Dole Reacts To Morris Scandal, Calls Gore "Hatchet Man"

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AllPolitics, Aug. 29) -- The Dole-Kemp campaign responded quickly to the resignation of key Clinton campaign strategist Dick Morris, and Dole also had words about biting criticisms from Vice President Al Gore.

Republicans could barely conceal their glee at the news of the scandal surrounding Morris' departure from the campaign amidst allegations he let a $200-an-hour escort listen in on his private conversations with the president.

"It's clear that the sleaze factor is going to be an issue in this race," a Dole campaign senior official told CNN. "Eight members of Clinton's cabinet have been investigated...now his chief political adviser is allegedly caught putting a prostitute on the phone with the president."

With Morris gone, said the Dole aide, the moderate influence on the White House is gone contending the remaining advisers are liberals. Clinton's political success was a direct result of his move to the middle under Dick Morris' "cynical tutelage," the Dole aide said.

Dole himself responded to Vice President Al Gore's convention speech last night, in which Gore called the Kansan a "bridge to the past" and criticized Republicans for being mean-spirited and backward looking.

"I feel sorry for him ... Apparently he's the hatchet man for the Democrats, he always has been," Dole told reporters. "It's not unexpected coming from Al Gore ... It's unfortunate, but not unexpected."

Dole-Kemp forces have spent the week entrenched in California, taking a break from the trail, though Dole did give a speech in Santa Barbara yesterday at which he railed against the president and his drug record.

"Why don't they talk about drugs?," Dole asked. "This is the same White House who over rode the Secret Service in giving clearance to some people in the White House who had been using drugs."

"Let's face it," Dole continued, "they have a different attitude abut drugs. And my view is drugs are wrong and you shouldn't use drugs, you shouldn't smoke cigarettes, let's just throw them out all at the same time."

When asked if by his statement he meant to ban cigarettes, Dole said, "Oh no. Come on, you know better than that." Campaign aides explained that the candidate was just telling young people not to smoke.

Unlike Clinton's low-profile during the GOP's San Diego convention, Dole planned to address a California rally during the president's acceptance speech tonight.

Dole Reacts To Morris Scandal, Calls Gore "Hatchet Man"

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