by John McCormick
WILMINGTON, Del. – Sen. Barack Obama is about to appear here for his only public campaign appearance of the day, before returning to Chicago to watch the Super Bowl at home.
Before flying here, he appeared this morning on "Face the Nation" on CBS.
The transcript from the show is below the jump.
02.03.08 Face the Nation – Sen. Obama interviewed by Bob Schieffer
Bob Schieffer: And with us now from St. Louis, Missouri, Senator Barack Obama. Senator, thank you for joining us. I want to show you something I think you're going to like to see here. The front page of the Washington Post today and what it says is that Obama and Clinton are now even in the national polls. Senator, since the Democrats, when they go to the polls in all these primaries on Tuesday, it's proportional representation. Nobody is going to get all the delegates. What would you consider a good night?
Barack Obama: Well, as you said, I think the race is close all across the country. There will be some states where I anticipate Senator Clinton will do well. Her home state of New York, in California, she had a big lead that we're chipping away on. My home state of Illinois, we'll do well. But I think that we want to make sure that we're getting a good chunk of delegates and we think that we can win a lot of states that traditionally haven't taken a look at Democrats. I was in Idaho yesterday. We were up in Boise. We had 13,000 people come out to a rally. Keep in mind that four years ago, only 5,000 people participated in the Democratic caucus. I think that's one of the untold stories of this campaign, is the enormous turnout that we've been seeing in the first four early states. If we continue to bring people who haven't been voting, younger voters, Independents and even some disenchanted Republicans, then I think we'll do pretty well.
Bob Schieffer: Let me ask you about what you said in Colorado. You asked Democrats to avoid choosing a nominee that would galvanize Republicans. Why do you think Senator Clinton would galvanize them more than you would?
Barack Obama: Well, I think there is some history there. Not all of Senator Clinton's making. But I don't think there's any doubt that the Republicans consider her a polarizing figure. Now, keep in mind I don't expect that, should I become the Democratic nominee, that I'm going to be immune from some of the attacks that I think the Republican spin machine is so accustomed to. But what we have found—this was true in Illinois when I was running for the United States Senate, I think it's going to be true nationally—is that the tone that I take, the ability to disagree without being disagreeable, the willingness to listen to Republicans about some of their ideas even though I may not agree with all of them, I think that creates a different climate. I think that we can attract Independents and Republicans in a way that Senator Clinton cannot. I thought it was pretty revealing when you look at the Nevada race, for example, where Senator Clinton won the caucus vote. But if you look at where votes came from, she got a lot of votes from Clark County, from traditional Democrats that I think would easily gravitate to my candidacy. On the other hand, I got a lot of votes in northern rural Nevada, where you've got a lot of Independents and a lot of Republicans. We did very well there. So I think I can get some votes that Senator Clinton cannot get. That broadens the political map. I think it bodes well for the election, but more importantly, it bodes well for us being able to govern and actually deliver on promises like health care for all people or making college more affordable or trying to put together an energy policy that actually makes sense for America. Those are going to be the kinds of difficult issues where we need a working majority for change. That's something I think I can put together.
Bob Schieffer: You brought up Nevada, which is why I bring this up. Nevada, as we've all learned to say it now, she got the Hispanic vote. She got a lot of the Hispanic vote. Do you think there is a brown-black divide, Senator?
Barack Obama: You know, I really don't see it. In Illinois, when I ran for the United States Senate, I got 75% of the Hispanic vote. In Iowa, where we had time to campaign and Hispanic voters knew my track record of working on issues that help with the education of Hispanic kids and have a comprehensive immigration strategy that will deal with the problem in a way that isn't just having it used as a political football, we actually won in Hispanic precincts. So my challenge has always been to make sure that the Hispanic voters know who I am. In Nevada, we didn't have as much time as we needed. I think that we've made considerable progress partly because of terrific support from Hispanic elected officials around the country. I think Ted Kennedy's support was important because he was able to highlight the work that I had done on comprehensive immigration reform. We just recently received the endorsement of La Opinion, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the country. So I think we're closing the gap. There's no doubt that Senator Clinton is still more familiar with them than they are with me but I think that that is changing. I think we're making enormous progress.
Bob Schieffer: All right. We're going to take a one-minute break here, Senator. We'll come back and talk about ... we'll continue talking about this very thing in just a second.
Video: Barack Obama: So they told me there weren't any Democrats in Idaho.
Commercial.
Bob Schieffer: We're back now with Senator Barack Obama. Senator, the Clinton campaign has let it be known that Bill Clinton is going to be watching the Super Bowl today with Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Do you think they're trying to make this a de facto endorsement by Bill Richardson? And again, is this a play for the Hispanic vote, do you think?
