Why I would never, never, never, never be a politician. Did I say never? Good.

And I won’t recommend that sort of life to you, either. Not unless you are happy to hand over one of your basic freedoms. The freedom to say what you want to say.

Yes, I bet you pull your punches around Aunt Gert. You won’t tell her what you really think. Because she might box your ears. And you maybe don’t really tell the boss you think his ideas on taxes qualify him for an asylum. Because he might sack you. Or worse.

But if I phoned you right now and asked your opinion, you are free to give it. On taxes. Social Security. The Iraq War. Healthcare.

Run for the White House and you give up that freedom. Suppose we phone one of the candidates right now. He or she is not going to give us an opinion.

The candidate will give us a scripted, rehearsed message. His or her staff has worked out answers for the big questions. Months ago.

Worse, the staff has come up with most of the questions and answers. Candidates ask “What is our position on this?” The team comes up with the official answer. They script it. They stick it in the prep book. The candidate memorizes it.

In the last debate Tim Russert asked Hillary if she favored Governor Spitzer’s plan to let illegal immigrants get driver’s licences. Asked her twice. She muffed it twice.