News-Record.com

J.C. Watts is a friendly, engaging guy.

I taped a Newsmaker video interview this afternoon with the former Oklahoma congressman, in town to deliver the Bryan Series lecture tonight for Guilford College. It's at 7:30 at War Memorial Auditorium.

Update: Here's the link to the video: http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=multimedia&pluid=2445

Watts left Congress in 2002 after four terms, having risen quickly to the No. 4 leadership position among Republicans in the House of Representatives. These days he runs J.C. Watts Companies and makes a few speaking engagements.

My interview, which should be up on the site within a few days, focused on political questions. Here's a recent column he wrote sizing up the likely presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain. Watts calls it inspiration vs. conviction.

Last fall, Watts wrote a critical piece about the Republican presidential candidates' lack of attention to black voters.

There are murmurings on the Web about Watts as a potential McCain running mate. He respects McCain and, although he stopped short of explicitly endorsing the Arizona senator, I got the sense Watts is sticking with his party in this election.

But he all but flatly denied any interest in being a vice presidential candidate.

I don't blame him. Before our interview, Watts said -- very sincerely -- that he hasn't missed politics at all since leaving Congress. My assessment is that, even if he wanted to get back in the game, it might not be the smartest play for him to join the team that looks like it could get rolled over by the campaign of America's first black president.

Watts is only 50, so he certainly has time to run for public office again. The former Sooners quarterback is still fit looking and says he works out regularly. With five kids, two still at home, and five grandchildren, he's a devoted family man.

He ought to deliver a good speech tonight. If you miss it, look for our Newsmaker interview.