Barbara Walters Obama Interview On ABC (VIDEO)

Barbara Walters interviewed President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama for a Barbara Walters Special to air Wednesday night at 10pm. The interview covered, among other things, a potential bailout of the auto industry, bonuses for bank executives, and Obama's negotiations to retain his BlackBerry.

Watch a preview from "Good Morning America" below. Barbara Walters shares her thoughts on the Obamas — "They're very...I don't know how to put it, I don't want to gush. They're very cute, and they're very funny in this interview together" — with Robin Roberts as well:

When asked what was his "biggest fear," Obama said "there are a lot of things that keep me up at night."

"One of the concerns I have is that the economy is so weakened that the next 60 days are going to be difficult because we've got a president who, even though he may mean well, is now sort of in lame-duck status [and] Congress isn't in [session]."

"And I don't have the reins of power," Obama added.

Read excerpts from the interview below.

BARBARA WALTERS: How did you feel when you read about the three heads of the auto companies taking private planes to Washington?

BARACK OBAMA: Well, I thought maybe they're a little tone deaf to what's happening in America right now. And this has been a chronic problem, not just for the auto industry, I mean, we're sort of focused on them. But I think it's been a problem for the captains of industry generally. When people are pulling down hundred million dollar bonuses on Wall Street, and taking enormous risks with other people's money, that indicates a sense that you don't have any perspective on what's happening to ordinary Americans. When the auto makers are getting paid far more than their counterparts at Toyota, or at Honda, and yet they're losing money a lot faster than Japanese auto makers are, that tell me that they're not seeing what's going on out there, and one of the things I hope my presidency helps to usher in is a, a return to an ethic of responsibility. That if you're placed in a position of power, then you've got responsibilities to your workers. You've got a responsibility to your community. Your share holders. That if -- there's got to be a point where you say, 'You know what, I have enough, and now I'm in this position of responsibility, let me make sure that I'm doing right by people, and, and acting in a way that is responsible.' And that's true, by the way, for members of congress, that's true for the president, that's true for cabinet members, that's true for parents. I want all of us to start thinking a little bit more, not just about what's good for me, but let's start thinking about what's good for our children, what's good for our country. The more we do that, the better off we're going to be.

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WALTERS: Should bank executives -- it's almost Christmas time -- forgo their bonuses?

OBAMA: I think they should. That's an example of taking responsibility. I think that if you are already worth tens of millions of dollars, and you are having to lay off workers, the least you can do is say, I'm willing to make some sacrifice as well, because I recognize that there are people who are a lot less well off, who are going through some pretty tough times.

WALTERS: How are you going to get along without your Blackberry?

OBAMA: (Laughs). This is a problem. I, you know, one of the things that I'm going to have to work through is how to break through the isolation ... the bubble that exists around the president. And I'm in the process of negotiating with the Secret Service, with lawyers, with White House staff ...

WALTERS: You might have a Blackberry?

OBAMA: Well, I'm, I'm negotiating to figure out how can I get information from outside of the 10 or 12 people who surround my office in the White House. Because, one of the worst things I think that could happen to a president is losing touch with what people are going through day to day.

Read more about the interview here.

Comments

[Midnightrain]

This is truly a remarkable man. Now, if he can convince others that being human really is worth its weight in gold.

[Mahi Joe]

I have read some comments here about how this interview is just another fluff piece or more of the same cutsey stuff and should stop. What people fail to realize is that for the first time ever we are truly getting to know that person whom we voted for on a very personal level. What I think people miss in these interviews is that we now have a president who is intelligent enough to think on his feet and knows how to think outside of the box yet can relate to each of us regardless of our race or gender or religious preference. I truly think this man will exceed my expectations and I look forward to a new start for this country.

[Midnightrain]

I agree with everything you said. My only separate opinion is that Barbara wasn't qualified to do the interviewing. To use the word 'cute' to describe our president and first lady is insulting. This is a truly remarkable couple, a dignified man who is brilliant and humble. This humanness is illuminating and deeply engaging. The fact that he wants to stay connected to the people says so much about who is he is, in his spirit.

[Mahi Joe]

Ah! That one word you stated, "humble" says it all.

[Ljeff79]

I love a Barbara Walters interview!

