Yesterday I was invited to the White House, as President Obama jumped into the health care reform debate with a renewed energy. He began with a ceremony in the Rose Garden, where I stood with the international press corps listening to his remarks. The President was flanked by a few members of Congress and used the moment to highlight nurses as the first line of improving health care and access in the U.S.

Now a moment of personal digression… I have been to the White House before, but this was my first official assignment. The flowers in the Rose Garden were in full bloom. A couple of changes I noted: The running track that President Clinton had installed was gone and right outside the Oval Office was the playground set and picnic table that were famously given to the Obama children. Both the playground set and picnic table are within visual sight for the President when he is at his desk.

Two hours later I sat down with the President in the Blue Room. We talked about some of the obvious things: how he would structure reform, how the nation would pay for it, the role of personal responsibility, and the need for Congress to 'buck up.' 

We had a good laugh when I alluded to his first choice for surgeon general, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and he corrected me saying he never really nominated him. And, of course, I couldn't leave without asking him about his ongoing battle with cigarettes. As to how well he is doing, he replied, 'I'm doing well thanks.'

The President was gracious and the White House staff wonderfully accommodating. It was a very good day. 

You can see the entire interview at msnbc.com.