More than just the writer of some of President Bush’s memorable words, Michael J. Gerson became one of the closest and most influential of aides, developing administration policy and helping to guide its direction.
Washington Post:
Michael J. Gerson, one of President Bush’s most trusted advisers and the author of nearly all of his most famous public words over the past seven years, plans to step down in the next couple of weeks in a decision that colleagues believe will leave a hole in the White House at a critical period.
Gerson said in an interview that he has been talking with Bush for many months about leaving for writing and other opportunities but waited until the White House political situation stabilized somewhat. “It seemed like a good time,” he said. “Things are back on track a little. Some of the things I care about are on a good trajectory.”
Since first joining the presidential campaign as chief speechwriter in 1999, Gerson has evolved into one of the most central figures in Bush’s inner circle, often considered among the three or four aides closest to the president. Beyond shaping the language of the Bush presidency, Gerson influenced its broader direction.
By William DAy, June 15, 2006 at 8:10 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
One who has to invent lies, coverups, misleading statements, etc., has to bail out sooner rather than later to keep his sanity! Common sense tells one that if you are constantly steeped in bullshit, you will eventually have that same smell yourself.
By R. A. Earl, June 14, 2006 at 8:14 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
No offence to Mr. Gerson, but in keeping with my well-established habit of riding utopian hobby horses, I would like to suggest that it be made MANDATORY that presidents and all elected officials WRITE THEIR OWN SPEECHES… EVERY WORD. Oh, I’ll allow research assistants to do the heavy slogging of fact-finding and lit reviews, etc. I’ll even allow “executive summaries” of info to be provided to these elected officials, but the speech itself must come from their own minds.
I didn’t elect a mouthpiece… I want to hear what my elected officials have to offer. If they can’t do this competently, then they cannot communicate effectively… WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING IN THE POSITION IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I also want my elected officials to dress themselves and groom themselves. I’d like them REAL, please, not some “production” presented by “handlers.”
And before someone tells me that elected officials are too busy to look after such details, I say BULLSHIT. Too busy doing what? Shaking hands? Attending cocktail parties? Schmoozing? Freeloading? Grandstanding?
Economy Trumps Race in Ohio
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By William DAy, June 15, 2006 at 8:10 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
One who has to invent lies, coverups, misleading statements, etc., has to bail out sooner rather than later to keep his sanity! Common sense tells one that if you are constantly steeped in bullshit, you will eventually have that same smell yourself.
Report thisBy R. A. Earl, June 14, 2006 at 8:14 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
No offence to Mr. Gerson, but in keeping with my well-established habit of riding utopian hobby horses, I would like to suggest that it be made MANDATORY that presidents and all elected officials WRITE THEIR OWN SPEECHES… EVERY WORD. Oh, I’ll allow research assistants to do the heavy slogging of fact-finding and lit reviews, etc. I’ll even allow “executive summaries” of info to be provided to these elected officials, but the speech itself must come from their own minds.
I didn’t elect a mouthpiece… I want to hear what my elected officials have to offer. If they can’t do this competently, then they cannot communicate effectively… WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING IN THE POSITION IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I also want my elected officials to dress themselves and groom themselves. I’d like them REAL, please, not some “production” presented by “handlers.”
And before someone tells me that elected officials are too busy to look after such details, I say BULLSHIT. Too busy doing what? Shaking hands? Attending cocktail parties? Schmoozing? Freeloading? Grandstanding?
Report this