Obama On Iraq, Economy, Clinton

Harry Smith Talks With The Presidential Hopeful About Some Of The Campaign's Biggest Issues

(CBS)  Harry Smith spoke to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama about two of the biggest issues of the campaign and when it may be time for Hillary Clinton to call it quits.

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Harry Smith: Can we get out of Iraq as destabilized a situation that still seems to exist?

Sen. Barack Obama: When the violence was high, John McCain and George Bush said, "We can't leave because the violence is high." When we reduced the violence, they said, "We can't leave because we've made progress." This is part of the problem, that we have a lot of tactics that have been effective by Gen. Petraeus, but no overarching strategy. There's no clear definition of success.

Smith: Let's talk about money. Bear Sterns has been helped out a lot by the Federal Reserve. Should the federal government be in the business of bailing out companies that were involved in the subprime mess?

Obama: Well, I, this was, I think, slightly different than a bailout. We had a situation here where a run on one of the investment banks in Wall Street could have created a domino effect that could have plunged this economy into an even more severe crisis than it's already in. So, I wasn't privy to Bear Sterns balance sheets. But I think the idea that the Federal Reserve has to step in in emergency situations-is something I wouldn't challenge.

Smith: Was the federal government too late on this?

Obama: You know, this is something that a lot of observers recognized. That this economy was overleveraged, that there were no serious guidelines governing these mortgage-backed securities. That mortgage brokers were initiating the kinds of loans that people would never have a chance to pay back, but everybody was lookin' the other way 'cause everybody was makin' money.

Smith: Several people have written that even in the best-case scenario, Hillary Clinton's chances of getting the nomination for the Democratic Party are about 5 percent. When is it time for her to leave?

Obama: Oh, I think that is something that she's gotta make a decision about. And, you know, I have always said that I'm prepared to, you know go and and contest every single state-

Smith: If you are the presumptive candidate here, isn't it time that you say with some severity that we can't go on like this?

Obama: Well, no.

Smith: at the cost of losing the general election?

Obama: I don't think so. I think that what's gonna happen is that as soon as the nominee is determined, whether that is two weeks from now or in early June, that there'll be some bruised feelings. People are going to have to patch things together. And we Democrats have to get our act together and win this election.

[bogdog30]

Harry Smith, having an uncanny resemblance to the loafer-light Sen Craig of stall fame, ...

advises Shoeshine concerning the fact that the super dims will soon throw out their current two losers ...

and bring in Ozone Al. Shoeshine immediately calls the rev. Who in turn proclaims - GD the dims.

[obama8years]

Will Obama have a Value System for America. His church of 20 years did.

Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts:

Commitment to God
Commitment to the Black Community
Commitment to the Black Family
Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"
Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.

[bogdog30]

Wanting to soften the blow Ozone Al finds the

Shoeshine and the **** not enthused of the latest rumors concerning

the fact that the two losers may be thrown overboard.

Al to make a new movie entitled "How Inconvenient".

[dem4change]

I think all those so-called experts who give Hillary such slim chances were the same ones predicting she would lose New Hampshire and Texas. I''ve about had it with these so-called experts and their second-rate guessing games. This contest is far from over and it is incredibly arrogant not to mention insulting to the remaining voting states to suggest that Obama is the presumptive nominee.

[efarris38]

I agree, how dare Harry Smith try to poke and prod to get Hillary to bow out!! You media kill me, you said Obama won so mant states, well look at this folks, Hillary won in New Mexico and it was barely a bleep on the radar after Super Tues. She won Texas, Rhode Island and Ohio, and now it looks as though Pennsylvania and possibly Indiana will go towards Clinton''s momentum. This is not to mention that a few folks have decided that Florida and Michigan voters didn''t have a say in another elction. DONT YOU THINK FLORIDIANS ARE TIRED OF THEIR VOTES NOT COUNTING??? Hillary is doing very well and has my full support. Harry Smith .....Katie Couric wouldn''t have handled that interview in such a way.....shame on you.

Eddie in Nashville, Tn

[closet5]

I watched as Harry Smith laughed at the "lie" that Hillary said. But he kisses up to Obama. Maybe if Mr. Smith and all the other reporters would have looked into Obama earlier he would not have the so-called lead. If people are not upset with not knowing anything about Obama, they will deserve what they get. When he said "typical white person" it was OK. If someone said "typical black person" Al Sharpton would be marching. I can not believe how people can not think his minister is not important. He acts and talks like blacks are superior and the rest of us are low life, calling people names. If Obama went to this church this is what he believed. And by the way you were so upset by Hillary emblishing her trip, how about all of the news reporters emblishing things she and Bill says. You are all taking us citizens that are for Hillary freedom away by being biased. Walter Cronkite would NEVER acted like this. He reported the news fairly. He was a NEWS REPORTER.

