A former speechwriter for 2004 presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Frankel apprenticed with John F. Kennedy's speechwriter Ted Sorensen, helping him compile his 2008 memoir entitled, "Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History." He also helped Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) pen his own biography.

"[Sorensen] is the master when it comes to speechwriting, so there's no better preparation for a speechwriter than to study at his foot," he said. "It's hard for me to identify the lessons I learned from him, just because there were so many, but it was a deeply rewarding experience."

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