CBS’s Nancy Cordes: A ‘terrific’ hula dancer with a Taylor Swift crush

If there’s the sound of someone singing Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” at the next Democratic presidential debate, it might be appropriate to glance Nancy Cordes’s way.

CBS News’s congressional correspondent — who, along with her young daughter, counts herself among the fans of the singing sensation — will be one of the panelists at Saturday’s Democratic presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines.

{mosads}The Nov. 14 CBS debate, moderated by “Face the Nation” anchor John Dickerson, is the first on a broadcast network this campaign season.

We wanted to know more about Cordes, an Aloha State-raised, Swift-loving journalist, so we asked her to answer these questions.

Grew up in: Kalaheo, Hawaii, on the island of Kauai

College attended: University of Pennsylvania

What did you want to be when you were a kid?: Sarah Jessica Parker in “Square Pegs.”

Favorite hobby/-activity: Swimming, reading on the beach, having dinner with family and friends.

Favorite/most hated food: Bananas: yuck. Avocados: yum. We’ve got both in abundance in Hawaii; I don’t know why I grew up hating one and loving the other.

Most embarrassing -moment: I got spit on once when I was reporting live from Central Park.

Most memorable moment: Reporting live as results came in on election nights in ’04, ’08, ’10, ’12 and ’14. I love the suspense.

What you like about D.C.: D.C.’s got all the urban amenities but retains a small-town feel. I love that.

What you dislike about D.C.: The parking situation is getting pretty horrendous. Also, my kids are lobbying for a Zoë’s Kitchen in the District. Can you help with that?

My celebrity crush is: My 7-year-old daughter and I have the same celebrity crush: Taylor Swift.

I have a fear of: Oversleeping and missing my “CBS This Morning” live shot.

Something that few know about you: I’m a terrific hula dancer.

Biggest pet peeve: Bad grammar and crappy hotel hair dryers.

Best advice given: My parents taught me to “lean in” before “leaning in” was a thing — although I think they now wish I’d do less of it when they are visiting!