Obama Interview Excerpt: Reaching Across the Aisle
We got a few minutes to interview Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, today. Here’s one exchange. More of it will air tonight on World News with Charles Gibson, later on Nightline and tomorrow on Good Morning America.
TAPPER: You and Senator John McCain are both talking about the need to reach across the partisan divide.
OBAMA: Right.
TAPPER: It’s not difficult to look at Senator McCain’s record and see examples of times when he reached across the partisan divide at great political risk to himself: immigration reform, Gang of 14, campaign finance reform. I know that you have worked across the aisle.
OBAMA: Absolutely.
TAPPER: But have you ever worked across the aisle in such a way that entailed a political risk for yourself?
OBAMA: Well, look, when I was doing ethics reform legislation, for example, that wasn’t popular with Democrats or Republicans. So any time that you actually try to get something done in Washington, it entails some political risks. But I think the basic principle which you pointed out is that I have consistently said, when it comes to solving problems, like nuclear proliferation or reducing the influence of lobbyists in Washington, that I don’t approach this from a partisan or ideological perspective. And the same is true when it comes to the economy. The same is true when it comes to national security. You know, this administration, the Bush administration, has made, for example, the war on terror into a sharply partisan issue. But the truth is, is that I admire some of the foreign policy of George Bush’s father. And I’ve said so before. I think that there’s a tradition of us working together to make sure that we are dealing with the threats that are out there and that we are building a consensus here in the United States. That’s the kind of approach I intend to take when I’m president of the United States.
- jpt
Email
Santorum: Money Will Not Defeat Obama, Ideas Will
Rick Santorum's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
“Right … absolutely.”
Right. Absolutely. Present.
Posted by: Mama Knows Better | June 16, 2008, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm
So, in other words, the answer is “NO”
Posted by: kate | June 16, 2008, 3:55 pm 3:55 pm
“I have consistently said.”
Not consistently done, but consistently said? hmmmmm! I wonder where people get the idea from that this fellow is all talk and no substance?
Posted by: CTJD | June 16, 2008, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
For the 2 years he was there the republicans in the Senate have put forth nothing meaningful for Obama to sign on too. They were too busy rubber stamping Bush. Ex. McCain 95% pro Bush voting record.
Posted by: truthtell | June 16, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
“I have consistently said.”
Obama’s “post-partisan” adoration for the CIA’s snottiest WASP — Bush I, who began the U.S. occupation of the mideast — may say more about the psychology of social climbing than about “foreign policy”.
Posted by: Meercat | June 16, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
We all know how thin Obama’s record is, letting alone working across the aisle. Obama is a perfect partisan candidate.
Posted by: george | June 16, 2008, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
“Obama is a perfect partisan candidate.”
For the “post-partisan” Rich People’s Party. What’s a post-partisan running as a Democrat FOR, anyway?
Posted by: Mama Knows Better | June 16, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
“You know, this administration, the Bush administration, has made, for example, the war on terror into a sharply partisan issue.”
Do you? or do youk now as we do that Obama is the one who is constantly making it a partisan issue both withing and outside the demcoratic party.
Posted by: geevill | June 16, 2008, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
I’m not a campaign lurker (not sure what that is).
I am a mom of three children who’s lost 2 high-level IT jobs due to outsourcing. We are pooling together resources to ensure that our children have health care, and I am helping to support my mother.
I look forward to a President Obama that will allow my mother, a senior who makes less than $50,000/yr to pay no income taxes. His tax plan will also afford my family three times more tax breaks than McCain’s, and that would be a huge blessing for us.
Nope — not a lurker — just an informed voter.
Posted by: Tanya | June 16, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
Beginning with Harvard, the only PUBLIC thing hothouse flower Big Daddy’s EVER done that “entailed political risk” was running against Bobby Rush in Chicago (where Rush won, 2-1).
****************************************
Hmmm……….
He ran against Hillary and Bill Clinton. Her probably is not picking her as VP. He hired her former Campaign Manager.
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
How come all these endorsements Obama is getting are from all poeple who ate losers not only in life but they lost major elections against Republicans. Next on the loser roll call is Obama
Posted by: Thinking like a cat | June 16, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
The way he always tends to begin his answers to someone asking a question with..”Well, look…”—is downright condescending, rude, and clearly displays to me his arrogance—i’ve noticed he answers this way a lot and it’s very telling the kind of arrogant person he is.
Posted by: Disgusted Ex Democrat | June 16, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
Oh wasn’t Bobby Rush endorsed by Bill Clinton against Obama?
