Smerconish had worked for the campaigns of Republicans in the past. He had voted Republican. In 2008, he said he would vote for the Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. He made this announcement on MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews". On August 20, 2009, Smerconish became the first talk radio host to broadcast live from the Obama White House. That show which included an interview with the President. The interview was held in the Diplomatic Reception Room. That is where President Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats were held. The President took questions from Smerconish and his listeners on a variety of subjects. One subject was the recent debates on the pending Healthcare Reform Bill. Smerconish has interviewed Obama six other times.