She hits the perfect combination of questions that draw out the humanity of the person whom she's interviewing and newsworthy opinion. I wish she would come back to 20/20 more often.

on the flip side I would really like to see Obama interviewed by the BBC in the future. Nobody beats the BBC for tough and unbiased questions.

Terry Gross would be awesome, too.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Happy Thanksgiving. Prayers and love to my friends and their families in India.

[hortonhearsawho]

Gobble Gobble...to everyone.

[Berkeleyan]

I am so proud of our country - America. We voted for Obama to be our 44th President! Yeah!!! I strongly believe that Obama will be one of the greatest Presidents of the US. He is also great for World Peace. My son told me that in his 2nd grade class, when the children played the voting exercise, only one out of 33 children voted for McCain. How cute! I can see a brighter future for us and our children and I cannot wait until January 20th. I pray every night to God for keeping Obama and our First Family safe and healthy. They are intelligent, good-hearted, and too cute! I love them! It is very refreshing and encouraging to hear about them and to see them often in the news. They just make me smile…..or even laugh outloud!

[hortonhearsawho]

That one other child...usa usa usa....lol

[SShaw490]

There's still plenty of work to do, though. Here in the Houston suburbs, I imagine a class of 2nd graders would have voted overwhemingly for McCain.

[Berkeleyan]

You are right. There is still a lot of work to do. I am writing from Berkeley, CA!

My 7-year old son explained to me that the reason that some kids voted for McCain because McCain name sounds better than Obama! It is too cute to hear little ones talking politics. One little boy told my son that he would vote for McCain, although his mother told me that she has been sending money to support Obama :-)

[Excitedforfuture]

Bush had interviews on tv during his first term, it's just that no one was interested enough to watch!

[RedneckDem]

Interviews with Bush and Palin were tough to watch because, even though I am not a fan of either, their answers off the top of their heads were horrible. I kept my finger on the mute button because I was embarrased for them.

[ladycubsfan]

I LOVE our new president. His values, his work ethic, the way he and Michelle are raising their daughters, his vision of how America should be...and on and on....

Oh, and have I told you that I LOVE our new president?
Someone's not listening!!!

[partyofone]

It will be a great source of confidence and security for this nation when a man of Obama's intellect, integrity and sound judgment is leading the nation.

What keeps me up at night, however, is the thought of the Clintons, and their lack of integrity, their selfserving greed, and thirst for controversy coming back into our government. As a nation, we need to leave the Bushes and the Clintons and the deep political divisions they have fomented for 20 years BEHIND US. PE Obama could have spared us some degree of the constant Clinton drama by leaving them in the past. I see no prospect of good coming from their return.

[ProgressDon]

I understand your concen about the Clintons. I think they get a second chance to polish up their legacy before it gets hung up in some Arkansas library. Hopefully, Hillary will do what she's capable of doing....serving the new administration wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, the bigger problem is Bill since he fails to understand the core authenticity of Obama's following. As Obama himself stated in Denver; "What the naysayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me, it's about you"

[DaisyDooks]

Yes, will you say that again? That's right.

[LeftCoastLarry]

Gee, what have you been smoking so early in the morning?
To lump the Clintons with Bush is ridiculous. First, the controversies surrounding the Clintons were largely manufactured by the right-wing­-lunatic-f­ringe. They were out to neutralize his presidency before he even took office much like they're trying to do with Obama now. One difference is now we are fore-armed and standing up to the bs in a much more organized and aggressive way. Second, look at the prosperity, peace, national wealth and power accumulation under Clinton and look at what has happened to us now. Remember how Hillary was treated when she was first lady? She was greeted by protesters calling her "Fem-Nazi". Why? Because she wanted health care reform. She was ridiculed because she came up with a phrase "it takes a village" to help a child.
I do have my problems with the Clintons also but let's keep things in perspective, OK?

[Demi-Crat]

OMGGGGGGG..Can we please leave the Clintons alone for a while..I am always trying to figure out exactly what they have done that is so wrong!!!!! Please let it go..Its History and mostly BS

[Ljeff79]

"They were out to neutralize his presidency before he even took office much like they're trying to do with Obama now"

Very true.

