Free Republic

Former Bush Scribe To Thompson's Staff Matt Scully, a former speechwriter for President Bush, is back to work--this time for soon to be candidate Fred Thompson. Thompson spokeswoman Linda Rozett confirmed Thursday that Scully has joined Team Thompson, but wouldn't say what, specifically, he is doing for the non-campaign. "We are a team effort," she wrote in an e-mail. "A lot of people are helping Fred Thompson test the waters--Ed McFadden, Mary Matalin...and Matt Scully." Word on the street is that Scully is busy writing Thompson's announcement speech. But as of now, its not clear exactly when the speech will...

McGurn replaced Mike Gerson, who is taking on other duties in the West Wing. Gerson, who was often seen scribbling at a coffee shop near the White House, filled speeches by the famously plainspoken Bush with soaring rhetoric tinged with religious overtones. Gerson finally persuaded McGurn, a longtime Wall Street Journal columnist and chief editorial writer, to take his place. He admired McGurn's ability to turn an elegant phrase when advocating conservative social politics and complex economic issues, the latter especially timely as Bush promotes his plan to introduce private retirement accounts as part of Social Security. ``I was taught...

President Bush will start his second term with many of his closest and longtime aides by his side including chief of staff Andrew Card, senior adviser Karl Rove and Communications Director Dan Bartlett. Although the visual picture will largely look the same after Jan. 20, Bush's words may sound very different. Michael Gerson, Bush's chief speechwriter, who has helped craft nearly every one of Bush's speeches during his first term, is leaving his job. 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...

The meeting in Beantown was listed as the Democratic party convention. However, the number of media and gunslingers far exceeded the amount of convention delegates attending. The gunslingers could be pacified with a doughnut or two a day. Not so with the scribbling set. Reporters tend to get a little testy if they are not provided comfort, free food, booze, and bathrooms -- usually in that order. But, the DNC didn't deliver. First, most media people had to go through security lines. Then, to save a few bucks, the DNC skimped on toilets for the media. On top of that,...

LA Times reporting on the beheading of Paul Johnson understates the outrage over this atrocity

David Frum was an odd choice for a White House speechwriter. For one thing, the Canadian-born writer wasn't even a U.S. citizen when he was hired in 2001. (He is now.)In his 1994 book, "Dead Right," he criticized leaders for not being conservative enough. He left the White House last year a firm believer in President Bush.Frum, who coined the phrase "axis of evil" in last year's State of the Union speech, spoke recently with IBD about his memoir, "The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush."IBD: What do you mean by "the right man"? Frum: I mean...

The track is widening.And it is getting faster.Scoopsville has learned that powerful United States Senator Joe 'Hair Plugs' Biden (Democrat-Deleware) is preparing to enter the Presidential fray.Word is that Sen. Biden, a top Democrat leader who was once President of the powerful Senate Foriegn Relations Committee, met privately with former President Bill Clinton in New York recently to discuss entering the Presidential sweepstakes.

Controversy develops over former Bush speechwriter. World Exclusive. Developing. That's it for now on Drudge.

he appointment of Carolyn Curiel as an editorial writer for The New York Times was announced yesterday by Gail Collins, editor of the editorial page. Ms. Curiel, a former United States ambassador to Belize and a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, has served as a visiting fellow on The Times's editorial board this summer.Ms. Curiel's experience "will be invaluable, particularly as we deal with issues affecting local government, the environment and foreign affairs," Ms. Collins said.A graduate of Purdue University, Ms. Curiel, 48, has served most recently as a senior fellow at the Pew Hispanic Center. Before working at...