Obama On 60 Minutes: Interview Highlights

60 Minutes' Steve Kroft Interviewed The President At The White House On March 20, 2009

(CBS)  On Friday, March 20, 2009, 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft interviewed President Barack Obama at the White House. It was one of the longest interviews the president has granted since taking office.

When asked if he was surprised by the public outrage over the AIG bonus debacle, Obama said, "I wasn't surprised by it. Our team wasn't surprised by it. The one thing that I've tried to emphasize, though, throughout this week, and will continue to try to emphasize during the course of the next several months as we dig ourselves out of this economic hole that we're in, we can't govern outta anger."

Talking about criticism of his Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, the president told Kroft there has been no discussion about replacing him. When asked if Geithner had volunteered or asked whether to step down, Obama told Kroft, "No. And he shouldn't. And if he were to come to me, I'd say, 'Sorry, Buddy. You've still got the job.' But look, he's got a lot of stuff on his plate. And he is doing a terrific job. And I take responsibility for not, I think, having given him as much help as he needs."

Speaking about discussions on limiting executive compensation and bonuses and how firms fear they might lose top talent due to lower pay, the president said, "I've told them directly, 'cause I've heard some of this. They need to spend a little time outside of New York. Because you know, if you go to North Dakota, or you go to Iowa, or you go to Arkansas, where folks would be thrilled to be making $75,000 a year without a bonus, then I think they'd get a sense of why people are frustrated.

Asked if he was surprised at the depth of the recession when he took office, Obama told Kroft, "I don't think that we anticipated how steep the decline would be, particularly in employment. I mean if you look at just, you know, hundreds of thousands - now millions - of jobs being shed over the course of two months or three months, that slope is a lot steeper than anything that we've said we've seen before."

"Now, there's a potential silver lining, which may be that things are so accelerated now, the modern economy is so intertwined and wired, that things happen really fast for ill, but things may recover faster than they have in the past," he added.

Talking about Afghanistan, and what America's mission there should be, Obama said, "Making sure that al Qaeda cannot attack the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests and our allies. That's our number one priority. And in service of that priority there may be a whole host of things that we need to do. We may need to build up economic capacity in Afghanistan. We may need to improve our diplomatic efforts in Pakistan."

Commenting on former Vice President Dick Cheney's recent assertion that the closure of Guantanamo will make America more vulnerable to attack, Obama said, "I fundamentally disagree with Dick Cheney. Not surprisingly. You know, I think that Vice President Cheney has been at the head of a movement whose notion is somehow that we can't reconcile our core values, our Constitution, our belief that we don't torture, with our national security interests. I think he's drawing the wrong lesson from history."

"The facts don't bear him out. I think he is, that attitude, that philosophy has done incredible damage to our image and position in the world. I mean, the fact of the matter is after all these years how many convictions actually came out of Guantanamo? How many terrorists have actually been brought to justice under the philosophy that is being promoted by Vice President Cheney? It hasn't made us safer. What it has been is a great advertisement for anti-American sentiment. Which means that there is constant effective recruitment of Arab fighters and Muslim fighters against U.S. interests all around the world."

Finally, talking about his new role and how he and his family are adjusting to life and work in the White House, Obama said, "The bubble that the White House represents is tough. And one of the things that I am constantly struggling with is how to break out of it. And I've taken to the practice of reading ten letters selected from the 40,000 that we get every night, just to hear from voices outside of my staff. But the inability to just go, and you know, sit at a corner coffee shop and have a chat with people, or just listen to what folks are saying at the next table, that I think, is something that, as president, you've gotta constantly fight against."

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[1395_Days_left]

Oh please........Give me a break. What's the difference between "punch drunk" and "gallows humor" when talking about people being unemployed. I still think O'Bama's response was a poor answer for someone who's hurting. On another point, that was a really strong response to North Korea. I feel soooo much safer now that the UN will be producing another "statement" on NK missle program. The lefties in California who are pushing for more dialogue with NK should note one thing. They're getting closer - and I hope for all of our sake that - that is not galows humor.

[pensionbuilder]

Hey hopefull_American you are typical of an Obama voter.The most ignorant ,out to lunch voters mmaybe in the history of the world.

Do you not listen to this guy? Then watch what he doe
Look the guy read the wrong speech at the White House a couple of weeks ago from his telepromptor.
Did we see that everywhere? No not mentioned.
Now imagine Bush doing that ;it would play everywhere including SNL and all outlets for weeks if not months.

He is only about 1 thing and that is his power.That is all liberal socialists marxists are about.Read some history on Castro,Stalin etc... Pretty obvious.