[downsteamjim]

What a bunch of softball questions?

[rowdytexan2]

I do have to say the media keeps attempting to push buttons. Of course, Obama mush mouthed himself out of that one.

[speakthetrut]

Hillary is a crook and a liar. She will not relase her tax returns, guaranteed! Few weeks ago her sleazy camp manager said she will release her tax returns before April 15. Now they are saying at least 3 days before PA primary. In another couple of weeks they will say on April 22, and then right after April 22.

After April 22, if she still decide not to droip out, she will say, "Sorry suckers, my accountant''s computer got a flu, and all the tax info being scrubbed on that machine for the past 14 months are gone. So you will have to give me another 14 months before I can get them ready".

Release your tax returns now.
Let us see who paid you for your senator votes.
Let us see whom you paid to murder Vince Foster.

[bogdog30]

With party wheels still coming off ...

Ozone (Al) to produce his latest movies dedicated to the situation ...

''Bye Bye Blackbird'' & ''Take the Fast Train''.

[kstar42]

Wow he seriously thinks he''s gonna win the election? I don''t think soooooooooo.

[blkpresident]

History is about to be made.

[blkpresident]

History is about to be made.

[randynason]

Good points, Obama. You really know how to turn up the heat on the ones who don''t seem to know the difference between a half-truth and a lie. When one tells the truth, there is no hesitation or fumbling; just precise, matter-of-fact talk.

[blkpresident]

Hey Lil'' Hillary,

Whose your Daddy? That offer still stands for you to be head chef in the White House kitchen. Don''t forget your apron hon''.

[jahmartin-2009]

I am so weary of Mr. Obama''s ego and arrogance. Of course, Hillary thinks the nomination is due her. He''ll think the same way after he devotes 20 more years of his life to improving the quality of life in America and promoting racial equality, like both Clintons have done. His lack of understanding of what went before highlights his inexperience. If he truly understood how good a friend the Clintons have been to the black community the past 40 some years, he''d be less judgmental and treat both Bill and Hillary with a little more respect. From where I stand, a lot of people owe the Clintons. Many seem to have forgotten the value of loyalty and graditude. Bill Richardson, hopefully, has trouble sleeping at night. No doubt he expects a certain payoff for betraying Hillary. Guess his advisers failed to tell him such betrayals rarely result in a positive manner.

[xlib]

Not one word about the warlthy hill donors and the scathing letter to queen nance. Not one word about the mansion being built by obama''s religious advisor, the one who da&s "the white man" for keeping blacks down. I guess "keeping down" had nothing to do with wright and obama. Not one word about the virtual civil war going on between hill and obama. Funny how this lib site picks and chooses what they want you leeming to know. Then again, you leeming don''t really want to know anything,now, do you??

[beebopareebo]

There is something incredibly flippant about someone who would use such a horrifying moment in America''s history as a metaphor for a political campaign:

"For those of you who are just weary of the primary, and feeling kind of ground down or that it''s like a Bataan death march, I just want everybody to know that the future is bright," Sen. Barack Obama told a group of fundraisers in New York on Thursday, according to a pool report.

Maybe Senator Obama should spend a bit less time on the campaign trail and reading up on American history. I can''t EVEN BEGING TO IMAGINE the outrage in the media had Senator Clinton been quoted saying something this scandalous and disturbing.

[chitown639]

OBAMA 2008....YES WE CAN!!!!!

[blkpresident]

arbor30a,

Larry who?!

[serrano338]

Hillary''s dramatization is maybe a little crazy at best, she is 60, her hormones workovertime, and we all exaggerate sometimes, she just wanted to appear tough, come on folks, but this newsletter from TUCC is what we should be talking about. This is worse than the sermons:
More Wright Stuff
March 27, 2008 7:54 PM
Some more controversial, even offensive, material emanating from Sen. Obama''s church, Trinity United Church of Christ in the South Side of Chicago, and Rev. Jeremiah Wright. This material attacks Israel, Italians, and the US government.

