Between the Lines, Online: Boxers or Briefs?

"Boxers or briefs?"

Thompson refused to answer this novel query but whispered something to the barkeeper, presumably about harassment by fans, and the next thing I knew we were staggering around in the snow, tossed out of a tavern by Hunter S. Thompson for being too rowdy.

I must admit, I had never before heard the "boxers or briefs?" conundrum and proceeded to dine out on the story for many months. I saw Thompson a couple more times--once, strangely, when we had breakfast in Little Rock, Ark., and he asked if I'd mind if his beautiful female sidekick "took notes" by videotaping me. I didn't mention the Woody Creek incident to him but among those with whom I shared it was Tabitha Soren, who found it amusing.

After the success of the town meeting during the campaign, Tabitha had more access to the new president than any other journalist. She interviewed him in the Oval Office and Clinton held a second MTV town meeting in 1993, then a third in 1994, which would prove, for obvious reasons, to be his last.

Tabitha always had an easy way with the young studio audience, and during rehearsals for that final forum she introduced the high school and college-age students to the concept of the "rapid round." She suggested they ask anything they wanted of the president, as long as the questions were short. Then, she jokingly threw out a few possibilities, from "What's your favorite album?" to--yup--"Boxers or briefs?"

A 17-year-old in the audience, Laetitia Thompson (no relation), popped the historic question and President Clinton, after expressing momentary surprise, answered: "Usually briefs."