Dickerson faces the viewers

For his first week as moderator of CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, John Dickerson has no intention of playing around with a format consistent for more than half a century.

The CBS News political director replaces Bob Schieffer, who retired last week after 24 years at the Washington-based public affairs program. Unlike some people who enter a job in a whirlwind of new ideas, Dickerson is being cautious and has no qualms admitting it.

“I want to put my own stamp and touch on the show,” he said. “But I don’t know what that is yet.”

His first week’s guests include three with national aspirations for themselves or their ideas: just-announced GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.