1) ISRAEL BUILT AN ETHNIC BOMB TO KILL ARABS
2) SLURRING ITALIANS
3) THE US GOVERNMENT IS RUN BY WHITE SUPREMACISTS
4) HAMAS OP-ED

Bizzyblog has published the July 22, 2007 church newsletter in which Wright reprints an article by Mousa Abu Marzook, deputy of the political bureau of Hamas, which the US government named a terrorist organization in 1995.

Marzook was named a Specially Designated Terrorist by the Treasury Department In 2004, the Justice Department indicted Marzook for conspiring to violate U.S. laws that prohibit dealings in terrorist funds.

The op-ed was first published on the Los Angeles Times op-ed page.

Sen. Obama in an interview to air Friday on ABC''s "The View" says he did not read the bulletins in his church.

[serrano338]

I know if my church is printing up newsletters with articles by terrorists. COME ON. WHAT ARE WE TO BELIEVE ABOUT OBAMA''S BELOVED TUCC? These are the real sniper bullets we should be worried about, right there in print, coming from TUCC just last July.

AS THEY SAY IN COURT: NOTHING FURTHER. I''VE MADE MY RULING. NOBAMA NOWAY NOT NOW NOT IN 2012, NOT EVER.

[randynason]

Obama just tells it like it is and some people can''t deal with that sort of honesty. Little pink monkeys like their truth all dressed up pretty and fancy, even if it is illegitimate. Go, ''Bama!

[blkpresident]

Hey Jocelyn & Michael in Michigan,

It''s your vote, if you want to waste it on OLD man McCain if lil'' missy isn''t the Democratic nominee, then go right ahead. Where''s your sense of party unity?

[jamurphy4]

Obama, spent 20 years in Church every Sunday, and never heard the rev. wright say a bad word about the USA.
BULL DUNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I''ll vote for McCain before I vote for Obama..

Obama is nothing but a schill for the Black racist, and their followers.

[serrano338]

RandyNason:
Illegitimate Little pink monkeys, all dressed up pretty and fancy. You don''t need Obama, you need a psychiatrist.

[byeneocons]

Hey Neocons - go ahead and vote for your senile liberal Republican nominee.

Obama is brilliant. Read the interview. He makes sense. And even Hillary would be better than "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran."

Sorry dumb people, but your dumb decade, and your dumb president, are over.

Bye Neocons!

[karutam]

I applaud Obama for resisting the urge and inclination to stoop to the gutter level displayed by the Hillary camp. Principles are certainly more important than that "win at any cost" mantra of the Billaries. The way Billaries have carried on is even beneath that of any other republican, and is typical of what Limbaugh and Rove are capable of. How are we, lifelong democrats able to support the party any longer when we have these so-called "democrats" resorting to the worst of the worst? I realize years ago that the Clintons have no morals, but why is the party allowing them to drag the party with them into the gutter? I wish the party elders would stand up and show us that the party is not dominated by these unpalatable characters.

[enlightened-]

Hey Movie-Star...what about the 1.6 million dollar home that Obama and his church "awarded" Reverend Wright???? And what was the $10 million loan for???

[trishab4]

I applaud Obama for resisting the urge and inclination to stoop to the gutter level displayed by the Hillary camp. Principles are certainly more important than that "win at any cost" mantra of the Billaries. The way Billaries have carried on is even beneath that of any other republican, and is typical of what Limbaugh and Rove are capable of. How are we, lifelong democrats able to support the party any longer when we have these so-called "democrats" resorting to the worst of the worst? I realize years ago that the Clintons have no morals, but why is the party allowing them to drag the party with them into the gutter? I wish the party elders would stand up and show us that the party is not dominated by these unpalatable characters.
Posted by karutam at 09:59 PM : Mar 27, 2008

-very nicely worded, thanks.

[sgtrds]

I have voted in every single national election since the first year that I could in 1976. I am an Obama supporter. That said if either Obama or Hilliary get the nomination by using super-delegates to overturn the will of the elected delegates, then for the first time in my adult life I won''t be voting at all. I could never bring myself to vote in a third term for Bush by voting for McCain, but I will not vote for my party''s nominee if they get the nomination strictly because of the super-delegates.

[andrew1003-2009]

A quality human being with a brilliant mind speaks..

However, I would tell the market to kiss off... The government ain''t in the business of corporate welfare.. Wall Street srewed this up so they pay the price.

But that''s my libertarian side coming out..

Obama ''08... he will be a great president!