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
Hey did you see Obama in the PHOTO OP of filling a sand bag. That was the first time Obama rubbed his elbows with the working man and will be the last. He got a boo boo and blister…
The liberals were praising Obmaa for this but have never praised McCain for defending their freedom so they can run their big mouths and lie about everything with his life in the military and ending up a POW
Posted by: john boy | June 16, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
The way he always tends to begin his answers to someone asking a question with..”Well, look…”—is downright condescending, rude, and clearly displays to me his arrogance
**************************************
Well Look, I think you are a bit sensitive.
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
“The way he always tends to begin his answers to someone asking a question with..’Well, look…’”
That’s filler while he thinks of something to say. Also an anti-stuttering exercise, most likely.
Posted by: Mama Knows Better | June 16, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
Oh i have a good one. Why is Obama saying terrorists who are not American citizens that want to blow up people and fly airplanes into buildings and are classified as POW’s of war should get the same rights as citizens of this country.
But Obama refused to honor American citizens votes in Fl and MI. All Obama had to do was agree to it with Clinton. Rather than let the party discard their choices.
Posted by: same old dude | June 16, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
A bad trend the Democrats have started with dicarding votes is a very dangerous trend to start. Throwing away the will of the poeple when they want to like they did in Fl and MI. Hillary was the only one that wanted them counted. Is the Democrats honest in this
Posted by: rats | June 16, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
McCain is fond of this whole pointing out when he has reached across the aisle at risk to himself. That to me is not true. He has occasionally brought Democrats along to his position, but when has he really done anything meaningful in a non partisan way. Where is his record of bending his positions to help others achieve something?
Posted by: markymark | June 16, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
Great question! and a great non answer!
I will only vote for the candidate that supports re-education in reading, I must really need help….or did I miss his attempt at satire?
I read the senators answer over and over and cannot find where he said anything of substance.
Posted by: flyover | June 16, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Oh i have a good one. Why is Obama saying terrorists who are not American citizens that want to blow up people and fly airplanes into buildings and are classified as POW’s of war should get the same rights as citizens of this country.
**************************************
You should get your facts straight to begin with. It is not POWs. It is Enemy Combatants, ACCUSED of Criminal Activities. They word being ACCUSED.
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
Thinking are you trying to change the rules of war because of people like McCain defending your freedom to lie. When ever someone attacks a country and they are captured they are now POW’s but a pansy like you would never now that because you never served one day in the military.
Posted by: same old dude | June 16, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
4 new rules for obama from his handlers when being interviewed or debating (ha ha). these rules apply always (unless hillary is there to prompt the answers). 4 simple rules.
1. do not say anything of substance. 2. do not place yourself in a situation where you may be asked to understand or defend your position. 3. fold your arms like lincoln and look presidential. 4. do not use any original material that was not written for you.
Posted by: sonia trevino | June 16, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
@ same old dude
You know nothing of what you talk about.
I served 4 years in the Marine Corps, one tour in Vietnam, not that gives me any insight into the differeance between being a POW and classified as an Enemy Combatant. Clearly you do not know the differance, probably wouldn’t care anyway.
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
I was on latrine duty most of my time over their and doing really wild drugs that are only in the southeast asia while in the Marines. Oh by the way i was also John Wayne
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
Of course Obama could never answer that question directly because he has never accomplished anything. What a dud!
Posted by: Nobama | June 16, 2008, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
There is nothing there.
The guy is an empty suit spewing out empty words.
Posted by: Sally Frank | June 16, 2008, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
President Barack Hussien Obama!
Man this is going to be cool!
Posted by: Joe | June 16, 2008, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
babble babble babble, thats obama, uh yeah , sure , babble babble. Risk? Obama does everything as low risk as possible. There is no comparision betweent he type of Men Obama and McCain are. Obama lies about everything, sells everyone off. Including his best friends, preachers and family. McCain has shown the grit and sacrifice he will make. As far as risk goes, there is no contest!
Posted by: old and proud | June 16, 2008, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
Thinking are you trying to change the rules of war because of people like McCain defending your freedom to lie. When ever someone attacks a country and they are captured they are now POW’s but a pansy like you would never now that because you never served one day in the military.
**************************************
I served 4 years in the Marine Corps, 1 tour in Vietnam.
It is clear that you do not know the difference between POW and Enemy Combatant. Doubt that you care.
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
Obama has the reputation in the Senate for talking big but rarely taking a stance. He voted “Present” 130 times.
Posted by: cindy in nc | June 16, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
Stop the presses THINKING claims to have served 4 years in the marines which probably is a Democrat lie. So THINKING knows everything about war.
***************************************
Hmmmm………….
I wonder where you get your information.
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
Sonia has it right…don’t take any risks with anything you say…cross your arms and look Presidential…if it isn’t scripted don’t say it…that’s Obmama.
