Speech, Speech!

Michael Gerson is our "armies of compassion" hero! “Michael Gerson is an extraordinary role model for how Wheaton college graduates can engage culture thoughtfully as Christians and effect real change,” says Provost and Professor of Archeology Dr. Jones. “His presence on campus is a unique opportunity to deepen our students’ understanding of the arrays of ways in which they can improve society worldwide through service in the public and private sectors.

Gerson said recently “I encounter so many ‘Wheaties’ in Washington--impressive, earnest young people who want to serve their nation with conviction, integrity and knowledge. And now, that important calling has a home here on the Wheaton campus.”

A proud member of the White House Iraq Group (aka, White House Information Group or WHIG) was the marketing arm of the White House whose purpose was to sell the 2003 invasion of Iraq to the public. The task force was set up in August 2002 by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and chaired by Karl Rove to coordinate all the executive branch elements in the run-up to the war in Iraq. One example of the WHIG's functions and influence is the "sharing about the danger that Iraq posed to the U.S., including the introduction of the term 'mushroom cloud'
 

Gerson's noteworthy phrases for Bush are said to include "Axis of Evil", a phrase adapted from "axis of hatred", itself suggested by fellow speechwriter David Frum but deemed too mild. Scully wrote that he, not Gerson, came up with that domain change, although Gerson is not a vegetarian.

Gerson earned the nickname "The Big Niner" after he was named by Time as one of "The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals In America" in the magazine's February 7, 2005 issue of the magazine, listing Gerson as the ninth most influential.

Gerson is a 1986 Wheaton Graduate but is not related to Gina Gershon but is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.