Finally, the president added, 'The American people are idealists, but they also want their leaders to be realistic...'

Some newspapers have a hands-off policy on favored politicians. But it's generally very small newspapers or local TV stations.

I recently did the David Letterman Show about my book. He was very serious and made no jokes and it caught me off guard a little bit. He was much more serious than some of the joke shows that journalists get on.

Clinton feels a profound alienation from the Washington culture here, and I happen to agree with him.

Newspapers that are truly independent, like The Washington Post, can still aggressively investigate anyone or anything with no holds barred.

Watergate provides a model case study of the interaction and powers of each of the branches of government. It also is a morality play with a sad and dramatic ending.

I gave my word that this source would not be identified unless he changed his mind. He has not...