Scott McClellan On Obama: I'm "Intrigued" (Video)

In an interview with USA Today on Thursday, Scott McClellan declared that while he respects John McCain he is also "intrigued by Obama."

He also mentioned his interest in Obama during an ABC News interview aired Thursday evening in which he added that he had not made up his mind about whether to vote Democrat or Republican in the upcoming election.

Watch the video:

Here's the transcript from ABC:

MARTHA RADDATZ: What do you think of John McCain?
SCOTT McCLELLAN: Uh, I have a lot of respect and admiration for Senator McCain. Um, I, he's...
MARTHA RADDATZ: Would you like him to be President?
SCOTT McCLELLAN: He's someone that, uh, has governed from the center. Uh, I haven't made a decision, in the presidential election. Uh, I...

MARTHA RADDATZ: It's possible you could vote for a Democrat?
SCOTT McCLELLAN: I, I'm intrigued by Senator Obama's message. Uh, whether or not he can act- actually accomplish it is another thing. As I show in this book, it's a very difficult thing to try to change things in Washington. And you better have a way to do it, and you better constantly focus, focus on it.

MARTHA RADDATZ: So, you haven't made up your mind about a candidate, which means you haven't decided whether you'll vote Democrat or go Republican?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I haven't made any decision.

Comments

[uclafan]

I sensed that he was for Obama on his Today show interview this morning. He has to stop looking at leaders to solve everyone's problems and then act disappointed when leaders veer off course. Obama himself says "change happens from the bottom up."

[kennedy]

Obama says it happens from the cult kids on up.

[lovethesinner]

Welcome, Scott. You've shown great courage to speak your mind to make a difference.

Obama-Webb '08

[vaberella]

Ditto

[WarriorLemming]

Yes, the courage this must have taken. We all know the Limbaugh and Rovian hate that he will be bombarded with from the right-wing freak-shows. Thank you, Scott and welcome. :)

Vets For Obama/Webb '08

[harriscrl3]

I find it curious he didnt mention McCain the PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE's Name first. Does he know something about McCain that we dont?

Please Tell us Scott. Tell America that McCain is going to be a PUPPET Govermnent for Cheney and Bush.

Carol

[donaldw6]

There is nothing McClellan could possibly do to make amends.

[KBAR]

He could give Soros the blood money back. He could come clean and tell who , actually, wrote the book. (really a NOVEL)

[theMightyT]

Soros? Get a grip.

He wrote it himself. And he's on Countdown right now talking about it.

[rinpochet]

Amends for what? Not speaking out sooner I guess. Just took him a while to realize what bottom feeders he was dealing with.

[bigdaddyvike]

I question the timing and motive. He was backpeddling so hard on NPR this morning I really have to wonder....

[Lori411]

His motives may have been mixed, but does not mean he is lying.

There is a ring of truth to what he says. He may have been a little wet behind the ears and wide-eyed about things that happened while serving Bush. I can see not knowing how to handle something like this without proper guidance and almost everyone else around approving of what was going on. That is a lot of pressure!

[gbht12]

There is no other person to actually make an intelligent vote for. The right has INSANITY McCAIN! I mean come on. The people on the right have totally lost their minds. I say welcome Scott. Glad you found your way from the DARK SIDE of BUSH AND CHENEY.

[Lori411]

How about INSANE McCAIN? I like rhyming.

[HeIsTheOne]

Ari Fleischer says McClellan has some new 24-hour friends that will ditch him as soon as the book's notoriety fades. He's a fine one to make ostracizing statements...where the hell has he been since he stepped away from the podium? Who are his friends these days? Rove and his merry Fox men?

McClellan could do far worse than to embrace the anti-Repugs and save his mortal soul.

Has anyone noticed how tan and younger looking Fleischer and McClellan have become since they quit working for satan et al?

[KBAR]

McClellan could do far worse than to embrace the anti-Repugs and save his mortal soul.

He could have Father Michael Pfleger hear his confession.

[edwarvir]

KBAR, let me help you out. Do not bother GOD"s man. That's GOD place
to do that. It's like chastising someone elses child. If Pastor Pfleger is wrong
GOD will take him to task.

[nanton29]

Ari Fleischer continues to defend a white house administration that is indefensible. Ari if you are so in love with the way things were in the white house , then how come you baled out. I must hand it to you though, your insight to jump ship was impeccable. Now, if you have one book in you as you claim, then I hope it will be the truth.
After that, I do not care if you do hair club for men infomercials

[ropadopa]

Smirconious was on the TV tonight and he declared that Scotty's timing was purposefully intended to defeat John McCain or otherwise why couldn't he wait for seven more months. Then it dawned on me he did not offer up any contradictory argument in support of the administration. His only concern was the timings of the revelation.My question and someone out there please tell me, who are these people and what is it that has rendered so indifferent to the truth? Where is Sec. Powell? This is his chance to come clean. There will never be another opportune moment like this.

[shengirl]

That's the thing. None of them are offering factual rebuttals, arguments of different positions from what McClellan says. It is all character assassination. You don't like the message, don't correct the message, don't refute the message, shoot the messenger.

[drkazmd65]

Exactly shengirl,... it's an old debator's tactic,... poisoning the well.

[soot]

Don't vote for McCain, Scott. You'd be rejoining the same people you left.

[aristippe]

A republican double agent looking for a role to play in the next adminstration! A mole. Am i paranoid. Get off the fence Snotty.

[PAposter]

No, you're not paranoid, all we want is his vote, but he cannot, and never will get close to our President.

[nonconformist2]

Loyalty Loyalty Loyalty. This is all that matters right? Forget about the honest, integrity, competency, personal responsibility. Just loyalty. Scooter Libby is loyal, like a good little doggie.

[AndrewInToronto]

If so, Aristippe, then we need the same Rx or therapist. My gut-reaction was the same: a Bush Republican looking to feather his nest.

[drzoon]

relax.

get used to it. we are going to have a lot of republicans in our tent this november. (unless HRC finds a way to steal this thing)

[liseworks]

I agree. Veritable bus loads, I predict.

[ramblingjohnny]

I rather he not give Obama any endorsement or something like that. Just for the sake that if he did the neocon would say is book was an Obama operation.

[nonconformist2]

Part of the great left wing conspiracy.

[nonconformist2]

I'm not surprised that he is "intrigued" by Obama. During his interview with Keith Olbermann, he seemed to emphasize that the reason he was such a fan of Bush in 2000 was his bipartisan record as a Governor of Texas. He was looking forward to a President who would unite the country and bring honor and integrity back to the white house. Interesting to hear him paint a picture of Bush that is so diametrically opposed to the reality that it became.

[shengirl]

I noticed that, too, and thought he almost seemed to be describing Obama. McC really did seem to have a streak of idealism. He sure picked the wrong bunch to work for!

[NotMcCain]

Welcome, Scott! We hope you're onboard for an honest candidate with a sincere message and vision.

He's going to be so battered by Republicans who hate criticism of any kind, especially from someone who's supposed to be a loyal lackey, forever mouthing talking points.

He's still young. Leave the lying corrupt leaders in today's Republican party (and I include McCain most definitely), and make a fresh start with Dems. It's happened before.

[politicojunkie]

Scot should watch his back. I don't trust the bushies.

[nonconformist2]

They are probably preparing a private cell at Gitmo as we speak!

[MissingAmerica]

I am actually gaining respect for this man.