Nov. 16, 2008
The Obamas On Their Personal Transition
Talk About Their Family's Move To The White House, And Efforts To Preserve Sense Of Normalcy
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The Personal Transition
The Obamas will soon be the youngest first family to move into the White House since the Kennedys nearly 50 years ago. Steve Kroft speaks with Barack and Michelle Obama about their personal transition.
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A Father's Promise
President-elect Barack Obama spoke with Steve Kroft about a special promise he made 2 years ago to his young daughters.
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Obama And The Presidency
President-elect Barack Obama speaks with Steve Kroft about his thoughts and goals as our nation's next Commander-in-Chief.
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President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. (CBS)
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First Visit
The Obamas get personal tour of White House from the Bushes.
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The White House
Explore America's White House, which has survived a fire set by British troops and has undergone several major renovations in the past 200 years.
While the Obama transition team has been working closely with the Bush administration to ensure an orderly transfer of power, the Obama family has been working hard on a transition of their own that began with an emotional election night in Chicago.
Steve Kroft: When was the first moment that it began to sink in that you were President of the United States? Do you remember?
Mr. Obama: Well, I'm not sure it's sunk in yet.
Michelle Obama: I guess I'm sort of like him. I'm not sure if it has really sunk in. But I remember, we were watching the returns and, on one of the stations, Barack's picture came up and it said, 'President-Elect Barack Obama. ' And I looked at him and I said, 'You are the 44th President of the United States of America. Wow. What a country we live in.'
Mr. Obama: How about that?
Michelle Obama: Yeah.
Mr. Obama: Yeah. Yeah. And then she said 'Are you gonna take the girls to school in the morning?'
Michelle Obama: I did not. I didn't say that.
Mr. Obama: It wasn't at that moment.
Kroft: You made the address in Grant Park. And you brought the kids out. And, at some point you whispered something. Can you remember that?
Michelle Obama: I said, 'Wow, Look at this.'
Mr. Obama: How 'bout that?
Obama On Economic Crisis, Transition Obamas On Picking The Presidential PoochMichelle Obama: I told him, 'Good job. Well done.' To walk out there and see hundreds of thousands of hard working folks, because so many people put their energy and their hopes into this campaign. To see the outcome and the emotion, it was a very emotional evening because I think people were ready to take hold of this country and help move it in a different direction and you felt that.
Kroft: The emotion of that night was fueled, in part, by the fact that you were first African-American ever elected. Did you feel that?
Mr. Obama: There's no doubt that there was a sense of emotion that I could see in people's faces and in my mother-in-law's face. You know, I mean, you think about Michelle's mom, who grew up on the west and south sides of Chicago, who worked so hard to help Michelle get to where she is, her brother to be successful. She was sitting next to me, actually, as we were watching returns. And she's like my grandmother was, sort of a no-fuss type of person. And suddenly she just kind of reached out and she started holding my hand, you know, kind of squeezing it. And you had this sense of, 'Well, what's she thinking?' For a black woman who grew up in the 50s, you know, in a segregated Chicago, to watch her daughter become first lady of the United States. I think there was that sense across the country. And not unique to African-Americans. I think that.
Michelle Obama: That's right.
Mr. Obama: I think people felt that it was a sign of the enormous progress that we've made in the core decency and generosity of the American people. Which isn't to say that there were a number of reasons that somebody might not have voted for me. But what was absolutely clear was is that whether people voted for me or against me, that they were making the judgment based on is this guy gonna, you know, lead us well? Is this guy gonna be a good president? And that was my assumption walking in. And that's how it turned out. And that felt good.
Kroft: What was your conversation like the next morning at the breakfast table with the kids.
Michelle Obama: Yeah, everyone was tired.
Mr. Obama: Because they had been up until midnight.
Michelle Obama: They had been up. But we got up and went to school. But we went to school late. Barack, you slept in. You know, so I think we were just back into the routine. Our hopes are to just to keep the girls moving. It's like okay , Daddy's president-elect, okay, we can get to school by 10. And we got to the school and the folks at the school were excited. Some people were cheering as I walked the kids to the class. And I remember Malia saying, 'That's embarrassing.' But you know, it was a pretty normal day for us.
Produced by L. Franklin Devine, Michael Radutzky and Andy Court
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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See all 54 CommentsTHIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT''''S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!
''''Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ''''Woe to those who call evil good,'''' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor''''s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!''''
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, ''''The Rest of the Story,'''' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord''''s help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called ''''One nation under God.''''
Whoever decided that Steve should interview the new leader of free world{I''m sure Steve was reluctant to do the interview after seeing the nonsensical prittle prattle questions he was obviously embrassed to ask} is an idiot who can only see the new tentant of the white house as a way on to capitalise on a new reality show and not the actual issues like RUNNING THE COUNTRY.
