It's an axiom that's as old as television itself (maybe even older), but it's true: former presidents are much better interviews than sitting presidents. The reason isn't rocket science: an ex-president doesn't have to watch what he says, he doesn't have to worry about being re-elected or burning political bridges.
This is the big reason why I'm looking forward to Matt Lauer's interview with George W. Bush tonight, which airs at 8PM ET on NBC. It's Dubya's first interview in support of his memoir
'Decision Points,' which will be released tomorrow. From what I've read and seen in various sneak peeks, it's going to contain some interesting admissions from one of the most polarizing Chief Executives this country's ever had.
But, according to Brian Stelter in The New York Times,
Lauer will not be grilling Bush on what went on during his eventful presidency. "The tone of the prime-time special is conversational, not prosecutorial," wrote Stelter, "and for that reason, "Lauer/Bush" is not likely to join "Frost/Nixon" in the public imagination."
That's absolutely OK, though; Lauer doesn't need to lower the hammer on Bush in order for this to be an effective and fascinating interview to watch, for a number of reasons: