Obama Explains How He Made VP Choice

Democrat Sits Down With Early Show Co-Anchor Harry Smith For Exclusive Interview

(CBS)  Barack Obama spoke with Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith in Chester, Va. Thursday, after Obama had made it known that he'd decided on his running mate.

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Obama: The most important question is is this person prepared to be president? Second most important question from my perspective is can this person help me govern? Are they gonna be an effective partner -- in creating the kind of economic opportunity here at home and guiding us through some dangerous waters internationally. And the third criteria from me, I think, was independence. I want somebody who is gonna be able to challenge my thinking -- and not simply be a -- a yes person -- when it comes to policies.

Smith: And who is it? (LAUGHTER) I had to ask.

Obama: That's a good shot. ... But -- I'm -- I'm pretty disciplined on this.

Smith:: As you went on vacation and as the primary season came to a close your campaign was somewhat quiet. John McCain ramped up his campaign. And a lot of people would suggest he has been able to define you in the last month or so. As a result, the polls have gotten much, much tighter. Has he made you the issue in this campaign?

Obama:: Well, I think that's been their intention.

Smith: Many of the attacks that have come from John McCain's campaign have been, quite frankly, condescending.

Obama: Right.

Smith: Are you surprised by that? Does it anger you?

Obama: It's a little disappointing. I -- I mean, you know-- John McCain likes to characterize himself as a maverick. But the truth is what he's done, particularly over the last month when he shook up his campaign is he basically hired Karl Rove's old -- old crew and adopted Karl Rove's old tactics. Which really had to do with suggesting that I was unpatriotic. Suggesting that I would rather win -- that I'd rather lose a war so that I could win an election just because we have a fundamental disagreement about Iraq. You know -- those kinds of -- attacks -- are pretty par for the course. So it doesn't anger me. It's what we expected.

Smith: One of the issues that came up is what's rich, what's poor. You made some hay out of what John McCain was talking about being rich. And he was asked by politico.com how many houses he had you already have an ad saying it's seven and they're worth $13 million. What point are you trying to make?

Obama: Well, the point I'm tryin' to make is is that when you say that the economy is fundamentally sound, when you say that we've made great progress economically under George Bush -- when one of your top economic advisors suggests that America is a nation of whiners and that it's all in their head that we're in a recession -- that indicates that you're out of touch. You don't get it. And, you know, for John McCain to suggest that I am somehow elitist --

Smith: Which he did say.

Obama: Which he -- which he said --

Smith: He said you made four million dollars.

Obama: Well -- over the last two years. (LAUGHTER) John McCain's been livin' like this for the last 25. And obviously, doesn't have a very clear sense of what ordinary Americans are goin' through.

Smith: Let's move on to other stuff. I wanna talk about the convention. As you see the convention, it will be successful from your perspective if what?

Obama: I want to make the choice clear to the American people -- for the last eight years we've had a particular set of economic policy that have resulted in record foreclosures -- high unemployment, high inflation. ... And so I want the American people to focus on whether or not we can afford to continue those policies for another four or eight years. Because that's essentially what John McCain's offering.

Smith: So many people in the country tend to know you because of your speech four years ago at the Democratic Convention. How do you top that? Or do you try to top that? Is the speech ready?

Obama: Well, you know, I -- I think it's a different time and a different place obviously. Four years ago when I spoke -- I was speaking as somebody who was in a supportive role to the nominee. And because I was new I was presenting my version of the American story. This time I'm the nominee. So, it's -- it's a different -- different role. I'd be lying if I said that I've got it all completely written. But -- I have a pretty good sense of what I'm gonna say. ... I suspect that that element of surprise that came about four years ago; nobody had heard of me and then I come up and I give -- you know, a -- a speech that was well received. I think that -- there -- there's a special moment there that we're not gonna recapture. At this point, people know that I can give a speech. (LAUGHTER) And you know, they'll see me comin'.

Smith: My last question is do you know what Michelle is gonna wear Monday night?

Obama: You know, there -- there are some things that even I don't know. And what Michelle is gonna wear is a tightly held secret. More tightly held than who my vice presidential choice is gonna be.

[nextgenman]

President Obama. Awesome!

[aloy69]

I love the way Sen. Obama tells his side of the story. He is an unassuming and genuine American gem. I will continue to support his candidacy and hope and pray for the day of his inaugaration.

[mcvet-1]

This guy is cool and sure has an idea of where he is and where he want''s to go. He''s going to be a good one... I have NO doubt now.

[jackdems]

Who is it Obama? Is it :

Rev Wright
Bill Ayers
Rezko

[cmcbutler76]

While I can''t support an Obama presidency he is impressive! Now if he would come more to the center where most Americas live he could get the place at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. But with his proposed higher taxes that will stiffle growth, stand on abortion (especially his stand regarding partial birth abortions where living fetus were allowed to die over the course of 5-8 hours that even liberals like Kennedy voted against) and his weak stand on terrorism portends a disaster for America as a nation if he is elected. He is not all bad ideas, it is just that his bad ones have huge impact!

[jackdems]

Obama offers a policy of dialogue and accommodation. He has opposed listing Iran''s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and proposed a grand bargain with Syria''s rulers. He is even prepared to ignore two UN Security Council resolutions that require Iran to stop its uranium-enrichment program as a precondition for talks at the highest level. He has campaigned for a formal congressional move to prevent Bush from taking any military action against Tehran.

In an important symbolic move designed to signal an end of the special relationship between Israel and America, Obama has become the first major presidential candidate in 25 years not to commit himself to transferring the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Last but not least, Obama has promised to withdraw from Iraq in his first year in office - meeting a key demand of all radical Islamist forces, Sunni and Shiite.

The message is clear: Obama wants a new relationship with radical forces in the Islamic world while distancing America from its traditional regional allies.

[emmer94]

He talks like he watched too much Star Trek as a kid...the...theatrical pauses...used to make you...wait for the next...word to fall from...his lips. When he talked about how he choose, there wasn''t anything in there about the person''s credibility, honesty. And good ol'' Harry is there, just panting with his tongue hanging out, sniffing Obama''s b*tt. What happened to the news person that jsut presented the story without bias? OK, be sad for the people that die or have their house destroyed. But this supposed to be NEWS, not a free plug for a candidate! I''m going back to the weather channel.

[meek33]

McCain couldnt manage the local Mcdonalds. The RNC wants him for his puppet abilitys., Oh yeah Mitt Romney is a puppet too. I was a republican until my party got hijacked bought and paid for by the RNC. I am an independant now. I liked Huckabee because he seem to care about the working class, and fixing the economy with real issues. But I dobt I will vote for McCain. I will vote for Obama or Barr. McCain is too old, he will just be a puppet. No more puppets. We need a president that actually will lead by his convictions. McCain changed on every position, just so the RNC would prop him up. http://www.hotpres.com

[checkthepast]

An example of media editorial freedom..
Used on the last line from above...

A statement from Obama said "what Michelle is gonna wear is ..tight...... More tight..than ..my vice presidential choice...." end quote.

Only in America....

[billh28]

I support Obama but I''ve been consistently disappointed with the softball questions directed his way by the media. I.e.:

"Smith: Many of the attacks that have come from John McCain''s campaign have been, quite frankly, condescending."

I''m not picking on this interview - it''s just that I''m struck by this tendency in general. I can understand why newsmen support him - hey, me too. But it would be more interesting - and shed more light - if they''d stick to the middle ground, or even ask challenging questions.

Weirdly I think this special treatment from newsmen/supporters hurts, not helps. I think Obama can easily handle a fair interview and doesn''t need these softly-thrown pitches right over the plate. As the impression builds that he''s the candidate of the mainstream media, there''s an unhealthy sense of manipulation.

[checkthepast]

The reporter already edited out the number of times Obama said "uhh.." or the article would have been three pages long.
The first ..uhh.. thing ..uhh.. that they ..uhh.. taught us in ..uhh.. public speaking is ..uhh.. is not to ..uhh.. say ..uhh.. "uhh" in between ..uhh.. words.

[angelinaj999]

Obama didn''t borrow even a dime from Rezko to buy -- not build -- a house three years ago.
1. The deal could have gone down without Rezko.
While it''s true that the couple who sold the house to the Obamas and the adjoining vacant lot to Rezko''s wife required the deals to close on the same day, there was at least one other serious bidder on the lot.
2. The Obamas did not get a special discount on the house.
The sellers have confirmed that the sale price was the result of routine real estate negotiations and was the best offer they received on the house.
5. The Obamas did not get a special discount from the Rezkos when they later purchased a one-sixth strip of the vacant lot to enlarge their yard.
The price the Obamas paid, $104,500, was a neat one-sixth of the price of the lot and more than double the value Obama said his appraiser put on the strip. The remaining portion of the vacant lot reportedly sold earlier this year for $675,000.
6. The Obamas did not receive or borrow any money from the Rezkos to buy their house.
They took out a $1.3 million mortgage and paid the balance with proceeds from Obama''s best-selling books.
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/06/reality-check-t.html#more

[jasbek]

Thank goodness he doesn''t stand a chance of winning. He''s a messs and so full of himself with nothing to show for his conceit!

