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Obama And The Presidency

November 17, 2008 3:11 AM

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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Add a Comment See all 46 Comments


by changeishere November 17, 2008 3:09 AM EST: Awesome Interview: You can send President-Elect Barack Obama a message at www.WhatWouldYouSayToThePresident.com; Reply to this comment


by imsharaf November 17, 2008 3:19 AM EST: i always admired him but i still hope that he understand the middle east and iraq the same way that he understands the united states and that he knows the history of the world the same way he knows the history of the united states , only time will be able to reveal that not only words , but i still admire him for every thing he said too; Reply to this comment


by haiku123 November 17, 2008 3:44 AM EST: It is such a pleasure to watch Pres. elect Obama. Finally there will be a grown up in charge again. All my good wishes are with him and his beautiful family as he assumes this terrible burden.; Reply to this comment


by mkcarpino November 17, 2008 4:19 AM EST: I really enjoyed this interview. Promising, is the word that comes to mind. I really thought the comment he made about speeches was great. Americans are, indeed, not looking for speeches, they are looking for actions and this is the man that I believe will act. Bravo!; Reply to this comment


by awisechoice November 17, 2008 4:28 AM EST: I wish "everyone" would give President-Elect Obama a chance. Everyone seems to be giving him advice, sending him memo''s on how to go forward, naming his cabinet members before he has a chance, and second-guessing all of his decisions. I think everyone is now considering whether a possible mistake was made with this election. I say, "heck no." The right decision was made based on what Mr. Obama demonstrated to the public during his run and compared to what he was running against. Remember? That why he was elected. He has an enormous mess (8 years worth) to clean up and it will not be easy for him or for anyone else. He has assembled the best minds, not because he is dumb, but because he is extraordinarily smart and recognizes the extreme dilemma facing our Nation. We are in BIG trouble, thanks to Mr. Bush. Too bad, the same type of scrutiny could not have been visited upon the Bush Administration. --- President-Elect Obama, you have my support. ---- Gerri Wise, Gary, Indiana; Reply to this comment


by jpeezee1 November 17, 2008 4:43 AM EST: atleast he knows what he reads, Unlike sarah palin.This guy is smart,humble,and patient and he will get the job done; Reply to this comment


by margaretferr November 17, 2008 4:54 AM EST: I am encouraged that Mr. Obama is willing to look carefully at every option to get our country back on track, that he cares what happens to all Americans and that he is humble enough to ask advice from all the great thinkers of our times. We do need government help to cure the excesses and to get our country moving in the 21st century. I like what he says about re-establishing trust with the American people. He has a difficult and confusing mess to handle, problems that seem incurable. Yet he is willing to put himself on the line and I am willing to accept his leadership during that time of change. I won''t be simple and easy, but "Yes, we can" make the changes we must make. I am grateful to have a thoughtful and willing eader for our country.; Reply to this comment


by xzonz November 17, 2008 6:29 AM EST: Exellent interview! i urge everybody to do their part and help build America. Ultimately we will be doing it for ourselves, coz we are the ones who will benefit.GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by cdianerodger November 17, 2008 8:13 AM EST: Bravo, Bravo!
This was an excellent interview. I am very proud to say that I voted for President-Elect Obama. I am very encouraged to have such an open-minded leader. Both President-Elect Barack and First Lady Michelle have inspired so many Americans to do more and be more. Wow! I''m loving it... My prayers will go forth to God for this family and the transition team daily. May God bless the Obama''s and may God bless America.; Reply to this comment


by monzi37 November 17, 2008 10:18 AM EST: I read comments like zeroKnots and I think, wow another McCain fan scorn.

Reality check; Barack Obama is the president-elect primarily because Republicans had 8 years under George Bush to increase government more than we have ever had, increase our deficit to levels that are astronomical and America''s reputation around the world is the worse than it ever been.

GIVE THIS MAN A CHANCE TO TRY AND FIX THE MESS THAT HE HAS INHERITED! Instead of spending your time tearing down the man that will also be your president, why don''t Republicans go through their roster, find someone that did not graduate almost last in there class, and make a run for presidency on an intellectual platform and not one of fear, negative campaigning and whining.

I wish McCain supporters were as gracious as he was when he lost the election, you all could take a note from the man that YOU wanted to be president,; Reply to this comment


by istanbul33 November 17, 2008 10:23 AM EST: i am happy that he is focused.; Reply to this comment


by sexydemocrat November 17, 2008 10:25 AM EST: Zeroknots you didn''t enjoy the interview maybe you could find something useful out of those Viagra commercials.

Be a little positive, we need change and Obama''s the man.; Reply to this comment


by sexydemocrat November 17, 2008 10:27 AM EST: Zeroknots you didn''t enjoy the interview maybe you could find something useful out of those Viagra commercials.

