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.

[trrrorislam1]

HUSSEINs VICE PRESIDENT,,,

hmmmm will it be a TYPICAL WHITE PERSON???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8gnmUyminI

hmmmm will it be one that is clinging to his gun and religion???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNoJ0q6HrK8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmv5NZ4zcdc&feature=related

hmmmm will it be one that wants americans to learn spanish???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZprtPat1Vk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7srmHLclw

hmmmm will it be a RACIST like himSelf, hating whitey and jews???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfC4OOm1aoM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI77cU3jsFs&feature=related

RACIST HUSSEIN PICKS,,, RACIST BIDEN AS VP,,, shocker,,,

Obama''''s Racist Vice President Biden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlxXNyIuyTM

BIDEN SAYS NOW,,, HE IS HAPPY TO BE VICE PRESIDENT TO HUSSEIN,,,

"I mean, you''ve got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice looking guy."
: SENATOR JOE BIDEN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxWSVXZVR4c

BIDEN SAYS HUSSEIN NOT READY,,,

BIDEN SAYS HE IS READY TO RUN WITH OR AGAINST MCCAIN,,,

BIDEN SAYS COUNTRY BETTER OFF WITH MCCAIN,,, THAN HUSSEIN,,,

Joe Biden On Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVUPqoowf8

[trrrorislam1]

NAIVE HUSSEIN SEES AMERICA AS EVIL,,,

and you want to make him PRESIDENT OF THE USA???

Saddleback Church Civil Forum - Obama & McCain 8 of 17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqsH13unGbM&feature=related

Abortion, evil, Obama and McCain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0eVomjmCGI

[jackdems]

As far as Obama''''''''s birthplace goes, he was born in Hawaii. Get over it and stop spreading lies. Go to factcheck.org for the proof.
------------------------------------------
Factcheck.org is owned by a liberal organization. Have you heard of the Annenberg, they own Factcheck.org. And yes Annenberg is involved with terrorist Bill Ayers and Obama.

[jackdems]

Yesterday the elitist advocate with a two year Harvard background that has made him an academia elitist when asked by Natalia, a 7 year old girl "why did you start running for president". Other candidates would have said something like America is the greatest country on this earth or maybe he is proud to be a member of a country where for the first time in our proud history that a black American could run for president.
Instead after hesitating to answer and his normal stutters when he is not behind his cue cards or prepared speech, Sen. Barack Obama said, "America is no longer what it could be, what it once was". When one considers his wife Michelle that said for the first time she is proud of being an American and Obama''s statement pertaining to mid-Americans being bitter and countless other hateful anti-American statements, one has to wonder where why this man is a presidential candidate. Why is he, Obama so bitter when any other minority member would do anything to have been given the life that Obama takes for granted and resents so easily.

I guess since this Washington politician and those like his close elitist friend House Speaker Pelosi that have lived a privileged life should think of how lucky that they did not have to serve their country in harm''s way and in uniform like many of us

[jackdems]

I certainly am also. But first I want to know what kind of health care I''''m going to get with a universal health plan. Not just some vague idea that health care is going to be provided.

And clear air also, but how are you going to enforce it?

[forevertru-2009]

Caliguy55, What you said is true, we''ll get four more years of Bush. That should show you just what we really think of Obama.

[hypnotoad72]

At least he didn''t pick Pawlenty. :D

[caliguy55]

I''d be willing to bet that at least 90% of those people claiming to be Sen. Clinton supporters, but who state they will now campaign for McSame, are blowing hot air. As far as I''m concerned, you can go ahead and vote for McSame because if you do you will get exactly what you deserve, i.e., 4 more years of George W. Bush''s reign of terror as McSame has promised to follow his policies. Of course, since Sen. Clinton''s policies were diametrically opposed to those of senile John McSame, you''d be betraying the person you supported by voting for someone, who has nothing but contempt for her. Obama/Biden 08!!!

[vetforobama]

I''''m seeing a lot of blogs about how bad a Democratic administration would be for the economy. Well, here are a few historical facts: democratic economies have out performed republican economies over the past 100 years; The eight years under Clinton out performed the eight years of the bush economy.

Now McBush has offered NO CHANGE.

As far as Obama''''s birthplace goes, he was born in Hawaii. Get over it and stop spreading lies. Go to factcheck.org for the proof.

Obama has consistantly supported the military and veterans. NcCain has one of the worst records in the senate when it comes to bills supporting veterans.

If you don''''t like Obama then don''''t vote for him, but these are the facts. You can spread falsehoods, but these are the facts.

[clovisbuford]

But Biden should really start out by telling Obama how many states there are.
Posted by ragnar30066 at 11:35 AM : Aug 23, 2008
While Biden is at it He can tell Mccain how many houses Mccain owns (7 at least) , and the difference tween shia and alqueda .. oh right there is that video on you tube of lieberman and lindsay grahm both repeatedly correcting Mccain, acting like minders.A disintersted observer would have to say that not only is the level of discourse here pretty low , but so is the standard of truth in most posts. I hope most of the people here dont vote and more impoortantly arent out there reproducing ,this comments section could be the best argument for birth control I know.

