For tonight's CBS Evening News, Katie Couric sat down with fellow glass-ceiling breaker Hillary Clinton to talk about the race for the Democratic nomination. CBS News headlines it as "Confident Clinton" — not surprising for the woman in the asbestos pantsuit — and that's exactly how she comes across.
When Couric asked Clinton if she'd be disappointed not to be named the nominee, Clinton answered: "Well, it will be me." See above re: confident. Clinton did say that she'd support whomever the nominee was...but clarified that by saying that she hadn't actually considered that possibility. Watch:
Clinton did, however, acknowledge that it's "a tight race" and said she anticipated "a mad dash to Iowa caucuses [followed by] a mad dash to New Hampshire and then keep going."
Clinton also put Couric's questions about the ratcheted-up tenor of the campaign in context, setting herself apart by noting that "The Republicans have attacked me as well, which I think is also a badge of honor." Clinton also professed herself unconcerned that Oprah Winfrey would be campaigning for Obama ("I think it's great!"), but when she started speaking of all the great supporters coming out, Couric interrupted her: "Are you concerned that this will give him a big boost?" There aren't many people who can trump Oprah, but Bill Clinton is one of them, and it was at that point that Clinton pulled him out: "It's wonderful to have someone with his knowledge and experience and incredible ability to vouch for me campaigning for me."
Full transcript of the exchange regarding whether Clinton had considered not getting the nomination below - click on "Read Whole Story."
Confident Clinton Takes On Attacks [CBS News]
This post has been updated since it was first published.
Here's the full exchange regarding whether Clinton had considered not getting the nomination:
Couric: If it's not you, how disappointed will you be?
Clinton: Well, it will be me. But of course, I'm ready to support the democratic nominee, whoever it is.
Couric: I know that you're confident it's going to be you but there is the possibility it won't be and clearly you have considered that possibility.
Clinton: No I haven't. You know, when you get up every day like I do and you go out and meet hundreds and thousands of people and you talk about yourself, and you talk about your dreams and hopes for the country and you talk about what you will do as president and draw the contrast with your opponents, that takes up all my time and energy, to just keep presenting myself and my candidacy. So I get up everyday intending to meet and reach as many as people as possible then I go to bed at night and then I get up and do it all over again.
Couric: So you never even consider the possibility?
Clinton: I don't. I don't.