Even Obama at one stage thought the questions were getting a little odd after comparing his mother-in-law to a new dog. Who writes this BS? CBS are lucky that their sponsors after tonights show shouldn''t cut the show to 60 seconds due to the amount of time we the people had to listen to that ***.
Thanks for wasting 60 minutes.
So blogger rgbitner, be more polite and develop some etiquette yourself it seems as if you have lost track. Thanks cbs for a wonderful interview, it could have been longer.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/prayernation.asp
That was delivered the Bob Russell at the Kentucky Governor''s Prayer Breakfast in 1995. An e-mail falsely attributed it to Paul Harvey (Paul Harvey''s Prayer) but he didn''t write it either.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/prayernation.asp
That was delivered the Bob Russell at the Kentucky Governor''s Prayer Breakfast in 1995. An e-mail falsely attributed it to Paul Harvey (Paul Harvey''s Prayer) but he didn''t write it either.
I thought that it was quite comical he felt that being the new President would interfere with the walks that he likes to take. :-) Very nice interview and I look forward to hearing more like that one.
Thank you for your great coverage of the new first family. However I think Bob Eubanks has beat you to the punch! Are you kidding, Barack and Michelle on the Newlywed Game, thank you GERALDO RIVERA.
Finally, we care to listen to what a president has to say regarding the future of our nation without being afraid to. It is equally refreshing to be reminded from our future president that he is no different than the rest of America. (No he is not Superman. He is just a man that loves and supports his family as any good man should; while uplifting the country) Thank you, %u201CPresident%u201D Obama, for caring enough to invite us in.
My father who is 84 years old said we wouldn''t have a Black man as President in his lifetime, and I told him someday we would, and it would be during his lifetime as America would have to grow beyond the bonds of racism, to fulfill the shoes of the truly magnificant country that she is. On the night of the election, when Barack Obama was announced as President-elect, my father called me and said, they elected him as President, and I told him, I told you so. We were both happy and proud of the first African-American President. Because what he is, is a great man full of potential, hope, dreams, and the wisdom to learn from the past. Barack Obama has made my dream of an African American President come true, now may he complete the dream by being one of our greatest Presidents. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, Barack Obama is the dream.
Long time it was NOT any there.
I think it is very important and very amazing ias a result of this election whemn Brains won at last, not canny stupid greedy REPs, but Brains first.
That makes me happy and hopfull.
And look - it makes Nation hopeful.
Yes, we can
would like to be the Junior Senator from NY? For a man
that always warns everybody else to be on their guard against
racism, Barack Obama plays the politics of race very, very
well.
Posted by skuareoff at 03:13 AM : Nov 17, 2008
This is just a wild guess! YOU voted for George W. Bush?? ROFLMAO
Thank you for your great coverage of the new first family. However I think Bob Eubanks has beat you to the punch! Are you kidding, Barack and Michelle on the Newlywed Game, thank you GERALDO RIVERA.
Posted by mrhill5 at 12:06 AM : Nov 17, 2008
THIS is what YOU got out of this? I would most certainly hope that MOST American''s find their FIRST FAMILY a little more important than some third rate Game Show. But after George W. Bush and those who put him there, I guess it can be understood!
Thanks for wasting 60 minutes.
Posted by gafmurph at 09:00 PM : Nov 16, 2008
Had to listen to? Is CBS the only station your television picks up?
I for one am very impressed with the Obama''s and am hopeful that he can turn this once great nation back into a place we can all be proud of.
Did you ask the president-elect about his plan for his grandma''s funeral? When will it be? I was just wondering.
And to the first comments about her sleeveless--just because you are insecure about your arms, her were trim, taut and that was Michelle being Michelle, not someone hiding behind some made up name for anonymity. Stand up and stop hiding behind your insecurity. Jeez - a person can''t even show a bare arm -- what next cover up the face.
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well,,,, for one thing,,,,, I''m not the soon to be First Lady. There is still etiquette - or is it the "anything goes" scenario. She can go on TV butt-nekkid for all I care but it would be nice to know that there is still a morsel of modesty displayed by the F.L. Much of what''s wrong in this country is that "anything goes".....no dress codes in schools, people go to church as if they are going to the local party place. So what is the PresElec shows up wearing droopy shorts and a tipped sideways baseball cap...... is that ok too? It''s nothing to do with insecurities (mine or anyone else''s), it''s everything to do with presentation, etiquette, respect. And I''m hiding behind nothing..... it''s just a screen name.... why the personal attack?
