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/