[tiredofthebs]

have voted in every single national election since the first year that I could in 1976. I am an Obama supporter. That said if either Obama or Hilliary get the nomination by using super-delegates to overturn the will of the elected delegates, then for the first time in my adult life I won''''t be voting at all. I could never bring myself to vote in a third term for Bush by voting for McCain, but I will not vote for my party''''s nominee if they get the nomination strictly because of the super-delegates.


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Posted by SgtRDS at 10:19 PM : Mar 27, 2008


Please reconsider. Mathmatically, neither CLINTON or OBAMA can secure the nomination. The SUPERs are going to have to decide. There is no other way.

[tiredofthebs]

I realize years ago that the Clintons have no morals, but why is the party allowing them to drag the party with them into the gutter?

Posted by karutam at 09:59 PM : Mar 27, 2008


Why?! Because they realize what a huge mistake it would be to put a newcomer (OBAMA) in the Oval Office.

[sgtrds]

Please reconsider. Mathmatically, neither CLINTON or OBAMA can secure the nomination. The SUPERs are

Posted by TiredoftheBS at 10:26 PM : Mar 27, 200

No, but the will of the party is expressed also in the number of pledged delegates and the popular vote. So whoever has the most pledged delegates going into Denver should be given the nomination. If that number is over turned by either candidate through the use of super-delegates then I''m going to stay home on election day and I think a lot of other Democrats will too.

[tiredofthebs]

No, but the will of the party is expressed also in the number of pledged delegates and the popular vote. So whoever has the most pledged delegates going into Denver should be given the nomination. If that number is over turned by either candidate through the use of super-delegates then I''''m going to stay home on election day and I think a lot of other Democrats will too.


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Posted by SgtRDS at 10:31 PM : Mar 27, 2008

That''s what I''m afraid of. Everyone who posts to CBS regularly knows that I support CLINTON. But I will vote for OBAMA if the party nominates him (though reluctantly). Boycotting the election most assuredly will get McCain elected. Just food for thought .......

[drbob10001]

Barack Obama is brilliant. He has found creative, and achievable responses to America''s most difficult problems which he will be able to solve by bringing all parties together. His intelligence alone is a uniter.

[jack3213]

PEOPLE ARE FINALLY WAKING UP TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN GET ALOT MORE FOR THE BUCK WITH A FULL MODERATE REPUBLICAN PACKAGE THAN HAVING TO PAY ALOT FOR VERY LITTLE WITH A DUMB DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL? YOU THINK YOU PAY HIGH TAXES NOW, AND SHOUDL YOU WANT TO PAY MORE- VOTE FOR THE NON CREDIBLE WOMAN OR THE PHONEY BLACK MAN. THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE.

[tiredofthebs]

Barack Obama is brilliant. He has found creative, and achievable responses to America''''s most difficult problems which he will be able to solve by bringing all parties together. His intelligence alone is a uniter.


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Posted by drbob10001 at 10:44 PM : Mar 27, 2008


Can you name a few of the solutions for me? I swear I''ve never heard anything in the form of a plan or solution come outta the man''s mouth.

[cattlekate]

Obama-rama needs to focas more on why he sat in that church year after year listening to hate of America and white people. He needs to realize he will NEVER get in the whitehouse and drop out of this race.
Posted by ObombA1 at 09:55 PM : Mar 27, 2008

Ignorant FAUX-nooze-watching McSame troll. Why must you vote against yourself?

[sgtrds]

That''''s what I''''m afraid of. Everyone who posts to CBS regularly knows that I support CLINTON. But I will vote for OBAMA if the party nominates him (though reluctantly). Boycotting the election most assuredly will get McCain elected. Just food for thought .......

Posted by TiredoftheBS at 10:36 PM : Mar 27, 2008

My wife is a Obama supporter like me, but says she wants to keep McCain out more then anything else. I suppose it''s possible that she''ll talk me into voting in the end, but as it stands right now I don''t see how. If the party overturns the will of it''s members by giving the nomination to anyone other then the one with the most pledged delegates, then how can we call ourselves a democratic party? It just smacks too much of the old days of both parties when party insiders picked the nominee in the famous smoke filled rooms, despite what the party members wanted. I will not go back to those days.

[tiredofthebs]

PEOPLE ARE FINALLY WAKING UP TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN GET ALOT MORE FOR THE BUCK WITH A FULL MODERATE REPUBLICAN PACKAGE THAN HAVING TO PAY ALOT FOR VERY LITTLE WITH A DUMB DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL? YOU THINK YOU PAY HIGH TAXES NOW, AND SHOUDL YOU WANT TO PAY MORE- VOTE FOR THE NON CREDIBLE WOMAN OR THE PHONEY BLACK MAN. THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE.



