Via WaPo: Top Bush Adviser to Step Down

Michael J. Gerson, one of President Bush’s most trusted advisers and author of nearly all of his most famous public words during the past seven years, plans to step down in the next couple weeks in a decision that colleagues believe will leave a huge hole in the White House at a critical period.

Gerson said in an interview that he has been talking with Bush for many months about leaving for writing and other opportunities but waited until the White House political situation had stabilized somewhat.

While his name is vaguely familiar, I must confess to knowing nothing about the fellow. However, it would appear that he has been a pretty central actor in the White House:

Since first joining the presidential campaign in 1999, Gerson has evolved into one of the most central players in Bush’s inner circle, often considered among the three or four aides closest to the president. He has been called one of the best speechwriters of his age, the conscience of the White House and the embodiment of Bush’s vision of “compassionate conservatism.”

That’s pretty hefty stuff–especially if he has been the primary speechwriter. I suspect he will be missed. It will be interesting to see if there is any discernible change in the President’s public intercourse in coming months.

In reading the article, Gerson may be the most important person in the administration of whom we have heard very little during the last six-plus years.