Chapter 8 Summary and Analysis

Presidential speechwriter Michael Gerson works on the State of the Union speech, believing 9/11 gives Bush an opportunity to tell people times have changed and terrorism will be a threat for 50 years. Bush wants an ambitious speech. Gerson spends enough time with him to gauge his outlook and mood. Gerson has an ear for memorable phrases, keen intellect, and drive. Like Bush, Gerson calls himself an evangelical Christian and "compassionate conservative," and readily includes religious materials in speeches. Conservative author David Frum suggests linking Saddam and 9/11 as an "axis of hatred," evoking World War II. Gerson changes it to "Axis of Evil," a sinister suggestion of the world on the road to Armageddon. It also evokes Reagan's "Evil Empire," which set up the final chapter of the Cold War. Rice finds the phrase clever, but fears singling out Iraq will amount to...