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

[gujarbhai]

Arianna so biased against Hillary..

[FirstBlowupDollLaura]

Hillary will not end the war.

Sorry, I just can't get past that.

Who needs a Democrat when you can get permanent warmongering from a Republican?

[Perazul]

The primary process is crazy. I am delighted to see a strong, intelligent, confident woman leading the polls. It's not going to be easy, but she will prevail. Go Hillary!

[Teri]

two losers chatting with each other, hahahahaa.

[editor]

Why the hell isn't Clinton being interviewed by a REAL report; like Dan Rather....? I can almost imagine gossipy kAtIe; handing out lollipops.....

[SmootyBooty]

All you Hillary supporters need to ask yourselves: "Why doesn't Howard Woolfson know that his candidate takes more $ from lobbyists and military contractors than ANY candidate?"
I watched this arrogant f**k deny that he knew this on tweety's show two weeks ago. Was he just doing what she does-lying?
And don't get me started on T. McCauliffe.

[Azor]

I found the short video clip appaling. Both the questions and the way they were asked, and the answers and the way they were answered. Superficiality and demuring arrogance, what a combo!

[SoonerThought]

I think I hear a horse galloping up behind Hillary...

[ConcernAmerican]

If Obama is Bobby Kennedy, Santa Claus is real......LMAO!

[Januarycarol]

Why on earth does she think this smug confidence is effective? Who advises her? It's a turn-off for me.

[aznurse]

she should win on her Humbleness alone. Does HRC stand for Her Royal Clinton?
Meanwhile, please aim your microwave ovens towards Cheneys hospital room

[curiousasheck]

Yeah uh when are they going asking talking about the economy. The sub prime crisis and other scams setting back American people and what they intend to do about it.

[RileysMom]

Could it be? the Media not force feeding us a heaping helpind of the Reverend Obama's HOPE?

thank god - if the media (huff post included) rise up from Obama's alter and give some of the other candidates some attention it might make them look a little less like FOX noise

I know they are all smug having knocked Hillary off her throne..... but these smug bastards trying to shove Obama as Bobby Kennedy redeux (yes, this means you Chris Matthews) may have just cost the Democrats the election. Obama will never be president.

[RavagesOfTime]

Why should she consider not getting the nomination?

I mean....well, come on.

[BlueBoomer]

Katie Couric is such a lite-weight, with that goofy cheerleader grin.

And to say "Clearly, you have considered the possibility..." is inappropriate, as a statement of absolute fact, when she should have said "Certainly you have considered the possibility...", which isn't so blatantly presumptive.

What a lousy journalist...just goes to show you what happens when someone is elevated to a position of power/influence/etc. when they're CLEARLY not ready or right for the job, despite "years of experience".

It's the PERFECT analogy: Katie had years of "experience" in the field of presenting stories on TV, but is was NOT hard-hitting news, and therefore wasn't enough to make her succesful at bring the newscast out of it's ratings cellar.

Are you listening, Hillary?... Are you listening, Hillary supporters?