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WOLF’S WORLD

The award-winning journalist gives us the scoop on life in politically charged Washington, DC.

In the elite world of Washington journalism, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer stands apart. It could be his professorial appearance, complete with round spectacles and salt-and-pepper whiskers. But it’s more likely his authoritative presence, reporting on virtually every major news event of the past three decades. Moderator of “The Situation Room,” the award-winning veteran journalist feels the same passion for politics today as he did when he first arrived in DC as a young newspaper reporter 35 years ago. Blitzer, who hails from Buffalo, NY, shares his thoughts on life in the nation’s capital. —Neal Learner

A historic election is approaching. How is the atmosphere of Washington different during a presidential campaign season? “Washington is a very political place all year round, all the time. As we get closer and closer to a major presidential election, every four years, it becomes so much more intense. It’s all politics all the time, at least in my line of work.”

Where do you get away from it all?
“I relish those moments when I can get to a Washington Wizards (www.nba.com/wizards) game or a Washington Nationals (http://nationals.mlb.com) game, and I don’t have to worry about politics. I don’t have to worry about what was in the news. But having said that, I run into so many people at these games, the subjects inevitably come up, because we’re in Washington. Politics is to Washington what the entertainment business is to Hollywood and Los Angeles. It comes with the territory. If you’re a political junkie, as I am and always have been ever since I was a kid growing up in Buffalo, NY, you love it. But there will be others who hate it. So, that’s what makes this world great.”

Where can a visitor go to get a taste of the city’s political culture?
“I would take them to some of the restaurants [where] you can see the lobbyists trying to make deals, work out some of the power-broker things that they do. The Palm (www.thepalm.com; 202-293-9091) on 19th Street or The Capital Grille (www.thecapitalgrille.com; 202-737-6200) are good hangouts for the power elites of Washington.”

Where can you go to see a prominent politician— Sen. Hillary Clinton, for instance—having lunch?
“She’d probably be up on Capitol Hill, I’m guessing. There are some good restaurants, some old-time restaurants right around on Capitol Hill. The Monocle (www.themonocle.com; 202-546-4488), which is a block away from the Senate office buildings, has a long history, and people go there all the time. If you go to Georgetown, you can get some good meals at Morton’s The Steakhouse (www.mortons.com; 202-342-6258). Cafe Milano (www.cafemilano.net; 202-333-6183) is very good. I like to have dinner often at the Seasons Restaurant (www.fourseasons.com; 202-342-0444), which is at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, because the food is delicious and I can usually get a nice private round table if I’m bringing some guests. Charlie Palmer Steak (www.charliepalmer.com; 202-547-8100) is a place only a couple of blocks away from Capitol Hill where I often go as well. I’ve taken members of Congress to have dinner there.”

What is something about Washington that would take a first-time visitor by surprise?
“The majestic nature of this city, just walking around the National Mall area. If you walk, as I have, from Capitol Hill, down the Mall past the Smithsonian toward the Washington Monument, and you keep walking toward the Lincoln Memorial, and… go across the Memorial Bridge to Arlington Cemetery—it’s a few miles, but it’s so great, and you feel you’re in the presence of the nation’s capital. If you have the time and inclination and ability to do it, it is something I would recommend.”

You’ve covered some of the biggest stories of the past 35 years. Does anything surprise you anymore?
“Yes. Whenever you think you’ve seen it all, there will be a series of primaries like we’ve seen from January to June, when the Democratic primary campaign became an amazing political story. It was just thrilling to see it and cover it for a political news junkie like me. It doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democratic or independent, it’s just a great story.

I was surprised it took all 50 states and some seven or eight territories to resolve who the Democratic nominee is going to be.

So, you’re always surprised. That’s one of the things I love about what I’m doing. It’s never dull. It’s always exhilarating, and I’m always learning something every day. When I wake up in the morning, I know one thing for sure: I’m going to be smarter when I go to sleep at night, because I will have learned something that day.”