Michael Barone

The Fall of Democratic Political Consultant Hank Morris

March 23, 2009 RSS Feed Print

By Michael Barone, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

I had lost track of Democratic political consultant Hank Morris some time ago; I knew him as a Democratic campaign consultant in the 1970s and 1980s, and one who always seemed reasonably honest and candid. So I was shocked to see this. Morris's lawyer says he's innocent. I find that hard to believe, but I also find it hard to believe that Morris would be involved in a scam like this. Though $30 million is a lot of money. What could have been going on in his mind?

On Facebook? You can keep up with Thomas Jefferson Street blog postings through Facebook's Networked Blogs.

Tags:
democratic party,
politics

Reader Comments Read all comments (1)

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Mr. Barone,

You are a journalist and a thinker for whom I have enormous respect. I was eager to see what you had to say on this subject. I am disappointed you just pose a question.

I think it is a question I can answer though. When someone speaks truthfully most of the time, we tend to call them "honest". Hank Morris often made statements that were factually correct and/or answered questions accurately. He might appear to be "honest" if you do not know him well.

The truth is he is one of the most evil, amoral people you could ever encounter. His level of filthy dishonesty makes Boss Tweed seem quaint and almost picaresque.

In the 80s careers were ruined over the quarters in parking meters here in New York.

I wonder how many quarters there are in 35 million dollars of Morris' stolen loot?

Call it what it is of NY 8:43PM March 24, 2009

Michael Barone

Michael Barone

U.S. News Weekly

Subscribe Today

Order the new U.S. News Weekly digital magazine at a special low introductory price!

Michael Barone is a senior writer for U.S.News & World Report and principal coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics. He has written for many publications—including the Economist and the New York Times.

Thomas Jefferson Street Blog

'Transcripters' Make Birthers Look Smart

Now the fringe right wants the president's university grades to prove he wasn't a good student.

Obama Must Do More to Protect the Intellectual Property Industry

The Obama administration needs to protect the industry's creativity and innovation.

Is Congress Getting Dumber?

That Congress is speaking at a lower grade level than it was seven years ago may be due to the unfortunate tendency to equate education with elitism.

Obama's Remarkable Silence on Latin American Press Abuses

President Obama's silence on press freedom in Latin America is troubling.

Why the Media Is Giving Romney a Pass on Trump's Birtherism

Why the media hasn't pressed Mitt Romney about Donald Trump's birther fantasies.

Romney's Bain Experience Wasn't Real American Capitalism

The fact that Bain Capital served to make money for investors, not to create jobs, could endanger Romney.

Why Is Mitt Romney Embracing Birther Donald Trump?

Maybe Trump is Romney's idea of a rich guy that common people can relate to?

Does Barack Obama Actually Want to Be Re-Elected?

The president's lack of enthusiasm jeopardizes his campaign.

Does BP CEO Tony Hayward Need R&R?

The CEO has gone AWOL amid the oil spill disaster.