Speech-less

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From a top speechwriter for President George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld, this candid memoir offers a humorous yet poignant look at the realities of official Washington, revealing the impact of self-interest on idealism. Raised by liberal parents, Matt Latimer is drawn to the Reagan Revolution's optimistic themes and sets out from the Midwest to "make it after all." He dreams of championing smaller government, lower taxes, and a stronger defense, but first, he must find a job. Matt's journey through Washington, D.C. is filled with increasingly lofty yet unsatisfying positions under powerful figures on Capitol Hill. He encounters bosses with questionable competence and a troubling lack of connection with their staff. When he becomes chief speechwriter for Donald Rumsfeld, he finds unexpected admiration for the man, much to the dismay of his liberal friends. However, as Rumsfeld faces media scrutiny and the Department of Defense reveals its dysfunction, Matt's youthful passion is tested. Eventually, he reaches the White House, hoping to pen historic words and collect memorable souvenirs. Instead, he discovers a chaotic environment more akin to The Office than The West Wing, where the staffers are overwhelmed and much of what the public believes about key figures is misleading. This memoir not only names the fools and scoundrels but also mourns the loss of principled conservatism during the Bush presidency, reshaping the publi