Jon Favreau, often referred to as the “Mozart of the White House,” served as Barack Obama’s speechwriter during his first term, famously contributing the slogan “Yes We Can.” After a disappointing primary loss to Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire, Obama delivered an inspiring speech that revitalized his campaign, drawing on themes of perseverance. Favreau hails from a politically active family, and his ancestors have deep roots in North America. His journey began in political activism, culminating in the moment he penned a phrase that significantly shaped American history.
Known as the Mozart of the White House, Jon Favreau earned this title not just for his early career accomplishments but also for his exceptional musicality in language. He served as Barack Obama’s speechwriter during the president’s first term, and was instrumental in creating the iconic phrase “Yes We Can.”
After facing a significant defeat in the New Hampshire primary to the heavily favored Hillary Clinton, Obama remained optimistic due to his surprising win in the Iowa caucuses. He delivered an emotional speech acknowledging the challenges ahead, stating, “When we faced impossible odds, when we were told we were not ready, or that we shouldn’t even try, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that captures the spirit of our people: Yes We Can….“
Following a half-hour meeting with Favreau, Obama chose to adopt the phrase that would evolve into a rallying cry and a significant movement that paved the way for the election of the first African American president.
This phrase originated as a rallying cry used by Cesar Chavez in 1972 during a hunger strike advocating for Mexican agricultural workers’ rights in the United States.
A FAMILY OF POLITICIANS
Jonathan Edward Favreau, also known as Jon Favreau, was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, on June 6, 1981, into a lineage of politicians.
After earning a degree in political science, he joined John Kerry’s campaign in 2004. Beginning with modest responsibilities of collecting radio clips, he encountered Barack Obama at the convention, shortly before Obama was set to deliver a pivotal speech. Favreau noticed a dissonance in one of Obama’s lines during rehearsal, which led to his hiring!
The rest, as they say, is history.
Favreau’s ancestor, Pierre Favreau, known as Deslauriers, arrived in New France in 1665 as a soldier in the Compagnie de Contrecœur of the Carignan-Salières regiment. Three years later, he married Marie Madeleine Benoit, a “Fille du roi” barely 15 years old at the time. Together, they had at least 13 children.
The Favreau family settled in Boucherville for generations. François (1814-1885) crossed the river, while Louis Favreau (1852-1926) was born in Lanoraie. In 1875, he married Hermine Racicot (1851-1933) in Putnam, Windham, Connecticut.
Robert J. (1915-1981), Louis Favreau’s grandson, served as a Republican representative in the New Hampshire legislature. One of his sons became police chief in Manchester, while another son, Mark, met a teacher named Lilian DeMarkis, resulting in the birth of Jonathan Favreau in 1981—the Favreau of America who conceived the slogan that helped elect the first Black president.
JON FAVREAU’S PATERNAL LINEAGE
I. FAVREAU, Mark
DeMARKIS, LILIAN
Boston
II. FAVREAU, Robert J (1915-1996)
VERWOERT, Wilma (1914-2004)
m. November 13, 1937, Tilton, Belknap, New Hampshire
III. FAVREAU, Edouard (1885-1965)
SHAUGHNESSEY, Elizabeth (1885-1971)
m. June 26, 1912, Hartford, Connecticut
IV. FAVREAU, Louis (1852-1926)
RACICOT, Hermine (1851-1933)
m. July 19, 1875, Putnam, Windham, Connecticut
V. FAVREAU, François (1814-1885)
VALADE, Lucie (1807-1888)
m. November 10, 1846, Lanoraie