McCain whips him on taking chances in all aspects…Obama says whatever he has to as a politician……we all heard the good Rev. Wright tell Moyers that.
Posted by: Debra | June 16, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
He only has 140+ days there before starting the run for the presidency. It takes most people that long to learn which side of the aisle they sit on.
That was the standard political ‘answer with no answer’. Empty suit rhetoric.
This election is busted.
Posted by: len | June 16, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
Mama knows better is right….Obama’s speech problem with the stammering should have been addressed before he ran for Senator…..”uh, ah, um”….and the “well look”, is just his way to buy time and try to formulate anything that sounds like an answer.
“I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction”…Barack Hussein Obama.
McCain ’08!
Posted by: Debra | June 16, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
What great political risk has Senator McCain taken? He has done things that make him unpopular with some Republicans, but what has he done that seriously endangered his chances of being re-elected to the Senate?
Posted by: George | June 16, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
When ever someone attacks a country and they are captured they are now POW’s but a pansy like you would never now that because you never served one day in the military.
***************************************
I’ll try again. You have no information about me that allows you to make this statement.
Posted by: Thinking | June 16, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
I’t seems that in this site everyone would rather have a caged angry maverick in charge of our foreign policy. McCain will be having dinner at 2pm in bed by 5 and NO ONE to answer the phone. The guy has served, thank you, now GO AWAY!!
Posted by: frank | June 16, 2008, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm
I love the new rallying cry of Obama supporters. “I can’t wait for him to lower my taxes and eliminate taxes for my retired mom/dad.” Yeah, and at the same time…he’s gonna expand spending? He’s gonna do that how? Oh, yeah, raising taxes on higher income brackets. But even that won’t cover all his ‘programs’.
Let’s take the ‘no taxes’ for Soc. Sec. folks earning less than $50k. Exactly why should they not be taxed? Why not eliminate taxes for everyone earning less than 50k? Better yet, let’s just tax everyone making more than $100k. Because of course, only people making more than 100k actually benefit gov’t programs.
Let’s just change the name of the country to the UWSA – United Welfare States of America.
Posted by: FishMonger | June 16, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
One of the current email smears against Senator Obama was repeated in a post to this blog. That smear quotes Obama as saying. . .
“I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction”…Barack Hussein Obama.
This is what he really wrote about his experiences talking to Arab and Pakistani immigrants.
“(T)he stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”
Posted by: George | June 16, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
debra the more i think about it the more obama seems like gwb. 1) fanatical fire spitting supporters that have the need for a ‘savior’ type of leader. 2) unqualified. 3) educated at ivy league school (wasted money if you ask me). 4). stuttering 5). unable to debate.
6) unable to articulate a coherent sentence without a script or teleprompter. 7). both dismiss (flip off) opponents and critics-obama literally flipped-off hillary (as per numerous sources with video). 8). questionable and unethical vote procurement tactics employed by party insiders on their behalf. 9). both considered selected versus elected.
perhaps genetic they are related you know.
Posted by: sonia trevino | June 16, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
Okay, so the answer is no. Once again Obama fails to answer a simple question and instead gives a whole bunch of hot air instead. Ethics reform as political risk–please! His effort on this measure was most strenuous when it came to claiming undeserved credit. Far from perceiving or realizing any risk, Obama’s grab on ethics reform was pure political calculation and opportunism.
Anyone still think Obama is going to change politics in Washington for the better? If so, take a strong dose of reality. This guy is a fraud.
Posted by: NJH | June 16, 2008, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
“Disgusted Ex-Democrat” posted a comment about Obama using the phrase “Well, look…” and called it condescending and arrogant.
HUH?
As an “ex-Democrat”, you’ll note that Hillary regularly used the phrase “Well, you know….” Does that put her in the same category?
I’m a true Democrat — once firmly for Hillary and now firmly for Obama. Rather than make personal pot-shots, how about reviewing the plans of Obama vs. McCain….there’s no way a TRUE Democrat would ever vote for McCain. Ever.
Posted by: Just Me | June 16, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
I will try to post this yet again, as anytime I refer to Obama’s half siblings in Kenya, my post is pulled.
FOX just reported a quote by Obama’s half brother who said something to the effect of Jews would do well under Obama despite him being Muslim….or something to that effect. I will look it up on FOX….but someone needs to go to Africa and do a bio on BO and all his half siblings….his dad was married 4 times (I don’t know if that includes BO’s mom) and he has scads of half siblings in Africa.
Why not keep this up…there is nothing slanderous in facts.
Posted by: Debra | June 16, 2008, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm
Right, he can only talk about working across the aisle. He hasn’t done it, has he? Just like everything else he talks about. Speeches are cheap and only make you feeling good.
