Obama, Biden 60 Minutes Interview: Obama Explains Biden Pick, Reacts To Palin (VIDEO)

In his first reaction to the choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate, Sen. Barack Obama tells 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft that she is an "up-and-coming public servant." Of his own choice for running mate, the Democratic presidential nominee says Sen. Joseph Biden "can step in and become president."

Obama and Biden sat down with Kroft Friday night in Pittsburgh for an interview to be broadcast on 60 Minutes this Sunday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Read the full story here.

-OR-

Watch the interview below.

Comments

[DavieB36]

If you people really believe Obama should win stop syaing stupid things, get off your chair and start going door to door. This election will be won with turnout! turnout! turnout!

[dawn2dusk]

you're right DavieB36, it's time to get out of the blogosphere and into the real world and turn out the vote. Time to ignore MSM distractions and rise to action. Turn Out The Vote!

[highlyamused]

Oh, some of us have the time to do both. :)

I have been and will continue to be working my back end off for him.

[shirley91]

My state is sky blue. That's why I haven't seen one political ad yet! Now, my aunt and uncle live in Florida...­.

[dct1999]

Real world activities are absolutely the most important. I'm registering new voters here in NY, and used my vaction time to help my brothers do the same in Charlotte, NC.

I'm sure many posters are holding meetings, canvassing, hosting Obama workers, registering voters, sending money, etc.

[CaptainVideo]

In picking Palin, McCain gave up his most effective argument against Obama: limited experience. The fact that he was willing to put this very inexperienced woman one 72 year old heartbeat away from the Presidency shows that he never meant all the things that he said about the need for having an experienced person as President. It shows that this was simply cynical political spin.

[joselopez]

Captain, it also meant he did not mean his slogan "Country First" either. His goal with picking her was purely political and any person who cannot see that is crazy.

[highlyamused]

Right on. As far as I'm concerned Mc handed us the election with the choice of Palin.
He took all his 'spin' about O off the table and no longer has a leg to stand on. Not that he ever did.

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

"Not that he ever did", is about right on. Watching him on the news---he looks like he's
barely able to stand very long or walk just a few feet away.

[PumaAnn]

That's the mantra of the liberals. I don't agree. I think with this choice he's effectively countered O's claim to experience.

It's just too obvious. He doesn't have to say much now. It just speaks for itself.

[djelimon]

"I think with this choice he's effectively countered O's claim to experience­."

I don't follow

What legislation has she passed, how many foreign leaders has she met, and how many poor families and veterans has she helped?

[dct1999]

The experience argument was NOT working, not for HIllary or McCain. He decided to put that strategy on the back burner.

McCain picked Palin to appeal to the religious right, and to white women.

I was CTFU when I read about the PA crowd booing when Palin attempted to give props to HIllary.

[mypov123]

POOPaAnn, you are so delusional that it's scary! The selection of Palin as VP has NOTHING do to with experience, McCain is simply trying to fill a quota: pick a woman, ANY woman, to try and take away female voters from Obama. McCain isnt' thinking about the future of this country, he's thinking about what he needs right to win this election, that is all.

[stateMachine]

Good point- Palin brings a wealth of experience in hunting and square dancing. Simply put, Obama does not have enough white experience to be president.

[Scottiedog]

Ah, still stuck on stupid, eh PumaAnn?

[ishok]

I don't want to get the Messiah stuff started but there must be something about O that makes other alphas wacky. Or maybe we didn't see the cracks and warts until we had something better to compare them to. His calm but serious demeanor seems to put many at ease but it does the opposite to his competitors. When you see how he sent the Clintons out of orbit (the sorry campaign decisions and racial stuff) and now McCain with his VP selection, I'm thinking maybe he is the one that will keep us above water.

[anothergreenbus]

I think it's pretty simple. His calm, confident manner rattles his opponent's nerves and they do stupid things. Confidence has a way of undermining egotism.

[4wehttam]

I agree 100%. The more disciplined and organized O becomes, the more irrational and discombobulated the other side gets.

[FatherWolf]

It's the same with Sen. Clinton. She's driven conservatives crazy for years. I think it's her confidence, her centeredness, and personal power. The cons just can't stand a liberal who is such a strong person.

