Rollins and Role of Political Consultants

I read with interest the two Aug. 7 columns, one defending and the other criticizing the ethics involved in the writing of Ed Rollins’ new book, “Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms.” The issue, however, is not really Rollins’ book but in the man himself and the “profession” he represents. What Lyn Nofziger ignores and William Bradley correctly points out is that an ethical man would not have hired on or continued working for clients he deemed so unfit for public office.

Is there no sense of public trust to which these hired guns feel responsible? The answer in most cases, for Democrats and Republicans, is an obvious no. For example, although I respect many things President Clinton has accomplished, I am saddened that his No. 1 political advisor, Dick Morris, is a man whose only allegiance and commitment are to his paycheck and the most recent public opinion poll.

JIM TURNER

Granada Hills

* Nofziger and Bradley display a certain naivete in their commentaries. The relationship between political consultants and candidates parallels that between hookers and their johns. Both clients know exactly what they are buying; both servicers know what they are selling.

All participants hope for transactional secrecy but none have a guarantee. They willingly chance the consequences for the perceived benefits. In truth, political consultants and hookers risk little since their respective vocations are already held in low esteem. They do what they do for a buck and if writing about what they do means a lot more bucks, we should expect that they will write books!

If Rollins’ book inhibits future candidates from undertaking activities that they do not wish to read about at a later time, it will have accomplished more for the public good than all of his previous efforts on behalf of the ambitious and mendacious politicians who constitute his list of former clients.

LEE HAHN

Laguna Hills

* In reading what Nofziger and Bradley said about Rollins and his new book, let me say that I went to the school that says political consultants are like children: They should be seen but not heard.

JOSEPH R. CERRELL

Chairman Emeritus, American

Assn. of Political Consultants

Los Angeles