Interviewing Clinton Is Next on Smiley’s Agenda

Don’t be deceived by the smile of Tavis Smiley.

Sure, the political commentator and Black Entertainment Television talk-show host has a crackling, pointed sense of humor. He is shown smiling on the cover of his new book, a collection of his weekly radio commentaries. And he has an easygoing, smooth charm with the musicians and celebrities who appear on his four-night-a-week program.

But make no mistake. The 33-year-old Smiley confidently regards himself not so much as a journalist as a no-nonsense advocate who takes no prisoners when it comes to pushing his agenda, which is to fight for “people who are politically, socially and economically disenfranchised.”

In other words, he added, “people of color. Unlike most journalists that try to hide their views, I’m just the opposite. There is a real purpose.”

That agenda comes through when he talks to top-level politicians on his show, “BET Tonight,” including the nation’s chief executive: He has interviewed President Clinton five times. Smiley says Clinton realizes the value of their talks: “He knows that he has [a potential] audience of 55 million households when he talks to me, and that my show is a conduit for him to reach black people.”

What may turn out to be one of the more significant interviews for Clinton and Smiley is scheduled to take place today, on election eve, when the two sit down for what will be Clinton’s first wide-ranging interview since January, when allegations first surfaced about his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

The main focus of the interview will be to urge African Americans, who have remained loyal to Clinton through the scandal, to get out and vote the next day. Clinton is expected to discuss what effect the election could have on the White House and his presidency.

But Smiley says he will also question Clinton about the pending impeachment inquiry, aspects of the report from independent counsel Kenneth Starr detailing what the president now acknowledges was his “improper relationship” with Lewinsky, and how the controversy has affected his family.

Smiley, who is also a commentator on the nationally syndicated morning radio program hosted by Tom Joyner, said that he was being granted the interview because of the professional, respectful tone of their previous conversations.

“I have always been very fair with him,” Smiley said. “There is a certain amount of respect that should come through in a talk with the president. But I’ve never laid down or been rolled over by him. I will ask the tough question, but in a fair and respectful way.”

The interview marks the second time in almost three years that BET, a cable network targeted for African Americans that is available in more than 55 million households, has scored a major beat over the mainstream media. In January 1996, then-BET news anchor Ed Gordon secured the first live television interview with O.J. Simpson, who had been acquitted a few months earlier of the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Lyle Goldman.

Smiley said he expects many network journalists to be upset that he got the Clinton interview and they didn’t.

“Washington is a competitive news town, and there are only three interviews worth getting: Monica Lewinsky, Kenneth Starr and President Clinton,” Smiley said. “For people to suggest that an African American doesn’t deserve to be in front of the line once in a blue moon is just ridiculous. And I know they will say Clinton has an agenda. But there is always an agenda in politics.”

And although he is grateful for the coup, he is also downplaying its significance for him and the network.

“I don’t want to underestimate or overstate my appreciation,” Smiley said. “After all, one must value the opportunity. But I don’t want to overstate it either. Our show is doing quite well. We’re in our third season, and I know our ratings won’t quadruple just because President Clinton is on. This will not make or break the show or the network. They have seen me interview him before, so my audience is used to it.”

* “BET Tonight” airs Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m. on BET.