[instagladiator]

Well said, I agree 100% too. O is Mr. Calm, Cool and Collected. Love him to death for this steadfast stanch of confidence and determination.

[MandieD]

Reminds me of a time when he was on the Daily Show and Jon asked him whether he would enslave whitey if he became President ... Obama just laughed. Treated it like the joke it was, which impressed me, because politicians don't usually have senses of humour.

[jean22]

I've never witnessed a greater disparity in intellect, character and temperament between two presidential candidates as there is between Obama and McBush. Given that fact along with record foreclosures, outsourcing of jobs, unaffordable healthcare, family members maimed and dead from an unnecessary war and the general incompetency and lack of respect for the intelligence of 90% of americans we see from from the repugs, this campaign should be no where near close!

[keepemhonest]

Palin has no CREDENTIALS - forget "Experienc­e."

Interesting how the GOP are twisting the 'experience' word & omitting the "Credentials" word.

She has no CREDENTIALS in dealing with:
* ethnic groups (there are none in Alaska)
* foreign policy
* national economics
* national border control
etc.

It will interesting to see if the media, in print & tv, spotlight on Palin's lack of credentials to be a heart beat away from a 72 year old President.

[manicallday]

Just stop! Stop alienating people with these far-off moonbat attacks. Everything that you just said was wrong. Her own husband is ethnic. I understand that you want Obama to win, but you are not helping.

[k6007]

What about everything else that was listed?? You know, the important stuff.

[rucognizant]

Last time I looked the ethnic group ? Eskimos didn't present a LARGE PROBLEM to this country.
I don't understand why people are selling Obama's childhood experience short. By adulthood he had a complete course in Internationalism, diplomacy.­.........a government over throw in Indochina witnessed first hand, and explained by his politically active Stepfather!
I live in Maine now, have traveled overseas..­..........­Many in my little town have never even been OUT OF THE STATE. They make it difficult to put forth any new ideas at Town Meetings/ PTA, because their experience of the world is limited.
It takes a LOT longer to get anywhere else from Alaska!

[4wehttam]

Her husband is ethnic? Maybe keepemhonest is talking about a DIVERSE group of people. You know, black, white, hispanic, asian.....­.so on and so forth. She's been in Alaska....­...a potential president has to be president of ALL OF US.

[Knowitall]

I agree to some extent, but there is a point to be made here. Palin herself said the other day while in Pennsylvania, "It's good to be visiting another part of the country." This is troubling to me. It indicates a possible lack of knowledge about anything other than her own little town. I don't like feeling that I may know more about the rest of this country than the person in line for the presidency. It should concern you too. What happened to all this talk about the president being able to relate to "my kind of people?" Wasn't that what all the shots and beer and motorcycles, Nascar, etc. etc. etc. was about? Granted she will get the pro-life, evangelical and guns crowd, but WHAT ABOUT ME!!

[stevietheman]

I generally agree, but the last time I checked, Eskimos are an ethnic group in Alaska. Otherwise, you are spot on.

[Kalin]

I believe the prefer to be called Inuits.

[OlskoolDem]

Palin the arial wolf shooters PAL!

[PumaAnn]

Up and coming public servant? The woman is governor, which is more than O has been.

[WilliamBentley2]

By the dint of your logic, Ann, New York Governor David Patterson (in office a few months) is more than what Senator McCain has been, correct? While this ain't Mensa here on HuffPo, I think we can do a little logic exercise here to discredit your crap argument. My name is WilliamBentley2 and I approve this message.

PATTERSON '08.

[kay]

She's got the PUMA vote.

All 30 of them.

[sherbug]

Hey PumaAnn, now you have a ticket that you can get behind. You have a woman on the ticket just like you wanted. I can't understand why you are still picking at Obama, when all is going your way.

[PumaAnn]

I'm just commenting on the way O discusses her. It makes him look condescending, considering his own thin resume.