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Posted by jack3213 at 10:49 PM : Mar 27, 2008


Is it just me, or are my fellow democrats SICK of republicans interjecting their dumb *** opinions ?!

[tiredofthebs]

My wife is a Obama supporter like me, but says she wants to keep McCain out more then anything else. I suppose it''''s possible that she''''ll talk me into voting in the end, but as it stands right now I don''''t see how. If the party overturns the will of it''''s members by giving the nomination to anyone other then the one with the most pledged delegates, then how can we call ourselves a democratic party? It just smacks too much of the old days of both parties when party insiders picked the nominee in the famous smoke filled rooms, despite what the party members wanted. I will not go back to those days.


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Posted by SgtRDS at 10:50 PM : Mar 27, 2008


I honestly understand your viewpoint......really. But the party gave the SUPERs that power for a reason. Honestly, this election is proving that it was probably a GOOD DECISION. The SUPERs are resposible for selecting an electable candidate. This WRIGHT fiasco has soured independents to OBAMA. He can''t win ........

[tiredofthebs]

Can you name a few of the solutions for me? I swear I''''''''ve never heard anything in the form of a plan or solution come outta the man''''''''s mouth.
--------------------------------------
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Posted by TiredoftheBS

Well, he certainly didn''''t answer many of them in the above interview or excerpt. I can see why he avoids many of those important debates.


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Posted by IrishWench at 11:01 PM : Mar 27, 2008


That''s what I keep trying to point out to OBAMA supporters. He says a lot, yet says NOTHING! This man is more CLERGYMAN than POLITICIAN. Those words of comfort don''t amount to squat in the White House.

[tiredofthebs]

.... and notice my question WAS NOT ANSWERED. And you want me to vote for OBAMA ?! Please !!!!!!!

[sgtrds]

I honestly understand your viewpoint......really. But the party gave the SUPERs that power for a reason. Honestly, this election is proving that it was probably a GOOD DECISION. The SUPERs are resposible for selecting an electable candidate. This WRIGHT fiasco has soured independents to OBAMA. He can''''t win ........

Posted by TiredoftheBS at 10:54 PM : Mar 27, 2008

I disagree. This Wright business is already fading in the distance in the mirror for most people and by Denver it''ll be a s cold as last night''s mashed potatoes. No one will care in November either, except for the people who wouldn''t have voted democrat anyway. The super-delegates were created in response to the nomination of McGovern in 1972 and I didn''t like the idea then. Win or lose in the General Election the nominee MUST represent the will of the party members and that comes via the most pledged delegates and the popular votes. Anything else is not democracy and we call ourselves real Democrats if we let it happen. The principle is too important and is even more important the victory in November.

[tiredofthebs]

I disagree. This Wright business is already fading in the distance in the mirror for most people and by Denver it''''ll be a s cold as last night''''s mashed potatoes. No one will care in November either, except for the people who wouldn''''t have voted democrat anyway. The super-delegates were created in response to the nomination of McGovern in 1972 and I didn''''t like the idea then. Win or lose in the General Election the nominee MUST represent the will of the party members and that comes via the most pledged delegates and the popular votes. Anything else is not democracy and we call ourselves real Democrats if we let it happen. The principle is too important and is even more important the victory in November.


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Posted by SgtRDS at 11:08 PM : Mar 27, 2008


Well stated. While I may NOT agree that the WRIGHT controversy will be forgotten, I must agree that democracy is too important a principle to be thrown away. As I staed previously, I will vote for oBAMA if he is given the nomination. But I fear that will send this country into economic chaos.

[tiredofthebs]

..... still waiting on an OBAMA supporter to share any of his plans/solutions to the problems our country is currently facing (other than this UNITY noise).

[blkpresident]

One of the solutions Obama offers relative to foreign policy is two-fold: on one hand, America doesn''t have to worry about him napping through critical intelligence briefings; and, on the other hand, America knows his foreign policy won''t consist of coddling our terrorist enemies by donning an apron and baking a batch of brownies for them.

[tiredofthebs]

.....c''mon OBAMA nation (pun INTENDED). Y''all are gonna vote for this man and you have no clue how he''s going to accomplish all of these promises he made ?!