Heroic Conservatism: Why Republicans Need to Embrace America's Ideals (And Why They Deserve to Fail If They Don't).

• Author: Fischer, Raymond L.
• Position: Book review

HEROIC CONSERVATISM: Why Republicans Need to Embrace America's Ideals (And Why They Deserve to Fail If They Don't)

BY MICHAEL J. GERSON, HARPERCOLLINS, NEW YORK 2007, 292 PAGES, $26.95

The author wrote this book to define heroic conservatism, trace its history, recount Pres. George W. Bush's acts of heroic conservatism, and explain why the future of the Republican party depends on it. The government should move (boldly!) to serve human rights and dignity because national security relies on idealism abroad; the promotion of liberty and hope must replace hatred and bitterness. Although not specifically a history of the Administration, the book describes Pres. Bush's thoughts and actions during his two races for the White House and major historical events, especially 9/11. The history and background of major achievements of the Bush presidency also figure prominently in Michael J. Gerson's narrative.

Gerson was studying theology at Wheaton College in Illinois when Charles Colson asked him to "put college aside" to research and write projects for the Prison Fellowship Ministries, an "important social-reform movement" demonstrating "the unique and successful contribution" of a faith-based organization. Colson had started the group while serving time in prison for Watergate infractions. Gerson considers Colson "the single most influential person" in his life. In giving Gerson a letter of introduction to Indiana Congressman Dan Coats, Colson actually started Gerson on a career in politics; Coats, who served out Vice Pres. Dan Quayle's unexpired term in the Senate, hired Gerson as policy director and speechwriter. Gerson later served as junior speechwriter for Kansas Sen. Bob Dole's 1996 run for the presidency--"a memorable example of how a campaign should not be run"

In 1997, Gerson left politics to join US News & World Report as senior editor, a position he held until the spring of 1999, when Karl Rove invited him to submit speechwriting samples for the Bush campaign. On the way to Austin, Tex., Gerson wrote about two objectives he wanted to pursue if he joined the Bush campaign: "the recovery of American rhetoric" and "giving Republicans a message of social justice."

Gerson soon learned he and Bush shared many ideals and goals. Bush wanted the Republican Party to match a conservative mind with a compassionate heart (compassionate conservatism), and he believed "the speech was the thing--an instrument he could directly shape and control." Gerson...