[jimtudy]

What does 5''7" McCain have to offer the common folks? We need a president who has intelligence, not someone who doesn''t feel the pain of the middle class. McCain has taken the low road, we the AMERICAN people know better. Do you know how many houses you own? McCain doesn''t, is that not concerning? Obama has worked hard his whole life, serving the people, being successful not because of his daddy, but rather hard work and using his brain. I ask all Americans to fight the McCain - Rove scum tactics that continue to mislead the public, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! This is for my two young boys whom I worry about their future. I am a former republican who can%u2019t take anymore lies just to win an election.

[gmond]

So McCain is 5''7". Do you mean he doesn''t measure up?

[whyafghan]

Obama has worked hard his whole life, serving the people, being successful not because of his daddy, but rather hard work and using his brain.
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Posted by jimtudy

LOL. How quickly people forget how the Chicago political Machine made Obama what he is. Using his brain for accepting gifts and other shady dealing (like Rezko and his church) are not the hallmarks that can be associated with John McCain. Worry about how many houses McCain has, but none of them were gifts from his Chicago buddies - YOUR COLORED GLASSES MAY HAVE BLURRED YOUR VISION.

[mcvent]

"Barack Obama''s failure to accurately report his campaign''s financial records is an incredibly suspicious situation that appears to be an attempt to hide his campaign''s interaction with a left-wing organization previously convicted of voter fraud. For a candidate who claims to be practicing ''new'' politics, his FEC reports look an awful lot like the ''old-style'' Chicago politics of yesterday."

[gangesdak]

Most Presidents are at least 6FT tall. Esceptions are there, like President Grant. But, we know Grant, and Mcbush is no Grant.

[primilioneah]

Mr. Smith, asking leading questions does not help Obama in anyway, nobody is going to support him just because you say so.

[concerns47]

McCain is 72, was a POW for how long, and has been in service to his county for how long (no pork for his state), don''t you think he is entitled to live the good life?

Obama, finally a millionaire with crooked ties in buying one house (7 would be a real deal with his ties) trying to act like a hopeful concerned representative of the people, won''t play dirty (yeah) and actually the same politician as the rest. Concerned until he gets what he wants, then he will have to let Congress have their say since all the President can do is approve or veto bills.

Congress has the real say and the Democrats in Congress have fallen short and so will Obama.

No matter who he chooses, his ego will override theirs just like Cheney overrode Bush. Cheney is president not Bush, he is just a spokes person for Cheney.

McCain at least can make his own decisions, Obama needs 300 advisors to make decisions on foreign policy, 3 a.m. means 300 calls to advisors before a decision is made.

[rktsci3127]

After having watched %u201CObama Revealed%u201D (CNN) it%u2019s pretty clear Obama isn%u2019t interested in anyone but Obama. Instead of voting Yea or Nay on anything controversial, he simply votes %u201Cpresent%u201D ...so he can stay on the good side of everyone and further his career. He waits two weeks to see where the polls stand on issues then goes with the majority. A very good politician and talker...and that%u2019s it, zero on leadership, zero on accomplishments. He''d make a good car salesman.

[sleepyric]

i gotta laugh...every morning I read these posts, and I gotta say...every morning there is a new bunch of freakin'' retards on here...for both McCain and Obama...no other way to say it....freakin'' retarded people!....get a life...

[whyafghan]

After having watched %u201CObama Revealed%u201D (CNN) it%u2019s pretty clear Obama isn%u2019t interested in anyone but Obama. Instead of voting Yea or Nay on anything controversial, he simply votes %u201Cpresent%u201D ...so he can stay on the good side of everyone and further his career. He waits two weeks to see where the polls stand on issues then goes with the majority. A very good politician and talker...and that%u2019s it, zero on leadership, zero on accomplishments. He''''d make a good car salesman.
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Posted by rktsci3127

You HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. Who can afford to buy a used car in these tough times. Vote for Proven Leadership - JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT.

[mcvent]

Posted by greekman777

How about something up lifting instead of I''m just a poor soul who can''t do anything for myself but suffer... Oh wo is me....

Go tell you sad stories someplace else, I more interested in the people who over come then the cry babies.