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I would prefer to have the president be Presidential and don''t want to think of him as just another schmuck husband. He is the most powerful person in the world, for corns sake. When he goes back to Chicago, then it might be interesting to know he''s just another husband doing what ever. And I definitely don''t want to think of the First Lady stickin'' her two cents worth in to our politics. Look what happened when Hillary did that - disaster for her and her health care plan. The President should be taking care of our business which should keep him plenty busy with no time for banter with the First Lady...... and she should be showing people around the White House at Christmas and decorating and not be involved otherwise........get in that kitchen and bake some cookies.
He will be a great President and she is going to be a great first Lady.
I pray for their family.
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kmossis, your post was most eloquent ,,,,,, and I am in agreement. Thanks. And, I too, will be praying (without ceasing) for this family and our country. As the saying goes: united we stand, divided we fall. What a time this is.
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I surely don''t hate anyone. People are entitled to their opinions and have the right to voice them. Obama IS the PRESIDENT,,,,Mrs. Obama is MRS. OBAMA ...... she is not the president. She need not "dumb down" but be a bit more respectful of the President - as anyone would. Her responses speak volumes not only about her character but his too. As I said, I have no hate..... Mrs. Obama is a fine, accomplished woman but, please, close up the piehole.
She respects her husband, but you must understand what a marriage where 2 people are highly intelligent looks like!!! They were placed in this position for a reason and all of the negativity is just not going to tick!!! They are protected and you can tell they feel that power and have that faith by the presence they have! Sorry get over it. 2 strong intelligent, hardworking folks who had nothing given to them are in the White House... Hope won Hate lost.....
President Michelle Obama
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I must have missed something...... protected by whom or what? Are you talking about the secret service? What "power" does the Constitution allow to the First Lady? She obviously has power in her private non-political life but is not afforded any power as the First Lady. Sometimes a woman needs to take a backseat to her husband regardless of how powerful she feels she is......this would be such a time (and this does not mean I hate her or him). I want the world to love her...... but many will not just because she is "rude and snarly"...... UNLESS she becomes president. Her actions / speech directly reflects on the President. Some may and will interpret this as a sign of his weakness.
Good things will come out of all this and will prove to all racists that we need to look beyond color.
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I''m thinking most of the Presidents had mistresses or whatever you would want to call them..... but I''m betting that isn''t going to happen with P.E.Ob..... nuh uh.... nope. All those secret tunnels will be closed off and sealed tight. Clinton was a moral disgrace but still loved by many - so to speak.
I like a good dog
Proof is in the action, not the word. This man was supported by the masses for having promised them the world without any past experiance or accomplishment..who is the fool??! Surely not I.
For over 40 years poor people dreams of hope and economic opportunity have been shalter by America and those it has elected to represent us have failed. Blacks Organizing Leadership Development BOLD, have fought quietly behind the scenes over 17 years in Federal, Appeal and in the United States Supreme Court to no avail. With our beginning with President George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush you may be the world last hope to enforcing our Economic Opportunity Acts of 1964, 1967, 1972, 1978 and the Community Service Acts of 1974. We know it was these acts the established President Lyndon B. Johnson''s "War On Poverty" program and laws that promised to lift poor people out of the dungeons of Poverty. Mr. President, history calls on you and the United States Congress to sign an Executive Order which gives poor people under Mary L. Hill, Founder and National Regional Director of the Community Service Administration by law. According to the acts Anti-poverty funds were earmarked for a specific purpose and in 1981 without a record vote congress repealed an Act signed into law by a duly elected President of the United States. We are the children of Israel and its time to Let My People Go.
Now is the time.
Sincerely,
Rubin Young, President
Blacks Organizing Leadership Development, BOLD
bold_inc@yahoo.com
every woman has a way to carry on a relationship with her husband. that is want get them growing. you as a accomplished, degreed person must have lost that during your studies. when you have a circle of influences that judge what you can''t get; you tend to hate with jealousy on my 1st lady. she is very charming and that what men like. Pres. O enjoys and respects his wife. she has plans to be focused on her family. that leaves him to be focused on us. what man doen''t want a supportive wife to come home to? Hillary made a very good statement that has influenced so many women in her past situatuion. Michele has done that same in her current situation. family will always come first. The fundalmental difference is that she is a virtueous woman. How many do you know like that in your circle. My husband and i carry on very much like the Obama''s. guess what? folks can''t buy what we have. a wholesome family communication, not a caveman style. if most woman spoke up with the spouses and got respect from their husbands, they wouldn''t have to sit in the back. many pastorial married teams carry on this way as well. the Obama girls have a great role model for a mom. i love them all, they are my family. we should all check ourselve and be happy for others. and she doesn''t have to wear designer clothes because she has a body that designer want to clothes. you go Michele!!!!
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