Michael Gerson, the 58-year-old speechwriter for George W. Bush, died on November 17 at age of 58. According to reports, he passed away at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington due to complications from his cancer treatment.
Bush honored him by stating:
Our hearts are broken by the loss of our dear friend Mike Gerson. I was fortunate to have him as my chief speechwriter and trusted advisor for many years, as he was an exceptional writer.
His huge heart complemented his sharp intellect. As a result, Mike used his pen to not just write about but also advocate for outstanding ideas.”
In 2013 Michael Gerson had kidney cancer
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Peter Wehner, Michael Gerson’s close friend and former colleague, verified to The Post that he died of complications from cancer.
In December 2004, he suffered a heart attack and could not continue composing speeches. In one of his essays for The Washington Post, he acknowledged his struggle with depression and remarked:
“There is no doubt that I will return to the cycle of sorrow, but I now have some permanent self-awareness.” When I’m rational, I know I’ll pick hope.”
Michael was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2013. According to him, it all began with a cancerous tumor on his right kidney. The diagnosis was made after several weeks of testing.
Michael Gerson was an opinion columnist for the Washington Post
Born on May 15, 1964, Michael Gerson attended Westminster Christian Academy prior to enrolling at Georgetown University. He then attended Wheaton College, from which he graduated in 1986.
Gerson began his career as a senior policy adviser at The Heritage Foundation, a legislative aide for Indiana Senator Dan Coats, and a speechwriter for the presidential campaign of Bob Dole.
In 1999, Karl Rove hired him into the Bush campaign, where he worked as a speechwriter. He went on to lead the speechwriting staff at the White House.
In June 2006, Michael left the White House and was replaced by William McGurn, the editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal. He states that his favorite speech was delivered in the National Cathedral just days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Gerson coined phrases such as “armies of kindness” and “the gentle bigotry of modest expectations.”
After leaving the White House, he worked for Newsweek before joining The Washington Post in May 2007 as a weekly columnist, with writings appearing on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Michael Gerson is survived by his wife, Dawn Gerson, and their two children. They met in high school and lived with their families in Northern Virginia.
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