Barack Obama: Well, Bill Richardson has run a terrific campaign. He is an extraordinarily well-regarded governor. I suspect that they're going to be watching the game. That's what I'm going to be doing. So probably for at least three hours you're not going to see too much politics going on. As I said earlier, I think we're making enormous progress with the Latino vote. I feel confident that we can do well. The important thing, whether it's Latino voters, African American voters, white voters, there's enormous economic anxiety in the country right now. People are worried about losing their homes because of the subprime lending crisis and the impact it's having on the housing market generally. We have seen that from the job numbers and the growth numbers that just came out this week that we are definitely moving into a slowdown and probably a recession. And so it's important that we get a tax stimulus package done quickly, that we extend unemployment insurance for the long-term unemployed, we get money into people's pockets so they can start spending. But more importantly, we have a long-term strategy to create more fairness in our economy, that we have tax breaks not for the wealthy but for working class Americans. I've proposed a middle class tax cut, $1,000 for every family making less than $75,000 a year, eliminating taxes for seniors who make less than $50,000, extending the mortgage deductions so that homeowners who have modest homes are more likely to be able to pay a lower interest rate. Those are the kinds of things that I think all voters are going to be concerned about. That's what we're emphasizing in these last few weeks of the campaign.
Bob Schieffer: I want to get back to that in just a second, but since we were talking about Bill Clinton, he does seem to have tamped it down a little bit since South Carolina. Do you think he may have... may believe that what he said down there backfired?
Barack Obama: I think you'd have to ask Senator Clinton or President Clinton that. I know that we were very pleased to see the people of South Carolina push away some of the politics of the past. There had been a lot of emphasis during that week of campaigning in South Carolina about race and the divide between black and white voters. And it turned out that, in fact, you had voters, I think, make a judgment about who can take this country to the future. We have always believed that people want to get past some of these divisions to actually solve problems. That's one of the premises of my campaign. And I think that the people are responding in a way that gives me confidence. We can have a politics that is less based on black versus white, or young versus old, or even rich versus poor, but is more based on how we're going to move the country forward to get things done.
Bob Schieffer: Senator, after the recent debate, a lot of people started talking about what—or the Democrats did at least—about what they called a dream ticket with you and Senator Clinton. People were saying the two of you on one ticket would be stronger than either one of you on a ticket. How does that sit with you?
Barack Obama: Well, I think it would be presumptuous for me to think that Senator Clinton was interested in taking a vice presidential slot at this point. I think she is running actively for the presidency, as I am. But I think that there's no doubt that Democrats are eager to unify against the Republicans. It looks at this point like Senator McCain may end up being the nominee. There is a vast difference between my philosophy and John McCain's. He essentially wants to continue the Bush economic policy that has led to such big problems here in this country. He has staked his presidency on following the Bush agenda when it comes to foreign policy. I think in both cases there is going to be a sharp contrast between an Obama candidacy and a John McCain candidacy in terms of where we want to take the country. John McCain is going to want to continue the Bush program. I want a clean break from it so we can move the country forward.
Bob Schieffer: Senator, do you think it's going to wind up that if you get the nomination that it's most likely you're going to be running against John McCain?
Barack Obama: Well, it looks like that at this point. But as we've learned, predictions are very difficult in this political season. It's volatile. We've got a lot of strong candidates. I'm sure Mitt Romney is going to continue to try to campaign vigorously. Right now McCain seems to have the advantage. Whether it's McCain or Romney, both of them have essentially embraced a Bush economic policy that extends tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans to the exclusion of solving a lot of the domestic problems like health care. On foreign policy, both have suggested that we should continue the war in Iraq. John McCain suggested that we should be there 50, 60, 100 years. I think that's not the kind of change that the American people are looking for.
Bob Schieffer: All right. Well Senator, thank you very much. I must say, we've had many interviews along the way. I've noticed that no matter what question I've asked you this morning, you've managed to get a little bit of your message into it, no matter what the question was. Thank you very much for joining us. We wish you the best.
Barack Obama: Bob, thank you so much. Enjoy the Super Bowl.
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Comments
Clinton II, McCain and Romney were also on the Sunday morning talk shows. Where's the transcript of THEIR remarks, John?
http://www.redstate.com/ has excerpts of what the non-Obama candidates said on these shows.
Posted by: Peter Zenger | February 3, 2008 1:03 PM
go obama.
He's in the LEAD in california.
