A Voice in the Box: My Life in Radio

Politicians

P O L I T I C I A N S Who’s the worst person to interview? Is it a cliché-spouting professional athlete or a politician paying no attention to the question he or she has been asked? I think it’s the politician. Obviously, interviews regarding public affairs are crucial to any news program, but for the very reason that they deal with the news, they flunk the “memorable” test. The news is, by definition, transitory. A news story is already old once it’s been broadcast. We often follow up on stories that have dropped out of the headlines, but usually we move on to something new. Political interviews are important at the time, but that time passes. I certainly do remember my interview with President Clinton because it was my only visit to the Oval Office. Waiting for the president to arrive, I made mental notes on what books were in the room, the pattern of the upholstery, and the variety of stuff on the president’s desk. Impressive, but not as nice as Martin Sheen’s office on The West Wing. I recall that Clinton was headed for his budget showdown with Congress and used a buzzword common to Washington dialogue. “If there’s going to be a train wreck,” he said, “then it won’t be my fault; it’ll be the fault of Republican leaders in Congress.” In hindsight, that was an important comment. The “train wreck” occurred when Congress refused to pass the budget, shutting down many government services. Voters blamed the Republicans, and their anger helped Clinton win a second 106 A V O I C E I N T H E B O X term. It’s possible that Clinton foresaw that this would happen when he made that comment to me. If I could do that interview over again, I’d ask him about his intern. My interview with former Minnesota senator Rudy Boschwitz was memorable because he is, so far, the only person to put me on hold during a live telephone conversation. He had Call Waiting and apparently found the little audio signal too distracting to continue our conversation . Listeners heard me saying, “Senator?” Senator Boschwitz?” He was only gone for the few seconds he needed to blow off his other call, but those were the longest seconds of my broadcasting career. In the next election, he was the only incumbent senator to lose. I did not mourn his loss. Politicians are seldom memorable interview subjects because they’re too guarded. The interviewer is hoping that the conversation will make news. The politician being interviewed is determined to stick with the message of the day, coveting the exposure but making certain to keep the good stuff under wraps. Politicians are under enormous pressure to get through an interview without screwing up. A mistake in an interview can be costly. Ask Dick Armey. Maybe I’ve worked in Washington too long, but sometimes I even feel sorry for political figures. While serving as President Reagan’s secretary of labor, Raymond Donovan was indicted for grand larceny and fraud. Donovan went on Morning Edition to defend himself. This occurred in those glorious years when one could smoke in the studio. Donovan and I each had a cigarette going, but then he lit another one. Now he’s smoking two cigarettes to my one. He’s got one in the slot on the ashtray corner and another one in his hand. This naturally draws my attention to his hands, which are shaking. After Donovan was acquitted , he asked, “What office do I go to to get my reputation back?” Rarely does a Washington figure get off the hook once there’s a hint of scandal. I hope Raymond Donovan is enjoying his retirement. I don’t want anyone to be nervous about talking to me. Yes, I’m going to ask the tough questions that need to be asked, but I don’t want anyone to know that. I want my guests to be completely at ease. The more relaxed my guest, the more forthcoming that guest will be. The confrontational style that worked so well for Mike Wallace does nothing 107 P O L I T I C I A N S for me. Wallace played district attorney and nailed his subjects with questions that might begin with “Isn’t it true that on the night...