Be a little positive, we need change and Obama''s the man.; Reply to this comment


by jivaka-2009 November 17, 2008 11:26 AM EST: I would have loved to have seen the Obama interview, but all I saw was the Viagra adds that kept repeating without the interview coming on! I will certainly consider Viagra.; Reply to this comment


by astardrifter November 17, 2008 12:20 PM EST: Let''s all be as negative as possible; after all it IS our first amendment prerogative. Helpful to the country? Probable not.
To Obama critics: what DO you want him to say? WHAT would be good enough for you? Aside from him stepping down, which still wouldn''t help the GOP? So you want him to spell out every step before he''s inaugurated? Bush didn''t...ever.
Let the guy see what he can do. If he fails, then we''ll all complain.; Reply to this comment


by changeit4 November 17, 2008 4:38 PM EST: I am willing to invest 3 minutes of my life on a zero. Do you read (let alone proofread) your posts? You sound like W with your blather. Nonetheless, the ignorant deserve to see the facts too.

Here goes: The big government you cite has engorged itself these last 8 years at the expense of all of us, and it did so at the reins of the corrupt incompetence of the Republicans.

Name-calling is for nancy-boys. And you''re good at it.

He''s your president now too. Get busy helping to fix this mess (cause it''s yours also) or get packing. Be productive or at least constructive. Presently, you''re neither, sir.; Reply to this comment


by pimppio November 17, 2008 5:03 PM EST: Why does zero keep using "girls" as a derogatory term?

Also, wasn''t it the republicans who preached to democrats about "standing by your president" after each of Bush''s repeated blunders? (maybe it was just my republican friends) So why not stand by your president-elect? He hasn''t even had the opportunity to ruin the country yet; Reply to this comment


by rene65-2009 November 17, 2008 6:00 PM EST: I have read several of the post. Oviously some cannot except the fact we have a new president. Get the over it. The Republicans have turned state of depression. None of the negative remarks would be said if the president elect was white. Get over it, face the fact we have an intelligent person in office, who has to correct the mess that President Bush has created...I am glad that he and is dyfunctional family is out of the White House. If Hilliary had won, I country would still would have a better chance. The Republicans don''t give a care about any class of people except the upper class....; Reply to this comment


by mikaoh November 17, 2008 7:00 PM EST: President-Elect Obama is well spoken and he does answer the questions he is asked (with a few minor details left out re: his cabinet announcements).

This is a period of transition and he is being briefed on and is in regular contact with leaders, past and present. These are important things which make me feel at ease with the process. I believe he lives in the "what is" and not worried about what "might" happen or trying to "point blame" on past issues. That''s what I find most appealing about him.
No doubt not everyone will find him calming. We should only continue converstions that are constructive in nature, ignore any bantering. There will always be those who love to try suck us in and we should not stoop to their level. Just like the TV ads that used scare tactics, they only work if you let them.; Reply to this comment


by anelson03-2009 November 17, 2008 7:07 PM EST: zeroknots: True independent-minded Americans are those who think rationally and have rallied behind Obama''s intelligent leadership. Anyone who thinks they are being independent because they supported W. Bush or Palin has a fundamental misunderstanding of what independent thinking is. Independence means choosing presidential leadership that is curious about learning ("elitism" anyone?) at both the abstract and practical levels, and not someone you can relate to because they are a good ol'' boy who you want to have a beer with. If you say you don''t know who Obama is or what any of his specific plans are by now, it is time to look at the self-hatred or downright racism you are carrying in your soul. Good riddance to you Bush bots'' pathetic gut approach.; Reply to this comment


by mommareenie November 17, 2008 7:15 PM EST: I love you President elect Obama, I love your wife and I lover your children. We stand behind you 100%. We, the American people will help you help us get this country back on its feet.; Reply to this comment


by core43 November 17, 2008 7:49 PM EST: I believe he has some definate ideas, Keep in mind, he''s just a man, Not a God. Not a salvation or a cure-all. He may not be able to do anything in this term alone. Keep that in mind America, before we breath a sigh of relief, it''s only a changing of the guards.; Reply to this comment


by uniquemetal November 17, 2008 7:57 PM EST: Amazing! I watched this interview and I could not stop smiling. There is something gorgeous about Barack and Michelle.

Please keep them safe, America.

All my best and I wish them all the success and happiness in the years ahead for Barack and Michelle and family.

Mr. Kimmo; Reply to this comment


by wooooozee November 17, 2008 7:58 PM EST: I''m baffled that so many resist elevating our public discourse. Please explain: isn''t dissent fundamental to a healthy democracy? Isn''t it a requirement that we question our leaders or did I get our founding fathers wrong? It seems to me that the world stood behind our president after 9/11 - we ALL stood behind him at this time. He has proven himself not to be worthy of that trust by squandering our good will.

