President Obama Sits for Pre-Game Interview
EmailDuring NBC’s Super Bowl pre-game show, a very casually dressed President Obama sat for a 12-minute interview from the Map Room of the White House with the "Today Show’s" Matt Lauer. The full transcript can be read here. Here are some excerpts:
Iraq:
Asked if a substantial number of troops in Iraq will be home in time for next Super Bowl Sunday, the president said his administration would "roll out in a — in a very formal fashion what our intentions are in Iraq as well as in Afghanistan. But in conversations that I’ve had with the Joint Chiefs, with — people — the commanders on the ground — I think that we have a sense, now that Iraq has just had a very significant election with no significant violence, that we are in a position to start putting more responsibility on the Iraqis. And that’s good news for — not only the troops in the field but their families who are carrying an enormous burden."
On the Economy:
How much worse is the economy going to get before it gets better?
"I think we’re going to be in for a tough several months," the president said. "We’ve got to get this economic recovery plan passed. We’ve got to start putting people back to work. We’re going to have to straighten out the credit markets and make sure that credit is flowing to businesses and individuals so that they can start investing and — hiring people again."
He said, "As soon as Congress moves forward on the recovery plan, we are going to be also releasing our plan for — the financial sector and regulating the financial sector. I have confidence we’re going to be able to get the economy back on track. But it’s going to take — a number of months before we stop falling and then — a little bit longer for us to get back on track."
On GOP Support for Stimulus Package:
Asked how important it is to gain some more Republican support for his stimulus package, the president said, "The important thing is getting the thing passed. And — I’ve done extraordinary outreach I think to Republicans because they had some good ideas. And I want to make sure that those ideas are incorporated. I am confident that by the time we actually have the final package on the floor that we are going to see substantial support. And people are going to say this is a serious effort. It has no earmarks. We’re going to be trimming up — things that are not relevant to putting people back to work right now."
He wouldn’t predict the number of Republican votes. "House Democrats actually adopted a number of the ideas that the House Republicans had offered," he said. "Obviously the House Republicans wanted to make a statement. Now it moves to the Senate. We’ve got 535 people who feel it’s their responsibility to represent their constituents and make their voices heard. … Democracy is always a somewhat messy process. But the thing I want all of them to remember and the thing I’m thinking about every single day is the thousands of people who are being laid off of their jobs right now. They can’t afford politics as usual. And old habits are hard to break. But now is the time to break them ’cause we’ve got an urgent situation."
Lighter Moments:
Asked how it’s going living with his mother-in-law, the president said the first lady’s mother "defends me whenever I screw up. So, Michelle, you know, she’s about to come down hard, my mother-in-law comes in, intercedes. So … the longer she stays, the better off I’m gonna be."
Asked about Malia and Sasha, the president repeated what he told George Stephanopoulos a few weeks ago, "People think I’m cool. Nobody’s cooler than my two girls." He added that they take whatever comes with "happiness and steadiness. And they’re loving school. They’re making friends. In fact, they’ve got a — they’ve got some friends from school over — today and — they’ve already joined some clubs. And Sasha, you know — I think maybe to endear — myself to her, she — she decided she wanted to join a basketball team. So — what more could I want?"
"The best deal — of — of this whole thing is it turns out I’ve got this nice home office. And — at the end of the day, yeah, I can come home, even if I’ve got more work to do, I can have dinner with them. I can help them with their homework. I can tuck them in. If I’ve got to go back to the office, I can. But — I’m seeing them now more than any time in the last two years. And — and that’s been great for the whole family."
On his College Football Bowl Playoff Proposal, the president was Challenged by Lauer to tell Floridians that their team isn’t the true national champion since there was no playoff system for its bowl championship. The president said, "Congratulations, Gators, on an outstanding season. … Wouldn’t you feel better if you had beat — every team that was out there through a playoff system? … I love you. But — I — I think they could have — I — they could have taken on anybody through the — the playoff system. By the way, one of our Secret Service guys, his son is a tackle on the, on the Florida Gators. So, you know, I’ve got a soft spot for" the Gators.
On backing the Pittsburgh Steelers even though the Arizona Cardinals are the underdog: "I love Kurt Warner’s story. I love — Larry Fitzgerald seems like just a — a wonderful young man. It’s a great story. But (team owners Dan) Rooney didn’t just endorse me. That guy was out going to steel plants campaigning for me. (Former running back) Franco Harris was out waving towels at my rallies." He said he thought the Steelers would win, narrowly, but "I’m not going to be rubbing it in. We’ve got some Arizona congressmen here. And I may need their vote on the — recovery package."
