All Blog Posts from Couric & Co.

Meet Elizabeth Alexander. The 46-year-old American poet and Yale professor was plucked from relative obscurity by President-elect Barack Obama last month, when he invited her to compose a poem for his inauguration.

On Jan. 20, Alexander will deliver her ode to Obama in the form of an "occasional poem," verse written for a specific, well, occasion.

Alexander, who was born in Harlem and raised in Washington, has known Mr. Obama for a decade. She believes her poetry “attends to history,” according to the New York Times, including “sometimes thorny and difficult American history.” You can check out a couple sample poems here.

Our chief national correspondent, Byron Pitts (one sidenote: tremendous congrats, Bryon, on the new gig!) sat down with Alexander, and tonight on the Evening News, he'll show you a slice of this remarkable woman's life that will come full-circle next week. She'll be a part of history – again ...

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Byron Pitts is National Correspondent for CBS News.

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Carmelo Rodriguez III was a U.S. Marine. He served his country with honor in Iraq. Just like every other "Devil Dog" I've met in Iraq and elsewhere, he was proud to serve – and even prouder to be a member of "The Corps."

He was your typical fit, gung-ho Marine: 5'10 and185 pounds of muscle and moxie. He was 29 years old. When I met Sgt. Rodriguez he weighed about 77 pounds. He was dying of cancer.

That alone is enough to give anyone with a heart pause. But that's not the end and far from the beginning of the Carmelo Rodriquez story.

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The other day the Washington Post had a wonderful profile of a wonderful guy: our own Byron Pitts.

In the piece, Byron talked about his own upbringing, including the surprising news that when he was 12 years old, he was illiterate. Incredibly, he could barely read. "It was humiliating. It was awful," Byron told Howard Kurtz. "You sort of live your life in disguise. . . . When you live in the 'hood, you have to wear a mask."

Those who work with Byron know he is one of the most artful and eloquent writers in the newsroom – as well as a genuinely good and giving man. That’s no surprise. But most of us had no idea of the struggles he had to face. To realize what he overcame, and how much pain and embarrassment he had to contend with, is heartbreaking -- and inspiring.

It’s amazing the things you learn about people, even people you see and work with every day. Stories like this -- and, believe or not, eulogies at funerals –- always make me regret not really talking and learning about who someone is, and where they came from.

You might be surprised at the stories the guy sitting right next to you might have.

Meanwhile, I’m glad I’ve learned this about Byron. I can’t wait to talk with him about it. But for now I’m just so proud to know him and have him as a friend and colleague.

Byron Pitts is National Correspondent for CBS News.

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We're supposed to ask hard questions.

I've read some of the comments/criticisms of Katie's interview with John and Elizabeth Edwards: Wow! It's good to know people watch her work so closely. We can all benefit from critiques. But my goodness, some of the comments have seemed “over the top.” One week she's “too soft.” The next week she's “too tough.”

Any journalist worth their salt is supposed to ask tough questions and make no apologies for it. It is both the great blessing and burden of a free press. Our viewers and readers expect it and deserve it. John Edwards is seeking the most powerful office in the world at a time of so much uncertainty around the world. Americans deserve to know: is he up for the job? And, God forbid, if there's a turn in his wife's health, could he still focus on the nation's business?

Like or dislike Katie Couric or her questions, they were necessary. Like or dislike John Edwards or Elizabeth Edwards or their answers, hearing and seeing their response was a worthwhile exercise.

And it seems to me, Katie wasn't simply asking questions stacked on a sheet of paper, but asking questions that she once had to ask herself as her husband battled cancer. Since the interview aired I've run into sky cabs, cabbies, housekeepers, and a host of others all talking about "Katie's interview." (Granted these aren't people who 'blog' all day, they actually work outside.) Some thought she was right on, others thought she was way off. "The Edwardses were brave." "The Edwardses are being foolish." Opinions varied to say the least. And who says there is a single right answer...

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Katie will be anchoring the Evening News from Fort Stewart, Georgia, kicking off our week-long series on "Honor and Sacrifice."

Correspondent Byron Pitts gives us a First Look.

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A poignant First Look at tonight's broadcast: Byron Pitts reports on the extraordinary memorial service for Ed Bradley today. He offers his impressions, some highlights, and warm words about a beloved friend and mentor.

