Sunday, July 16, 2006; W09

Walter Cronkite had more curiosity than any single person I've ever known. If Walter saw a car wreck, it would be like it was the first car wreck he'd ever seen. He'd want to know how it happened, who was involved. As I look back on it, every time that I got scooped on a story, or I did an interview that didn't come out right, it was because I forgot to ask the obvious question. I always start my interviews with the obvious question because nine times out of 10 the first question that pops into your mind and seems obvious is usually the key. I remember what Sherlock Holmes once said to Watson. Sherlock explained how he had solved a case, and Watson said, Well, that's obvious in retrospect. And Holmes said, Well, everything's obvious in retrospect. Reporters have to ask the obvious questions, and I think that's what I'm always trying to do.

I started on the police beat, where it's all: Who? What? Where? When? Why? And How? It wasn't too complicated beyond that. When you forgot to answer those questions, you always got reminded of it in no uncertain terms by the city editor.

Listening is the key to interviewing. It's a learned skill. Sometimes I'm better at it than other times, but it is a learned skill, like riding a bike. I think it's slipping away from me now, as I get older. I find all of this stuff harder and harder to do. My problem now is just to stay focused and not to let my mind drift off.

Interview by Cathy Areu