by John McCormick, updated
In a wide-ranging interview broadcast Sunday evening, Barack and Michelle Obama reveled in their ability to achieve some level of normalcy again after the election, as they prepare for the enormous challenges ahead.
The president-elect said in a "60 Minutes" interview that he remains calm, but confessed feeling at least a little overwhelmed as he prepares for the White House.
"There are times, during the course of a given a day, where you think, 'Where do I start?'" he said during a session recorded Friday afternoon in Chicago at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Obama also said his conversations with past presidents suggest there is a "certain loneliness" to being president.
"'You'll get advice, and you'll get counsel," he said. "Ultimately, you're the person who's going to be making decisions. And -- and I think that -- even now, you know, I-- you can already feel that fact."
The broadcast aired before Obama and Sen. John McCain are to have their first post-election meeting, a session scheduled for midday Monday in the Loop.
The two former rivals are expected to be joined by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago Democrat who will be Obama's chief of staff.
The president-elect refused to be pinned down on when he will make his first Cabinet appointments, responding "soon" when asked whether he would make any this week.
He also declined to say whether he planned to appoint more than one Republican. "You're not getting more out of me," he told Steve Kroft.
On Sunday, Obama also formally resigned his U.S. Senate seat, as his transition team announced several new staff appointments.
Pete Rouse, a Capitol Hill veteran who ran Obama's Senate office and helped craft the foundation for his White House bid, was named a senior adviser, while Mona Sutphen and Jim Messina were selected as deputy chiefs of staff.
The Associated Press reported that Obama is also expected to name Greg Craig, who was President Bill Clinton's impeachment lawyer, as White House counsel. In Obama's debate practice sessions, Craig played the role of McCain.
Asked by Kroft whether he planned to put political enemies on his Cabinet, as Abraham Lincoln did, the president-elect responded by saying the first president from Illinois was a "very wise man."
With the economy struggling, Obama said the nation has little choice but to boost government spending and conservative and liberal economists agree.
"We have to do whatever it takes to get this economy moving again," he said. "We're going to have to spend money now to stimulate the economy."
Besides Lincoln, Obama said he has also been reading about the Great Depression and Franklin D. Roosevelt's first 100 days in office. He said he hopes his team can emulate that administration's confidence and willingness to experiment.
The president-elect said he is placing a priority on getting his national security team in place because transitions period presidents can present greater vulnerability to terrorist attack.
Obama said capturing or killing Osama bin Laden remains a "critical aspect" of the war on terrorism.
"He is not just a symbol," the president-elect said. "He's also the operational leader of an organization that is planning attacks against U.S. targets."
Both Obamas said the full realization of their new roles had yet to fully sink in. The president-elect, however, said he personally felt the historical significance on election night, when his mother-in-law grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
"You had this sense of, well, what's she thinking? For a black woman who grew up in the 50s, you know, in a segregated Chicago, to watch her daughter become first lady of the United States.," he said. "There was that sense across the country."
Obama said he believes his victory revealed that race has been overcome as a stumbling block for most.
"It was a sign of the enormous progress that we've made in the core decency and generosity of the American people," he said. "That felt good."
In their personal life, the Obamas described a post-election life that seems more normal than the one they had during the campaign. The daily routines even include a couple daughters jumping into bed in the morning with their dad.
"There seem to be more people hovering around me," the president-elect said. "On the other hand, I'm sleeping in my own bed."
Michelle Obama said she is looking forward to her husband having a "big office at home," as she reflected on some normalcy that has returned and that she hopes continues at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
"Now we get to be together under the one roof, having dinners together," she said. "I envision the kids coming home from school and being able to run across the way to the Oval Office and see their dad before they start their homework...And he'll be there to tuck them in at night."
The president-elect complained about his inability to take a stroll through the neighborhood and his loss of anonymity.
"I can't go to my old barber shop now," he said, lamenting the loss of old routines and expressing concern for how to stay connected to normal life.
Michelle Obama, meanwhile, said the future first pooch will not be part of the White House until late winter or early spring.
The interview ended on a question about creating a college football playoff system for the national championship, with Obama calling for three rounds and potentially three more weeks to the season.
"I don't know any serious fan of college football who has disagreed with me on this," he said. "I'm going to throw my weight around a little bit. I think it's the right thing to do."
Although it was unknown whether he watched any games, Obama spent most of Sunday at home, with the exception of a morning workout and mid-afternoon trip to his transition office.
Comments
The win was a signof 1 thing - DOLLARS! Also, the folk who voted for him did not want to really think about what he was saying. "Yeah. Change sound great. Please pass the bong, dude."
Posted by: truthurts | November 16, 2008 8:15 PM
Well, this was the first really candid and comprehensive look at Obama AFTER the campaign. Interesting that he sounds so moderate, reasonable and well-reasoned, complimenting conservatives and former Republican leaders, Lincoln, Eisenhower, Reagan. This is a competent, confident man, and people need to put away their racist paranoia and open their ears and brains to the logic and wisdom this man displays. Michelle is a wonderful woman, down to Earth, and yet well schooled, both of them represent the BEST of America. Let's all step back and let him lead, inspire, and unite us in a way we have needed for over 10 years or more.
Posted by: John Davis | November 16, 2008 8:46 PM
Truthurts is still bitter about the landslide. Republicans are too wrapped up in the battles of yesterday to solve the problems of today.
Posted by: Paul | November 16, 2008 9:16 PM
The DOLLARS came from PEOPLE who wanted Barack Obama to be their President. Many, many people who NEVER before gave a dime to a person running for office.
Like me.
