Dec. 4, 2007
10 Tough Questions For 10 Top Candidates
Katie Couric Asks Presidential Candidates Questions Of Character -- And Gets Surprising Answers
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Play CBS Video Video Primary Questions Katie Couric had some tough questions for the ten presidential candidates, questions aimed at showing their core values.
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(CBS)
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Video Library Primary Questions Katie Couric asks the top presidential candidates 10 questions about what makes them tick.
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Interactive Campaign 2008 Profiles of the candidates, polls, fund-raising, blogs, video and more.
In just 336 days, chances are you will elect one of the top 10 candidates in the Primary Election as president, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric reports.
On the stump, people are saying: “Our president has to be a person of integrity,” “Morals. Strong morals,” “Someone who knows what they’re talking about.”
From what voters have told CBS News in this next election, there are no guarantees.
“It's really ridiculous to assume that because someone is your same complexion, they will agree with you on major issues,” an African-American woman said.
An informal poll indicates that come November, policy positions may not rule the day.
“Character is everything,” one voter said.
Voters say they will be pulling that proverbial lever for the candidate who shares their core values.
“I think integrity's the most thing, which gets down to telling people the truth,” said Presidential Historian Douglas Brinkley.
So Couric sat down with ten presidential candidates, one at a time, and posed 10 questions ranging from: “If you were elected president, what one book - besides the Bible - you would bring with you to the White House?” to one on the subject of fidelity.
“Many people say they don't feel comfortable supporting someone who's not remained faithful to their spouse,” Couric asked.
“The only thing I can say to people is, I'm not perfect,” former New York major Rudy Giuliani responded.
On fear, Couric asked: “Besides your family, what are you most afraid of losing?”
In some cases, the answers were divided along party lines.
“Who is the single most impressive person you've ever met?” Couric asked.
Several candidates answered “Nelson Mandela.” Others answered “Ronald Regan.”
“My father,” said former Sen. John Edwards.
“I guess I’d say my dad,” said Fred Thompson.
Some of the answers were surprising. Couric told Giuliani after he answered one question: “Would you believe Hillary said the same thing?”
Some, not so revealing. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said: “I probably shouldn't tell that story.”
There were moments of humor, such as when Couric asked Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., when was the last time he lost his temper.
“Probably about 10 minutes ago,” he said, laughing.
And there were moments of humility. When asked what’s the worst piece of advice he’d ever given, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said: “Someone would probably say ‘vote for me.’”Watch a preview video about the series
And on more than one occasion, even these seasoned politicians were stumped.
“I'm gonna have to think about this one. Am I allowed to think about these for a second?” Obama asked.
But in every exchange, there were answers that will either reinforce or redefine your opinion of a potential president.
“The single most important thing they're looking for is resilience,” said Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. “Someone who can take a hit, get back up, and move on.”
Thompson said: “I like to say, this ain't my first rodeo. I've been around politics for a while.”
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said: “I don't surround myself with yes-men. I surround myself with people that tell me if I've done something wrong.”
"That's the great threat," McCain said. "That's the greatest force of evil that we have faced and it's a long hard struggle."
"And if we have a strong president at the helm, we shouldn't ever be afraid to talk to our adversaries," Obama said. "And tell them what we think and where we stand."
And Romney said: “You're fine to go down, if you go down based on the things that you believe. And it's like okay if people reject what I really believe and what I really did, and they don't want that, that's fine.”
© MMVII, CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
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See all 78 CommentsThank you have a nice day!!!
Your actions remind me of a comment made by the professor in an introduction to communications class I took in college. He said that the first thing that a totalitarian government does when they assume power is take control of the media. Welcome to the Police States of America!
Congrats. On this one you hit a home run. I got more out of this than watching any four debates. And yes, i do have a feeling about who is honest, who is precanned, and who is lying. The series has tentatively changed my vote. You do need to define a set of rules in terms of inclusion. Great job. RE:Les''''s comment that people don''t run home to watch the evening news. I agree. However, there is this new invention called the computer, and today we live in a digital age. Many of us record what we want on our PCs or on our TIVO''s. In doing so, you can watch the evening news in 18-20 minutes, commercial free.
What Les if forgetting, is that the three networks, CNN and perhaps FOX have a global infrastructure, and pool of journalistic talent unmatched in television.
He needs to recheck his demographic, I think that the people who want high quality globes news, and they tend to be people with high disposable incomes, or people who are willing to pay for the news, regardless of whether they are 30,40, 50, or 60+. Caring about events in the world is a lifetime habit.
Just be clear on what high quality news is. High quality news is what came from IRAQ, and what you are doing this. It has nothing to do with your opinions on football, marital discord, or anything else.