On his BlackBerry, the president said he didn’t bring it to the interview. "It’s kind of like Inspector Gadget, you know? … If you touch it, it might blow up." He said it has "the works" in technology. "It turns into a car if I have to make a quick getaway."
Only a "handful" have his email address. "There are security issues involved. And so we’ve got to make sure that I’m not creating a situation where, you know, potential people can compromise our system…"
He rejected Lauer’s entreaties to get his email address. "I like your son. I might give it to him. I’m not going to give it to you."
On being cut out of an Obama family photo on the cover of US Weekly to make room for a shot of Jessica Simpson: "It’s a little hurtful. … (Simpson’s) losing a weight battle apparently. Oh, well."
-jpt
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Jake,
Your last sentence is wrong. Obama did NOT say “(Simpson) losing a weight battle apparently.” Obama said “who’s in a weight battle apparently”. Obama was reading off of the headline of the US Magazine which said about Simpson’s “weight battle”.
You need to change what you wrote.
Posted by: Amoreena | February 1, 2009, 8:52 pm 8:52 pm
Obama wants a toy called a BLACKBERRY.
It has cost millions of dollars to make it secure for Obama to play with.
How much more tax dollars will Americans have to spend for Obama to have a toy that he does not need or can’t use as a President.
Posted by: hine | February 1, 2009, 8:57 pm 8:57 pm
Hine – A BlackBerry isn’t a toy, it’s a work device. I can’t imagine working in an office where the boss doesn’t have access to email. It’s essential for workplace productivity. This is a good use of money.
Posted by: Dave | February 1, 2009, 9:02 pm 9:02 pm
Ask Obama if he is still smoking, and where in the White House he smokes. Fair question. It’s not a crime to smoke and he has admitted having trouble quitting:)
Posted by: Sigmond | February 1, 2009, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm
Jake, Amoreena is absolutely correct. He did not say losing a weight battle. You absolutely need to change what you wrote.
Posted by: Vince | February 1, 2009, 9:14 pm 9:14 pm
I have never seen such SAPPY coverage of a president.
Posted by: Vi | February 1, 2009, 9:15 pm 9:15 pm
Democrats don’t want tax cuts because they can’t spend tax cuts.
Posted by: Sigmonde | February 1, 2009, 9:19 pm 9:19 pm
No mention of the FEMA disaster in Kentucky and other Midwestern and Southern states?
The press blows,
Obama dozed,
Kentucky woes,
People froze.
Posted by: Huh... | February 1, 2009, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
“No mention of the FEMA disaster in Kentucky”
Throughout the state, 91 counties and 69 cities have declared states of emergencies.
Obama is watching Super Bowl in a comfy chair, eating nachos and dip.
Posted by: Sigmonde | February 1, 2009, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
Finally, when Lauer held up a recent issue of Us Weekly, noting that Obama’s face had been cut off on the cover, bumped by a photo of Jessica Simpson, Obama quipped, “Who’s in a weight battle apparently.”
Way to misquote what was said.
Posted by: Megan | February 1, 2009, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
Hehe…I enjoy the misery and hate some folks are experiencing because Obama is now the President. Whatever mud they sling won’t get my dander up. I’m happy as punch. Laughing even.
Posted by: Conservatives for Justice | February 1, 2009, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
Huh,
I feel bad for the people in Kentucky and hope that all the volunteers from the ReD Cross to other volunteers and electric repairmen sent in from other areas are able to soon get power back going and people kept safe.
But I’m just curious, has your Gov asked for FEMA relief? Maybe I’m not looking at the right news media, but I don’t recall hearing or reading anything about your Senate or House Congressmen talking you needing FEMA relief. Although I must say must say you need them to vote on that stimulus so you guys can get a new power grid as part of the infrastructure spending.
Plus, I don’t see FEMA doing a whole lot in Galveston and that was when Bush was still there.
Posted by: Donna | February 1, 2009, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
Obama declared federal states of emergency in Kentucky and Arkansas LAST WEEK, on Wednesday. FEMA – what’s left of it after Bush’s horse judge reject appointees have left the building – is operating in the states.