Posted by: Terry King | November 16, 2008 9:33 PM
Obama has already proved himself as a person playing chess, moves ahead of the others, as opposed to Bush playing checkers. Only the pawns in Bush's game have a more real shock and awe!
Posted by: Jim | November 16, 2008 9:40 PM
I did not vote for Obama, but he will instantly win my respect if (contrary to what his constituents surely expect) Obama does NOT bow to the overbearing UAW unions by supporting yet another bailout of Detroit.
Posted by: Robert | November 16, 2008 9:51 PM
Expert analysis from "truthhurts"
Seriously though, we finally have a fully-functioning. critically-thinking individual in the Oval Office. My confidence in our country has been somewhat restored by Obama being elected as President.
Posted by: Chris | November 16, 2008 10:00 PM
Totally jazzed for the Takeover, er, Transition! Inauguration Day cannot come soon enough - PROGRESS 09!
Posted by: swannee | November 16, 2008 10:01 PM
Franklin & Eleanor, move over!
Posted by: ornery | November 16, 2008 10:13 PM
Clear thoughts, complete sentences, no more Bush'isms, an educated American is coming to office, even a Republican in his cabinet, how open minded.
Posted by: Ben | November 16, 2008 10:18 PM
I guaranty, what's your name, I heard and agreed with Senator Obama, a lot. At least, he had the sense to make it one of his goals, to work to get our troops out of Iraq. He's far from being a savour, like some Bush-McCain Republicans, like to portray him. They have been short on solutions, so they are adept at name-calling. That was to be expected, after all, look who they had representing their Party for the last 8 years. If America wasn't in such dire straits, the entire Republican Party would be laughable !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | November 16, 2008 10:44 PM
Harvard's gravitas has been restored.
Posted by: Bubba | November 17, 2008 12:06 AM
Finally, we truly elected a President that can serve the American people. The arrogance of Chenney and the ignorance of Bush are behind us. Thank Go Almighty, we are free of them at last. Hallelujah !
Posted by: Zeyhilel | November 17, 2008 5:19 AM
Frank it is a definite cetainty that the Detriot big 3 will be bailed out. Three million jobs is too many to lose at this time. Also people's pensions are at risk becasue for some reason they invested in their places of employment for their future security. Never, ever invest in your compnay's 401K. Start up your own.
Posted by: Mike | November 17, 2008 7:13 AM
the more barack talks, the more details he gives, the more i am confident about our future. Despite the fact that our future is SO Dire. I have HOPE. Others too are listening now and finding what an objective, free-thinking, focused president we have.
Obama himself cant save us, so he is hiring a Dream Team.
The likes of Clinton & co., Gates, Reicher, Gore, and Powell. Wow
Posted by: john hulling | November 17, 2008 7:47 AM
I rarely watch this kind of thing, but I watched this.
On the personal level, Barack and Michelle are a completely charming, beautiful couple.
The intelligence and keen sensibilities of both of them are obvious.
There has not been a couple like them in the White House in a very long time.
Also on the personal level, what is so apparent in the president-elect is a remarkable, unflappable temperament.
It comes right through, and it is just what the world needs now in an American president.
The policy level is always, I think, the least important part of such interviews since policy changes and adjusts to changing circumstances and new priorities.
Just look at the way the economy has shot to the front of the line in a very short time. Few could have predicted this.
Obama's basic qualities of character assure the world of a rational response from America whatever the situation. No more blindly stupid, infantile "You’re with us or against us!" or "Bring 'em on!"
Indeed I like to think there will be no speaking out of both sides of one mouth, a disgusting Bush speciality. Apologies for the atrocious acts at Abu Ghraib while giving us Ozzie-and-Harriet stuff about that not being the America he knew.
Mighty good to hear torture - using the word without the shading or quibbling of No-ethics McCain - is not going to represent America anymore.
Good to hear that moral hellhole in Guantanamo is to be closed.
I only hope the poor prisoners left can be released rather than tried in civilian courts.
You do not try captured enemies in war, unless true war crimes are involved. But the only unambiguous war crimes involved here are those of George Bush, Dick Cheney, and Donald Rumsfeld.
By every reasonable standard, they should be subject to an international war crimes trial, but we know well they will not be.
I think the emphasis on Osama bin Laden is not promising. He is a tired old man, and we have not had a single published scrap of evidence that he is guilty of anything other than hating the policies of the United States. But this kind of thing is unavoidable given the politics of the United States.
Obama is overall a highly welcome figure on the world stage.
Posted by: JOHN CHUCKMAN | November 17, 2008 10:06 AM
I was a little put off by Michelle Obama in the 60 minute interview. She corrected Barack, talked over him, and appeared to be someone who has to have the last word. People who thought Hilary was annoying towards the end are in for a long 4 years
Posted by: T Johnston | November 17, 2008 10:56 AM
My God, " T. Johnson ", turn off that soap opera channel. President-elect Obama is not a control freak. His wife and him, seem to have a very good relationship. Why don't we leave it at that ? Or are you going to crank up that private life snooping again !!? You Republicans just can't keep your snoots out of other people's private lives !! Give it a rest, " T. Johnson " and hold off on your judgements, just yet. After all, he isn't even in Office, yet, and already the nitpicking has begun !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | November 17, 2008 11:21 AM
I'm with you T. Johnson. I found her to be a bit overbearing as well.
We elected her husband, not her and I was more interested in hearing what he had to say.
I was shocked at how often she interrupted him and mocked him (yes, it was playful mocking, but it seemed inappropriate.)
No one thought Laura Bush was a less than modern woman, but she would have never done that.
It made the president look bad in my opinion.
Posted by: Magnolia | November 23, 2008 8:18 AM