10 Questions for Tim Russert

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Who was the toughest person in your entire career to interview and why? —Narendra Trivedi, Santa Clara, Calif.
The feistiest interview I've ever had was with Ross Perot in May of 1992. He was running for the president of the United States and at that time he was leading George Herbert Walker Bush and Bill Clinton in the polls. He was very combative, very feisty but very engaging. That means it was a very demanding interview from my standpoint because I had to try to elicit information and not get involved in any type of personal exchange. It was a very interesting tight rope to walk.

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Do you find it difficult to interview someone you don't like and still keep the interviews objective? —Marlene Shifrin, Fresh Meadows, New York
I don't like or dislike any of the political figures that I interview. They, to me, are people who are seeking votes, seeking public office. They have a job to do and I have a job to do. I just don't let any kind of personal feelings interfere with my professional job, with my professional mission of trying to elicit information and ask questions. I believe very deeply, particularly about someone running for president, that if you can't answer tough questions then you can't make tough decisions. And so I apply that standard to all candidates from all parties.

If you could go back in time and interview any previous politician, who would it be and why? —Andy Leksan
I would really like to interview Abraham Lincoln. In fact, in the Abraham Lincoln Library in Springfield, I do this virtual interview with Lincoln and his opponents in a presidential election which they show to visitors. But Lincoln, I really would like to ask him about the issues of the Union, preserving the Union, slavery, how he was able to handle his political opponents. I mean, one of his opponents actually referred to him as monkey, and put them in the Cabinet. His most prominent members of his Cabinet were his most outspoken political opponents. It's remarkable. Just how he was able to find that within himself. And also, when the Civil War started, the pressures on him to try and hold the country together. If you think we have problems now [Laughs]. I would really welcome that opportunity.

Do you vote in elections? —Ross Jax, Denver
I do vote in elections. I am not affiliated with either party. I live in the District of Columbia and so if you do not affiliate with either party you cannot vote in any primary so I only can vote in the general election.