminds me of that line President Bush used when he was running for the White House in 2000: "When I was young and foolish, I was young and foolish."
Comments
Bye Bye Bozo....we don't need jerks like this.
Posted by: bill r. | December 5, 2008 2:36 PM
Even though this is a college prank, I have a feeling his job just fell through. I think that President Elect Obama might be OK with it but I doubt that Hillary will be. Heck I doubt that Bill gets that close.
Posted by: Phil B | December 5, 2008 2:51 PM
The witch hunt has begun!! Gather all yee Republican scoundrels.
Posted by: mark marx | December 5, 2008 2:58 PM
"The witch hunt has begun!! Gather all yee Republican scoundrels."
And just how can you blame this on Republicans? Maybe they were there incognito and set this poor lad up! It is time the Dem's start manning up and taking responsibility for their actions. This tireseome blaming it on someone else or blaming the messenger is juvenile. Kind of like the behavior in this photo.
Hint, the Democrats now have full control. Blaming the Republicans when nothing happens or when things go wrong will no longer work.
Posted by: chris | December 5, 2008 4:59 PM
I have to laugh, every time a Democrat gets caught doing something stupid or illegal their compatriots always rally round to blame it on the republicans.
Whats even more funny is that a year from now you wont be able to find many democrats who will admit to having voted for Obama in the first place .
Posted by: Frank | December 5, 2008 6:18 PM
I have to laugh, every time a Democrat gets caught doing something stupid or illegal their compatriots always rally round to blame it on the republicans.
Posted by: Frank | December 5, 2008 6:18 PM
Well you hardly even got a chuckle out of this then ...did you? 1 post possible....2 condeming this. So tell me Frank.....tell me how you feel about Palin spending 30k in Victorias secret? I'm waiting......
Posted by: bill r. | December 5, 2008 7:38 PM
'Stupid is as stupid does'.
Fire the idiot....
Posted by: C.Morris | December 5, 2008 7:55 PM
'Stupid is as stupid does'.
Fire the idiot....
Posted by: C.Morris | December 5, 2008 7:56 PM
Politics 101: Don't get drunk and goof off in front of a camera.
Posted by: MJ | December 5, 2008 7:59 PM
Bill R - Palin spent 30K at Victoria Secret - I'm waiting too... for pictures :)
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I guess the young lad in the picture should be quite at home in the party of Teddy Kennedy, Chris Dodd, and Bill Clinton.
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Posted by: Terry | December 5, 2008 8:04 PM
Au contraire mon fraire.
This just makes his stock go up at least 50% in my book.
Let's real a lot more about this speech writer. I'm liking him a lot.
Even though I do believe I know who writes most of Obama's speeches.
Himself.
Posted by: ornery | December 5, 2008 8:36 PM
Oh, hell'a bells Scarlett==Hillary's probably laughing. He writes well and that's tge gig.
But the lad does need to get out more..
Posted by: Geraldine OUTTA IRAQ NOW saying get the kid a date | December 5, 2008 10:09 PM
Stupid move. But Hillary is a pro and I'll bet she takes it in stride.
Terry,
You're right, he's acting out as a heterosexual.
Posted by: Bubba | December 5, 2008 11:38 PM
Oh come on pugs....this is just like your battlecry of wanting "outsiders" and "mavericks" and "average citizens" in control of government. Pugs typically embrace this behavior, why not now? I despise it and he should be shown the door.
Posted by: Xcellentform | December 6, 2008 12:38 AM
I'm a Democrat and voted for Obama. I like Obama's speeches. But this guy has not to go. Talk about judgment, which is what I like about Obama. This is one staff member with really bad judgment. And it is sexist and offensive even after considering the judgment issue. Favreau should be fired, period. Obama can still give a good speech by hiring someone else. Maybe find the next genius 27-year old woman with judgment and maturity?
Posted by: Regina | December 6, 2008 12:38 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/SwanSpirit/REALISE.jpg
I think it warrants more than laughing it off from Hillary . I think if that were her daughter instead of herself she wuold be upset , and in the long run there is no difference . She deserves as much respect as she expects to be given her daughter
Sometimes I think , that too many people are simply so completely obtuse that they do not realise just HOW offensive something is as regards women , because sexism and mysogyny , as I have learned to my deep dismay , are very much cultural norms . As much of a cultural norm as when those awful statues and other demeaning caricatures which are now memorabilia were a cultural norm , before people realised how offensive insulting and degrading they were.
