David -- Michael Gerson gave the commencement speech at the high school my son attends -- and I finagled my way into it even though my son is in the next graduating class. While Gerson didn't talk directly about his relationship with President Bush, it's very clear that there is one thing they share in common that probably overrides everything else -- and that's their religious faith. There are differences, of course, but they have a common ground that can bridge those differences. And while the writer may be shocked, just shocked at the idea, Gerson might just agree with a lot of what the President says and does.

I don't think you can write something that's true for someone you disagree with on the fundamental things. I can't even think of a time I've done that -- although I've turned down opportunities to do that.

If you're interested, here's the link to Gerson's speech: http://www.wcastl.org/highlights/gersonspeech.pdf.

Glynn

I find I often write better speeches on policy directions that I don't agree with, at least from the perspective of making an effective argument. I suspect that's because I have to approach it more objectively and analytically. If I disagree with it, I'm more inclined to look at the policy based on it's merits without my own emotional sense that it is just "right" getting in the way. I tend to approach it from the standpoint of "what would it take to sell me on this?" as a cynical member of the public. In many ways, I actually like writing those speeches the most because they are more challenging.

That said, there is a sort of sliding scale of tolerance at play. Writing in defence of a minor tax policy you don't personally agree with is one thing. Writing in defence of a war or major social policy stance you don't personally agree with would be a profoundly different matter.

Writing on things you don't agree with is almost certain to be a part of any regular speechwriting gig, but for most of us there isn't as much at stake as for presidents and their writers. If you're going to sign up to be a presidential speechwriter, I would think you need to be pretty much a true believer in who and what you're working for, and you'd better have already answered those what-ifs in your own mind before you take the job. Otherwise, I imagine the lure of the power and the glamour would start to seem pretty hollow pretty quickly.

Thanks for your thoughtful respnoses, Glynn and Rueben. All I'd add is that what Kadonaga suggests--that a speechwriter's intellect can be influenced by a speaker's personal kindness and powerful position--rings true to me, partly because it's happened to me at various stages in my work life.

Being associated with a powerful person who has the good judgment to love you produces a kind of drunkenness that can impair judgment of anybody (not just speechwriters).