Rachel Maddow Interviews Obama (VIDEO)

UPDATE:

Barack Obama appeared on "The Rachel Maddow Show" Thursday night for a two part interview with the MSNBC host.

Here is the first part of the interview.

Here is the second part of the interview:

Comments

[steamboat]

I keep hearing you folks say you want Maddow for Press Secretary. Therefore, I'd like to make a darkhorse prediction on who it might be. Especially being I live in Chicago, 5 miles from Obama's Hyde Park home.

Remember this name, Valerie Jarrett. Obama's main money source (we call her his 'sugar mommy'), Penny Pritzger, is somewhat demanding Obama pick Valerie for a high-profile position. As are some of his Cook County cronies.....If it happens, remember I said it.

[DCinFrance]

And if not, can we remember you said it as well?

[steamboat]

OF COURSE......ABSOLUTELY.........I will predict Jarrett will get some high-profile job...The reason I figure Press Secretary is because my pick for Nat. Security Advisor and/or as they say Chief of Staff is Rahm Emanual. The Chicago/Cook County bigwigs are really forcing that issue, telling Obama to take Emanual.

[steamboat]

PS: and DC, Pritzger has already, made it public around here, told Barack he has to give Valerie a high-profile position in DC. It will happen.

[sevenkdr]

I like intelligent conversations. Ahhh...

[yankee452]

you damn elitist you !!

[shirleen01]

Well one thing we know for sure is that those poor children didn't learn a damn thing from McSame. Just a waste of precious time..where is Joe..a bunch of Hogwash!

[OldKnute]

You know!

Sometimes I am glad as hell, I am BLIND.

Not for one instant,,, not in the least,, had I any clue,,, that Rachel Maddow is GAY,, her voice sounds very American to me.

Not “Those” Americans, Not the “Other” America,, Not a “More” Patriotic or “Less” Patriotic or REAL or Like “US”,, American.

Just GOOD OLD American.

PLUS!

I happen to think she is a wonderful, bright, interesting and hugely intelligent American.

I think she was refreshingly direct.
Asked pointed and important questions.
Didn’t interrupt.
There were hard questionings that informed.
She respectfully provided Barack Obama ample time to respond.
I don’t feel she is particularly biased.
She seemed to me to be honest and forthright.

For those that can see,,, is she wearing a singn around her neck reading,, “I am gay”?

If so,,,, WELL,,, that changes everything.

????????

NOT!

All the best

Knute

[blueskybigstar]

On the show she looks very professional, even sexy, somewhat masculine, but when she goes out and is not on TV she dresses like it big time. She is very open and calls herself a big D word. I love the fact that she is nice and not a man hater. Why is this such an issue to you?

[OldKnute]

I do not really think it is an issue,,, FOR ME.

I like here just the way she is. Given an opportunity, I would choose Rachel Maddow over hundreds of other Reporters. I watcher her every chance I get.

I think she is GREAT! 100%,,,, just as she is. I would change NOTHING about her. I wish more Journalists had half the courage she displays. She is TOPS in my book.

All the best

Knute

[Marilyn5401]

Your post may be well-meaning, but you are still showing your stupidity and your biases. What the hell difference does it make, blind or not, that she is gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DCinFrance]

I think it clear and evident, and could equally care less. She is an intelligent and competent individual and I applaud her professionalism. It's more than enough for me.

[Venicedread]

Um, Marilyn5401, his point was that it shouldn't matter whether she is gay or not.

And be careful when throwing around the "stupidity" word.

You are writing a post to a blind person.

Think about it.

[OldKnute]

OH MY!

I think you have totally misunderstood what I was trying to say.

Forgive me. I was trying to emulate young people I read here. A type of sarcasm they use. I think I am awkward at it still.

They say things like;

“George Bush is a great President,,,,,,, NOT!

Or.

“Johan McCain is for the common man,,,,, NOT!”

Or

“Sarah Palin excursuses her power wisely,,,,, NOT!”

It is my fault.

Sarcasm can easily be misunderstood in text only formats. You cannot hear Voice inflection or see questioning facial expressions that would make the true meaning clearer. I should be more careful.

I should have added something like (Smirk) or (Cough) or (Wink) or other textual notation to indicate sarcasm.

My fault.

All the best

Knute

[wendy82551]

Frankly, I think it IS important that you know she's gay, that EVERYONE knows she's gay. Because it breaks up a lot of stereotypes, and maybe it'll open the minds and hearts of some people who assume they know everything there is to know about gay people. Not you, I'm sure, but there are plenty of people who assume that they "don't know any gays" because no one's come out to them. They have a picture of gay people culled from the last Gay Pride Parade clips from San Francisco and don't realize that the little old ladies in the condo next door to them are gay, or that the football player on their home team is gay, or their doctor is gay, or their priest or minister or school nurse or janitor or EVEN JOE THE PLUMBER!