[whyafghan]

sleepyric - YOUR LUMPING OF ALL HAS ZERO NET WORTH.

[big5500]

Are the employees of CBS on Obama''s payroll? If not, then you should be. Harry Smith "puts words in his mouth" and after Obama has stuttered uh..uh..uh a number of times he treats him like he is the greatest speaker of the century. Let''s get real, he has speech writers that also put words in his mouth. I am beginning to think that CBS needs to be under investigation and if Harry and Obama are "in bed" together because it is clearly a "love fest." Lets get back to unbaised reporting! Your viewers are not stupid and we clearly see that something is wrong.

[omega39-2009]

McCain at least can make his own decisions, Obama needs 300 advisors to make decisions on foreign policy, 3 a.m. means 300 calls to advisors before a decision is made.

Posted by concerns47

Yeah, our current president didn''t need or listen to advisers either.

[jeffstersf]

McVent, you are freaky nasty.

[fstop100]

LOSER!!!

[realpatriot1]

3A.M. means McDepends doesn''t know which house he''s in or where that *** ringing phone is.

[omega39-2009]

Another brilliant and insightful post by MCvent%u2026

Posted by MCvent

Just for you MCvent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO0QPswkICg

[mcvent]

This is sneaky.

But I need help%u2026..

Several my college buddies were talking about not voting for Obama come November. They all were saying that they have learned a lot about Obama that they didn%u2019t know in May. Not the Muslim stuff, we already knew that, but stuff like Obama is close friends several convicted terrorists in Chicago, who were convicted of killing both white and black people. He has taken money from them and even had them work in his campaigns as key advisors. And there is more Obama is soft on Gang Bangers, he voted down a bill that would have increased police activity against game members. Now were not crazy about a lot of the stuff that McCain talks about but at least he is not friends with people who are convicted terrorist.

What should I tell them%u2026 I mean gas is what and Obama wants me to get a tire gauge.

[ofbyfor1]

Posted by Billh28 at 08:09 AM : Aug 22, 2008

Considering that the Republicans were willing to spend millions of taxpayer dollars investigating Clinton''s BJ, do you think that we should spend some time investigating McCain''s serial adultery?

I haven''t seen any instance where he has been asked about this in a truly hardball manner, so if anyone has been softballed, I would say it''s McCain.

PS- I really loved the way that Cindy excused her adultery with McCain by trying to represent his tears as a POW as a ''separatiob'' from his 1st wife, Carol, who was loyally waiting for him to come home.

[mcvent]

This is sad and I don%u2019t know what to do..

All my fellows%u2019 teachers are coming back from summer vacation and I can%u2019t believe the difference in the support for Obama since May. Several were talking about how Obama lied about taking public money for his campaign.

Another one pointed out the fact that in February Obama said his first order as President would be to immediately order the withdrawal of all our forcers in Iraq and now it will take 16 months and maybe longer it all depends what the general says.

One of the male teachers pointed out that Obama thinks anyone who owns a gun is a *** and some kind of Jesus freak.

I don%u2019t know what to say to then, I mean look the Russians invade another country and all Obama says is I hope they can work out the problems..

[omega39-2009]

Another brilliant and insightful post by MCvent%u2026

Posted by MCvent at 08:38 AM : Aug 22, 2008

Speaking of insane. . .

Posted by tuckerndfw

The RNC certainly isn''t getting their money out of him. They must have outsourced their internet propagandist to India like they did their fund raising call center.

[burfnyc]

Reading the comments, here & on most political blogs, the Country sure is in a mess.
The lack of curiosity, and willingness to just parrot lies people are told, is mind-boggling.
Just in response to one comment... Obama ISN''T going to raise taxes on any family making less than $250k, or person making less than $150k. All he''s going to do, is put taxes on wealthier Americans, back to where they were, when Clinton was Pres. And those rates really hurt our economy didn''t they?
And that myth about Obama letting fetuses die... well, it''s a myth. Go do some research.
It''s all very said that people choose to believe lies, rather than just spending a few minutes, to do a bit of research to find truthful answers to any questions.
If people don''t wake up, and start caring about the garbage they''re putting in their heads, this country really will be toast.

[ofbyfor1]

sorry for the typos. tears=years, separatiob=separation

[martin523]

Don''t vote for McCain:
Dishonest, a cheater like Edwards, divorced from his disabled wife to marry a wealthy woman, a millionaire, involved in the Keating Five scandal, a rich 25 years full time professional disconnected from the middle class, explodes and doesn''t act rational, disorganized. Claims to be republican and true value guy but is with liberal flip flopper Lieberman.....
He is ambitious and will tell you anything you want to hear but once he is elected he will do whatever he wants. Do you really want to vote for such a person with a flawed character???!! Don''t vote!