Same people as Mr.Telepromptor.

He scares me with his lack of experience and his arrogance and I'm from Canada.

He does have almost all of the mainstream media on his side but you know what with a puke like this the truth will come out some where.I know it won't be on the news though because these folks are Obama people for now.

Lastly for all of you who voted for this fake person GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR RESDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH !!!

[pensionbuilder]

It is pretty funny watching and listening to the Obama defenders.I see we have some here big time.
So poor Mr. Obama did not have his teleprompter.He is certainly lost without it.
This is the guy you Americans are betting on.Wow do any of you listen to what he says?
The double standard is incredible with the last 2 presidents.
Goerge Bush being compared to Hitler and Stalin; but hey don't ask Mr. Teleprompter a direct tough question, you might offennd him and his idiot adminastration.

\I've never seen anyone as incompetent in a high profile position as this guy.He speaks and says nothing.Oh it sounds really slick but oh my God what a moron !!!

I normally would not care about who you Americans put in to the top position but I live in Toronto and we are very affected by what you guys do there.
So I'm very concerned with this socialist Marxist indoctrination.

The redistribution has started big time and many of you ,maybe half or so don't even understand what this means.You are the most ignorant ,out to lunch voters I've ever seen.(except maybe the people who voted in our idiot liberal socialist mayor here in TO)

You Obama lovers are not going to know what hit you in his first term.Your money and everyone who did not vote for him will shrink because of his redistribution methods.

I'm watching this happen in TO. Folks (including us) who are 6 figure people are leaving to go outside the mayors reach so his tax base is shrinking.Businesses are leaving also.

So good luck you Americans who love to take others money because many of you were not responsible enough to anti up and take repsonsibility for your own lives are piggy backing on the doers and achievers and workers.

That will only work for so long folks.
I mean we teach our children stuff that you folks don't even apply.

So to me the sooner this community organiser is out the better for all.
Too much power for a slick idiot like him.

[clharper23]

Steve Croft- you are the one who is punch drunk- You are so disrespectful and this was not the first time. Did you ever ask Bush if he was puch drunk- you are a disgrace Croft. I won't be watching 60 minutes anymore as long as you are on staff.

[brentdix]

I have a question 60 minutes, What happened, Steve Kroft made you look bad, It made what people though was a serious news program, seem apart of that "got cha journalism crowd". His interview with the president was sad. Mr Kroft wanted to be the news.
That's what's happening to most of the News programs 'got cha' I believe most of the people see it for what it is, Lazy reporting. Steve Kroft, you need to watch Jim Leher and Gwen Ifill I personally believe they are the only real journalist left. You lost your credibilty.

[volunteer2929]

Did Steve Kroft ever ask George Bush why he was so sarcastic, arrogant or why he had a smirk on his face-----------I didn't think so.

[lieb52]

I have watched 60 minutes for many years, but after Mr. Kroft's performace this past Sunday, I.m afraid I will no longer be watching it. You were very disrespectful to our president. He deserves a apology from you on national TV. I would say this no matter who the president was. With all the trouble in the world today, and especially with the American people, we need some laughter! To bad I am not the president of CBS, because if I was - you Mr. Kroft would be one of the millions of Americans looking for a job!

[woodyee]

Steve, I find this difficult to say, but rather than being punch-drunk, I believe the President was high on something. It would explain his laughing at the most inopportune moments. I'm grateful for the your "no nonsense" approach towards this interview. It is right for good reporters to probe elected officials lead them to expose their strengths as well as their weaknesses. I fear we've elected a well-spoken yet vulnerable and weak man to our highest office. Lord help us.......

[msufan1]

Is there a part 3 of the Obama interview? From your promos of the segment it said that you would be asking hard questions...I am still waiting!

The real prolem is that you probably thought that you DID ask hard questions!

[cleoseapines]

Shame on Steve Kroft for his unprofessional comments to President Obama on Sunday's 60 Minutes. It was rude of him to try to embarrass our new president on national TV. The president and his people are working tirelessly to solve a multitude of problems which they inherited and they deserve our support. This should be the last interview that President Obama grants to Mr. Kroft.

[chabul]

Steve, I have seen Walter Cronkite, you are no Walter Cronkite...or Ed Murrow...or Peter Jennings or Katiie Curic...you sir, lack professionalism and class. Ask questions, of course, any and all, mocking Presidents...what is inside of you that makes you think that is a good idea.

Information is what one would hope you were after, negatively characterizing a man, who is clearly much more comfortable in his skin than you, is pitiful. You tried to denigrate and mock a person to make yourself look like what?

