In the media universe we're in, where there are people screaming on one end, there is no problem at all with having a little bit of extra politeness.

I knew early on that I wanted to be a reporter, but I didn't know I was a political journalist until my first job in Boston, in the '70s, covering the public school committee at a time when busing was a huge issue. Children's lives were being directly affected by political decisions, and that's when I realized that everything is politics.

Can't disagree with the need for a grasp of history.

I see a pretty bright line between analysis and opinion. And so, to that end, my goal on Friday nights is to try to assemble the smartest reporters who are available to me that week who have been involved in covering the news.

All of our panelists are deeply engaged in the topics at hand, so that leaves me free to convene a little dinner party, sans alcohol, and invite the rest of America to listen in.

Did I say that the President's entire job is image management? Of course not.

I'm not in love. I'm not out of love. I'm just trying to find some version of the truth.