President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle addressed the economic crisis, transition, national security, his cabinet, and even the presidential pooch in their first post-election interview with Steve Kroft from 60 Minutes last night. When asked about Hillary Clinton, who is rumored to be his Secretary of State pick, Obama said, "She is somebody who I needed advice and counsel from. She is one of the most thoughtful public officials that we have. Beyond that, you're not getting anything out of me," but that announcements are coming "soon."
Here are highlights from the interview:
- 60 Minutes: How's your life changed in the last ten days?
Barack Obama: Well, I tell you what, there seem to be more people hovering around me. That's for sure. And, on the other hand, I'm sleeping in my own bed over the last ten days, which is quite a treat. Michelle always wakes up earlier than I do. So listen to her roaming around and having the girls come in and, you know, jump in your bed. It's a great feeling. Yeah. - 60 Minutes: Has this been easier than the campaign trail?
Barack Obama: Well, it's different. I think that during the campaign it is just a constant frenetic, forward momentum. Here, I'm stationary. But the issues come to you. And we've got a lot of work to do. We've got a lot of problems, a lot of big challenges. - 60 Minutes: Have there been moments when you've said, 'What did I get myself into?'
Barack Obama: Surprisingly enough, I feel right now that I'm doing what I should be doing. That gives me a certain sense of calm. I will say that the challenges that we're confronting are enormous. And they're multiple. And so there are times during the course of a given a day where you think, 'Where do I start?'
To see what Barack said he's been concentrating on since the election, read more.
- 60 Minutes: What have you been concentrating on this week?
Barack Obama: Couple of things. Number one, I think it's important to get a national security team in place because transition periods are potentially times of vulnerability to a terrorist attack. We wanna make sure that there is as seamless a transition on national security as possible. Obviously the economy. Talking to top economic advisers about how we're gonna create jobs, how we get the economy back on track and what do we do in terms of some long-term issues like energy and health care. And how do we sequence those things in a way that we can actually get things through Congress?
To see the full transcript from the interview, visit the 60 Minutes website. Did you tune in, and if so, what did you think?









Ludd
Pieces
Hanii Y
It was completely fantastic. You can watch it here. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4608198n
1It was kind of cheestastic, but I liked it. I thought Michelle calling him out on all of his fibs was funny.
2Jessie I was laughing everytime she looked at him like wha?..LOL!
3i wish the transcriptionist had cut out all of the "gonnas" and "wannas". other than that - reading this was great. i dont know what it is about them, but they seem SO REAL -- and it's SO REFRESHING. wow! this is a wonderful time to be alive and watching this whole thing unfold.
4I'm watching it right now on the cbs site.
5Nope, don't care to hear him talk anymore. Now I want to see him act.
6I missed it
But I'll definitely check it out online!
7Nope changed the channel.
I had just eaten.
8I thought the interview was too cute. They were relaxed and Barry was cheesing after every sentence. And my favorite, bad ass Michelle cutting him off and shot him down when he said he wanted to take her on a walk. I was a little disappointed that they won't be getting the dog till late winter but that makes the most sense. The part about Malia being embarrassed after going to school on Nov. 5th was hilarious. Ok that's it.
/fawning
9Them haters, them haters.
10I watched it. It was a cute interview.
11I didn't get to see all of it, but have caught the first 10 minutes on the website (I expect to watch all of it eventually). They seemed cute, intelligent, and calm as usual.
12It was too cute. I love this first family! I love Michelle and how she is so sassy and calls him out on the silly things. Like when he says he wishes he could just go for a walk and she is like, WHAT!? You never go for walks! hahaha
13Good interview. I love Michelle and Barack's interaction with each other. I can't wait for him to put his plans into action as President starting Jan. 20, 2009 (as Obama has said there is only One President at a time and right now that's GW Bush).
14Nope didn't watch. I watched all my NASCAR championship programs (YEA JIMMY JOHNSON!!) then I watched the two hour American Prespective show on Jimmy Carter.
While watching the story of Jimmy Carter I realized why I've always had such deep respect for him and that I have a secret crush on Carter. Think it developed when I was little.
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