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Hi, everyone.

Remembering Ed Bradley, Byron Pitts put it better than any of us could. He saluted Ed as a father figure, and talked about how inspiring he was - as Byron put it - "for people who look like me."

It was a heartfelt reminder of how powerful television can be, in ways we don't even realize.

What we see can leave an indelible mark. Which is one reason why today's nomination of Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House is important -- especially for young people.

Television shows kids what they can be. It's a window to the wider world. Millions of American girls are watching a woman rise higher in elected office than ever before.

The importance of this moment has nothing to do with politics. It's all about possibility.

I hope that my daughters and their friends will see Nancy Pelosi on TV and see a world of possibility opening up...just as Byron Pitts did, watching Ed Bradley.

That's a page from my notebook.

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For today's First Look, Rome Hartman and correspondent Byron Pitts give a preview of tonight's stories, including allegations of sexual wrongdoing that have rocked the evangelical Christian community. Click the monitor to watch.

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With the Army extending the tour of duty for some soldiers, Byron Pitts reflects on one soldier's story. - Ed.

Todd McGowan is like a lot of the young people I've met over the years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Todd was a proud part of America's volunteer military. I met US Army Captain McGowan in Northern Iraq one August about three years ago. It was 130-degrees out that day. Todd stood out: Besides standing about 6'5 With the Army extending the tour of duty for some soldiers, Byron Pitts reflects on one soldier's story. - Ed.

Todd McGowan is like a lot of the young people I've met over the years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Todd was a proud part of America's volunteer military. I met US Army Captain McGowan in Northern Iraq one August about three years ago. It was 130-degrees out that day. Todd stood out: Besides standing about 6'5” (Todd's built like an NFL tight end without the tattoos and the attitude), he was the guy smiling while he sweat. A West Point Grad, Todd was “Joe Army.” And like a lot of “the kids” I met overseas, Todd had plenty of great options in life, but chose the military out of a sense of duty and pride. It always irks me when people clamor on about how the US military is full of kids who had no other choice. That's certainly true for some, but I'd argue that's NOT the case for most...but anyway...

Todd McGowan was proud to be in Iraq. Proud to serve his country. But after 358 days in combat, Todd changed. So did a lot of the young people I met. They still loved their country--in most cases, they now love America even more. They still had a connection to their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that someone on the outside would never understand. But they'd also lost friends, watched comrades die and tasted that “fog of war” politicians and reporters love to pine on about.

Perhaps like warriors of old, Todd had become leery of war. After his tour, he came home, hugged his wife and started a career in corporate America. As best I can tell, Todd was a rising star. His future was bright. He and his lovely bride Traci were planning a family. They're the kind of couple we'd all like to be related to: smart, attractive, organized, optimistic and hard working. Todd and Traci thought they were done with the military. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt kind of thing.

On September 8th,the McGowans found out they may have been done with the military, but the military wasn't done with them...

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On last night’s Evening News, Byron Pitts offered a surprising and inspiring portrait of a genuine sports hero: Penn State Coach Joe Paterno. You can see the piece by clicking the monitor on the left. Late yesterday, Byron filed a few more thoughts on his encounter with Paterno. We think this Joe is worth a refill. Enjoy. – Ed.


He's taller than you think. And in better shape than most men half his age.

I've met my share of football coaches, but none like Penn State's Joe Paterno. He was even better than advertised.

We were introduced on the 50-yard line on Media Day at Penn State. I was expecting to meet a legendary and cranky old coach (based on many of the most recent press clippings on the guy). But the man I shook hands with was actually bigger than his legend and far from a cranky old coach.

His first words to me were "Nice to meet you Byron. So glad you made it home safe from the Middle East.” I thought we'd talk x's and o's... and he was more interested in world affairs and the well-being a stranger. That, it seems to me, is the less-widely-known portion of the Paterno legend. He certainly cares about the game he's coached for 56-years (41 as head coach at Penn State), but he genuinely cares more about the kids he's coached and people he's met along the way.

We were told '”Coach is on a tight schedule." We had 20 minutes for the interview and he gave us an hour. I can't remember the last time I learned more or laughed more...

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