Bush's speechwriter speaks for himself

It's hard to put former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson in a political category. His views on some social issues--faith-based initiatives, for example--invite liberal ire, but the same people might praise him for his commitment to foreign aid or his role in urging President Bush to extend $15 billion to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Gerson gets kudos from some Republicans for hawkish tendencies on security, but he has few fans in the small-government camp.

An unusual mix of social conservatism, foreign aid bigheartedness, and sheer political shrewdness, Gerson has been a strong voice in policy planning on issues as different as Darfur and debt relief. But even those without an ear in the White House have heard Gerson's voice through the numerous speeches he wrote for President Bush. FP spoke recently with Gerson--the man who brought the phrase "axis of evil" into the vernacular--about his many years with the Bush administration. Read him in his own words here.