[anniegetyourgun]

White House Communications Director Dan Bartlett (far left) watches as national-security adviser Condoleezza Rice and President Bush look over the State of the Union speech being held by Michael Gerson

[basil]

I've often wondered just how much input the president (any president) really gets in these speeches. Can the top man actually say what HE wants to say, or is it all just written for him, and he has to go along with it?

[JustAnotherSavage]

""Gerson is expected to move into the policy arena and be replaced as head speechwriter by Wall Street Journal editorial-page writer William McGurn. Gerson's job change cements the breakup of Bush's speechwriting team that included deputies John McConnell and Matthew Scully."

Looks like David Frum is out.

[freedom4me]

I don't know much about William McGurn, but I believe that Gerson has served Bush well. Gerson, a Wheaton grad, ably communicated the President's spiritual convictions in various speeches. ("Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them.") I hope Mr. McGurn can do the same.

[kellynla]

Well Gerson certainly did a magnificent job today!
And W was outstanding!

Excellent speech!

Semper Fi,
Kelly