One-On-One With Hillary Clinton

Katie Couric Interviews Clinton And Her Rivals On The Eve Of Super Tuesday

(CBS)  On the eve of the country's biggest presidential primary contest, Super Tuesday, the leading presidential candidates spoke with CBS News anchor Katie Couric about what they have yet to overcome. That ranged from assumptions about temperament to lagging support in key states.

The following is the full transcript of Couric's full discussion with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

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KATIE COURIC: Okay. So let me start right away so you can get moving, because I know you've got a lot of places to go. Tomorrow is a big day obviously for both the Republican and the Democratic Party, super Tuesday, the closest thing to a national primary. What do you perceive Barack Obama's biggest weakness is?

HILLARY CLINTON: You know, Katie, I'm only gonna talk about my strengths as we move into this Super Tuesday. I think I have the experience and strength of being able to make the changes that the country needs. And I intend to make that case from one coast to the other.

There are differences between us. I have a long record. I believe that I am best prepared to beat the Republicans, be commander in chief on the first day and turn the economy around. And I'm just going to do everything I can today to make that case to those voters who are still undecided.

COURIC: Do you need to win California tomorrow? And if so, why?

CLINTON: Well, I'm working very hard to do well in California. We have a great campaign on the ground, an enormous amount of support. But, you know, I never count anything until it's all over. I don't believe that, you know, you can rest until the last vote is counted. And so, I'm gonna keep working, reaching out to the voters of California during the rest of today and tomorrow, to try to get as big a turn out as possible.

COURIC: Just three weeks ago, our CBS News poll showed you 15 points ahead of Barak Obama nationally. Now, our latest poll shows the two of you dead even. What happened?

CLINTON: Well, you know, I don't pay a lot of attention to these. They go up, they go down. I think we've learned our lessons with New Hampshire and other contests, that the only polling that counts is what voters actually decide themselves. So, I'm gonna wait to see what voters across the country decide to do tomorrow. That's the best poll as far as I'm concerned.

COURIC: And finally, our poll also shows respondents evenly split about whether your husband, President Clinton, has been helpful or hurtful to your campaign. Was there a point in time, Sen. Clinton, where you wanted to tell him back off?

CLINTON: Well, it's my campaign. And I've made that very clear. I have a lot of great supporters who are out there making the case for me. But at the end of the day, there are only two names on the ballot. And I'm presenting myself on the basis of my qualifications, my experience, my ideas and vision for the country. The big difference between my opponent and I over health care and other important issues in the minds of Americans. So, I expect to be judged for who I am and what I'm presenting. And that's what I think the voters expect.

COURIC: He was much more low-key last week or in recent days, compared to prior to the South Carolina primary. Did you advise him in any way to chill out of it?

CLINTON: Well, Katie, I think that it's clear that, you know, the campaign that I'm running is about the future. It's about what we do together to have the kind of America we want, to solve the problems that are awaiting.

I think most Americans think that, you know, he was a very good President who made a lot of positive differences in their lives. And I'm gonna try to be the same kind of President who gets up every day, puts the American people first and goes to work. I'm gonna roll up my sleeves, if given the chance, to solve our problems.

COURIC: Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Clinton, thanks so much.

CLINTON: Great to talk to you. Thanks. Bye bye.

[jack3213]

Such selected memories and narrow views of those who only want to hear or see what they want. You want fair and balanced read and listen to the whole story. Go back in time, ask ''''''''Where are the Clinton papers?''''''''Ask about all the illegal activites that should have landed them in jail. Fighting to defend your country is noble, running from terrorists is cowardly. We have no choice, or do you think we do? Wake up and grow up. Experiance and leadership counts. The first priority is the war not the economy. I would much rather have someone who fought in a war than someone who slept next to an adulterer and a liar and claim experiance that way!

[jack3213]

It blows my mind, the audacity and stupidity of the voters who want Clinton back in the WhiteHouse at a time where the USA needs to rebuild its chatacter not continue to be suckers. It is pathetic that she is so popular, she has NO EXPERIANCE running a business or is she qualified. THEY DO NOT DESERVE IT!!! Why do you think McCain won by so much???

[rumrunner_19]

Ok here It goes If Obama wins the nomination for the democrates I will not vote Democrate. Do to the Fact that Youtube Generation don''t even know how to run there own lives, and if you think that some drop in the pants Guy that hasn''t done anything is going to tell me how I should live isn''t going to happen .

I really need someone that has been there not some dude that is corrupt,and Rezko proved it to me.
There is a Video On Youtube that a man that is claiming that he did drugs with Obama, And had oral *** with him not once but twice???