Rachel could have chosen to keep quiet about it, like some of her journalist counterparts on other stations. The fact that she's open about it serves to destroy stereotypes and also provides a role model for all those little girls out there who know they're gay and need someone to look up to.

In my opinion, we should not be ignoring our differences. We should be acknowledging them, loud and proud, and celebrating them while we're at it.

[OldKnute]

Kind Wendy,

Well, I think you might be right. I would not like her to be any different. Just be herself.

I want to carefully consider what you offer.

I think she would be a good Role Model for anyone. To agree with you even further, I think her style of interviewing folks could well serve as an example to those Journalist who favor attack,, or what I hear called “Gotcha” questions.

Rachael Maddow seems to have a much more direct approach. Not condescending or patronizing, NOR do I believe she is timid in any way.

I just like her. I like the clear way she speaks too. I think she is very professional and well studied on all issues.

A quality Role Model, especially for her counterparts in the Media!

Thank you Wendy. You help me understand things more.

All the best

Knute

[glitterik]

Excellent Point, Wendy. I agree wholeheartedly.

[thanos mom]

I like Maddow, it's always refreshing to hear intelligent people speak. In terms of the gay issue, I agree that it doesn't matter in the slightest. Since when did America become this country where a to be a good citizen requires one to be:
1. Christian
2. straight
3. conservative
4. blindly supportive of our government
5. in possession of a flag pin whenever in public

For those of you in California, No on 8!

[OldKnute]

Well, Wendy,, SEE below, is helping me understand these things.

I do not have the ability to live the life as a gay woman, (Yes I know these things are medically possible today) BUT by her example and forthrightness, I can learn of a new perspective on life. New insights.

I want to know what she thinks on topics and current events. I want to know so that I am broadened in my understandings.

I just like her. I ma glad to see people of color, differing faiths, sexual orientation and ethnic origins finding opportunities such as Rachel has. I think this is VERY IMPORTANT.

America is made up of all kinds of folks. I like learning what they think, not just older white men or a few that do the weather or fill-in on Late News shows. I think Rachel does us all proud. Men or Women. I hope she has great success and if what I have learned of her already is any example of what Rachel can deliver, I am confident this woman will go on to have a long and meaningful career in Broadcast Journalism.

I am very happy she has her new Show.

All the best

Knute

[HMB2051]

"Paging Dr. Maddow to the White House press podium - code Blue"

[blueskybigstar]

It would compromise her voice by making her a mouthpiece for somebody else and lessen her independent opinion. We need her in the position she is now, but on NBC prime time and maybe a longer show. She and Randi Rhodes are the best lyin' tamers against the slimy GOP. She is going to be big, very, very big.

[Damaven]

Rachel, excellent interview. Beg to differ on a comment you made after. Obama responded to your question of not speaking up about/against conservatism, etc., with, he thought he was winning at this time. Literally taken by you. He didn't miss your point, you missed his. Did you ever hear of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" - why should he waist his words in this interview to say what's so obvious to all people by their response to Obama and that he says in his speeches already. You don't need to push. It's like your daddy and mommy saying you can go out to play and you miss the positive response and keep begging. Why bother. You're still great, Rachel. It's this one issue you made me twinge a little. I think journalists, hosts, talking heads have preconceived responses to their questions they need to hear or they don't hear.

[blueskybigstar]

She is caught up in this polemic thinking and giving respect to terms like liberal and conservative which have lost all their meaning. People treat politics like sports teams, and if Obama were to attack the team and not the people in the team, then he would be less likely to undermine the team because of loyalty issues.

[MikeGuy]

That's my take on it, too. There's plenty of opportunity to repudiate the concept of conservatism, but why make it an issue in the presidential campaign if it gains you nothing?

[hollybork]

I do not think you will ever see Obama repudiate "conservatism." He knows that an element of conservatism is necessary for society to save what is best - like the Bill of Rights, and protection of our environment and our jobs and financial integrity of our government.

The problem is that conservatism needs to be re defined and re focused on what should be conserved. How about if conservatives became the conservation movement? How about if they sought to re assert the separation of church and state, freedom of speech and the independence of the judiciary and justice department? What is conservatives began to reconnect with saving US jobs, instilling ideas of conservation of energy and resources, and budgeting public funds wisely? That would maximize US opportunities in green technology and get more support for sound accounting and business practices into the financial sector where in order to stabilize the banks. We need conservatives as part of the coalition for change. There is room for truly conservative ideas. They have just gotten lost and drowned out by neo con nit wits.

