CAMPAIGN ’96 : Strategist Sought Clinton-Dole Deal

President Clinton’s top political strategist last week sent campaign polling data to an advisor to Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) to try to convince him that Dole’s only chance of winning the Iowa and New Hampshire Republican presidential contests was to make a deal with the White House to balance the budget.

In the secret overture, Clinton strategist Dick Morris said Dole should go for a budget deal with or without the support of fellow Republicans. He sent the memo to the Dole campaign on Jan. 25, two days after Clinton’s well-received State of the Union address and Dole’s much-criticized response.

Morris wrote in his memo, “Dole cannot win in either New Hampshire or Iowa UNLESS there is a budget deal.” He then cited polling he said showed great political gain by Dole if he made a deal with Clinton.

Scott Reed, Dole’s campaign manager, said the overture from Morris was “immediately rejected” and not even given to Dole.

White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry said Thursday Morris sent the memo to the Dole campaign without Clinton’s approval and he described the president as “disappointed and angry” when he found out. He said Clinton had chastised Morris.