Valerie Jarrett: The Other Side Of Obama's Brain (WATCH)

CBS' Katie Couric interviews Valerie Jarrett, Barack Obama's senior adviser:

When Karl Rove worked for President Bush, he had so much influence that some called him "Bush's Brain." Valerie Jarrett is the woman known as the other side of Barack Obama's brain. Jarrett, a 51-year-old business leader and single mother, just may be the most powerful woman in Chicago besides Oprah. And she's earned the complete confidence of Barack and Michelle Obama.

Jarrett talks about her 17 years with the Obamas and gives an inside perspective on one the most memorable moments in the campaign:

Katie Couric: I understand you were critical when it came to the controversy over his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. What did you advise him to do?

Valerie Jarrett: It was a very personal and painful experience for both he and for Michelle. And I think, you know, to have your pastor say things with which you totally disagree, that you have never heard him say before, and to say things that weren't so kind to you on a national platform which turns into an international platform was painful. And I did encourage him to give the speech that he gave on race. I encouraged him to, you know, just speak from the heart, which he did. I think it will go down in history as one of the great speeches ever.

Watch the video:

Read the whole interview here.

Comments

[jahjah]

10:50 PM on 08/13/2008

I Love that woman she got right on the top she is good what experience we are in iraq now because of cheney, mccain , bush no we are tired of these people i dont why people want the same families to be running this country instead of new blood we do look like we dont know how to vote, BUSH,BUSH AND THEN CLINTON AND AGAIN PEOPLE WANTED ANOTHER CLINTON I DONT GET IT AMERICAN ECONOMY FIRST THEN PEOPLE'S LEGACY LATER WAIT YOU SEE THAT JEB BUSH IS GOING TO RUN AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR HIM OH PLEASE LETS JUST USE OUR COMMON SENSE SOMETIMES LOOK AT BRITIAN

[chiefeditor]

04:03 PM on 08/13/2008

Audio from the interview is up: http://www.entertonement.com/collections/645/Valerie-Jarrett

[Charmed]

01:28 PM on 08/13/2008

Great interview and Ms. Jarrett was so clear. Obama has people with class and integrity on his side.

[goldnchyl]

08:22 AM on 08/13/2008

This is all we need to see more of rather than the insufferable spin that the "right" has had far too much control over. Let's balance the field with a comparable number of O surrogates such as Ms. Jarrett and the obvious differences between the camps will be undeniable.

[realiybased2]

01:55 AM on 08/13/2008

OMG!!!!!. Jarrett needs to go on Keith Olberman or Larry King..... She seems genuine and Knowledgeable, what refreshing change.....WOW!!!!

[heyjoe]

12:52 AM on 08/13/2008

Barack has a lot of people with a clear voice. I think it is the noise that so desperately trys to drown out those voices. The problem is that life has become so challenging for me over these past 8 years that I am no longer willing the listen to the noise.

John McCain doesn't know my struggle and he doesn't want to. He wants to relitigage the Cold War rather than help correct the course of this nation to improve the lives of average Americans. It is time for CHANGE!!

[mypov123]

10:40 PM on 08/12/2008

Barack is very lucky, he has two brilliant women in his corner.

[MYQUEEN7]

10:23 PM on 08/12/2008

Finally a surrogate that truly represents the candidate. She is sharp, professional, articulate and REALLY knows the candidate and his wife. Her authenticity is very refreshing.

OBAMA 08

[lovethesinner]

10:03 PM on 08/12/2008

What a clear voice, and patient speaking style. Maturity without condescension.

Advantage Obama, (and should he be elected, all of us.)

Obama-Feingold '08

[JFaye]

09:48 PM on 08/12/2008

What a refreshing voice on the campaign trail. I actually enjoyed this interview, in spite of Katie Couric's pathetic attempt to set up a "gotcha.' Perfect response to what mistakes he has admitted to ... "an insatiable desire for knowledge." Thankfully, knowledge does provide an impetus to refine ones ideals and position to move forward and in a beneficial way. Imagine a president who reads and articulates well his position… what a change!

The inscrutability of how the media overlooks the seriousness of Ms. McCain’s past (not simply her drug addiction and relationship with the first Mrs. McCain’s husband) but the criminal acts she committed to attained her drugs, causes tremendous pause. Yet the media seems fixated on Mrs. Obama’s faux pas in expressing the pride she feels in her country: Such an obvious bias and startling enigma that this remains newsworthy. Michelle Obama will accomplish more in enhancing societal gains for the working mother than Mr. McCain’s wife could ever hope to do.

Knowing people who have courageously struggled with drug-addiction, will anyone ask the question, how does Mrs. McCain plan to cope as first-lady and the inherent stress of this role, should (God forbid) Senator McCain win?

Senator Obama is fortunate to such intelligent and genuine people supporting him... including his wife.

[psychmaj323]

09:17 PM on 08/12/2008

WOW, absolutely wonderful video! I agree with everthing Ms.Jarrett spoke about.

[mibm16450]

07:17 PM on 08/12/2008

Why isn't the media focusing on the negative aspects of Cindy McCaine? While Michelle Obama is going around the country speaking positively about women issues and showing America the true sides of her family, Cindy M is walking around like a 50 pound prom queen carrying bags laden with husband stealing, theft , and drug use....and oh BTW she has always been pround of her country!

[Jazz42]

06:46 PM on 08/12/2008

Great article.
I totally agree with everything Ms Jarrett spoke about.
Thank you,