Lee Atwater saw the Clinton storm coming before George H.W. Bush even took the oath of office. He started to try and destroy him while he was still Governor of Arkansas.

Remember the whole Joe Biden gaffe about how Obama is "clean"? What was turned around to make him look like a racist was really just pointing out that the Republican opposition research will not be able to get anything on this guy. He's not hiding anything!

They aren't going to be able to play the usual politics with him. To take him down they will need to do it with a real debate on policy. Since most people are more likely to agree with the Democrats on policy they will lose that debate every time.

This must be worrisome to the GOP.

[PeterVanKan]

While understanding your fear: I believe the Clintons are a mixed bag. Yes there is ego, jalousy etc. But I have always felt they have a heart too. And I believe that Obama's attitude will appeal to their better nature and they wil be inspired to give. I hope and pray so anyway.

[DaisyDooks]

You've said something very powerful there, Peter. You are right. Obama has a heightened sense of self-awareness and confidence in that he can transfer his vibrational energy to affect change in other people. He is in tuned with his inner being. It is reflected in his outer world. He understands the power of positivity. It has been proven scientifically that it is 1,000 times more powerful than negativity.

And, knowing this gives me comfort. Obama is operating on a higher level of consciousness and using the laws of the universe to bring about the change that is so necessary in these times. Everything is in divine order.

[ckfan]

How do you leave a sitting Senator from the state of New York and an ex-president in the past? Please tell us all how to do that.

[TRYKER]

this is all neocon razz. your clinton trip is getting tiresome, they are not the problem...they aren't making all this noise, you are. they are going about their business , there isn't any drama, you're dreaming.

[WestCoastWoman]

I really enjoyed the interview. It's very refreshing to see an interview with P.E. Obama where there is intelligent dialog, thoughtful and meaningful policies to be put in place and humor. All of which Bushie lacks. Bushie makes me cringe every time he speaks. Our current president with all his ignorance and stupidity is astounding..... not to mention that criminal mind of his. I can't wait for Obama and his administration to lead! 1/20/09 can't get here fast enough!

[Last-LiberalRepublicans]

AGREE 100%!!

[Georgiamitch]

totally agree too!

[tora]

Oh man, he is too good for words.

[scottMontgomery]

Why doesn't Barack have an iPhone? He should have an iPhone for free. Send the president an iPhone!

[timmmahhhh]

There you go - he can use a Clintonian argument: "That depends on what your definition of a Blackberry is. You said no Blackberry, y'all didn't say no iPhone...or no Pocket PC." Will the Bubba defense keep him grounded?

[tibetanprojection]

errrrrr,

one president can change the rules and make himself war mongering terrorist slayin' deecider, but another one can't change the rules and keep his own independant source of communication and information? What gives?

[HUstudent]

not really in the mood to geek on Obama trivia, with the terrorists killing 100+ and injuring 250+ in India. Its also upsetting my Thanksgiving apetite. :/

[Demi-Crat]

Not for long I bet!!!!

[jimstephensonkc7]

A good thing about a bad thing. The ignorance and hatred of racism finally lost an election.

After watching Barabara Walters' interview, how you can you not love this family?

[impik]

January 20th, please hurry up. I can't really wait anymore to have this great man as the president, and i'm scared to death of how much more damage Bush will do in the time that is left .

[Q2]

My sentiments exactly. This has got to be the longest 2 1/2 months in the entire administration.

[Territc]

I have this idea in my head - that I need to go and help Bush pack. Anyone feeling the same way.

[TexanaJan]

yea, but the only problem is, he's comin back to Dallas!! surely there's a repuglican stronghold somewhere that would rather have him. We turned Dallas Blue in 2004, there really isn't a place for him here anymore.

[Smoothsail]

I woud think that trying to keep his lies straight would keep him up a while.

[Marysdude]

Please name a lie he's told to America...

[Q2]

He must be referring to Bush, but he's mistaken to think Bush would lose sleep over the mess he's made. But then, I may be giving "Smoothsail" too much credit.

[Sportswoman]

Bush should also resign for the safety of the country and the world. I fear that the terrorism going on in India is their crazed attempt to try to win support knowing that Barack will attempt to negotiate with the global community, and win international support of Muslims who comprise 25% of the world's population.