Posted by: Olbermn3 | June 16, 2008, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm
sonia trevino -
In summary, both are unqualified, affirmative action nominees, in different party styles.
The difference, however, is that GWB is an unknown unknow, but Bho is a known unknown.
Posted by: Olbermn3 | June 16, 2008, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
The great unifier can’t even answer this simple question that we know the answer to. He hasn’t worked across the aisle because he’s been campaigning half the time!
Posted by: J | June 16, 2008, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
“FOX just reported a quote by Obama’s half brother who said something to the effect of Jews would do well under Obama despite him being Muslim”
It’s also been all over the web since Saturday or Sunday, with photos. Obama’s lies about religion haven’t done him THAT much good: first Reverend Wright unravelled, now brother Malik, innocently showing off his photos, has shown Obama lied about the whole never-a-Muslim business.
Nobody’d probably care if he was a Rastafarian, or a Christian Scientist, or a devotee of Kwan Yin.
People DO care about deliberate, repeated, convoluted lying.
Hence, one supposes, today’s announcement of the Gore “endorsement” (by which Gore proves HE was lying, when he said he wouldn’t endorse anybody).
Can we look for the DNC to move BACK to the nation’s capital in D.C.?
Posted by: Mama Knows Better | June 16, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Obama said the long protracted race with Clinton is the reason he’s tied in the polls(hear the theme: it’s all Clinton’s fault) and rather than respectfully decline to put her on the ticket he hires Patti Solis Doyle to work for the next VP. What a slap in the face to the 18 million democrats who voted for Hillary. If he was reaching across the isle, he would reach over for these 18 million voters. Roe V Wade is a dead issue for women over 50. Wait and see.
Posted by: rafraf | June 16, 2008, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
You know if he loses that it will be Hillary’s fault.
Posted by: J | June 16, 2008, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm
“Plouffe said the campaign also will keep an eye on Mississippi and Louisiana as the race moves into the fall to see if new black voters could put them within reach.”
Too bad it didn’t occur to Plouffe to keep Obama from channeling Bill Cosby’s bs on Father’s Day. Patriarchy doesn’t play that well in matriarchal societies.
Posted by: Mama Knows Better | June 16, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
J,
Sorry, sometimes you sound like my husband, LOL. But if the Obama campaign is specifically speaking about a block of voters, why do you feel left out? Yes, every voter is important, but they can speak about others too, you know.
Posted by: jmc663
__________________
No I was questioning why they stated that. There are other larger blocks of voters they could go after to make sure they do win. He has not addressed the people who could insure a democrat winning in the fall.
If he did I would think about voting for him. Right now there are too many questions about him. If they want to heal this divide they need to get on the stick now.
Posted by: J | June 16, 2008, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm
“There are other larger blocks of voters they could go after to make sure they do win.”
Heck, thanks to sharp marketing of Mr. Priss, the Obamans have unlimited money: why not just buy people outright?
If they don’t want to spring for “large blocs of voters”, there are always County Clerks and mail carriers to be had.
Posted by: Mama Knows Better | June 16, 2008, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
Posted by: Mama Knows Better
LOL….Behave Mama
Posted by: J | June 16, 2008, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm
“LOL….Behave Mama”
But … is that not the Chicago style of politics? Why ELSE was the One so set on moving the DNC to Chicago? Might’a made his move too soon.
Posted by: Mama Knows Better | June 16, 2008, 8:58 pm 8:58 pm
Mama,
I agree with you 100%
Posted by: J | June 16, 2008, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
“And the same is true when it comes to the economy.[what?]”
Bingo: the One’ll talk any question to death in halting phrases drawn out over way too much time, hoping talking heads will misinterpret this professorial pose as actual intelligence, and even perhaps forget where they came in, and/or that “the economy” isn’t just more bs like “nuclear proliferation” and “ethics [hahaha] reform”.
He’s just tall, that’s all.
Posted by: Mama Knows Better | June 16, 2008, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm
And he ain’t even that Tall! He’s just a great dancer especially when he does his verbal shuffle.
Good one Mama.
Posted by: LL Barra | June 16, 2008, 10:00 pm 10:00 pm
Mama….. another bloc…prison inmates.
Posted by: LL Barra | June 16, 2008, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
McCain walks the walk; Obama just talks and talks.
Posted by: HoosierSue | June 17, 2008, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
As always Obama comes across as “lame” when he tries to compare himself to McCain.
Has anyone counted the times he has tried to compare himself to Bobby or Jack Kennedy? Shameless political trick.
Posted by: Jackie | June 18, 2008, 3:31 am 3:31 am