[seneca69]

The pro Obama media spin continues. Harry Smith continues to be an embarrassment to objectivity.

[mcvent]

Posted by ofbyfor1

Hey what about Obama and Larry Sinclair who has proof of a gay relationship with Obama.. I notice the MSM doesn''t look into that.. I mean being a switch hitter won''t hurt you in the democratic party but the rest of America might want to know more about Obama and his gay lover.. Now this is a story...

[martin523]

Don''t vote for McCain:
Dishonest, a cheater like Edwards, divorced from his disabled wife to marry a wealthy woman, a millionaire, involved in the Keating Five scandal, a rich 25 years full time professional disconnected from the middle class, explodes and doesn''t act rational, disorganized. Claims to be republican and true value guy but is with liberal flip flopper Lieberman.....
He is ambitious and will tell you anything you want to hear but once he is elected he will do whatever he wants. Do you really want to vote for such a person with a flawed character???!! Don''t vote!

[whyafghan]

All working class Americans between the ages of 18 and 50 will be subject to being drafted to fight in Insane McCain''''s perpetual wars.
-------------------
Posted by tuckerndfw

What an incredibly IDIOTIC comment. Again your fear mongering ways will only help voters decide that John McCain is obviously the best choice to be the next President of the United States.
So get ready to grab your ruck and weapon. LMAO

[johnpotus1]

Hussein Muhammad Obama''s VP choice is Beelzebub.

[ofbyfor1]

This is sneaky.

But I need help

Posted by MCvent at 08:41 AM : Aug 22, 2008

Yes, you ARE sneaky (liar) and you DO need help.

[omega39-2009]

And that myth about Obama letting fetuses die... well, it''''s a myth. Go do some research.
It''''s all very said that people choose to believe lies, rather than just spending a few minutes, to do a bit of research to find truthful answers to any questions.


Posted by burfnyc

Those people are intellectually lazy, which explains why we have an intellectually lazy current President, and why the GOP is running another intellectually lazy candidate. 894 out of a class of 899 ROFL!

[whyafghan]

omega39 - just wondering what was your class standing at the Naval Academy? LOL - NEXT

[lpr60606]

Senator Obama should check his facts before making statements such as the following:.... "for the last eight years we''ve had a particular set of economic policy that have resulted in record foreclosures -- high unemployment, high inflation. ... " In fact, in the last eight years we''ve had economic policies that have resulted in record low unemployment and recofd low inflation compared to the previous eight years. Foreclosures are not a result of economic policies; they are a function of banking regulations.

Is this a foretaste of the kind of reference to misinformation that we would experience as citizens from our most senior leader if Senator Obama were elected President of the United States?

And, will CBS journalists now do their job by following-up and challenging a quotation by Senator Obama of facts cited in a national media interview that are not true? Or will they just sweep this under the carpet?

[johnpotus1]

Is Obama the latest cult leader.

Well one of the qualities of a cult leader is:

Glibness/Superficial Charm

Glibness is a hallmark of psychopaths. They are able to use language effortlessly to beguile, confuse, and convince. They are captivating storytellers. They exude self-confidence and are able to spin a web that intrigues others and pulls them into the psychopath''s life. Most of all, they are persuasive. Frequently they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or disarm them emotionally.

Obama is certainly persuasive.

[citizenusa-2009]

Don''t drink the Kool Aid AGAIN folks! We f''d up TWICE in 8 years. When these rumor mills churn out this c.r.a.p. about Obama it makes me think back in history to Hitler''s tactics: He chanted the same garbage over and over and over..until the people (sheep) believed it! Use your BRAINS this time. McCain is CLEARLY a Bushie. He even hired KARL ROVE''s team to help him win this election! OMG!!!!!!

[seneca69]

tuckerndfw writes: "Tell your college buddies that if Insane McCain is elected, they''''ll have nothing to worry about other than getting ready to serve in the military."

It''s this attitude that drove me out of the democratic party. Incredibly brave and decent people, volunteer to protect insipid cowards like tuckerndfw. Risking their lives and often compelled to engage in incomprehensible violence so the rest of us can sleep peacefully at night.

Yes tuckerndfw there are some really bad people in the world, people who would literally cut your throat, were it not for brave American''s protecting your sorry hind end.