7:12 PM 10/25/01 Wisconsin State Journal

                   It's a cardinal rule of political self-preservation: Never call a news
                conference when you're not prepared to answer the questions.
                Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala must have forgotten that rule
                Wednesday when he summoned reporters - and ducked out of his
                own office when the line of questioning strayed from the topic he
                wanted to discuss. 
                   Members of the Capitol press corps, including a reporter from the
                Wisconsin State Journal, wanted to ask Chvala about the continuing
                probe into the legislative caucus system, as well as charges by a
                former aide, Dan Kroll, that Chvala aides engaged in illegal campaign
                activity in 1996. But Chvala declined to comment, saying reporters
                had copies of a statement describing Kroll's charges as false. Aide
                Mike Browne said Chvala had another appointment, and the Madison
                Democrat began gathering his things. Here's what happened next,
                according to a transcript published by the Milwaukee
                Journal-Sentinel: 
                   Browne: "Chuck? I'm sorry, we need to get Chuck to another..." 
                   Reporters: "The State Journal and The Capital Times asked you
                several questions concerning Dan Kroll, which you answered
                specifically. Can you speak to the totality of his comments?" 
                   Chvala: "You have our statement." 
                   Reporters: "Is there a conflict that lawyers hired by staffers
                regarding the caucus investigation are contributing to Senate
                Democrats and your campaign?" 
                   Chvala: (No answer.) 
                   Reporters: "Can you explain why the taxpayers need to pay
                $21,000 for legal representation for caucus staff?" 
                   Chvala: "You have our statement." 
                   Reporters: "No, there was no statement about that." 
                   Chvala: (No answer.) 
                   Reporters: "The Ethics Board people are saying that had they
                conducted their deliberations in open session, the deal would have
                fallen apart. Is that true?" 
                   Chvala: "I think I've given you all the answers I can on these
                things, guys." 
                   Reporters: "Can you explain why you need 12 more staffers from
                the caucus?" 
                   Browne: "Hey, no more questions!" 
                   Reporters: "Well, he's the elected official. You're not, Mike." 
                   Browne: "And he has another appointment to go to, and that's
                why he's leaving." 
                   Reporters: "Can you tell us what the other appointment is?" 
                   Browne: "He has an appointment at his law office." 
                   Reporters: "You cited the accomplishments that you say the
                Senate has made, but is the public paying attention? Don't you think
                they seem focused on this caucus situation?" 
                   Chvala: "No, I think you are. Excuse me." 
                   Reporters: "Is there a problem with integrity in this institution,
                though, given what's been alleged and the investigations going on?" 
                   Chvala: (No answer. Exits office.) 
                   Madison Democrat Chvala is too smart of a politician to believe he
                can continue to evade reporters' questions about the caucus
                investigation and the Kroll allegations. 
                   As one of the two most powerful lawmakers in the Capitol, Chvala
                has an obligation to answer legitimate questions from the press -
                especially when they're asked at a news conference he called. 
                   So, here's our offer to Chvala: Grant an interview in which questions
                and follow-up questions will be asked by Wisconsin State Journal
                reporters. We'll also give the senator space on an upcoming Opinion
                page for his own "guest column." If Chvala chooses not to grant an
                interview, we'll publish some of the questions we would have asked -
                followed by white space. Senator, you have our statement. 
 
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