Marc A. Thiessen

Marc A. Thiessen is an American conservative author, columnist, and former presidential speechwriter. A fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), he is a columnist for The Washington Post and a frequent guest on cable news networks like Fox News and CNN. His career has spanned roles in the United States Senate, the George W. Bush administration, and prominent conservative think tanks, where he has been a vocal advocate for robust national security policies.

Early life and education

Marc A. Thiessen was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in the city's Georgetown neighborhood. He pursued his undergraduate education at Vassar College, graduating with a degree in English. He later earned a master's degree from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, an institution renowned for its focus on international relations and economics. His academic background provided a foundation for his subsequent career in foreign policy and political communication.

Career

Thiessen began his political career as a press secretary for then-Senator Bob Packwood of Oregon. He later served as a senior adviser and speechwriter for Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina, who was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During the presidency of George W. Bush, Thiessen joined the administration, first as a speechwriter for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He was subsequently appointed as chief speechwriter for President Bush, a role in which he contributed to major addresses on national security following the September 11 attacks. After leaving the White House, he worked as a consultant and communicator for the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation before becoming a full-time columnist and media commentator.

Political views and commentary

A staunch conservative, Thiessen is a prominent defender of the national security policies of the George W. Bush administration, including the War on Terror and the use of enhanced interrogation techniques. His commentary frequently addresses foreign policy, advocating for a strong military posture against adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran. He is a consistent critic of the foreign policy approaches of the Barack Obama administration and the Joe Biden administration, often arguing they project weakness. Domestically, he supports Republican political candidates and conservative judicial appointments, frequently commenting on the dynamics of the U.S. Supreme Court. His columns and television appearances regularly generate debate within the Washington, D.C. political media landscape.

Published works

Thiessen is the author of two major books on national security. His first, Courting Disaster: How the CIA Kept America Safe and How Barack Obama Is Inviting the Next Attack (2010), argues for the effectiveness of the CIA's post-9/11 interrogation program. His second book, The New York Times Bestseller The Righteous Mind'' author Jonathan Haidt provided a cover blurb for the work. A regular contributor to periodicals beyond his newspaper column, his writings have appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Foreign Policy.

Personal life

Marc A. Thiessen is married and has children. He maintains an active presence in Washington policy circles through his work at the American Enterprise Institute and his media engagements. His personal and professional life remains closely tied to the political and intellectual debates surrounding American conservatism and national security.

Category:American political writers Category:American columnists Category:American Enterprise Institute Category:1966 births Category:Living people