Dick Morris

Dick Morris
Mark Taylor · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Richard 'Dick' Morris
Birth date	July 28, 1947
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Political consultant, commentator, author
Party	Republican (formerly Democrat)
Spouse	Donna Brazile (divorced), Mary Ellen Pinson, Eileen McGann

Dick Morris

Richard "Dick" Morris is an American political consultant, commentator, and author known for his work on electoral strategy, media commentary, and political analysis. He gained national prominence as an adviser to prominent politicians, later becoming a frequent television commentator and prolific writer on campaigns, public policy, and partisan strategy. His career spans municipal politics, national campaigns, White House advising, private consulting, and media punditry.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, Morris grew up in the Bronx and later attended St. Bernard's School and Lehman High School (Bronx). He matriculated at City College of New York before transferring to and graduating from Columbia University with studies overlapping social science and political activism. As a student he became involved with local party organizations in New York City and joined campaign efforts in Queens and Manhattan, interacting with figures from Tammany Hall-era politics to contemporary municipal leaders.

Political career and Clinton advising

Morris began his political career as a campaign operative in New York City and later worked on campaigns for elected officials in New York State and across the United States, including mayoral, gubernatorial, and congressional races. He served as a consultant for the Democratic Party in New York and for politicians associated with the Democratic National Committee and state party organizations. In the 1980s and 1990s he expanded his consulting practice to work for candidates in Texas, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, advising on messaging, voter targeting, and get-out-the-vote operations.

Morris’s most consequential role came when he joined the staff of President Bill Clinton in the 1990s as a political adviser and strategist. He helped shape strategy during the 1994 midterm cycle and provided counsel on electoral tactics during the Clinton administration. Morris collaborated with other White House aides and political operatives, coordinating with staffers from the Democratic National Committee, campaign committees, and allied advocacy organizations on communications and opposition research. His tenure in the Clinton orbit intersected with major political events such as the 1994 United States House of Representatives elections, budget negotiations with congressional leaders from Republicans, and policy fights involving figures from the United States Senate and the House Ways and Means Committee.

Post-White House career: consulting and media

After leaving the White House staff, Morris founded a private consulting firm and advised candidates for federal, state, and local office across the country. His clientele included campaigns for United States Senate seats, gubernatorial contests in states such as Florida and New York, and mayoral bids in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Morris became a frequent presence on cable news networks including Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, as well as on syndicated radio programs and print outlets such as The New York Post and The Washington Times. He provided commentary for high-profile events including presidential elections, midterm elections, and primary contests, offering strategic analysis to audiences during cycles involving figures like George W. Bush, Barack Obama, John McCain, and Hillary Clinton.

Morris also worked with corporate clients, trade associations, and advocacy groups, coordinating polling, opposition research, and message testing with vendors such as Nielsen-style firms and survey houses common in the consulting industry. His post-White House activities included lecture appearances at institutions like Harvard Kennedy School, panels at American Enterprise Institute-adjacent forums, and contributions to periodicals published by organizations such as The Wall Street Journal editorial pages.

Political views and controversies

Over time Morris shifted political alignment, moving from early affiliation with Democratic Party (United States) organizations toward collaborations with conservative commentators and elected officials associated with the Republican Party (United States). This realignment accompanied his commentary on issues involving taxation debates in the United States Congress, healthcare reform fights involving the Affordable Care Act, and foreign policy discussions referencing administrations of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump.

Morris has been a polarizing figure involved in multiple controversies. His role in the Clinton administration drew scrutiny during investigations led by special counsels and oversight committees in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate. Media outlets and watchdog organizations have critiqued some of his predictions and public statements made on television and in print, including high-profile election forecasts tied to contests featuring candidates such as Al Gore, John Kerry, and Joe Biden. Morris faced personal controversy stemming from revelations reported by news organizations including The New York Times and The Washington Post, and legal disputes involving clients and former colleagues have been litigated in federal and state courts, including filings in U.S. District Court jurisdictions.

Publications and media appearances

Morris authored and co-authored numerous books and opinion pieces appearing in national outlets. His books and commentaries engaged topics ranging from campaign strategy to partisan critique, some published by major houses and promoted through media platforms like C-SPAN and cable networks. He appeared on morning television programs and late-night interview shows alongside hosts from NBC, ABC, and CBS, and guested on talk radio programs syndicated by networks associated with iHeartMedia and public broadcasters linked to NPR.

Notable published works include co-authored titles on political strategy and electoral analysis, often circulated during election years and cited in academic and practitioner literature on campaigning. He contributed op-eds to outlets including The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, and The Washington Times, and maintained a presence on digital platforms where pundits and strategists from outlets such as Politico, The Hill, and RealClearPolitics discuss electoral trends.

Category:Political consultants Category:American political commentators Category:1947 births Category:Living people