Obama Interviews

Today Obama did a sweep of interviews with some main news stations. Most presidents don't do multiple interviews unless there is a big announcement, but Obama talked with these news anchors about the issues he is dealing with in the oval office. He talks about mortgage crisis, his cabinent appointees and his economic bill, which is a nice change. I think that hearing from a president make Americans feel like he has nothing to hide. He is representing America and there shouldn't be too much going on behind close doors. These are some of the things he talk about in his interviews.

NBC interview with Brian Williams: Willams ask President Obama about the home mortgage crisis and who is to blame for it. Obama replies that there are some people who need to take responsibility for it, but he never assigns blame. He says that loans were given to people who couldn't afford them unless the housing market kept going up and that this is because of "looser standards" from the appraisers and mortgage brokers. Williams also asks about the frustration level that Obama experiences in the white house, with the long hours and constant traveling. Obama replies that he has been able to accomplish a lot so far, much more then the normal standards, but that it is hard being away from his family. He says that he got to go to a soccer game, and take his girls to school, and has attended parent teacher conferences but he knows that he has missed a lot.

I think that this gives me, if it is even possible, a higher level of respect for Obama. I think in the first issue, health care, by explaining what happened but not assigning blame was a respectable thing to do. There is no use blaming, only learning from our mistakes and moving on. With regards to his family, I think that his answer shows how he is a real person. He misses his family but he is doing this job "because it is worth it".

CBS interview with Katie Couric: Couric begins by asking President Obama about his choices for cabinet appointees, in particular Tom Daschle who withdrew his name because of tax issues. Obama says that he still believes that Daschle would have been a great person for the job but that there can't be higher standards. He say that he doesn't want to promote "two sets of rules: one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes every day". Couric also asks him about his other appointees and asks whether there is something wrong with his vetting process. He says that the vetting process isn't wrong but that he "messed up". He said that he really wanted to give health care to the people but didn't "recognize the perception" of his giving someone the spot who didn't pay his taxes when everyday people are paying taxes all the time.

I think that this is the greatest thing I have heard him say, well almost greatest. The fact that he can admit that he messed up is something that I, personally, never thought a president could say. Recognizing that he made a mistake and that he is sorry for it makes Obama look like someone who really is trying to do good. When he realizes that he made a mistake he tries to fix it, not just staying there and keeping going on with it for years and wasting American lives and tax dollars and... oups. Little rant just then. But really, kudos to you Mr. Pres for admitting you were wrong.

ABC interview with Charles Gibson: There has been controversy on Obama's economic plan. Gibson asks him about this plan and Obama explains his motives. He wanted a big stimulus package, his 800 billion dollar bill. He wants to "create jobs and lay the infrastructure for long term economic growth" one way, by creating green jobs. Gibson then asks if he did this too much too quickly. Obama says that the economy is desperate and that he won't do the same things that "landed" us in this economy to begin with. He also says that he want bipartisanship and wants republican support not just for the politics of it but because he wants the bill to work for the American people has a whole, but he also doesn't want to wait to create new jobs.

This is another great interview. Obama is working for the people, not for the political system. He is upholding his promises and defending his ideas with logical and persuasive argument. He isn't spending money just to spend it, but to help the people. He truly is serving the people, and I think he shows this here.

All in all, President Obama hit a home run today with the interviews. The people are getting the information straight from him, no roundabouts or spin. GO OBAMA!

P.S. Each interview section has a hyperlink to the website with the full interview and more!