Now IF YOU FOUND A WAY TO MAKE THE CONTACT OF THE NEWS MORE INTERESTING, and gave the news to people how, when and where they wanted it, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RATIngs.
Congrats. On this one you hit a home run. I got more out of this than watching four debates. And yes, i do have a feeling about who is honest, who is precanned, and who is lying. The series has tentatively changed my vote. You do need to set of rules in terms of inclusion.
Great job. RE:Les''s comment that people don''t run home to watch the evening news. I agree. However, there is this new invention the computer, and today we live in a digital age. And many of us record what we want of those digital images on our PCs or on our TIVO''s. Now it only takes 18-20 minutes to watch the evening news.
What Les if forgetting, is that these three networks, CNN and perhaps FOX have a glogal infrastruture, and pool of journalist talen unmatched in television.
He needs to recheck his demographic, I think that the people who what are high quality broadcast are the folks who in many cases have the highest disposable income, whether they today are 30,40, 50, or 60+.
However we need to define high quality. High quality is what you did in IRAQ, and what you are doing with the candidates. It has nothing to do with you opinions on football, marital discord, or anything else.
Now IF YOU FOUND A WAY TO MAKE THE CONTACT OF THE NEWS MORE INTERESTING, AND MORE ACCESSABLE, I BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RATINGS.
The current sad state in America is directly related to the last election. How many good candidates have you ignored in the past, and with what ramifications? You can''t claim innocence and disgust with the state of the country - it''s partially your fault.
Going to make the same mistakes again? Because you have already started.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9c2_1196901628
Katie we all know that you and everyone of the so-called "top candidates" are all members of the CFR and we all know that you push these puppets out there for us to fall over. But this year is different! We see through the BS now and we have chosen our own "top candidate" Dr. Ron Paul!
Ron Paul is a threat to your little establishment isn''t he?
The more you ignore him the louder we''ll yell, and mark my words your little house of cards is coming down!
Katie, ask a couple hard questions like:
What is your position on the rising cost of fuel and what will you DO about it? As a follow to that, ask why the government doesn''t realize that oil is now a necessity of life? As such, how can they allow private enterprise to control and hurt so many Americans? Water, electricity, natural gas are all regulated industries, please tell me why gasoline does not have some level of regulation to prevent spikes in pricing that can hurt an economy and people''s lives.
Second, please ask Hillary, as a follow up to the "mistake" question, why she didn''t feel that her husband''s failure to act as a half way decent role model/citizen and including affairs did not result in divorce?
Katie, ask a couple hard questions like:
What is your position on the rising cost of fuel and what will you DO about it? As a follow to that, ask why the government doesn''t realize that oil is now a necessity of life? As such, how can they allow private enterprise to control and hurt so many Americans? Water, electricity, natural gas are all regulated industries, please tell me why gasoline does not have some level of regulation to prevent spikes in pricing that can hurt an economy and people''s lives.
Second, please ask Hillary, as a follow up to the "mistake" question, why she didn''t feel that her husband''s failure to act as a half way decent role model/citizen and including affairs did not result in divorce?
Katie, ask a couple hard questions like:
What is your position on the rising cost of fuel and what will you DO about it? As a follow to that, ask why the government doesn''t realize that oil is now a necessity of life? As such, how can they allow private enterprise to control and hurt so many Americans? Water, electricity, natural gas are all regulated industries, please tell me why gasoline does not have some level of regulation to prevent spikes in pricing that can hurt an economy and people''s lives.
Second, please ask Hillary, as a follow up to the "mistake" question, why she didn''t feel that her husband''s failure to act as a half way decent role model/citizen and including affairs did not result in divorce?
Katie, ask a couple hard questions like:
What is your position on the rising cost of fuel and what will you DO about it? As a follow to that, ask why the government doesn''t realize that oil is now a necessity of life? As such, how can they allow private enterprise to control and hurt so many Americans? Water, electricity, natural gas are all regulated industries, please tell me why gasoline does not have some level of regulation to prevent spikes in pricing that can hurt an economy and people''s lives.
Second, please ask Hillary, as a follow up to the "mistake" question, why she didn''t feel that her husband''s failure to act as a half way decent role model/citizen and including affairs did not result in divorce?
How can you make a conscious choice when this kind of manipulative clap trap goes on among our most noble media magouls. This makes me seriuously doubt your ability and credibility! I''ll make sure I read them all! I''ll not ever purchase anything from this website''s sponsors either and let them get advertising credit. This is BULL!
Fie on the whole bunch of ya!
Why is Thompson on and Paul not?
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