His Lips Are Sealed

The other day, at one of those White House “photo opportunities” that now seem to provide the only chance for the press to approach President Reagan directly, reporters tried to put some questions to the Chief Executive. Once again Reagan took refuge in evasion--this time, feigning laryngitis, with the claim that “I’ve lost my voice.” There was greater truth in that remark than he intended. He has indeed lost his public voice. Not since last Nov. 19 has he held a formal press conference to answer the questions that Americans have about his Administration’s conduct and policies. Not since Richard M. Nixon isolated himself from public scrutiny during his Watergate crisis has a President gone so long in avoiding the limelight that politicians ordinarily crave.

The Constitution doesn’t require the President to take questions from the press. But for well over half a century Presidents have recognized the great value to the American people of meeting regularly with reporters to give their views about issues of current popular concern. Some Presidents have held more press conferences than others. None have avoided the press more assiduously than this one has.

The reason is not a state secret. Reagan is superb at delivering set speeches, but take away his script and ask him to wing it and his performance becomes far less impressive. Often confused about details and sometimes unfamiliar even with his own basic policies, Reagan in his ad lib remarks has repeatedly fallen into misstatements that the White House has had to rush to correct.

For all this, the President’s voice is still supposed to be the most authoritative in his Administration --the one that Americans listen to the most attentively. His is the final word on matters of fundamental public concern. For nearly four months that voice has been silent, the words have been withheld. Tea and honey might help the President’s problem. Recognition of his civic responsibility would help even more.