Q&A: Jessica Yellin Discusses CNN's Obama Documentary

By Christopher Peleo-Lazar  //  August 31, 2012 | 2:58 p.m.

Last week, we talked to CNN chief political analyst Gloria Borger about her reporting for "Romney Revealed: Family, Faith, and the Road to Power," the documentary that kicked off CNN's coverage of the Republican Convention. This week, CNN chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin shared her thoughts on the complementary feature on President Obama -- "Obama Revealed: The Man, The President." The documentary will air on Monday from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. In it, Yellin interviews the president and several former and current advisers about his first term in the White House.

Q: These documentaries serve as the intros to the conventions. What should viewers come away with after watching the docs and watching the pageantry of the conventions?

A: In the Obama documentary we pull back and look at how President Obama navigated a tumultuous period in our country and what his decisions said about his character. We interviewed the president and some of his closest aides to find what he's like on the basketball court - - as a player and as a coach.

Q. Who surprised you most? Were there moments when you saw what the next four years of governing would look like if the president wins reelection?

A: I was surprised by his caffeine intake. On the next four years, those we spoke to said he wants to be a transformational president and would need a second term to do that.

Q. You interview several of Obama's political opponents. Why were they chosen? A: We interviewed House Speaker John Boehner, who negotiated closely with the president on the debt deal, and Sen. Olympia Snowe, who the president tried to woo repeatedly on his early initiatives. Both were openly disappointed when partisanship took hold. They talked about their experience working with the president and how much responsibility he shoulders. Q. Obama and Romney have very close family relationships. Perhaps that is their commonality. What did you learn about their family life that you found fascinating that would impact decision making? A: As we know, the president makes an effort to have dinner in the residence with his family every night. We learned what impact that has on his psyche and his relationships in DC. Q. Finally, these documentaries are meant to help us understand the men being formally nominated. But network TV is cutting back on the coverage. Both men have been the nominee for months. Do the conventions matter? Why? A: The outcome of the conventions is predetermined but the impression they'll leave of the candidate isn't. As the Republican convention showed, the events are still an opportunity for each campaign to tell its story to voters who are just tuning in. Plus, they're always good for people watching.

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