PoliticsNow

How vanity led to downfall of Clinton's guru
Watered down, but not to be sniffed at
Ideas are left to founder in a sea of emotion

Dick Morris, who was regarded as having masterminded Mr Clinton's revival over the past two years, was told to leave by White House staff when the story appeared yesterday. The report, in Star magazine, claimed that Mr Morris had let the prostitute listen to conversations with the President and discussed White House events with her.

The timing of the resignation, only hours before Mr Clinton rose to address the Democratic Party faithful at the Chicago convention - and the nation on television - could not have been worse for the White House. It wrecks the wholesome, family-based image the party has been cultivating at the convention all week with ample coverage of Mrs Clinton and her 16-year-old daughter, Chelsea.

Mr Morris is known as the president's Svengali, and features on the cover of the current issue of Time magazine, whispering impishly into Mr Clinton's ear. Heartily disliked by many of Mr Clinton's liberal advisers, he pushed the president to the Right, instructed him to talk publicly about "values", and convinced him to abandon any plans to revive government health care. Mr Clinton rebounded in the polls and is now the clear favourite to win the November election.

Star magazine said the 48-year-old consultant had been seeing a call girl, Sherry Rowlands, in his hotel room for more than a year during his frequent visits to Washington to advise the president. The magazine said it had pictures and tapes proving its allegations. Mr Morris reportedly boasted of his unique access to Mr and Mrs Clinton, and once let Miss Rowlands secretly listen in on a phone call to the president. Star said that Mr Morris even revealed his nicknames for the Clintons, "the monster" for Mr Clinton and "the twister" for his wife.

In a resignation statement, Mr Morris said: "I will not subject my wife, family or friends to the sadistic vitriol of yellow journalism." Mr Clinton, in his reply, described Mr Morris as "my friend" and thanked him for his sound political advice.

29 August 1996: Gore stakes his claim to the succession

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