Gordon Black, a New York pollster who occasionally advises Mr. Perot, said Mr. Morris made the offer in a telephone conversation about a week ago.

He is honoured with Mr. Guppy's particular confidence and occasionally advises him, from the deep wells of his experience, on difficult points in private life.

"These scores must have given agita to the Democrats," said Edward I. Koch, the former mayor and Democrat who is supporting and occasionally advising Mr. Bloomberg.

Bob Shrum, another Democratic consultant who occasionally advises the Administration, put it a bit differently.

Through Daubigny, Delpy met Camille Corot, who encouraged and occasionally advised the young painter.

It looked, said one strategist who occasionally advises the campaign, like a dodge.

He has an affectionate relationship with his daughter, who he knows is The Black Cat, and occasionally advises her on her cases.

She did say that she occasionally advised him on whom he should contact in the administration on behalf of his clients.

One was William A. Galston, a political philosopher at the University of Maryland, who occasionally advises Bill Clinton.

"One of the ways you regain momentum," said a Republican strategist who occasionally advises the campaign, "is to make clear that you're trying to regain momentum."