THE MORRIS MESS
On the basis of his awe-inspiring spin, I can't imagine why anybody except Richard Morris was needed on President Clinton's re-election team [NATION, Sept. 9]. After all, in the first six days he single-handedly choreographed a convention, formulated policy, wrote the President's, Vice President's and First Lady's speeches, trounced the Dole campaign as well as his enemies in the Administration, and did everything short of curing cancer. And on the seventh day, he rested. And now we know how he did that. JON MAAS Los Angeles
Why is it such a big deal that Morris talked frankly to a sex worker about his professional life? Why is this newsworthy? This was a sex worker, not an espionage operative or even a terrorist instigator. Assuming she was listening to even half of what Morris said, did she have access to someone who could use the information to threaten the President or the country? ADREANA LANGSTON Oakland, California
The President's closest political strategist should have the wisdom and maturity to stay away from sexual misbehavior. But using that logic as the reason for Morris' resignation could be dangerous for the Democrats. After all, isn't this standard even more applicable to the President? JOHN P. SHELTON Los Angeles
The issue here is why officials, once identified, appear so eager to exhibit their revealed (mis)conduct in public. JAMES HORGEN Sliema, Malta
What happens behind closed doors (or even on balconies) does not affect the everyday decisions a politician must make. Let's not permit Queen Victoria to make up our minds about whom we vote for. It is time to return to the Monroe Doctrine (Marilyn Monroe, that is) and sweep peccadilloes under the carpet, where they belong. Let us vote on the issues, no matter what the liberal or conservative position. This is the only way that legislation will reflect our desires. RICHARD K. HIRSCH Silverado, California
Perhaps Morris is, after all, the ultimate spinning spin master and is employed by Bob Dole for this year's presidential campaign. EMILY D'AULAIRE West Redding, Connecticut Via E-mail
I said it after last week's issue, and i repeat it after this week's issue. This is more than I care to know about Morris. JEAN LEWIS Los Angeles
A COUPLE'S TRYING WEEK
I read with disgust the account that Morris' wife, Eileen McGann, gave of the couple's troubled week [NATION, Sept. 9]. The major problem she avoids is that the reason Morris is upset is that he got caught. He doesn't feel bad about the adultery or his yearlong deception of his wife. She doesn't seem to care about that either but shows more concern about his getting caught. PETER VENTURA Warner Robins, Georgia
It's no big deal when one prostitute consorts with another. What is really shocking is when the lawyer wife of one of them says, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." What ever became of grammatical correctness? CARL GERSUNY Peace Dale, Rhode Island
As a longtime Democratic supporter, I am stunned by Morris' interview "Even If This Destroys Me..." It does indeed give "an interesting glimpse of Morris' perception of what his role had been." Is this what political strategy has come down to in the 1990s, slicing momentum and triangulating scores? What a crushing disappointment! PETER CHIARAMONTE San Diego