Sorry if REALITY doesn’t match your talk radio.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 1, 2009, 10:00 pm 10:00 pm
Donna: “But I’m just curious, has your Gov asked for FEMA relief? ”
Yes, both of them did. Obama listened and they thanked him for it and have FEMA at their disposal. LAST WEEK.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 1, 2009, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
“The President’s action (January 28th) authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Allen, Anderson, Barren, Bath, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Breckinridge, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Clark, Crittenden, Daviess, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Fayette, Floyd, Fulton, Garrard, Graves, Grayson, Hardin, Harrison, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Larue, Lincoln, Logan, Lyon, Madison, Magoffin, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McCracken, Meade, Mercer, Metcalfe, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Nicholas, Ohio, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Shelby, Todd, Trigg, Union, Washington, Webster, Wolfe, and Woodford.
“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.”
But, FEMA didn’t come… The newsmedia is practically blacking out coverage. Weird doesn’t describe it.
Posted by: Heckuvajob | February 1, 2009, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
Heckuvajob “But, FEMA didn’t come… The newsmedia is practically blacking out coverage.”
What, you are missing the front page headlines about “National Guard troops were going door to door Sunday in Kentucky…” and such? Just because Fox”News” isn’t reporting it doesn’t make a news blackout.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 1, 2009, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
MATT LAIR…. what a joke of a urnalist lmao
Posted by: Obama Cabinet of Corruption | February 1, 2009, 10:22 pm 10:22 pm
Thirty citizens have died in this major midwest storm in the past few days and not a word of consolation to the families from Obama, who is right now having a glass of wine celebrating the Steelers win.
Posted by: Sigmonde | February 1, 2009, 10:22 pm 10:22 pm
Bush was severely criticized for doing a flyover in New Orleans. He did a flyover because he didn’t want to disrupt the emergency. Obama has done nothing or said nothing except sign an emergency request. The Super Bowl is more important, apparently. He could at least do a flyover. With or without his airplane.
Posted by: Sigmonde | February 1, 2009, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm
It would have been nice had Lauer reminded Obama that Obama had said that America cannot keep it’s thermostat at 72, let alone 77.
Hold on though, what is it liberals say? Do as I say and not as I do.
Posted by: drjohn | February 1, 2009, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm
FEMA is not doing what it should be doing because Janet Napolitano, the new head of FEMA, is no doubt at the Super Bowl, pulling for her beloved Arizona Cardinals.
Posted by: Sigmonde | February 1, 2009, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
“I like your son. I might give it to him. I’m not going to give it to you.” Regarding his email address.
Nobody at all finds that creepy? As far as I can tell, the kid is — what — eight years old?
Go ahead, screech and yell and rant, but if anyone else had said this…
Posted by: LaughingCynic | February 1, 2009, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm
I am surprised Matt did not ask The president what his favorite flavor of ice cream is.
Posted by: smith | February 1, 2009, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
Will Obama nominate anyone who isn’t ethically challenged or an out right criminal. Republicians won’t support the Stimulous bill because its 88% grade A pork. I wish the idiots would have been as responsible the last eight years but better late than never. When you are deep in debt you should spend less, cut federal spending 5% across the board. Let the world know we are serious about getting our fiscal house in order instead of throwing it away. This is just more bad fiscal policy.
Posted by: Philip V. | February 1, 2009, 11:24 pm 11:24 pm
After the game, Rooney from Pittsburgh gave a shout-out to Obama for his support. I’m from Cleveland. I hope this means Rooney will “spread the wealth” and give us one of his six trophies. It’s patriotic.
Posted by: LilMama | February 1, 2009, 11:28 pm 11:28 pm
The st***D rep are making fun of us. They are the reason of this mess we are in and now they have the gut of telling the president we chose to do what they want. Mr. Obama you have the mandate of the american people use it no matter what would be the result.
Posted by: cheguevera | February 2, 2009, 12:02 am 12:02 am
I hope the media would not ask him what underwear he wears.
Otherwise people would show off with their underwears on the street!
Posted by: cilla | February 2, 2009, 12:17 am 12:17 am
This media love obsession is sickening.
Posted by: Jean | February 2, 2009, 12:18 am 12:18 am
Was this the whole interviw????
No question about 1 million people having NO power
No question about tax cheaters in his cabinet
Nothing about how is planning to create 3million jobs…..the stimulus package does not do that
Oh well…I guess Matt is stillin love with Obama
Posted by: Frieda | February 2, 2009, 12:20 am 12:20 am
No matter what, the MSM always make him looks good.
They are part of his victory.
Posted by: cilla | February 2, 2009, 12:34 am 12:34 am
I don’t see anything in this billion dollar package to put money in the pockets of the millions of the disabled, retired, and unemployed. Tax cuts will not help us. At least they extended unemployment. Unfortunately in AZ that’s only $248 a week.
