Smerconish became a radio and television commentator after experiences he had at an early age in Republican politics. While still in college he was an advanceman for (then) Vice President George H.W. Bush. At age 29, he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to a sub-cabinet level position. Prior to joining CNN, Smerconish was an MSNBC contributor and frequent guest-host of Hardball for Chris Matthews. Prior to turning to broadcasting as a full-time endeavor, Smerconish practiced law for ten years with James E. Beasley, a legendary Philadelphia-based trial lawyer, who is the namesake of the Beasley School of Law at Temple University. Today Smerconish is of counsel to the Philadelphia law firm of Kline & Specter. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and remains a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Smerconish is a 1984 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Lehigh University where he majored in government and journalism.