Posted by: fj | February 3, 2008 1:43 PM
Senator Obama has a superb vision for his Presidency, his VP choice should not contaminate that vision by tying him to old politics no matter how "dream team" appealing. Many a truth is said in jest, and the Senator has oft mentioned Oprah in jest. Nevertheless, ultimately such a clean break from the past choice of a VP is necessary if he really wants to effect change in Washington. His first legislative effort should be to ban federal lobbyists from entering any federal building.
Posted by: Thom Bouis | February 3, 2008 1:58 PM
GO OBAMA
Posted by: Cherry 4 Obama | February 3, 2008 2:06 PM
Go Obama! This momentum of his is absolutely thrilling. Many young democrats in the making. Many old ideologies being tested FINALLY.
No to Restoration
YES TO RENAISSANCE!!!!
Posted by: souljaEXVOTO | February 3, 2008 2:17 PM
OBAMA as usual tells it as it his, he has worked his way up from the hard streets if Chicago.
The Young People of the Country are getting behind him, with all age groups, sexes, race and religions only OBAMA can bring about a True UNITED States of America, don't sleepwalk and waste your vote.
VOTE OBAMA!
Posted by: John B Sheffield | February 3, 2008 2:19 PM
It is not the Economy, not the War in Iraq, nor Healthcare, its Israel stupid, all candidates proclaim thier love for Israel, but Hilary will be the president because she loves Israel the most. The United States of Israel comes first for Hilary.
Please don't bother voting, it does not matter.
Posted by: Nugster | February 3, 2008 2:22 PM
He was very impressive as always. Face the Nation Barack, and he did!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | February 3, 2008 2:34 PM
California Democrats are having a very tough time choosing between Barack and Hillary. The undecideds I know are concerned with who will be most competitive against McCain and Romney.
Posted by: l sullivan | February 3, 2008 2:34 PM
""CLINTON SLEEZE FATIGUE WILL INVIGORATE GOP, DISPIRIT DEMOCRATS AND SINK DEMOCRATIC TICKET""
""OBAMA/EDWARDS TO WIN""
It is possible that Senator Clinton is the best candidate. However, even though many may like the policies that Senator Clinton proposes, they should also consider her record, just as Senator Clinton insists.
.
The last Clinton Administration, when faced with the fact that protection rackets where assaulting, torturing and murdering people with poison and radiation, chose to avoid its responsibilities to incarcerate the criminals and to protect the citizenry.
.
Instead, they made a deal with the criminal gang stalker protection rackets to leave them alone and to consequently abandon the citizenry.
.
Do we want a President who sells out the citizenry for votes?
.
Do we want a President who sends a "crime does pay" message to society?
.
Would you vote for a President who signed nonaggression deals with the KKKlan or the Nazi party? Gangs that torture with poison and radiation are much like the KKKlan and Nazi Party.
.
We do not need a sellout President. We need a principled leader President.
.
If you are one of the few who do not know what the above refers to, do a web search for "gang stalking" to see the tip of the dirtberg. Please do it before you decide to reply to my post. Here let me make it easy for you :
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22gang+stalking%22
Posted by: avraam jack | February 3, 2008 2:37 PM
fj,
Almost half of the votes in Calif. have already been cast via absentee votes.
Hillary CREAMED Obama back when all the early votes were cast.
It'll be a miracle if Obama can pull out a Calif. win.
Posted by: jds | February 3, 2008 2:40 PM
HILLARY HANDS REPUBLICANS DEVASTATING SOUNDBITE FOR FALL ELECTION ...
Feb 3, 11:40 AM EST
Clinton health plan may mean tapping pay
By CHARLES BABINGTON
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday she might be willing to garnish the wages of workers who refuse to buy health insurance to achieve coverage for all Americans.
The New York senator has criticized presidential rival Barack Obama for pushing a health plan that would not require universal coverage. Clinton has not always specified the enforcement measures she would embrace, but when pressed on ABC's "This Week," she said: "I think there are a number of mechanisms" that are possible, including "going after people's wages ..."
GOING AFTER PEOPLE'S WAGES ... IS THAT THE WAY DEMOCRATS TALK? ...THE REPUBLICANS WILL KILL THE DEMOCRATS WITH THAT KIND OF ANTI-WORKER LUNACY ...
MARTIN EDWIN ANDERSEN
Posted by: Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen | February 3, 2008 2:54 PM
OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Homer Simpson | February 3, 2008 2:56 PM
I thought that this was a very balanced interview, up until Bob Schieffer made his final comments. "I've noticed that no matter what question I've asked you this morning, you've managed to get a little bit of your message into it, no matter what the question was."
