Bop-bop, boppity bop-bop-bop-bop. Snugged up in his private plane, plugged into his Walkman, Pete St. John, media consultant to politicians, drums his cares away on the practice pad that accompanies him everywhere. Pete's life moves to this same rhythm: jazzy, snazzy, yet lacking in soul. If he had one it would be packed in a two-suiter with his scruples, in the lost-luggage office of some airport on a half-forgotten campaign trail.
For the moment, Pete (played with a sinuously boyish charm by Richard Gere) has more pressing problems. He has candidates in trouble all over the map: a Governor's divorce and...