Openness

The Fifth Principle of Political Life is Openness: information should be restricted only when necessary for the public interest. By now, you will have figured out that I am inclined to think that this kind of idealistic statement needs some modification. Sometimes, the modifications I make are to make sure the Principle is focused on policy and governance. In this case, another theme of mine is also important – the politician as human being.

In the early sixties, every reporter in Washington k...