Vernon Makes it Plain

Tonight PBS replayed a great interview that Tavis Smiley did with Vernon Jordan a few months ago. They talked about everything from the future of capitalism to the  Sotomayor confirmation to being black in America. It’s a fascinating chat; Jordan is a smart man who has had a remarkable life.

I like the part where Smiley asks him the difference between being articulate and being eloquent. Smiley also asks Jordan how he came out of the whole Lewinsky thing with his reputation intact:

"I did the only thing I knew to do, and that was to tell the truth. That’s integrity. [Pause] I did one other thing: I kept my mouth shut."

The whole interview is here.