Last week, a loss occurred that will be remembered as monumental, yet few people were aware of it.
For those who knew him, the loss felt like a seismic event, and the curtain’s fall. The very fabric of time and space seemed to have shifted as the world moved on without him.
Anthony Rossi Dolan embodied the principles of living a good life and serving one’s country, with a balance of stability and passion.
A Radical Journalist, Folksinger, and Cowboy Bootwearing, Jaguar Driving man, he had the unique gift to inspire, motivate, and move ordinary people, as well as instill fear in dictators and demand truth.
In the aftermath of his passing, his impact on the Cold War narrative has been recounted by former Reagan speechwriter and friends, with tributes published in realclearpolitics.com.
He believed that the most important thing speechwriters can do is live a full life, experiencing the highs and lows, and letting those experiences guide them as they write late into the night.
Tony possessed a deep understanding of humanity, connecting with others on an instinctive level, making him exceptional at navigating Washington’s bureaucracy, and earning the love of those who knew him.
He seemed to know everyone, even those far removed from the speechwriting world, and took the time to connect with everyone – their family, friends, and colleagues – no matter their rank or connection.
He served in the Reagan, George W. Bush, and Trump administrations, and his guidance benefited multiple generations of speechwriters, who knew him as a modest and practical leader.
The goal was to keep his name out of the papers, he’d tell the younger staff, and he also advised men in the White House to find and date women early in their careers.
He was iconic, a true mentor, and an enigmatic figure, inspiring countless writers and linguists in their personal and professional lives.
In Washington, D.C. and across the country, generations of writers make decisions every day, guided by Tony’s words, not just in their professional lives, but also in their personal lives.
A timeless Tony, we miss you.
Amanda J. Rothschild was a former special assistant to the White House president and senior national security speechwriter during the first Trump administration.
