Maybe Florida Gov. Jeb Bush could bring life back to the GOP in Washington.The man who coined the phrases "axis of evil" and "the soft bigotry of low expectations called Tuesday "a brutal night for Republicans" in a speech to members of the Capital Tiger Bay Club Wednesday.

Michael Gerson, former speech writer for President George W. Bush, compared the election to being hit by a Category 4 Hurricane and blamed the Democratic tide that swept across America on the war in Iraq, corruption in Congress and the traditional problems presidents encounter in their sixth year in office.

But it may become a blessing for Republicans, Gerson predicted. Democrats will now have to share the burden of guaranteeing national security and handling the war in Iraq. He also suggested Bush and a Congress controlled by Democrats are closer to agreeing on immigration problems the nation faces and energy problems that need to be resolved. Handicapping the 2008 presidential race, Gerson said "If it would help to kneel right here and beg Jeb Bush to run, I would do it."

Without the Florida governor in the race, Gerson suggested Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama appear to be doing the most intelligent groundwork to run but Arizona Sen. John McCain and Hillary Clinton cannot be ignored because they are the clear frontrunners.

Republicans in 2008 will have the advantage of running against a "liberal congress" because U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel of New York and other Democratic leaders are "likely to do something to rile the base."

Gerson left the White House in June and plans to start work as an op-ed columnist for the Washington Post in January.

---Lucy Morgan