[exclintonsupporter]

OB was not being condesendi­ng...that is your take because you don't like him...that is your right not to like him...but be for real...we can argue all day and night about who has the most experience­...I say OB...you say SP...the real question is who is more qualified to be POTUS...ha­nds down OB wins. First he is a constitutional lawyer. He was President of the Harvard Law review...n­ot President of the PTA... & one doesn't get to be President of the Law review by graduating bottom of his class. He was a constitutional law professor.­..he has a law degree...n­ot a degree in journalism. OB is brilliant.­..he was smart enough to beat the Clintons at their own game. SP is a fine person...I can tell she is very smart...bu­t she is not ready to be POTUS...sh­e doen't even know what the VP is suppored to do...nor does she know what is going on in Iraq...she said so in her own words. OB has been surrounded by strong women all of his life...his mother, grandmother and sister...n­ot to mention his wife...and I am sure he will want his two daughters to grow up to be strong independent women...he was not being condesendi­ng...he was being refreshingly HONEST...s­he is up and coming but not ready to be POTUS or VP for that matter.

[CaptainVideo]

That's the problem, Palin is a generic woman, that permits McCain to have a woman on the tickets. She is not a woman who has earned the right for this slot by her accomplishments. She is not an acceptable substitute for Hillary, who is highly qualified for the job.

McCain cynically passed up several highly qualified Republican women, such as Hutchinson and Snowe to pick this unqualified one.

[jwatso7]

Republicans are in NO position to now criticize whatever experience Obama has. He has been a United States Senator and a state senator. Maybe you think it would have helped his credentials to serve on the PTA. Quite frankly, after McCain's pick, it's laughable to read such posts.

But what's more, throw out the experience issue. Look at what this says about McCain's judgment. He said he'd pick the MOST QUALIFIED to be president. I don't like Republicans, but I can think of a half dozen in the party who would have been enormously qualified for VP. What about Kay Bailey Hutchison? What about LIbby Dole? If you wanted a woman, they're quite qualified. What about Romney, Pawlenty? I wouldn't have liked them, but at least they wouldn't have made me quake in my boots to think about a 72 year old President having something happen to him on the job. This shows McCain is willing to put the country in jeopardy to pander to whatever quadrants of the electorate he's trying to reach (namely women and sharp right-wing conservatives).

Spare me the judgment, PumaAnn. It's something your party doesn't have, yet something you're nevertheless always happy to impart on others.

[stevietheman]

Stop being ridiculous. Obama's national and political experience beats hers, by light years.

[PumaAnn]

He was a flipping state legislator who voted not present. She governed a state. Don't you be silly.

The man has 140 days as a senator. Unless you count talking about how he's going to do stuff as really doing stuff.

In one year, she accomplished more in Alaska than he did 8 years in Illinois. Frankly, everytime he talks about his experience, I laugh. HE'S the lightweight in this race.

[AurigaRa]

bwaahaaahahahhahah
Well vote for her then, idiot

[captainindustry]

He picked her to show his utter contempt for the voters who thought he would ever even consider being POTUS.

He's just joking around. Come ON!! LOOK AT McCAIN!!! He has a great life and a short interest span. He's a playboy with a Peter Pan complex. He was staring at her butt and twirling his wedding ring the whole time!!!

What else could he do to convince you that he's in it for the laffs and the cocktail parties, and to get out of the house because Cindy is driving him bats.

[kay]

He picked her to pander to the religious Right. She's their pick.

[captainindustry]

Why did the Religions RIght ever pick McCain? He's no Christer.

[nomobull]

they bought their own maverick spin.

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

It is funny the religious right is so holier than thou. Dobson was jumping like a mexican jumping bean. I guess its OK if McCain picks a woman that has a 16 yr old daughter that has a baby out of wedlock and passes the infant off as her own is what the republicans call family values in action. What about the family business of McCain selling beer. After all they are the ones pushing morale judgements. But gosh they are only judge when it comes to the democrats.

[StevieRae]

Actually, McCain picked Palin for the men's vote. Think about her "sports" credentials.

[PumaAnn]

They are already liking her, but it's more because she's a hunter. That segment just loves this "annie oakley!"

[bluesman49]

I think men will be turned off by the goody 2-shoes, cheerleader bit coupled to the vindictive, conniving attempt to ruin her former brother in law's career.

[JustAProgressive]

I see that the trolls are out this morning. I'll wait for them to crawl back under the bridge before looking for substantive discussion.

[mnash]

I thought it was quite enlightening when I read Palin was pleased Obama was ahead of McCain in Alaska. I quite honestly think Palin fired up HRC's supporters when they read the post here on HRC whining. Can you smell mince meat? No, it isn't about HRC but Palin brought it up first!!!!

