What was your first job as a journalist?
My first "real" job in journalism was at Communications Daily, who found me when I was just a random tech blogger.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yup. My parents had an IBM Selectric when I was growing up. It was great. I miss typewriters...I feel like I was born 40 years too late
How is social media changing news?
Its hurting the craft of journalism. When everything is "NOW NOW NOW" people feel like taking time to get it right is impossible.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Danny Concanon, fake Washington Post (The West Wing)
What does it mean to be a journalist?
People look to you to know what they should know. They look to you for the truth. That's a huge responsibility.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Oh, god. Email or phone (only if urgent, PLEASE). My Facebook is for fun. Don't pitch me on it.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Voice recorder (not my phone), pen, notebook, phone (with Internet) and laptop. With those I can work from anywhere.
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook -- I've been on it since the beginning in college and its the best way to stay in touch. It helps that they Insist on real names.
Who do you wish followed you?
The President (because I cover him) and Marty Baron (because I want to work for him)
Why did you become a journalist?
By accident! I was going to be a lawyer but while I was running a popular tech policy blog a friend suggested I apply for a reporting job!
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Nope
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The first-person account of my time at Sputnik that I wrote for Politico, it resulted in the DOJ ordering Sputnik to register under FARA.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Don't take no for an answer -- when I applied for my first job the guy I wrote to told me I didn't have the experience. I changed his mind.
When's the best time to pitch you?
The beginning of the day before things get crazy or the end of the day so I can think about it before I go home.or to bed.
What's your favorite drink?
Diet Coke or Newman's Own Lemonade. There's nothing better in this world on a hot day, or any day.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At a bar or in my bed.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Washington Post -- it's the paper that brought down a President, my hometown paper, and it gets better each day that Jeff Bezos owns it.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That we're hostile to GOP Presidents but not Dem ones. There should always be tension between POTUS & Press or one of us is doing it wrong.
