John Dickerson

John Dickerson is a CBS senior national correspondent and Chief Political Analyst. He is also a Contributing Writer to The Atlantic and is co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest.

“Wouldn’t it be great if you could figure out a way to– to manipulate your life so it was directed outward not inward? I spent 35– 33 years doin’ a TV show, and that’s just like lookin’ through a microscope. And I realize now that while that was fun, I wish I had used that energy to broaden the gaze. Because let’s put together a list of problems, and to do that, you and I would have to get an apartment and a stenographer, and it would be endless. So when you have that energy in you, it would be so great if you found an outlet for it, as that’s what [President Carter] in many ways [has done] not just this, but my God, this thing is global. Habitat for Humanity is building homes everywhere. I mean, you go home tonight, you may have a new house.” — David Letterman on Jimmy Carter and @habitatforhumanity

“Wouldn't it be great if you could figure out a way to-- to manipulate your life so it was directed outward not inward? I spent 35-- 33 years doin' a TV show, and that's just like lookin' through a microscope.
And I realize now that while that was fun, I wish I had used that energy to broaden the gaze. Because let's put together a list of problems, and to do that, you and I would have to get an apartment and a stenographer, and it would be endless. So when you have that energy in you, it would be so great if you found an outlet for it, as that's what [President Carter] in many ways [has done] not just this, but my God, this thing is global. Habitat for Humanity is building homes everywhere. I mean, you go home tonight, you may have a new house.” — David Letterman on Jimmy Carter and @habitatforhumanity