The Media has Been Pushing Obama from day One before we even knew him, and why I aske I looked athis record ,and what I saw wasn''t that good .

I can Promise you the world ,but if I don''t have a real Plan then what is going to happen ? Another BUSH.

[ov442]

Complaining about Barack''s name is a childish reason for Not voting for him. Just as childish is voting For him because hes suave and good looking and creates a fan club.

I dont think Barack can really deliver on his campaign for change. Just having him in the oval office is a good change but not the change he advertises and that his supporters are claiming he will bring to all of Washington DC.
Not that its a good thing, but... he really is up against an entrenched establishment of all the politicians and support staff and management along with private parties that like the way it is now, and he will hold no special power over them to make them change anymore than anyone else.
So in effect, his campaign claims are a fantastical novella of foolish young and ignorant voters that dont have any idea how things DO run in DC and whos going to be able to change what.
Now at least in Hillary''s case, during her husband''s tenure that everyone criticizes her for bringing back, the world was in good shape and the USA had prosperity and 3 times as many jobs created in a 6 yr span as Bush''s entire double term combined.
Cost of living was down and thats important to the economy and to job creation.
Cost of living is high now and im convinced its because of Bush''s policies of helping his family allies in the Energy Industry. Period. The only groups benefitting from it are the energy industry''s owners, operators and employees.
Everyone else is getting hammered.

[dennisgreen5]

I think Hillary is the best candidate and has the experience and intelligence to handle the job. Barak Obama may be a good man but he doesn''t have the political experience to be president that Hillary has.

[coolwater90]

Hillary all the way. Why would anybody in their right mind would vote for a person that has HUSSEIN as a middle name. Think about it Americans. He will destroy the USA. Hillary is the best choice for the USA.

[daylee52]

It is simply amazing what is going on in the run for the presidential election. The odds are being so negetively tilted against Hillary in the media and just about everywhere else you look. She is by far the best candidate in the race, but there is so much shear hatred directed at her its sort of beyond belief. Im a 56 year old black american who has experience this type of hatred for blacks back in the 50''s and through the 60''s. I am not saying its the same type of hatred, but it borders close to it. I can understand blacks wanting their first black president, but fail to understand why whites are not doing what they normally do and that is do some critrical thinking and pick the best candidate for the job. They seem to be as inspired by Obama ability to give an inspiring speech as blacks are. And because this is true of them, they bash Hillary at every turn. Its her laugh, she''s faking when she crys, if she don''t cry she''s acting too masculine. At first when obama started making his inspiring speech for CHANGE, it had no substances whatsoever. But during the course of this run he has manage to find some which closely resembles those of Hillary clinton. why now he also has a Universal healthcare plan. As far as the issues which hillary don''t and have not ever minded explaining in detial are the same as the ones Obama has right now. ODD to say the least. Well i am sticking with my kind. I am voting for the BLACK WOMEN. Nooooooo not OPRAH. Hillary.

[schief4]

I am voting for Mike Huckabee because he has proven he can run a government, having done so longer than any other candidate. He can relate to every level of society and their problems and has an inside understanding of religion and how it can drive the faithful and the fanatic - without talking down to either. A friend encouraged me to find out more about Gov. Huckabee by visiting his website, and I will encourage others to do the same. Don''''t vote until you take a deeper look at what he has to offer America. While the others talk about changing Washington, Huckabee has the communication skills and the ideas to do it.

Achieving energy independence in 10 years, abolishing the IRS, rebuilding our infrastructure, having the border secure within 18 months. I want someone who has bold ideas and the ability to make them reality. Governor Huckabee did it in Arkansas, a democratic-dominant state. By working with the state''''s representatives he improved its schools, its infrastructure, and its economy. I want to see him do the same for America. Check out his website. You won''t be sorry.

[byeneocons]

OMG... they let out the ''dangerous ward.'' Better run.

If you want to prevent school and mall shootings, just round up half of these posters.

[akona2]

say 130 times...
ARE WE READY FOR THE NEXT MUSLIM PRESIDENT?

OBAMA will say PRESENT.

PRESENT means NO. PRESENT means YES. PRESENT means MAYBE.

until it is decided. it means YES and NO and MAYBE.

a response of the great visionary FLIPFLOPPER... barack HUSSEIN OSAMA (as one of barack''''s supporter called him)

ask ourselves 130 times...
ARE WE READY FOR THE NEXT MUSLIM PRESIDENT?