Obama Explains How He Made VP Choice (CBS Interview)

[jefferson_dem]

Obama Explains How He Made VP Choice
Democrat Sits Down With Early Show Co-Anchor Harry Smith For Exclusive Interview

(CBS) Barack Obama spoke with Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith in Chester, Va. Thursday, after Obama had made it known that he'd decided on his running mate.

Obama: The most important question is is this person prepared to be president? Second most important question from my perspective is can this person help me govern? Are they gonna be an effective partner -- in creating the kind of economic opportunity here at home and guiding us through some dangerous waters internationally. And the third criteria from me, I think, was independence. I want somebody who is gonna be able to challenge my thinking -- and not simply be a -- a yes person -- when it comes to policies.

Smith: And who is it? (LAUGHTER) I had to ask.

Obama: That's a good shot. ... But -- I'm -- I'm pretty disciplined on this.

Smith:: As you went on vacation and as the primary season came to a close your campaign was somewhat quiet. John McCain ramped up his campaign. And a lot of people would suggest he has been able to define you in the last month or so. As a result, the polls have gotten much, much tighter. Has he made you the issue in this campaign?

Obama:: Well, I think that's been their intention.

Smith: Many of the attacks that have come from John McCain's campaign have been, quite frankly, condescending.

Obama: Right.

Smith: Are you surprised by that? Does it anger you?

Obama: It's a little disappointing. I -- I mean, you know-- John McCain likes to characterize himself as a maverick. But the truth is what he's done, particularly over the last month when he shook up his campaign is he basically hired Karl Rove's old -- old crew and adopted Karl Rove's old tactics. Which really had to do with suggesting that I was unpatriotic. Suggesting that I would rather win -- that I'd rather lose a war so that I could win an election just because we have a fundamental disagreement about Iraq. You know -- those kinds of -- attacks -- are pretty par for the course. So it doesn't anger me. It's what we expected.

Smith: One of the issues that came up is what's rich, what's poor. You made some hay out of what John McCain was talking about being rich. And he was asked by politico.com how many houses he had you already have an ad saying it's seven and they're worth $13 million. What point are you trying to make?

Obama: Well, the point I'm tryin' to make is is that when you say that the economy is fundamentally sound, when you say that we've made great progress economically under George Bush -- when one of your top economic advisors suggests that America is a nation of whiners and that it's all in their head that we're in a recession -- that indicates that you're out of touch. You don't get it. And, you know, for John McCain to suggest that I am somehow elitist --

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/22/earlyshow/main4372737.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_4372737

[PATRICK]

1. Before I read this

days ago I used the same introductory rationale to explain why Biden was the natural chose- if that was the rationale. Recognizing the dual crisis of domestic and foreign affairs calls for more than balance or experience but for someone deep into the actual job. There are others who might foot that bill but their names are not on the supposed short list now.

There, now I get egg on my face.

[elocs]

2. It's funny, Obama mentions nothing about pick a VP to win this state or that state,

or to win this group or that group. I guess his criteria is different than that of many of those who were picking for him, or who were inclined to advise him who they thought would be the best VP choice.

[rucky]

3. That's our job as armchair pundits.

reporting for duty, sir!

[JoFerret]

4. He's too smart to say that

Whatever he actually thinks.