Fred Thompson: The Playboy (not really) interview

by Mark Silva

How long ago was it that Jimmy Carter confessed to Playboy magazine that he had lusted in his heart? Oh, about three decades ago. Long enough for presidential candidates to know better than to sit for an interview with that magazine that has, you know, the articles in it.

But Fred Thompson wasn't running for president when he sat for this interview. And Jeff Greenfield, the seasoned television political commentator, wasn't interviewing Thompson for the magazine when he conducted it. But now that Thompson, former senator from Tennessee and star of television's Law & Order, is seeking the Republican nomination for president, Playboy has found some value in running the interview that Greenfield had with Thompson back in 2005.

Thompson spoke at length about the verbal games that politicians play.

And he spoke of the knack that the president, whom he served in assisting Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts win confirmation by the Senate, has for making it look natural.

"If your primary goal in life is to balance competing constituents, it shows in your language and demeanor,'' Thompson said in the interview. "I think people like me because I raised a little hell every once in a while. The more I did it, the better. It wasn't in presidential politics, but somebody has to take the risk and give the people a chance to reward real candor.

"They need an attitude that doesn't scream, "I've gotta have this job,'' he also told his interviewer. "I think that's probably the best thing Bush had. He was as scripted as anybody else, but it didn't seem as though he was. He gave the impression that he could take it or leave it. He worked like hell to create that impression.''

The article is entitled Straight Talk Expressed. Govern yourselves accordingly.