Missed it Steve, you appeared pitiful, grabbing for headlines...THE BIG INTERVIEW...pitiful and out of step, sir. This man is on a plane you do not seem to be able to grasp or rise to when in conversation. If you speak to Presidents like this one shutters to think how you speak to others in your life. Get a grip!

[ahb78259]

Quite frankly I believe rather than bailing out AIG a second go around, costing each of us tax-payers $14,5xx dollars, perhaps President Obama should have provided this amount to each us tax payers to start spending money to stimulate the economy.

[wheresmybailout]

Kudos to Steve Kroft for actually asking some real questions. The main stream media have been very lax in asking things that are important to the "Chattering class". Everyone needs to get over how cool they think Obama is. He is an elected official that should be asked hard questions. By the People for the People!!!

[zom97]

Thank you for your censorship, dishonesty and outright pandering to the ruling party. Atta boy comrades. I'll never watch your piece of crap show again.

[ForEnsiCs---13]

I was looking forward to our President speaking on 60 minutes this past Sunday evening. Unfortunately, Steve Kroft was so stoic, so cold, so distant, and rude to the leader of our country, I became angry. How dare he ask the President if he was "punched drunk?" I truly felt that Kroft had no respect for President Obama. I felt that Kroft wanted to make our President feel uncomfortable, and pressured. That is not going to happen to President Obama. I am disappointed in 60 minutes, and especially disappointed in Kroft. Our President deserves an apology from 60 minutes and Mr. Kroft.

[chochip]

I am so angry with SK that it has been difficult for me to want to comment on the phase he used when speaking with President Obama. I understand now why people are so turned off by the news media. I am done with watching 60 minutes.

[shewhomustbeobeyed]

I am so angry I couldn't not comment on this. Steve Kroft was unforgivably rude to the leader of the free world during his interview. How dare he ask President Obama if he was punch drunk. How dare he ask such an impertanent question of our President when he and the rest of the hacks that call themselves journalists never, ever challenged Bush for any of his completely outrageous behavior. But according to all the MSM President Obama is either too serious or laughs too much. He is either too gloomy or isn't taking this crisis serious. He is either a great speaker with no substance or he can't speak without a teleprompter. If they hadn't become such lazy, usless, stupid talking heads, they may have been able to give the American people a heads up on what Bush was all about. They were scared to death to ask follow up questions to some of the most obvious and outrageous lies I've ever heard. Most of the time the questions they asked made sure the answers wouldn't mess up their cush jobs of slavishly following Bush around. Access was all they required and would do anything to get it. Now it seems, they've become so used to not having to work, that they forget that the man in the White house is our President and elected by a large margin and extremely popular with all of us out here. CBS needs to demand Steve Kroft appologize for forgetting his place and for forgetting that President Obama deserves at least the same respect they showed Bush. He should be respected for thinking that helping to solve the disasterous, chaotic, steaming pile of garbage Bush created is a privelege and for having the courage to take on all of this and two wars without crying about how hard his job is. People who earn their salary by reading talking points and playing gotcha journalism are part of the problem. They need to become part of the solution.

[rebekah01]

I am very disappointed with one of Mr. Kroft's question to President Obama: asking him if he was 'punched drunk'. It was condisending and showed a lack of respect. I wonder if he would have ever asked Mr Bush such a disrespectful question. Mr Kroft seemed very aggitated and impatient with the President over the economic crisis. The President laughed a little which, at least took some of the tension out of some very slanted questions about his treasury secretary, and then tried to clarify and simplify certain points of the economic crisis. He was after all a great teacher. On the other hand the vibes coming from Mr Kroft were unpleasant - it was like he was talking down to someone whom he thought was not capable or qualified or merited the position of being the President of the United States of America.

It was a marked difference from the Jay Leno show (interview), where although a comedy venue, he was showed cordiality and respect.

Please never forget that whatever you may think of him, he is the President of the United States, The most powerful person in the world, and should be treated as such. The whole world is watching.

[rainyo]

60 minutes is past its prime! To treat any President the way that Kroft did is totally unacceptable. Its too bad that that a valued and respected news program has moved so low to be just another sensational bit of fluff on the network. Sad, sad, sad !!!
rainyo

[grich1]

Much has been made of President Obama laughing during last night?s interview with your Steve Kroft. To me the much larger issue was Steve Kroft?s disrespectful demeanor. He came across as a middle school teacher attempting to chastise an unruly student that had snickered during his lecture.

Of course the President was too dignified to put him in his place, but quite frankly I wish he had called him out. CBS, it's on you.