10 Questions with ... Harry Smith

NAME:Harry Smith TITLE:Anchor COMPANY:CBS Television SHOW:The Early Show BORN:Lansing, IL RAISED:Lansing, IL

1) How did the 'Red State, Blue State Blues,' the duet with Sarah Darling, come about- was there a particular couple that inspired the song, like James Carville and Mary Matalin, or maybe Maria Shriver and Arnold?

Honestly we have been on the road so much since the campaign started and everyone has such strong feelings this year. It's kind of frustrating to me, because the president is going to have to pull people together as Americans now. We have more in common than we don't have in common, so I decided to write this song. I wrote it in my living room on a Sunday morning when I was going through the pile of newspapers that I usually read on Sundays- it just took me about 20 minutes to be honest.

2) How did you come to record with Sarah, had you met before? By the way, you guys definitely have that Johnny and June thing goin' on, so nice job with that!

We came to town to do the show from Nashville during the Presidential debate and the original idea was to go in and just record it with some of the musical geniuses in town. I sent the lyrics to Jimmy Nichols, President of Black River Music, and the next thing you know we were in there recording. I had a duet in mind, and the back and forth with Sarah was great. We had a lot in common and she has buckets and buckets of talent- she's really got it. I can't see how she won't be a huge star.

3) How much of a thrill was it to record at Ronnie's Place, originally owned by Ronnie Milsap?

To be honest if I thought about it, I might have really been intimidated. Milsap came in during the recording- he just dropped by. We had just gotten through the recording when he popped in. I was thrilled about how it all turned out- it was such fun, the memory is one that I will cherish forever.

4) Are you doing more songs in the studio? How about taking this out to play 'live'?

We have been talking about doing it 'live' actually so we will see. It's funny because I have been on a lot of Country morning shows lately. It's been a blast!

5) You're married to NBC Sports anchor Andrea Joyce, do you guys have a 'red-state-blue-state' relationship?

No, but a lot of friends of ours have called to ask if we do- but no, the answer is definitely a no.

6) And with that, do you and your wife discuss politics at home?

We do some, but quite honestly it's hard to do the job I do because I have to bring skepticism to any candidate. So in conversations, I am constantly playing devil's advocate, no matter what side you are on or what your opinion is. I just want to present the other side, for people to consider. So with politics in a social setting at a party or whatever if the river goes one way, I have to go the other way. I can't see that working with my spouse!

7) Is this the most polarizing campaign that you have ever seen?

Ummm- I have been in the news business over 25-years. The first presidential campaign that I covered was in 1984 and I have to say, this one is pretty darn rough and tumble.

8) Have you interviewed the candidates yet?

I've interviewed them a bunch, and it's harder to get them now. As the campaign gets bigger it just gets harder to get them to come on because they all, the presidential and VP candidates both, are running so hard. In the beginning it was so different- we were invited to ride on their busses, etc. They are always really accessible in the beginning.

9) What do you like best about your job? And least?

I love all the different stuff I get to do. Like for instance today I talked to Rudy Giuliani, also the economist that just won the Nobel Prize, Paul Krugman, and the famous cocktail guy, Collin Cowie, about making drinks. So, it's great in that you have to be so varied. The best morning TV in my opinion is when it's the whole newspaper- from the front-page to the lifestyle section, to the sports page. As far as least, I would have to say honestly that on those days when there's not much news, we have to kind of go to the lowest denominator- that's not such a good thing.

10) You have interviewed everyone from Richard Nixon to Madonna- what is your favorite type of interview?

Wow, let's see. It depends on the access point. I really love at the beginning of the presidential campaigns, when the candidates are at small events and theres just 25 people or so- it's so great. I remember covering Senator Obama at a park shelter with 25 people, and being with Senator McCain when he was actually going door-to-door. It's a reminder of what a unique process we have here in this country.

1. What's the dumbest question you've ever asked anyone?

I remember having these two lovely young girls on the show, and they were chess champions. I didn't realize it as nobody told me, but they couldn't speak a lick of English - and here we are on live television and they can't understand a word I'm saying.

2) If I were to visit you in New York City and you were my tour-guide what non-tourist places would you take me to?

We would ride the subways together- that's what I make everyone do. Everyone rides the subways, from CEOs to politicians and everyday working people. It's a great example of what a great melting pot the city is.

3) One album that was a big influence on you?

Kinda Blue- Miles Davis.

4) Last question before you go, I have to ask a political question- who would you vote for: Sarah Palin or Tina Fey?

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