Behind the Oval Office: Winning the Presidency in the Nineties - Hardcover

Morris, Dick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786211024 ISBN 13: 9780786211029

Publisher: Thorndike Pr, 1997

Synopsis

NonfictionLarge Print EditionA rich portrait of American political vocation as it is conceived and practiced at the highest levels. New York Times* A New York Times BestsellerDick Morris was, before his fall from grace, the most influential person in American politics. No one has so vividly described what policy wonks, pollsters, and advertisers do behind the scenes in the Oval Office. And no one has so acutely identified the new political forces that dominate American politics today. Dick Morris makes no excuse for his personal conduct. What he gives us is a box seat view of the struggles in the White House for the soul of the Democratic party. He gives us a three-dimensional picture of the Clintons. And the master of polling offers a surprising perspective on the values and desires of America. Filled with insights and touched with pathos, Behind the Oval Office is must-reading for anyone who cares about the future of American democracy.

About this title

Review:

Given the call-girl scandal that ended Dick Morris's career as Bill Clinton's chief political strategist, maybe they should have called this one "Under the Oval Office." The book is recommended because in Clinton's "Wilderness Years" of 1994 and 1995, when Newt Gingrich's Republican Revolution was in full flower, Morris undeniably had Clinton's ear. And what he was constantly whispering in it--that the president should effect a strategy of "triangulation," in which he would disassociate himself from both the Republicans *and* the Democrats in the Congress--proved winning advice. After all, Clinton was reelected even though both houses remained Republican. But perhaps it's a mistake to claim, as Morris does, that the scandal should be separated from his job performance. Wasn't it a case of not only compromising his position, but compromising principles as well? Isn't this the real danger of relying on nonpartisan political consultants?

From the Publisher:

"I think he is, first of all, brilliant, tactically and strategically. Secondly, with me he's always been very straightforward and honest, the bad news as well as the good and, if possible, the bad news first. Thirdly, he knows how I think, and he knows what I will do and what I won't. Fourthly, he's full of new ideas all the time. And finally, we've been together so long that he not only understands me, I understand him."
-- President Bill Clinton

"The most influential private citizen in America . . . a gleeful genius. . . . With apologies to the candidates, Morris may be the most intriguing character in the campaign."
-- Time

"In today's hype-addled world, the word 'brilliant' is tossed around too casually. But in this rare case, the adjective is right. Morris is brilliant--when he's not being stupid. The ideas just pour out of him: seven out of ten are useless, one or two are dangerous, one or two are insights of political genius. Over the years, Bill Clinton has learned to figure out which are which. The ones that the president adopted are not only fueling his campaign, they are changing the country."
-- Newsweek

"With the president's close and sometimes solitary cooperation, Morris has overseen the virtual remaking of the Clinton presidency."
-- The New York Times

"The entire tale was deeply improbable. But then, so was the larger story. . . . In real life, a single adviser doesn't come along and, in the space of twenty months, reshape a presidency. . . . It's hard to take measure of Dick Morris, and of his meaning in American politics, because he never stops. Somehow, each shocking thing he does tops the shocking thing he did last year, or last month, or even last week."
-- Vanity Fair

"Will Morrisism live on in the Clinton heart? The smart-money bet is that some mind-melds are forever."
-- Esquire

"Even his enemies concede Morris had great energy, many good ideas and enormous influence."
-- The Washington Post

About this edition

• Publisher: Thorndike Pr
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0786211024
• ISBN 13: 9780786211029
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 650