NewsMax.com
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004

Story Continues Below

Dick’s newest book is out about Bill Clinton. It’s called “Because He Could.” It is already rising on the bestseller lists.

Morris is probably the most prominent American political consultant and is almost universally credited with piloting Bill Clinton to a stunning comeback re-election victory in 1996 after the president lost Congress to the Republicans two years before.

Called "the most influential private citizen in America" by Time Magazine, Morris helped steer Clinton to the center and away from the liberal policies he had pursued in his first two years in office.

In addition to Clinton, Morris has handled the winning campaigns for more than 30 senators and governors, including Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and former Governors Bill Weld of Massachusetts and Pete Wilson of California.

Morris has become a familiar figure as a commentator for the Fox News Channel.

NewsMax: Who will win in November?

Morris: Bush was leading before the debates. He fell after the first debate and only recovered slightly after the second one.

After the third debate, he unleashed an attack on Kerry as too liberal, a view which was ratified by Kerry's promises in the debate.

As a result of that attack and Kerry's comments about Cheney's daughter, Bush began to open up a lead again.

At the start of last week (Oct 18-21) Kerry rebounded, but Bush appears to be bouncing back this past weekend (Oct 22-24).

The race is not so much close as it is volatile; too early to call (not necessarily too close, just too early).

NewsMax: Can Bush win Ohio?

Morris: Yes, Zogby has him 5 points up on Saturday [Oct 24th].

NewsMax: How important will the gay marriage issue be?

Morris: It will be very important in mobilizing a Republican turnout.

NewsMax: What’s your advice to Bush in the final stretch?

Morris: He must increase the public perception of the threat we face from abroad. If this election is about the war, he will win. If it’s about peace, Kerry will win.

NewsMax: Do you expect an October surprise against Bush, like the drunk driving charge revealed on the eve of the 2000 election?

Morris: Well, it happened in 1992 (Independent Counsel Lawrence Walsh’s announcement of an Iran-Contra indictment against Casper Weinberger) that hurt George H.W. Bush, and then it happened again in 2000 with the DWI story, so I think it would be quite likely in 2004.

NewsMax: What’s your take on Democratic voter efforts and accusations of fraud?

Morris: The Democrats say they want to increase turnout, but what they really want to do is to commit voter fraud.

Republicans say they want to stop fraud but what they really want to do is to depress voter turnout. There is no virtue here on either side.

NewsMax: If Kerry gets elected, what can we expect?

Morris: Let’s not jump off that bridge until we get to it.

NewsMax: Would a President Kerry make Bill Clinton U.N. General Secretary?

Morris: No, but Hillary might be sent there.

To order Dick Morris' newest book, "Because He Could," click here

Editor's note: