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.

One of her aids explained why. Said it was the fault of the briefing books. Hillary’s briefing books let her down. In other words, the staff never anticipated that question. Did not prepare for it. Did not work out a position. Did not stuff it in the briefing book.

And so the candidate did not have an opinion. Because none had been prepared for her.

I am not picking on her. All the candidates operate this way. They have no opinions. Cannot afford them. Except for what is in their briefing books. And if you believe the opinions in their briefing books are those of the candidate I will sell you my Enron stock.