Posted by: C Hines | February 2, 2009, 1:56 am 1:56 am
FEMA is not doing what it should be doing because Janet Napolitano, the new head of FEMA, is no doubt at the Super Bowl, pulling for her beloved Arizona Cardinals.
***********************************************
FEMA is in Kentucky and Missouri has been declared a disaster area. Unfortunately, I don’t think FEMA has been able to dramatically improve over years of incompetency within 12 days. Some are eagerly using this misfortune to attack the Obama administration rather than feeling genuine concern.
Posted by: kathy | February 2, 2009, 1:59 am 1:59 am
i like obama’s honesty, that the first few months won’t be a bed of roses. but success always feels much better after conquering trials, so i think it’s okay
Posted by: Imee | February 2, 2009, 4:53 am 4:53 am
Hmmmm! Thought he doesn’t like to be interview. It is the news media. They were the one that help him elected. His rating polls is going bad. I am glad that I didn’t vote for him.
Posted by: anynomous | February 2, 2009, 5:04 am 5:04 am
Obamacrat for Palin, your screeching is hurting my ears. Are you just going to hurl mud for the next 4-8 years, while the rest of America works together to get our country back?
And NO ONE is buying THIS load of crap:
“I used to support President Obama, but have you seen the left-wing hypocrisy of the Democrats and media?”
Instead, you sound just like a Ditto Head who helped Rush screw up your party, which lost the last two elections, and now you’re raging mad.
If you are one of those idiots who wants this President to fail, after eight years of the most incompetent President in US history…
We’re not listening.
Stop with the politics of petty name-calling and childish ranting. You are embarrassing yourself.
Posted by: Jan | February 2, 2009, 5:22 am 5:22 am
People are dying in the MIDWEST from the deep freeze but Obama does nothing to help them.
Apparently the Superbowl was more important to Obama than the people in the mid-west
Posted by: getty | February 2, 2009, 6:07 am 6:07 am
Obama should demand the DO NOTHING DEMOCRAT CONGRESS give back all pay raises for the past 8 years and freeze pay raises until they actually start doing something.
They should also have to return all the money. This should also include all donations and untraceable hidden donations such as over the internet that Obama used to campaign with.
America will love it.
Posted by: true bear | February 2, 2009, 6:16 am 6:16 am
Why so much criticism of Obama? He’s been in office TWO WEEKS. Did you start a new job and know everything? You had to learn. He is far better educated than Palin (obviously, if you listen to her). Give the President a chance, he came into a very bad economy, thanks to Bush. He can’t solve everything in two weeks, it took 8 years to get this bad.
As far as Palin goes, the bridge to nowhere she approved of until she couldn’t get financing, than all of a sudden she was against it. She started from the bottom up????? So didn’t everyone else.
Everyone is so fast to criticize two weeks after being sworn in. You’re fast with slamming him. I ask all of you one question, COULD YOU DO BETTER IN TWO WEEKS TIME????????
Posted by: smt | February 2, 2009, 6:35 am 6:35 am
smt …
I would of rather taken my chance with PALIN who has proved herself as a governor of the largest state in the country which by the way the economy is booming there. Has Obama proved himself other than work things out in mock theory in one of his Marxist debate clubs in college.
Oh by the way the economy tanks where ever democrats run things. Just look at all the major cities for proof of that one. Or are you blind to hard evidence..
Posted by: scound | February 2, 2009, 6:46 am 6:46 am
People are dying from lack of emergency aid in the mid west and Obama is sipping champagne watching the super bowl.
Posted by: homer simpson | February 2, 2009, 6:48 am 6:48 am
How do you get the national debt lowered?
Get all Democrats to pay back all the taxes they owe.
Posted by: fun and guns | February 2, 2009, 6:49 am 6:49 am
how do we get all the money back?
we roll back the last eight year nightmare,
unelect george w bush and overturn everything that bush did.
Posted by: WHAT! | February 2, 2009, 8:24 am 8:24 am
If there was any american president who was
anti-american it was
george w bush.
bush and his crew wrecked this country, and tried to bring it down.
Posted by: WHAT! | February 2, 2009, 8:25 am 8:25 am
How about the attire? Okay, if you want to appear “relaxed”, lose a suit coat, no problem. But for crying out loud, how about throwin’ on a tie, pres? He holds the highest office in the world, and he’s talking about James Bond toys, matt lauer’s kid, Jessica simpson, his mother in law, – all while he’s kickin’ back in a chair with his shirt collar unbuttoned… unbelievable. This guy doesn’t have a clue and I can’t wait for everybody that was too star-struck to realize it. Hey Obama, next time throw on some flip flops and a wife beater! We wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable during a nation TV “interview”. Pathetic.