[Smirk]

Where did you read that?

[nomobull]

on this site

[docallen001]

I saw the quotes, so it will be hard for the Repubs to say Palin did not make some positive statements about Obama's efforts in Alaska. I guess this will turn into one of those she was for Obama before she was against him.

[Biracial1]

That's the new buzzword from the rethugs "misogyny" and THE reason why he picked her. In hopes that democrats will be labeled misogynists. Why DIDN'T he pick Kay Hutchinson? Too old, but way more qualified. We won't fall for this misogyny crap.

[AlphaDoc]

So they are going to play the gender card every time someone questions Palincomparison's qualifications? Humorous. Kay Bailey Hutchinson didn't look too pleased when I saw her interviewed right after the announcement. Methinks there's lots of contention in Republicanville over this one.

[GraciousWinner]

Don't think Hillary was all that pleased when Michelle O told Barry not to
pick her as VP do you?

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

Well if they love Hillary so much why didn't McCain choice Hillary. How in the world can Hillary say he is her friend when he commented about Hillary's daughter calling her ugly and Reno was her mother. He let that woman at his town hall meeting call Hillary a Bitch and he just laughed and didnt correct her.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Everyone seems to be missing one big point. The VP's roll in the general election and the debates is to be the attack dog. Palin seems to me a major lightweight who cannot attack Obama on his lack of experience which was his greatest weakness before this awful pick by McBush. Biden will do a great job on the stump attacking McBush. In fact, Biden will attack Palin very little in the debates. Biden will have the whole length of the debates to prosecute the McBush and Bush policy failures. The overriding thing that McBush does not understand since all his policy stances on the issues are so close to Bush's, is that Biden and Obama will be attacking the man that is not even in the room during the debates who is responsible for this mess.

[manicallday]

That is not the VP's purpose. Just in case you haven't noticed, debates do not matter anymore. I can't remember the last time a Republican won Presidential debate. Everything that a campaign does should help bring in voters, which Biden does not. He contradicts Obama's message on so many levels. In fact, he help write that Patriot Act and Bankruptcy Bill that Obama has been so critical of. And FISA has been a thorn in Obama's side since he voted for it, so what sense does it make the one of the Original drafters your VP? And if that wasn't alienating enough, Biden supported the Iraq war. And don't get me started on his stance on the drug war and the RIAA. It is enough to drive any progressive to the arms of Cynthia McKinney. Further, Biden called Obama inexperienced following his comment that portrayed Obama as a token. Thus, I fail to understand how Biden helps Obama.

[UGAgirl]

Cynthia McKinney?? Are you h i g h this early in the morning??? Sir, I am from the great state of Georgia. I have listened to this shrill, insane woman speak for years, and I can assure you, Joe Biden is no Cynthia McKinney!
If the question you're asking of VP picks is "why pick him?", I would suggest that you look inward and ask "Johhny-boy, who put you up to this??" I guarantee the answer is the Rove/Cheney machine. Hopefully, after 8 years of bs, the majority of the American public can see through this.

[CindyM2008]

During the primary, candidates always try to paint the other as not being up for the job like they would be. It happens. Romney did it to Mc Cain. After that, he went on talk shows to promote Mc Cain.

And despite what was said during the primary, O bama chose Biden as his running mate. This showed strength and considerable thought on his part. Biden is sharp, smart, knowledgable, has a great life story and a good personality.

[robXdion]

Biden never called him a "token". Not even close. Biden apologized for his war vote. Choosing Biden scared the GOP so badly they decided to forego their other VP choices. He's the best advocate and "attack dog" there is. And as for Cynthia McKinney, you must be out of your mind.

[GraciousWinner]

Seems is the word to pick out from your comment

[Smirk]

This year, whichever presidential candidate wins has an unusually high chance of dying in office, and thus, of being succeeded by his VP. Under those circumstances, each should've chose an exceptionally well-qualitifed running mate. Obama did, McCain did not.

[docallen001]

You have touched on the Repub thinking process and logic. Polin can act as an attack dog, Biden can not because it is not polite to attack women. I agree Biden will focus on McBush and Bush policies and the 4 more years.

