Posted on 10/18/2006 4:18:51 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Senator Joins CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery For Exclusive Interview
(CBS) CHICAGO -- As U.S. Sen. Barack Obama continues his book tour and enjoys the royal treatment, he took time to sit down with CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery for a one-on-one interview.
Obama would not say whether he was now considering a run for President, but he did say his new book and all the publicity hype surrounding it were not timed to set the stage for a possible run.
But he acknowledged he is taking seriously the pleas he is hearing from so many people on his book tour who are asking him to consider launching a campaign for President.
“It’s a high-class problem to have. Oh, isn’t it terrible, people think I should run for President,” Obama said with a smile. “At the 2000 (Democratic) convention in L.A., I didn’t even have a pass to get to the floor of the convention. Four years later I’m giving the keynote.”
“And then four years after that, maybe you’re the nominee?” Flannery asked.
“Well, no,” Obama said. “The point is this stuff just moves on its own accord sometimes, and I think we’ve got a celebrity culture, a political culture that constantly needs to be fed.”
The senator also reflected on the impact of his recent trip to Africa.
‘For me, actually, the highlight of the trip was taking that AIDS test with (wife) Michelle, because the (Centers for Disease Control) officers who arranged for it said that we might have caused about half a million people to get an AIDS test,” Obama said. “which means we might have saved thousands of lives as consequences”
As to how many people came in for AIDS tests, Obama said the half million figure was “what they projected. We haven’t checked to follow up, but that’s what they indicated to us. And obviously, it’s pretty rare where you take 15 minutes and potentially tens or hundreds of thousands of people are impacted by it.”
For those with Obama-mania, the book, "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream," might be a must-read, especially toward the end where he opens the door just a bit to let us see what he calls the "tension" in his marriage. He confesses that during his failed bid to defeat Rep. Bobby Rush in the 1st Congressional District in 2000, his wife, Michelle, was so unhappy with his long hours that all he would get when he was home was a "frosty peck on the cheek."
Mike Flannery will have more on this story on the CBS 2 News at 6PM. In the meantime, check out his complete interview with Sen. Obama to the right.
How Obama actually is: 
Wonder if he might take my plea for him to --leave DC and never return --seriously as well.
Well--- it might be worth a try. The only thing better if he might take the swimmer and her thighness along with him.
Doesnt he need more Gravitas? Oh wait his a lib never mind
An inexperienced Muslim President. Yeah, that'll happen.
Kinda like Edwards.
The dims think he's the best because the papers keeping telling them that he's the best.
You need a two prong approach here. First, give everybody in the office something else to read. Maybe print out a Coulter column every week, cover the top and bottom of the printout with the words: "Chicago Sun-Times" in black marker. Secondly, start up conversations with them about what the Democrats really believe about people and what they want to do to keep power over them.
Kerry got his shot. He isn't going anywhere in '08. In fact, I think he will be radioactive. On the other hand, Gore could mount a comeback, but its Hillary's to lose.
"Please tell me that you don't *really* believe that The Former Twelfth Lady would allow Osama Obama to steal what's rightfully hers."
No, what I do believe is that the Democat party wants to make a Hollywood production out of everything and an Illinois Black Democrat is good theatre.
Mark my words. He will be on the ticket. The RATS are starting to lose the black vote. It's slow but it will happen.
Hillary will ensure that blacks stay on the plantation.
I think there's a real possibility of that happening.But mark *my* words that he won't occupy the top spot on the ticket in '08.
"But mark *my* words that he won't occupy the top spot on the ticket in '08."
I agree with that.
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