Conservatives used to be the ones who supported protection of fundamental rights and condemned war profiteering and profligate spending. How about we return to that?

[sirach36]

I agree. Great interview! I've been following Sen Obama for 2 yrs now and I actually learned something new. Both of them sounded so intelligent and relaxed. Really enjoyed it.

[B-Smart]

All McSame ever says is:
"My friends"....
"I know how to fix Social Security"
"I know how to find and get bin Laden"
"I know how to take care of the vets"
"I know how to win the war in Iraq"
"I can balance the budget in 4 years"
"I know how to clean up Washington"
"I know how to fix Wall Street"
"Drill, Baby, Drill"

McPalin must think this is a nation of 5th graders. But then again, even the least inquisitive child's follow-up to such statements would be one word. "HOW?" My Dad tells me that it was one of my favorite words as a kid.

Until he can answer that simple questions, I'm sticking with the smart guy who challenges my critical thinking skills.

Vote Obama/Biden. Vote now.

[DrCahill]

Excellent post!

[rosita]

Rachel........you are great!! Love your show, like the way you address the issues so important for the country at this moment. Your interview with Obama was wonderful, you both looked so good, so relaxed, no hate coming out of that interview, no comparison with the Republicans.

Keep up the great job!

[GhostNyc]

4000 children were transportered to McCains rally. Im curious did all the parents sign permission slips to transport their children off school property? Were any parents suprised to hear about this "field trip" ?

Im just curious to know if any families feel comfortable that their children were in effect "used" as a political tool?

[Damaven]

Holy smoke. What a great question. Can ya'll check that out!

[blueskybigstar]

I was thinking the same thing. I would have been absolutelyfurious if they had done that to my child.

[Vee]

That was the most insightful interview I've watched in a LOOOONG....LOOOONG....LOOOONG time.
Imagine to actually say "Gosh, I really learn something new" after watching an interview.

They're respectful, no cutting, no parsing, Rachel really let Sen. Obama answer in full & actually showed it to us in full.

That was ONE HOUR WELL SPENT!!

[shirleen01]

Listening to the two of them made you feel relaxed and comfortable..when you watch and listen to McCain/Palin interviews you leave feeling angry and upset.

[bluecatz]

From the size of Obama's smiles, it seemed obvious to me he is as "in love" with Maddow as most of the rest of us seem to be.
Nice way to end my political day.

[shirleen01]

Yeah he likes her alot.

[bogues]

The Maddow/Obama interview was great but he is scheduled to do the Wolf Blitzer interview today and I am more than a little worried about that. It is crystal clear to me that Wolf has long desired to be the one to stump Obama in an interview and ruin his career. We will have to be on guard against him and CNN deliberately misinterpreting Obama's statements.

[Damaven]

Yep. I think CNN is a li'l right-leaning.

[blueshield]

Maddow (and even Stewart) asked questions we want to hear the answers to.

Blitzer is usually just trolling for sound bites and gotchas.

[shirleen01]

Obama can handle himself against the right wingers!

[hollybork]

I have never once heard Wolf Blitzer do an excellent interview. He is not smart enough nor does he have the interrogation skills of a Keith Olbermann, Jon Stewart or Chris Matthews. Blitzer won't lay a glove on Obama. Plus Blitzer is humorless.

Don't worry.

[alltwisty]

Wolf Blitzer couldn't stump my cat.

[TheManhattanProject]

Superb interview.

Great job Rachel.

[hollybork]

I was glued to the tube during Rachel Maddow's interview with Barack Obama. It was the best interview yet. This lady is so smart, to the point, charming, authentically original and fun to watch. Her superb intellect and education at Oxford were on display, and Barack was in his element.

Certainly Barack being at ease with Rachel enhanced the discourse, but it was deep and far reaching. He was graceful, funny and totally mezmerizing. Of course, I am an Obama supporter from way back, but this is the best interview I have seen of him. What a pleasure it would be to have this man as President on TV for 8 years!

Outstanding work, Rachel.

Rachel Maddow for Press Secretary

[Bompa]

Rachel as Press Secretary..... Hannity and Limbaughs heads would explode! On second thought that could be a good thing..........

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

[blueskybigstar]

Not a good idea. She is more powerful as independent voice.

[shirleen01]

Don't leave out Joe scarborough..it would kill him!

[shirleen01]

I've been saying the same thing. I hope she get's the job!