That was a low blow and totally irrelevant. Every candidate (and anyone in private industry who speakes with the press) attempts to 'stay on message', to interject their message into any Q&A. Sen. Obama didn't duck the questions and answered each of Mr. Schieffer's questions. If Mr. Schieffer felt that Sen. Obama was not answering his questions, he should have repeated the question until he did get a direct answer.
Posted by: Patrick Gannon | February 3, 2008 3:07 PM
The idea of a Clinton-Obama ticket, I just realized, is so that people who want the first-woman-POTUS but who see the arguments against HRC, get to have the cake and get to eat it too. They get both their heart and their mind happy. The implicit idea is that "Well, Hillary has all these negatives, but Obama will fix them by being VP. She's divisive, but he'll bring unity. She's the past, but he'll bring the future. She's unelectable, but Obama will bring the independents." It's a nice story to tell yourself so you don't feel guilty. Also, if such a voter is "into firsts", the ticket gets TWO firsts.
Unfortunately, the reality is that Obama's politics are SO VERY DIFFERENT from Hillary's in tone and aim. They have similar policy ideas. But HRC would appoint the old Clinton masters, while Obama would appoint the next generation of leaders (look at Susan Power, Susan Rice, Sarah Sewall, the next Madeleine Albrights). Obama would talk straight to the American people. Obama wants to return America to the people, while Clinton wants to return America to the Democratic elite (better than the Republican elite, but c'mon, this is America!).
Anyone who is hoping for a "dream team" is just dreaming, and hoping not to feel so guilty if the McCain crushes Clinton-Richardson in November.
Posted by: Ronald Loui | February 3, 2008 3:13 PM
If you think that having health insurance through your job means you won't have to pay Hilary's mandatory health insurance premiums - think again- According to a September 18 Associated Press article, Clinton said in an interview with the AP: "... she could envision a day when 'you have to show proof to your employer that you're insured as a part of the job interview -- like when your kid goes to school and has to show proof of vaccination,' but said such details would be worked out through negotiations with Congress."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20070918-0856-clinton-apinterview.html
Posted by: J. Taylor | February 3, 2008 3:28 PM
YES WE CAN
SI SE PUEDE
Posted by: t | February 3, 2008 3:33 PM
Obama is great, I really hope he wins the nomination. He's our best chance to make a clean break with the Clinton/Bush feuding of the past decades and move the country forward on solving the nation's problems.
Posted by: Jeremy Friesner | February 3, 2008 3:34 PM
♫ If you believe we can make a change... http://www.dipdive.com/
Posted by: andre walker | February 3, 2008 4:06 PM
Does anyone watch this show? This is the lwoest rated Sunday morning show.
When is the presidential canidate that is supposed to unite us appear on Fox News Sunday? Or is he only going to unite 2/3's of the country?
Posted by: Terry | February 3, 2008 4:30 PM
Good interview Bob!
Hailing from Bermuda - Senator Barack Obama is undoubtedly America's most sensible choice for President. It is imperative that the next President of America is a unifying force within and outside of America. Obama can most effectively re-establish respect and credibility from the rest of the world.
Posted by: Terry Lynn Thompson | February 3, 2008 4:50 PM
As an undecided voter, it insults me that media moguls like Bob Schieffer choose to toss softballs rather drilling down on the key concerns keeping us from supporting Barack. Granted, he may be the best skilled orator I have ever witnessed (Reagan, JFK and Churchill-esque), neither his complete resume, his hypocritical promise to end the politics of fear (only to create his own Doomsday is our Destiny message on economic hardship, health care, global warming,etc), nor his ability to prove he has any ability at all to unite Americans (he hasn't even united his own political party).
The final questions that can no longer be skirted to do with his resume. What is his track record on authoring legislation and getting it passed? If he hasn't done it, why hasn't he? Why would he lay back in the weeds and allow the issues that define him do go unsatisfied? If he truly believes his ideas would make life better for millions of Americans, why has he procrastinated so long? Or could it be that he is nothing more than a fake who has found himself front and center in the national spotlight because he found a way to pander to disatified American's gullible to a false prophet?
Who are you and why did no one know about you until you began your campaign for President? Where were you hiding all of these years? If you've been an agent of change, what have you changed? Show us.
Until these questions are addressed to my satisfaction, Barack is a repacked Jimmy Carter; whose Presidency amounted to being America's pound of flesh for Nixon's indiscretions.
The interesting thing, both Nixon and Bush will go down as Presidents that did the right thing for America when it was in trouble but failed to control the lunatic fringe who always seem to convince the public of the importance of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic rather than supporting their Captain when he needed us to make sure every life boat was filled to its capacity with people.
