Web Site Report: McGurn Is Next Bush Speechwriter
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Among the personnel moves made by the Bush administration yesterday is a new speechwriter for the president.
A report by the Web site MSNBC.com said that Wall Street Journal editorial page writer William McGurn will become the Mr. Bush’s speechwriter after January 20.
Mr. McGurn will replace Michael Gerson, Mr. Bush’s main speechwriter, who is said to be moving into the policy arena. MSNBC.com reports that Mr. Gerson’s departure completes the breakup of the president’s speechwriting team that included deputies Matthew Scully and John McConnell. The three came together during Mr. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign and were known for “team” writing of complete speeches.
Reports indicated that Mr. Mc-Connell will remain as a speechwriter in Mr. Bush’s second term.
The MSNBC.com Web site also said that Mr. McGurn had twice been pursued for speechwriter employment by the White House during Mr. Bush’s first term.
The Web site reported that Mr. McGurn will return the presidential speechwriting to a more traditional format and oversee the work of a dozen other speechwriters.
In other Bush administration moves, Claude Allen, the Department of Health and Human Services’ No. 2 official, has been chosen as the president’s domestic policy adviser, responsible for shaping all White House proposals and decisions on domestic issues, press secretary Scott McClellan said yesterday.
