Obama Interview: Clinton, Family and a Future Administration

Brian Williams had a 20-minute sit down interview with Barack Obama today and the entire thing is available online.

I have jumped onto the Obama train already - about a month ago - but this is an impressive interview to learn a little bit more about our next President.

There is not a ton of policy detail, to quickly head off that criticism.  If you want to come here to complain about that, then I'll save you the time.  But these are the kind of interviews that drive voter opinion.  Obama comes across so well covering a range of issues.  He is poised, thoughtful, humorous at times and just in complete control.  I am not a huge fan of Brian Williams - he sometimes comes across as rather snide to me - but I have to say, it sure seemed like Obama had Williams eating out of his hand.  It really seemed like Williams was a bit in awe.  I tell you - I see the criticism here that the media is too nice to Obama and they will turn on him.... I'm sure they will, but I also get the sense that many will find it harder to turn on him.  They sense something special here and I think they realize they could be a part of history too - the face on the tv reporting on this special time in history.

As for the interview, Obama addresses the issue of his lack of foreign policy experience.  He also, of course, is asked about Hillary Clinton's more aggressive tactics of late which he so cooly handles.  He has a way of seeming above it, but still addressing the criticism at the same time.  It is truly remarkable.

This was tried in Iowa to some degree and it didn't work.  I don't think its going to work here.  The people are in a different mood right now.  They aren't interested in petty nitpicking.

He just difuses it all with a smile and a way of making the race not be about him and Hillary, but about the American people.  I think that is what he will be able to do so well with Republican attacks too.

He talks about what it means to be in this historical position as an African-American.  It is a good thing because it will make people feel good about the progress this country has made, but it won't win him the Presidency.  He also addresses his own personal safety which is a really scary topic as we go forward here.  

The questions than turn to his family and not seeing his kids.

Williams: How have you found ways around the physical separation from your two daughters who have their own lives to lead and homework assignments due and all of that?

Obama: I haven't.  It's the part of this thing there is no upside to.

As a parent, that answer hit home with me and I'm sure it will connect with many parents.  There is no sugar-coating it.  This campaign has been bad for his family life.  There is nothing you can say to make it sound ok.  

Later, Williams asked him the question that every candidate should have a good answer for -  why he wants to run for President now.

I want to see a government that reflects the decency of the American people.  And I want to make sure that at the end of my life when I look back, I can say, you know what, America's stronger, there's greater racial equality, that there's greater economic opportunity, that my daughters are having the same opportunities as if I had had sons, that we are respected around the world - that they can get on a plane and travel somewhere and not be in fear of getting blown up.  I want those things for them.  And I concluded somewhere in the last year and a half, two years that I might be able to offer the country something that helps deliver on that promise.

As the discussion had just been about his daughters, I certainly understand how the answer to this question got framed around them, but in the end, its what most of us want - a better world and country for our children.

The last thing I'll touch on was a question about who would advise him in an Obama administration.  He talked about a list of names including some that were current advisors and then other names like Sam Nunn and Dick Lugar to discuss nuclear proliferation, Al Gore about the environment

If any President, Democrat or Republican is not talking to him about solving climate change, then I think there's a dereliction of duty.

That's nice to hear for sure.

He even mentioned Colin Powell and Warren Buffett.  His point wasn't that these people would all be on his staff, but that he would seek out a variety of opinions from the best minds in the country and listen, then make a decision.

The great thing about a President is nobody is going to say no to you, if that President is willing to listen.

(Emphsis mostly his.)

OK.. i've probably quoted too much.  IF you're an Obama fan or just trying to get used to the idea of him as our nominee, check out the clip.