As Speaker, I had a fifteen-minute press conference every day. I rather enjoyed the banter, and the reporters soon learned I had no personal agenda or devious plans. And when I made a mistake like confusing "billions" with "millions" they wouldn't report it.

One time a particularly obnoxious reporter did a mean piece on me and demanded a follow-up interview. I called a press conference with all the press corps on Capitol Hill and he showed up with a stenographer to try to nail me. In front of all his colleagues, he ended up looking stupid.

Not all reporters are alike. Some are just doing their job. Others are out to get you. Don't help them make the story. Keep your cool.

My old pal Jimmie Burke used to say, "Don't write it if you can talk, don't talk if you can wink, and don't wink if you can nod."

And take care of your local press first. They'll get the story straight. They usually want to help.

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