[greekman777]

I''M JUST AN ORDINARY CONCERNED CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.THE PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING SUCH A TERRIBLE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND I WILL TRY TO BRING THIER MESSAGE TO THE POLITICAL POWERS. I AM SO ANGRY, AND SO IS THE WHOLE COUNTRY.



WE NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY WE ARE WASTING ON THE WAR TO IMPROVE

OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND OUR HEALTHCARE.



ENOUGH OF THE FORECLOSURES THAT ARE OCCURING IN OUR COUNTRY.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT OUTSOURCING HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.

OUR CITIZENS OUR OUT OF WORK BECAUSE MOST OF THEIR JOBS

ARE BEING OUTSOURCED.

THIS KEEPS THE PEOPLE OF THE U.SA OUT OF WORK, AND NOT NOT

INSURED.



GAS PRICES ARE HURTING ALL THE COMMON PEOPLE.



AT THIS RATE THERE WILL BE ONLY THE WELATHY RICH, AND THE POOR.



WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MIDDLE CLASS??



OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR GREATEST ASSETS, AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THEIR FUTURE.





VISIT MY WEB SITE



BUSTED-LIKE-A-RAT.ORG .





LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE FEELING THE PAIN OF THIS ECONOMY THAT IS DESTROYING LIVES.

THE COUNTRY IS IN SUCH ECONOMIC DISTRESS. WE NEED TO UNITE AS A NATION AND TELL OUR GOVERNMENT WE ARE MAD AS HELL AND WE WON''T PUT UP WITH IT.

[forevertru-2009]

This is precisly the running mate that "fits" with Obama
Posted by Caliguy55
----------------------
Yeh, sure.....Biden''s shoe "fits" in Obama''s mouth and Obama''s shoe "fits" in Biden''s mouth.

[caliguy55]

Sen. Joseph Biden is a courageous choice by Sen. Barack Obama to be his running mate in the presidential campaign. Sen. Biden is well known to be outspoken and will not be any one''s "yes" man. This is precisely the type of running mate that "fits" with Sen. Obama, as Sen. Biden has far more valid and strong foreign policy credentials than does McSame, who has now lost one of his main arguments against Sen. Obama. Unlike Sen. Obama, it remains to be seen if McSame has the cajones to pick someone, who is willing to stand up to him and to whom he is willing to listen. This sounds like a tall order for McSame given the rapid advancement of his senile dementia, which is already severely affecting his ability to think. We''re now going to see a permanent "bounce" in Sen. Obama''s polling numbers that will carry through to his victory in November. Obama/Biden 08!!!

[youngjm0]

Obama, I was about to make my bets on you, Vegas was on your side on this, I was going to get my bet in on the odds that was their. I now will bet on McCash to win. You even pick an OLD GRAY HEADED GUY, what are the odds on that one!!

[ragnar30066]

Selecting Biden for VP is nothing more, nothing less, than an admission that Obama doesn''t have the experience for the job.

Just for example, Obama complained that a problem with Afghanistan is that there aren''t enough translators; they''re all in Iraq. Unfortunately Obama doesn''t realize that different languages are spoken in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that translators usually have to know the language they''re translating.
Dufus.

But Biden should really start out by telling Obama how many states there are.

[jbg9617]

The democrats are really good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[clovisbuford]

SO MUCH FOR CHANGE! Obama had the chance to select the most qualified woman, who actually received more popular votes then he did, and he chose an old, washed up, has been toad. WELL LADIES, we just got shafted again by this little self serving idiot! Say "Hello President McCain!" The sexist pigs at the DNC need to be sent a message.
Posted by Bec67 at 05:47 AM : Aug 23, 2008
If by most qualified woman you meant kathy sibelius , you would be right , if you meant Ms. clinton , you arew sadly mistaken . Frankly as a democrat I was an Edwards supporter ,look how that would have turned out . I think this writer is another republican troll. the caase against Hillary, you are already running a black man fopr president and you want to add a woman tho the ticket , one coservatives have been hating on since 1992. Its a pretty simple thing for the voter to decide , do we want 4 more yrs of Iraq , katrina like response, government corruption , a failed economy , a fading middle class or do we change governance to a government that might actually make a differnce in our lives for the positive or vote for a government that calls us a "bunch of whiners" ala Mccain and has doubled the national debt in 8 yrs ,given us the housing crisis , etc.

[ragnar30066]

Let''s be honest about it. When Obama was over in France, someone told him he needed a bidet. He thought they meant Biden.

[wardoglrs]

You voters couldn''t vote in a good one if your life depended on it. Joe is a CFR member and a Foreign committee chairmen. This is a dangerous man and again here we go to war under Obama or McCain it wont matter you lose cause you just don''t get it.

You voters deserve the worst that government can dish out and baby it''s comming.

The Biggest problem with you people is you think like they do and visa versa so your Welfare king Obama is and has betrayed you all again and you couldnt see this?. LMFOA at you all. He voted for the FISA bill and you said nothing your brains are truly in the hands of the MSM.

You all make me sick to think that Clinton was a better pick?.. Again look at Obama and thats who you are. Nothing but losers.

[stormsinger1]

I''m still hoping McCain kicks the bucket before November.