I did not vote for Barak Obama - I voted down the line for the Green/working party ticket. Now that he is president, however, I will give him the same support and good will I have given to all our presidents because, giving it to them is really giving it to ALL of my countrymen/women.; Reply to this comment


by anelson03-2009 November 17, 2008 8:00 PM EST: zeroknots: It is all well and good to claim to respect conservative principles. When was the last time we had a Republican Presidential candidate who knew them or the philosophies behind them? When was the last time we had a Republican presidential candidate who was publicly proud of reading Descartes, Socrates, Plato, not to mention Aristotle, Jefferson or those he may disagree with, such as Rousseau or Engels? I will take a liberal who knows both liberal and conservative principles any day over a self-proclaimed conservative who claims to rely on others for most of his or her book learning. We have had leaders who cynically claim to analyze problems using gut instinct in the U.S. for the past 40 years. Those are not conservative principles.; Reply to this comment


by wooooozee November 17, 2008 8:14 PM EST: I''m baffled that so many resist elevating our public discourse. Please explain: isn''t dissent fundamental to a healthy democracy? Isn''t it a requirement that we question our leaders or did I get our founding fathers wrong? It seems to me that the world stood behind our president after 9/11 - we ALL stood behind him at this time. He has proven himself not to be worthy of that trust by squandering our good will.

I did not vote for Barak Obama - I voted down the line for the Green/working party ticket. Now that he is president, however, I will give him the same support and good will I have given to all our presidents because, giving it to them is really giving it to ALL of my countrymen/women.; Reply to this comment


by wooooozee November 17, 2008 8:30 PM EST: in terms of republicans following principals - what are they exactly? does the rampant spending and deregulation and spending our children''s environmental future fit into those principals? what happened to their stated umm...christian ideals...like, i don''t know, taking care of the littlest, more vulnerable among us? despising usery of any kind, isn''t that a big thing with the Jesus people? oh, and lest we forget, do unto others? judge, not...blah blah blah

What i''ve seen of that party is one that would undo all of Lincoln''s work. I see a party so blindly devoted to the paper dollar that they mistake it for God. I''m no Christian (at least not the tell others what they can and can''t do kind) but I believe I see in Barak Obama the kind of approach to problem solving and communal discourse I could be proud of as a human being, never mind an American.

we have behaved badly, like goliath around our planet. we are not david anymore. we''ve turned into a greedy tick on the bum of our planet. AND I SAY WE. so, for every finger you point at someone else, 4 are pointed in your own direction.; Reply to this comment


by apex157x November 17, 2008 9:51 PM EST: YOU ARE MY CHILDREN, SO BE VARY GOOD,!!!; Reply to this comment


by perrenialflo November 17, 2008 10:48 PM EST: In sailing ''zero knots'' would indicate a lack of forward motion. Hmmm...how appropriate...; Reply to this comment


by mg3659 November 17, 2008 10:50 PM EST: BRILLIANT AND RADIANT; Reply to this comment


by sexydemocrat November 18, 2008 2:18 AM EST: WE ALL HAVE BREATHED THE SAME AIR, IT IS THE SAME AIR PASSED THROUGH THE LIPS OF HITLER,GHANDI,STALIN,SOCRATES,MOTHER THERESA,BOB DYLAN, AND OURSELVES.GOOD OR BAD,IF WE COULD ALL COME TOGETHER EMBRACE EVERYDAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE WE CAN PASS THIS TO ARE CHILDREN IN HOPE OF A BETTER POSITIVE FUTURE. THIS IS GOING TO BE NO PIECE OF CAKE LOOK AT THE WAY THINGS ARE HEADING FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN WITH THE FEAR OF GLOBAL WARMING. AT THIS TIME WE CAN NOT LOOK AT IT AS EVERYMAN FOR HIMSELF. LIFE IS JUST TO SHORT. I''M PROUD OF OBAMA AND ALL THE FACES OF JOY THAT NIGHT AT GRANT PARK THAT HELPED MAKE HISTORY! AS FOR YOU "ZEROKNOTS" YOU CALL ME AN "OBAMINITE" THAT IS NO INSULT. EVERY MORNING I WAKE UP STILL SMILING. LOOK AT IT THIS WAY WE DO AGREE THAT WE DISAGREE.; Reply to this comment


