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...Though Bennett this year has declined to climb into the political arena, he has been coaching candidates of both parties--including Bob Dole and, indirectly, Bill Clinton--in the politics of virtue. Each time Dole criticizes the harm done to children and society by violent and sex-drenched movies, he travels a path pioneered by Bennett. After Bennett criticized Dole's campaign as "incoherent and dispassionate," the candidate recruited Bennett to join him on the road and help frame speeches on cultural issues. So pleased was Dole with the results that he had his campaign manager ask whether Bennett might...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: THE CHAIRMAN OF VIRTUE | 9/16/1996 | See Source »

When Clinton began to realize from polling data that today's voters are less interested in economics than in such child-rearing and values issues as school uniforms and deadbeat dads, an aide explained, "he ran into Bennett already standing on top of them." The President has approvingly cited Bennett's writings to his advisers and in private chats with the author. And although Bennett served as Education Secretary for President Reagan and drug czar for President Bush, he wins grudging praise from partisan Democrats like campaign strategist James Carville. "You gotta give Bennett credit," he says, "for taking...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: THE CHAIRMAN OF VIRTUE | 9/16/1996 | See Source »

Ever since his collection of moral tales, The Book of Virtues, began its 88-week ride on the New York Times best-seller list, Bennett has plumbed and profited from America's anxiety over the decline in standards of moral behavior. The success of his first Virtues anthology spawned two profitable sequels and a cartoon show, which debuted last week on PBS. Meanwhile, he has co-written a new book called Body Count, to be published this month, which blames the rise of young criminal predators on a "moral poverty" born of negligent parenting, welfare dependency and too-easy divorce...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: THE CHAIRMAN OF VIRTUE | 9/16/1996 | See Source »

...critics find Bennett smug, and his size and forcefulness can make him look bullying. Most of his audiences, though, seem impressed that he speaks to cultural issues with moral confidence and without censoriousness. Virtue, he insists, must be taught to the young by their elders' example and through moral stories. Parents must place the welfare of their children ahead of material success and even marital happiness. Public figures and ordinary citizens alike should speak out on matters of right and wrong, but must make clear they don't mean to muzzle anyone. They should "shame" entertainment companies (including Time Warner...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: THE CHAIRMAN OF VIRTUE | 9/16/1996 | See Source »

...Bennett's success attracts so many allies and advice seekers that he retains a savvy, full-time aide, Pete Wehner, to help him deal with politicians and the press. In a typical recent week, Republican Senator Dan Coats of Indiana phoned to work with Bennett on a bill that would expand tax incentives for contributions to charities that benefit the poor, while Democratic Senators Sam Nunn of Georgia and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut volunteered to help with the crusade against trashy entertainment. Newt Gingrich scheduled a meeting with Bennett, and Rush Limbaugh phoned for an interview. The mail arrived...

Author: /time Magazine | Title: THE CHAIRMAN OF VIRTUE | 9/16/1996 | See Source »

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