Brian Williams interviews Barack Obama (on Hillary, Wall Street, Iraq, MoveOn, etc.)

[Colobo]

BRIAN WILLIAMS: How do you think it is that so many polls show Senator Clinton as the agent of change?

BARACK OBAMA: Well, you know, the truth is that Senator Clinton I think is the default candidate for a lot of Democrats. People who have fond memories of Bill Clinton and his administration. And they still are less familiar with me. They remember me from a speech in 2004. They have favorable views of me, but I don't think they have a clear sense of what my agenda is.

That takes more time. In Iowa and in New Hampshire and in the early states, people are starting to get a better sense of me. But until then, you're not gonna see a lot of change. And so, I don't anticipate a big shift in the national polls until after the early primary states, where we're able to concentrate our resources and deliver our message more effectively.
<...>
BRIAN WILLIAMS: How do you and Senator Clinton get along?

BARACK OBAMA: You know, obviously, when you're in competition in the midst of a campaign, you're not as buddy buddy as you might have been previously. But you know, I have high regard for Senator Clinton. I think she is a smart, capable person.

I think that our other candidates on the Democratic side have strengths and have been making their best cases to the voters. And so, you know, the way I try to describe this is that we're all on the same team and everybody's trying out for quarterback. And you know, once the-- once positions are decided, then everybody's gonna go out on the field and do our best to-- to win the game.

BRIAN WILLIAMS: High regard is one of those Washington phrases.

BARACK OBAMA: (LAUGHTER) Well, look. The-- you know, it-- I think that Senator Clinton is a terrific senator for New York. And obviously, I wouldn't be running if I didn't think that I could make a better President at this time, at this moment in history. But you know, there is enormous talent on the Democratic side (UNINTEL) and I think that whoever the Democratic nominee is will be the next President of the United States.

Much more at:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20826221/

[TwilightGardener]

1. Good interview--I liked his football analogy. I get the sense he's really

not crazy about Hillary, but he's classy and hides it well.

[Colobo]

2. Kicking for the benefit of those who haven't read it.

[illinoisprogressive]

3. no, Obama and Hillary are not crazy about the other. at all.

[sandnsea]

4. Video too, long interview

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?f=00&g=ce746ee9-c883-4152-97ed-78390f1c3a0e&p=Source_NBC%20News%20Web%20Extra&t=m5&rf=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20826221&fg=">watch video

He talks about the mortgage industry going awry, need for regulation, income disparity, Iraq, the campaign, all kinds of things. He also said that he would have advised Moveon to go after Bush, that he was sad that the Republicans got the distraction, but he didn't say anything negative about Moveon at all. Also said he's running because he believes we need a new vision for the next generation and century. Very good interview.

[killbotfactory]

5. Imagine if we had a president who was thoughtful and intelligent

instead of the current dufus.

[Adelante]

6. Elegant is the word

:)

[hisownpetard]

8. Oh, absolutely - great word choice to describe Obama - and a quality that's been missing

since Jack and Jackie Kennedy lived in the WH.

[Grandrose]

7. Fantastic interview! (K&R)

Loved it and one needs to read the whole interview! Thanks so much for posting!:applause: :kick:

[Cameron27]

9. That's a great interview,

he handled the move on controversy exactly right. A+ on all points, and he didn't have to go negative to do it.