In many ways this book reveals how shallow politics can get. Morris is an extremely influential political actor in the Clinton White House and is able to expertly navigate the President through the dangerous aftermath of the 1994 Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole midterm Republican advances. Moreover, there is no doubt that Morris laid the foundation for Bill Clinton's second term victory.

Morris does not enjoy the victory...he goes out in disgrace. Nevertheless, this book shows how the author's twenty-year relationship with William Jefferson Clinton and his wife Hillary allowed this couple from Arkansas to survive many political storms. Morris is a master of polling and offers many insights on how polling tracks voter thinking on many sensitive issues. This book is easy to read and a straightforward account of how the "big boys" win in the political arena.

Bert Ruiz


How To Share an Ego   February 17, 2003
 13 out of 15 found this review helpful

I was not expecting the author's detailed views on President Clinton's personality. I was assuming I was going to get a 350 page "I am the Greatest" ego stroking puff piece. I was actually prepared to dislike this book given the author's conservative leanings and now permanent pundit position on FOX, but as it is the inside book covering how Clinton turned around his numbers in 94-95, I felt it was worth getting through. It turns out I was wrong. The book was very well written and interesting. The author shared a number of insights into how the Clinton White House worked and what was going on in 94 - 95.

The author also did not have the overblown ego that I was expecting to encounter; as a matter of fact he spent a good deal of time apologizing for his famous fall from grace. He was also rather kind to some of the people he worked with (or battled with) in the White House. As a matter of fact some of the other insider books on the Clinton years have not been this kind to Dick Morris. Maybe that is the danger of being one of the first out of the gate with your memoir, you can not get back at others. Overall I found the book very good. It was detailed and fun to read. The comments are well thought out and provide an interesting view into how politics works now days. Ok, his ego does pop up from time to time, but it is not so bad that it takes away from the overall book. Hey at this level they all have healthily egos. I would recommend that it be one of the books to read on the Clinton years.


Another excellent piece by Morris   February 24, 2000
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

As a political staffer myself, I am always looking for "behind-the-scenes" type of books. "Behind the Oval Office" provides its readers with a thorough understanding of the Clinton White House and the manner in which it has conducted business over the past few years. Dick Morris, in depth, discusses many of the approaches that Clinton took in his attempt to gain successful reelection in 1996. Particularly interesting is Morris' triangulation approach to governing. I would highly recommend this book to others who are interested in presidential politics.


Power Wears Out Those Who Do Not Have It, Morris Can Get It!   September 12, 1999
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Dick Morris is simply one of the finest Political Advisors ever to be produced since Marcus Hanna. It puzzles me that he is not the head of the Republican National Committee or Democratic National Committee and both should worry if he ever hooks up with Jesse Ventura. If this happens it will be the end of the two party system in America. The book is full of insightful, uncommon but important facts, tidbits and information. Although it is easy for one to be a Monday Morning Quarterback about the 1992 and 1996 elections, Morris profoundly accomplishes something rarely scene in the political arena, brutal honesty and so vile in exposure that you wonder why politicians are so blind as opposed to being visionary. What I mean is, every consultant, every employee and every staff member of the RNC should be fired after reading what Dick Morris has to say in this book. They are living off of the Fat Cats contributions and doing nothing for the betterment of the party. None would last a week with a major corporation based on such sorry results. But perhaps maybe this is how the Republican Elite likes it, living in the shadows of power. Well, if they want to change hire Dick Morris with a Lifetime Contract and fire the do nothings at the RNC. As far as Democrats are concerned, hire Dick Morris so the Republicans cannot get his ideas, strategies and sense of purpose. In either case, Dick Morris like this book is somebody to respect. Excellent Pure Excellence. Highly Recommended For Anyone Interested In Politics and America's Future.