Posted by: BJ | February 2, 2009, 8:41 am 8:41 am
Bush Hatred and Obama Euphoria are two sides of the same coin. Both represent the triumph of passion over reason. Both are intolerant of dissent.
Posted by: ThatsWhat | February 2, 2009, 9:42 am 9:42 am
Why are all these transcripts wrong on the sites I’ve visited today? Watch the video, he was trying to read the cover of the magazine where Matt Lauer had pointed out to him that they replaced his photo with one of Jessica Simpson and he said, “Who is in a weight battle, apparently.” He never said losing a weight battle and he didn’t come up with it on his own, because it was on the cover…settle down everyone and, most importantly, stop misconstruing facts to benefit your twisted ideologies.
Posted by: Patrick | February 2, 2009, 10:04 am 10:04 am
LOL @ the people on here defending what Obama said… they are probably the same people that spread all over the internet that Palin could see Russia from her house.
Posted by: Tiffany | February 2, 2009, 10:26 am 10:26 am
Nice try, Tiffany, but it was a Saturday Night Live skit that spread that rumor. Nobody is defending Obama as much as they are pointing out the facts which many right handed websites are absolutely taking out of context, as is usual.
Posted by: Patrick | February 2, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am
***He never said losing a weight battle and he didn’t come up with it on his own***
Don’t you think the President of the United States should stay away from mentioning a woman’s weight at all? So what if it was on the cover. Nobody made him say it out loud.
Especially after “Sweetie”. He’s got to be smarter than that.
Posted by: MayBee | February 2, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am
Why so critical of Obama?? He’s been in office TWO WEEKS.
Those of you who think PALIN would have done better, I think you should open your eyes and your ears. She isn’t able to be interviewed and answer questions. Then you hear that Couric and Gibson were hard on her.?????? Amazing the other candidates were also interviewed, they were no comments that they were hard on them.
Wasilla also had a deficit when she was Mayor. I talked to people who were from Wasila, and asked them what they thought of Palin – I got the same reply, she is a Wacko.
If she can’t stand the heat, get out of the fire.
People saying her family was attacked,
oh well, bring them
Posted by: smt | February 2, 2009, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
<<>>>
Well, no, it wasn’t a rumor, and SNL didn’t start it either…PALIN ACTUALLY MADE THE STATEMENT, when asked what qualified her as wee-versed in foreeign policy.
Posted by: jg | February 2, 2009, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
Now I am the last person who would ever defend Palin, but the facts have to be set straight because of the post below as well as many more I’ve seen the past few months. She DID NOT say she could see Russia from her house, just that you could from a remote island she’d never visited. SNL then made it even funnier by having Tina Fey state what you are referring to. Now, yes, she was an idiot for ever even bringing up Russia and its proximity to Alaska and even more so for other things she said throughout the campaign and since that time(and i don’t have to mention any, for there are literally hundreds). But regardless, I just wanted to make it clear that was she said was embellished in an SNL skit and it just made an already ridiculous statement even more hilarious.
Posted by: Patrick | February 2, 2009, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
Robert – You obviously weren’t listening to Palin – she did make the statement about seeing Russia from Alaska. It’s quite obvious that many people are trying to make excues for her. But she did make the statment. What this had to do with foreign policy who knows. If you had listened to her interviews with Couric and Gibson, she really couldn’t answer any question. Gibson asked her about foreign policy – she talked energy, asked her a yes or no question – rattled on for 10 minutes and never answered the question. Couric asked what newspaper she read – she reads all of them.
She then blames the media for the loss of election. Now I hear it was not the media but the staff of McCain. Which is it???? She was not prepared for itnerviews? Should you have to be prepared – shouldn’t she know the answers to the questions when you’re running for VP?????
Oh I forgot, she has more experience!!!!
a
Posted by: smt | February 2, 2009, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
Obama also said: “We are going to be trimming out things that are not relevant to putting people back to work right now”
Posted by: Missed quote | February 3, 2009, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm
Gee, you people are mean and cruel! Give the man a chance. He hasn’t even been in office for 3 weeks yet.
As for the Super Bowl. Is he not allowed an occasional break? Don’t you think that might make him more effecient when he is working? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITHOUT AN OCCASIONAL BREAK? And As to the casual attire. GET A GRIP PEOPLE IT WAS SUPER BOWL SUNDAY.
Posted by: Sue | February 5, 2009, 9:43 am 9:43 am