Couric To Clinton: Has She Considered Not Getting The Nomination? "No, I Haven't."

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.

Comments

[rblackbird]

Hillary reminds me of my cousin Mary who resigned two years ago as a full colonel in the Air Force. She supervised the construction and acquisition of some of our more important weapons systems and aircraft. If someone would have asked my cousin if she had thought she might not fulfill her mission, she would have also said "I never considered it." People who are strongly disciplined and have a major goal to accomplish will not consider that they may not reach their goal. Thinking that way is a waste of time.

[NewMexicoFan]

Couric has never been a Clinton supporter, either husband or wife, so what do you expect. Did you see her accidental interview of Bush in the White house a few years ago. She was falling all over herself. This interview means nothing but another TV commentator pushing their point of view. Who worries about Oprah, when we have Couric and the rest telling us who to vote for by their questions and interpretations or spin as they call it. Too bad they don't ask more questions on the issue. I guess then the American people actually would be given information to make an informed decisions.

Now we would not want that, would we.

[olephart]

Couric: So you never even consider the possibility?

Clinton: I don't. I don't.

Couric: So you're saying the fix is in.

Clinton: It's been in since before they stole the election from Gore and we submarined Kerry when it looked like he’d win. This is a done deal.

[liberalredneck01]

I cant stand hearing this arrogant little bitch anymore! Is the American really this stupid? Are we going to keep reelecting the same families for the next 50 years? Its time for someone else to get the job. She is no more qualified then Obama is to run the White House. We need real change. Not the same bullshit for the next 4 years.

[longislandlol]

Bush-Clinton-Bush Clinton--America our great monarchy? Think we'll stay with our great Democracy in '08'

[phoenix1964]

Welll Ms. Hillary, I hope you are sorely dissappointed by March 08! Your ego has no bounds.

[ConcernAmerican]

Actually Obama will lose against any Republican candidates especially McCain....­you Clinton haters makes me laugh. LMAO!!!!

[Dejack]

She said what every other candidate has said about themselves: she expects to win.

Why is that okay for all of them but turns her into the devil?

[CLMMIT]

Hillary is not the one, not this time around.

[CLMMIT]

Obama 08! Obama 08! Obama 08!

[xcrunner77]

I want to save this clip so I can play it over and over when Hillary is *not* the nominee. It will be almost as much fun as watching the Santorum resignation.

[Anastasia]

This comment by Hillary plays into her image of a Stepford politican. Too perfect, too above it all, less than fully human, certainly lacking in the ability as seeing herself as fallible.

Everyone has doubts, or should have, if they are to be President of the United States. If Hillary is saying this to look tough enough, she might want to consider that perhaps we've had more than enough bradagio, for the last eight years - and look where it got us?

Do we really need another president who has something to prove, or live down, rather than someone who might be a little less ambitious and more comfortable with themself?

[midtown]

Her WH experience equals that of Laura Bush: two-term wife of Governor, two-term wife of a President. If it was more than that then she needs to release her WH docs, explain why 1,000,000 US people lost their jobs because of NAFTA, and clarify the medical insurance fiasco she was involved in, which is still shrouded in secrecy.

In the meantime, she thinks five years as a senator entitles her to be President? Or does she have her pulse on some electronic voting machine help that her donors are arranging? As Bob Schieffer pointed out this past weekend, although far more politely than I am doing here, who the fuck does she think she's kidding? Do we have STUPID stamped on our foreheads?

Other than that, her Iraq and Iran war positions are frightening. She seems oblivious to the economy, and her penchant for promising committees to answer questions Madame Experience should already have ready answers to -- especially if it was eight years in the WH -- is unacceptable.

Bottom line: The arrogant sense of entitlement of Baby Boomers never ceases to amaze me. Maybe that's what happens to you when you have a Secret Service detail. It's like Barbie Does D.C. and I Get To Be President.

[DickPrimate]

Hillary is showing "confidence" that she will be the Democratic nominee? How dare that woman! Imagine, a female candidate being confident.­..

By the way, all that I ask of anyone who claims Hillary is "really" a Republican­...do just ONE reality check: ask a Republican if THEY think Hillary Clinton is a Republican­...

Just be prepared to be laughed at.

[ConcernAmerican]

Hillary easy to beat by any GOP? Think again!...O­BAMA is easy to beat by any GOP...haha­hahah

In fact states Bush won against Kerry in 2004 and now on Hillary...­... you folks can only dream on. But if Obama is the nominee, the GOP will win especially if Obama is against McCain. Accept it or not, USA is still a racist country!