Mediaite Interviews Erin Burnett On Occupy Wall Street, The Middle East, Her Camel Collection

On getting in the field and out from behind the desk: There’s something about it where I just feel invigorated. You get to go out there and you’re switching from topic to topic, you’re driving around, you’re rushing around, you meet all these interesting people in the process of doing these things, and you learn all these things and stumble on things. I can’t imagine reporting on the region if I hadn’t been coming to the region all this time. I feel like it changes my whole world view. Otherwise you end up saying some more things that everyone else says. Because that’s based upon whatever’s out there from someone who went. When you go yourself, you’re able to add an informed and hopefully thoughtful angle to the story.

On if it’s kind of nice to not have to focus on money and the economy and do political reporting with her new show: It is not just kind of nice. It is amazingly awesome. That’s why I did it. That’s why I came to the show. Honestly, that’s why I came here. I got to travel at CNBC, and they were fantastic about it. Had they not let me do that, I wouldn’t be able to tell you I’ve been coming to this region all the time for five years. But now, I’m able to take it to the next step with the things I’m really passionate about, which really is — and by the way, the economy and money are central to all the stories and the future — but politics are central, as well, and that’s just my real passion.

On what she’s going to do when the show is over at 5 a.m. local time: We go straight to the airport. [I’ll have a] Bloody Mary on the plane with my crew.

On doing a show Tuesday night back in New York: Oh yes I am. But if CNN would let me stay out, I’d be much happier. Like stay out, just you know, I don’t know, hop all around to other places, stay a whole week, live from a different place every week. I’d do it, even if I couldn’t sleep. But I’m coming home.

On camel-related humor possibly sneaking into tonight’s show: ‘When you have not slept in several days, every day is hump day.’ (Seriously, listen for it)

Enjoy a preview of tonight’s OutFront below, courtesy of CNN:

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!