it's easy to say no when you're never asked

Jeffrey invites and how can I refuse?

I swear that I have never taken money -- neither directly nor indirectly -- from any political campaign or government agency -- whether federal, state, or local -- in exchange for any service performed in my job as a journalist (or commentator, or blogger, or whatever you think I should be called).

I feel pretty safe taking this oath, and in saying that the likelihood of temptation is remote. This would be a much harder oath for most to take:

I swear that I have never chosen my public positions or based my judgments of the world around on expectations of future gain or position.

I don't think I've done that, but the mind is a powerful engine for rationalization.