The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Jon Favreau, the President’s Chief Speechwriter, gives a video update on reactions to the President's speech in Suntory Hall, and videographer Arun Chaudhary talks about the fear of being left behind as he travels with the President.
While getting ready to do this taping with Jon Favreau, the President’s Chief Speechwriter, my Blackberry was buzzing in my pocket, carrying new instructions for a motorcade movement, pushed up by over 2 hours. What was going to a leisurely stroll to find the perfect location for our Japan update, became a scramble to secure a suitable section of the lobby.
There’s real pressure to make sure you are in sync with the group because no one wants to be left behind. It’s happened to the best of us. That terrifying moment when you look up and things are strangely quiet -- No Secret Service agents, no sirens, no staffers with walkie-talkies and earpieces talking in hushed tones into their sleeve cuffs. No one to tell you where to be, because you are now on your own.
It already happened to me this morning; the applause had barely died down from the President’s speech and he was on his way to greet Embassy employees, when I went down a wrong staircase looking for the perfect departure shot, and ended up on the street, staring at perfectly normal traffic, and knowing that I was in trouble.
Let’s hope we all get over this jet lag or you are liable to see a lot White House staffers in background shots on the news, asking passersby if they happen to know the way to Okura Hotel.
is the official White House videographer