[harobamason]

If she wants to play with the big dogs then she is gonna have to come off the porch. Why should the bar be lowered for Palin when Hillary worked so hard - when Barack worked so hard - when WE worked so darn hard for the past 19 months.

With just over 60 days left to this election Mrs. Palin deserves to feel our struggle.

MSM - Biden - WE should all make her prove her worth.

After Cheney the last thing we need is a trophy VP for the Republican party.

[rajoro]

How can you not love this man? Thoughtful, engaged respectful, mature and serious. Everytime I see him I see the Michael Jordan of Politics. He is just motivated to be the best! That is what will make him the best POTUS.

Jack Kennedy had something to prove as the first Catholic and exceeded expectations. Obama is like that, brilliant and motivated to be the best! A non-idealogical pragmatist. Imagine if the McCain or Cheney of today had been ther to handle the Cuban missle crisis. Is there any doubt we would have invaded Cuba and possibly been at war with the former Soviet Union? Possibly including a nuclear confrontation?

It is frightening to think about it, and sad that the ugly American still lives. The scared ignorant small minded people living in fear, afraid of losing what they have. All the while watching even their very lives taken from them by those who say it is in their best interest when it is in the interest of profit for those few who have the power and the money.

[dawn2dusk]

Hillary can step in any time and take Pahlin to the woodshed. We're waiting.

[manicallday]

This is not going to do anything productive. Trust me, you do not want to make this election about Hilary. If you do, you will just further excite their base into a frenzy. Just remember that this pick has nothing to do about you or I. Palin is there to appease their base, which was largely dissatisfied with McCain and it looked like it accomplished that. So a Hillary denouncement will only confirm this pick which is icing on the cake.

[CindyM2008]

Yes, like Pa lin calling Hil lary a whiner. Or the crowd booing Hil lary yesterday.
Yes, they will flock to Pa lin. Sure.

[GraciousWinner]

Why should she ? Michelle O made the VP pick as we all know ,so let her do it

[CindyM2008]

Really? Michelle made the pick? Cite your source please. I'd like to read about that.

[PumaAnn]

Hill is irrelevant. This is Biden's problem.

[jashbowie]

What universe do you live in?

a) Hillary is far from irrelevant. People still listen to her and she is a major political figure. She can take Palin apart and no one will be able to claim misogyny. This is especially relevant since it seems obvious that one of the major reasons for the Palin pick was to steal a few Hillary supporters­...who better to prevent that than Hillary herself?

b) Palin isn't anyone's "problem" other than McCain's. She is such a lightweight that Obama and Biden can both safely ignore her and let other surrogates remind voters that she is an inexperienced, right-wing, anti-choice, anti-science Creationist.

[Ant]

I think Clinton will step in.

[qwerasdf]

Wow, Biden didn't talk once during that whole interview. He just looked scary in the background­... kind of how Dick Cheney would look.

[caywen]

Obama / Biden seem to have hit a special, rare harmony. These two have worked together for years, so they know each other well. Obama needs to emphasize as much as possible the Joe could, in an alternate universe, have been a perfectly effective president. The more he does this, the more he attacks Palin by implication.

Biden is a terrific choice for Obama on all levels.

[didleijoe]

Palin literally asked what a VP does and is it a busy job a month ago...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiVPWHLpEjk

[Voltage]

Thanks for the link. I love her end quote: "Well, this is a pretty cool job, too, as Governor or Alaska."

[GraciousWinner]

She was correct.Ma­ny of us have been asking the same questions for years

[manicallday]

But Biden contradicts Obama's substantive message. He seems like he voted for everything that Obama is against. I don't understand.

[jashbowie]

Actually, Obama has taken a sharp populist turn since his vacation. Biden fits that message to a T. Biden's blue collar, regular guy roots are unquestioned, and he'll do a great job stumping in the rust belt. If you aren't sure how the two merge, go find a video of Biden's speech on the day he was announced. I don't like Biden's vote on the bankruptcy bill or his protection of the big media corporations, but I can't argue that he is very good for the ticket.

[DavieB36]

There is a book called "Team of Rivals" that you should go read. Do we want a government where there is no debate on issues or do we want one where qualified intelligent people have different positions and issues can be looked at from all sides?

[CindyM2008]

I agree. They appear to sync well together. Good choice.