Posted by: Swannie | December 6, 2008 1:11 AM
I am always amazed at how, for Dems, when one behaves badly -- excuse me -- when anyone associated with his High Holiness -- does anything inappropriate, it's just A-OK.
This was NOT OK. At the least he displayed deplorable judgment for the picture and the posting. He should be gone. Immediately. Especially in view of the questions everyone else has to answer.
Just answer me this, all you boys will be boys idiots: just how funny would this have been had it been a Republican staffer, and a cutout of Michelle Obama. I can just imagine...
Posted by: Liz | December 6, 2008 8:38 AM
"Politics of Hope" = "Politics of Grope"
Posted by: Bruce | December 6, 2008 8:48 AM
It seems to me the shoe is on the other foot...,Pinches doesn't it. And this is only the start of things to come.
Try living with the snide remarks, lies, and hate for the next 4 years.
Posted by: Paul | December 6, 2008 8:58 AM
I am always amazed at how, for Dems, when one behaves badly -- excuse me -- when anyone associated with his High Holiness -- does anything inappropriate, it's just A-OK.
Posted by: Liz | December 6, 2008 8:38 AM
Liz...I don't think you really read most of the posts. Just picked a couple out to suit your need. Besides, there are so few posts defending these Bozos and sooo many defending Palin and the Wasilla Hillbillies attack on main st. Just to the tune of 180K. But go ahead....justify that!!!!!!!
Posted by: bill r. | December 6, 2008 3:52 PM
That 27-year-old moron is Obama's speechwriter? Oy vey, Obama, I love you, please find a grown-up to work for you in this capacity.
Posted by: Victor Perkins | December 6, 2008 6:43 PM
Ornery - it's "Au contraire, mon frere."
There's enough bad spelling on Internet blogs, let's not start in French, too.
Posted by: Disgusted | December 6, 2008 6:54 PM
Let's just replace the cardboard cutout of Hillary to one of Michelle Obama or Caroline Kennedy. Would that be funny then? I don't think you would be amused then.
Posted by: Paully H. | December 6, 2008 7:01 PM
Ummm, what a moron. My 6th grader understands the possible problems associated with Facebook and Myspace. So this guy Favreau is supposed to be an up and coming hot shot huh?! Ok....... And what apology is going to help restore his credibility and Obamas judgment in hiring him,"I am sorry I made myself look like a half wit Hillary". Good thing sexism is a joke with democrats if they had been goofing with a cut out of Condeleeza it would be intolerable for Dems.
Posted by: C H West | December 6, 2008 7:26 PM
Try this link they photo shopped the photo above to be Michelle OBama. Will that offend Democrats?
http://pumapac.org/
Posted by: C H West | December 6, 2008 8:17 PM
who cares?
Posted by: whocares | December 6, 2008 9:52 PM
I have seen people fired for less than this. No doubt that this could be construed minimally as hostile environment.
Posted by: chatblu | December 7, 2008 6:16 AM
Posted by: Liz | December 6, 2008 8:38 AM
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Liz, boys WILL be boys. That's not to excuse male lewd drunken behavior, but to explain it. Distasteful, yes, but it's always gonna happen.
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Posted by: C H West | December 6, 2008 7:26 PM
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Excellent point. We've been hearing ad nauseum about Team Obama being smart and tech savvy (and of course sensitive Liberals!)... but this turnip head wasn't smart enough to keep this off of FaceBook!
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You both (and others) brought up another excellent point -- one that I think bears repeating: Imagine the outrage if the cutout were of Michele Obama and the Frat boys were Republicans!
Posted by: MJ | December 7, 2008 9:15 AM
For those that say it is no big deal let's replace the image of Hillary with Michelle Obama or Caroline Kennedy. Does it Offend You Now?
Posted by: tlintx | December 7, 2008 3:17 PM
People, it was a cardboard cut out. Get a life.
Posted by: Not Offended | December 8, 2008 1:16 PM
This guy's judgment is obviously impaired and he doesn't deserve a job in the new adminstration, no matter what he's done for Obama in the past. He's an idiot. Fire him NOW. There is enough misogyny in Washington,
Posted by: Sabrina | December 8, 2008 8:46 PM