by sugie83 November 18, 2008 2:19 AM EST: President Elect Barrack Obama. I hope you know how much you are loved. You will be respected by the American people, because you are inspirational,intelligent and you care about all the people and America. You don''t talk about your faith, the people see it. Thank you for wanting to do this task as President. We are so honored that you would take on the American people as part of your life and heart. Your family is so beautiful and we pray that God watch over them and keep them. We pray for your strength, your mind, your health and your safety. Thank God for a man who loves and honours his wife, loves his children, and has a heart for the poor. You live a life that is honorable and you and Michelle are a great example for America. Thank God for a president who is inteligent, thoughtful, has common sense and the wisdom of God. You are annointed to do good and may no weapon formed against you prosper. God Bless you and your family.; Reply to this comment


by wachnick November 18, 2008 6:15 PM EST: Dear President Barack Obama,

I am an immigrant (legal!) from Poland and I work at university in Miami. I was very, very happy to hear that you won the presidency on November 4th. You represent hope to all immigrants and citizens in this country and we count on you and believe that you will fix this country.; Reply to this comment


by ploov November 18, 2008 7:44 PM EST: An eight year old nightmare is soon over, and the USA can more earnestly become a nation with justice and liberty for all. How beautiful!; Reply to this comment


by ploov November 18, 2008 7:47 PM EST: An eight year old nightmare is soon over, and the USA can more earnestly, after more than 200 years, become a nation with justice and liberty for all. How beautiful!; Reply to this comment


by brownfoxsa November 18, 2008 11:22 PM EST: President Elect Obama - Thank you for treating your audience with respect, speaking clearly and honestly about your new role and responsibilities. How refreshing after the act that you are following! Please don''t allow yourself to fall victim to the inevitable pressures for secrecy and political expediency in your communications with the country. Treat us as thinking adults, even when we don''t act like it. Demand of us that we look beyond narrow self-interest and take on a world view.

We will work to support you and your vision that elevates us all.; Reply to this comment


by brownfoxsa November 18, 2008 11:23 PM EST: President Elect Obama - Thank you for treating your audience with respect, speaking clearly and honestly about your new role and responsibilities. How refreshing after the act that you are following! Please don''t allow yourself to fall victim to the inevitable pressures for secrecy and political expediency in your communications with the country. Treat us as thinking adults, even when we don''t act like it. Demand of us that we look beyond narrow self-interest and take on a world view.

We will work to support you and your vision that elevates us all.; Reply to this comment


by sheilahr1 November 19, 2008 12:16 AM EST: Let''s hope that we will see all the things we have fought for come to fruition. With the election of Barak Obama I have a feeling this will come to pass.; Reply to this comment


by menghua17 November 19, 2008 12:35 AM EST: messy code%uFF1FOh%uFF0CChinese Characters can''t be displayed here ,hehe...it''s really a good website to learn english,I hope we can improved ourselves together:); Reply to this comment


by tempest112 November 19, 2008 2:42 PM EST: America has a 57 Trillion Plus pound Gorilla is clinging to the back of the American economy. To fix the problem we have to pay the debt down. Look at the following SDR Loan Cycles Options:
*
Basic Debt Consolidation (BDC) Loan requires 1000 individuals to donate $10.00 plus tax. The following defines how the $10.00 donation will be processed.
$ 5.00 One (1) $5,000 Zero Compound interest loan. The individual who receives the loan will have 250 monthly payments of $25.00.
$ 3.00 The fixed trust must be used to purchase issued international U.S. Treasury Bills.
$ 2.00 Operational Expenses
$10.00
The affect of this loan would place $55.00 per month back in the recipients pocket and increase available loan funds by $20.00 per month.

SDR Statement of Mission calls for the reduction of personal and public debt. The above demonstrates how the plan works to address personal debt. With energetic marketing the SDR Program can generate a minimum of 17.4 Billion USD in recovered international treasuries. At that level of participation we will generate a minimum of 73,500 Loans. As these loans are repaid these funds are used to increase the number of loans issued and insure continued participation and income to purchase America%u2019s international debt.; Reply to this comment


by baruchzed November 19, 2008 6:28 PM EST: It is such a relief to listen to a president (elect) who speaks intelligently, who discusses ideas rather than putting forth meaningless slogans, and who clearly is a self possessed person.; Reply to this comment


by baruchzed November 19, 2008 6:29 PM EST: It is such a relief to listen to a president (elect) who speaks intelligently, who discusses ideas rather than putting forth meaningless slogans, and who clearly is a self possessed person.; Reply to this comment


by sstg_goose November 19, 2008 10:10 PM EST: May he do his job well. *Knock on wood.; Reply to this comment


by Realnewsquestor March 22, 2009 11:36 PM EDT: While I really enjoyed the interview and thought it was conducted well by Steve Croft, I thought the photography inside was done poorly. Michael Radutzky and Frank Devine are reportedly the photographers. The outside photography was good but the photos taken of the President inside could have been better. Steve Croft was shown in a much more favorable frame.; Reply to this comment