The media is letting this guy slide. We need them to step up and give us the truth. We don't need our Country turning into one big Jonestown just because no one had the courage to confront false prophets.
If this guy turns out to be real and can prove himself somehow, all the better. I like him on a emotional level. Yet, I know the Good Humor man is just a face to sell ice cream and America cannot afford an amateur poser to lead us through times seen only by Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt/Truman.
Posted by: Bob Burger | February 3, 2008 4:51 PM
John McCain was on the same Face the Nation program as Obama. And McCain's was a LIVE interview, unlike Obama's.
Yet the reporter ignored the interview of the Republican.
If you want to know what's happening in politics, the Swamp should be your last choice.
Posted by: Peter Zenger | February 3, 2008 4:57 PM
Barack Rocks!!! p.s. Anne Coulter has crabs.
Posted by: Barack & Roll | February 3, 2008 5:06 PM
The debate brought forward what is, to me,
the essential difference between Obama and Clinton.
It was barely covered by any of the news organizations -
the only one I saw mention it was Frank Rich in the Times –
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/opinion/03rich.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
When they were discussing HOW to get health care
reform enacted - Obama put it all on the table - have
the entire negotiations with the insurance companies,
the pharmaceutical companies, and the HMOs broadcast
live on CSPAN so everyone can see what’s going on.
That’s the key – it’s what is wrong with the process – both
Republicans and “status quo” Democrats operate behind
closed doors – and special interests thus rule the day.
Daylight on the process - and the inherent education of
the electorate is the key - it is the first step in a process
toward single payer state healthcare, which is what we
should have, and what all other western societies have.
Once people realize HOW they are getting ripped off,
they will DEMAND a single payer system. Why is the
insurance industry involved in this AT ALL? It’s a scam…
Clinton was against this – saying “I don’t think Congress
would agree to that…”
Which is bullshit. Use simple deductive reasoning here –
the only reason to hide the process is if you have something
to hide. I am not surprised at this response from Hillary,
as her campaign (and the Clinton foundation) has taken
massive campaign contributions from these industries –
as she also has from the Oil, Coal and Weapons industries.
This exemplifies what I’ve been saying all along – the
Clintons are part of the system – they play slightly to the left –
enough to placate the traditional Democratic base – without
really substantially changing anything. They are “our side”
of the crooked coin – a coin wholly-owned by corporate
and super-wealthy interests. They feign toward change –
minor tweaks – yet accomplish nothing long lasting.
That pretty much defines Bill’s presidency. I voted for
him twice, but what good did it do us? Health care is still
fucked. Trickle down economics still trickling. Carbon
pollution is still killing the planet. Education is worse
off than ever.
The fucking Republicans are the worse side of the coin –
blatantly fulfilling the will of the Aristocracy and the
Corporate Oligarchy – but the status quo Democrats –
the Clintons – are just the other side of that coin –
a mere breather, a slight loosening of the strangle hold,
temporarily holding the fort until the next Republican
regime while somewhat placating – but mostly paying
lip service to - the leftist element of the electorate.
If we are to survive as a democracy, and for that matter,
survive as a species, this must change now. Obama is
the best bet we have. He might fail. Bill Clinton was
right when he said he’s a throw of the dice. But if we
throw the dice, we might win. With Hillary, the dice
stays firmly in the pocket of the corporate and aristocratic
powers, and we continue to lose, and not too far down
the road, we die.
And, you have to ask yourself, why did Hillary vote
for the war? Why does she accept contributions from
the weapons industry? The oil industry? It’s as easy
as two plus two.
Posted by: Walden Greenwood | February 3, 2008 5:43 PM
Go Obama! Vote Obama! He would be a great asset to all Americans and the American economy! California for Obama!
Posted by: ELECTIONREFLECTION | February 3, 2008 8:06 PM
Bob Burger, in the 20 minutes it took you to type that baseless speculation about Obama's history and record, you could have visited his website, www.barackobama.com, and gotten all the answers you seek. If I don't know a fact about a candidate, I look it up. Please do the same, as a responsible member of a democracy.
Posted by: jules35 | February 3, 2008 8:42 PM
Zenger get with the program. We're only interested in interesting people.
Posted by: Radagast | February 4, 2008 12:44 AM
Thank you for posting a rational comment Bob Burger. There are way too many koolaid voters in the country who don't have a clue. Which is unfortunate for the voting process. Might as well have third graders voting.
Posted by: Quazimoto | July 27, 2008 2:43 PM