Four Questions for Dick Morris

Dick Morris, the President of Vote.com, was President Clinton's chief strategist and advisor in the 1996 campaign. He has handled the campaigns of a large number of American politicians including Trent Lott, William Weld, Pete Wilson and many others. He's now a commentator on the Fox News Channel and writes a weekly column in the New York Post. He has written four recent books: Behind the Oval Office, The New Prince, Vote.com, Power Plays, Because He Could and Rewriting History. He has most recently been an advisor to Viktor Yushchenko in the Ukraine.

I proudly present an interview with Dick Morris:

What would political junkies in America be surprised to learn about politics in the Ukraine, or generally in Eastern Europe?

That candidates are not permitted access to the media unless they support the government. The free expression of ideas is in name only. Yushchenko had to set up a massive force to leaflet the entire country, under their doors, to get his message out because the government controlled media would neither sell nor give him air time.

The Yushchenko poisoning has been a hot topic of discussion in the blogosphere. Is he bitter about what they’ve done to him? Vengeful?

I don't know his personal reaction. But, his campaign had a tough question as to whether or not to show him on TV with his disfigured face. Ultimately, they decided to do so and his pock marks became a badge of honor.

Is the election in the Ukraine actually a Russia v. US proxy election as has been implied?

No. It's a referendum on whether the Ukraine will be free or not. If free, the overwhelming majority of the people want to join the European Union and be affiliated with the West.

You've often stressed the importance of ‘message’ in a campaign. What is Yushchenko’s message?

The need for freedom, the importance of liberty and the need to avoid being sucked into a Soviet state.