Michale Gerson

Michael J. Gerson (1964-2022), was George W. Bush's chief speechwriter and one of his closest advisers composed many of the president's signature addresses, who later, as a regular columnist at The Washington Post, became a sharp critic of the Trump administration. He was evangelical Christian who believed in the importance of faith in public life

Even as a White House speechwriter, he listed Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Woodrow Wilson, all Democrats, as his favorite presidents.

In his 2007 book "Heroic Conservatism: Why Republicans Need to Embrace America's Ideals (And Why They Deserve to Fail If They Don't),"

His last column for The Post appeared on the morning of his death. In it he reflected on the emotional pain of sending his younger son to college, and what being a father had taught him about life.

A summary of his August 2013 Washington Post Article Saying goodbye to my child, the youngster "Parenthood offers many lessons in patience and sacrifice," he wrote. "But ultimately, it is a lesson in humility. The very best thing about your life is a short stage in someone else's story. And it is enough."

Comments in a NY Times article after his death.: He is one of the only conservatives I can think of, who truly supported civil rights. He was a Christian with the credentials to confront the Trumpy evangelicals for their hypocrisy.

In his 2018 Washington Post Article Trump exposes the hypocrisy of Christian Republicans, he pointed out the hypocrisy of many evangelical positions and Christianity.
e.g. Treatment of refugees conflicts with the bibles requirement to care for the vulnerable stranger.
His September, 2022 Washington Post opinion essay Trump should fill Christians with rage. How come he doesn't?.
was eloquent and incisive.
He opens this new essay by saying he's concerned by "the perverse and dangerous liberties" many American believers have taken with their faith. They're veering toward white authoritarian populism, an alliance that could threaten democracy.
"Jesus focused on the elements of Judaism that united all people: the love of God, the love of neighbors, enemies and strangers alike. Jesus welcomed social outcasts and praised religious and ethnic outsiders. He warned those who wanted to be bigshots that they'd be the least in his kingdom, and said the servants would be the greatest.

the soft bigotry of low expectations" in education policy.

He admitted to bouts of depression.
One comment suggested one cause was he was not able to overcome Dick Chaney and Karl Rove's influence with Bush on the Iraq war and other issues.

"When Michael occasionally sat with the late Mark Shields on PBS Newshour, their civilized discourse was a model of mutual respect between good men with differing views.""