Video: 60 minutes Interview with Obama 11-16-08

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CBS News 60 Minutes interviewed U.S. President Elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama on November 16, 2008.  Steve Kroft conducted the extensive interview which was taped on Friday in Chicago.  Of great interest is what Obama and his administration plan to do to address the worsening economic crisis and this was discussed at length. Obama affirmed commitment to helping homeowners …

 One area that I’m concerned about, and I’ve said this publicly, is we have not focused on foreclosures and what’s happening to homeowners as much as I would like. We have the tools to do it. We’ve gotta set up a negotiation between banks and borrowers so that people can stay in their homes. [...]

..And the auto industry, but not with a “blank check.”

So my hope is that over the course of the next week, between the White House and Congress, the discussions are shaped around providing assistance but making sure that that assistance is conditioned on labor, management, suppliers, lenders, all the stakeholders coming together with a plan what does a sustainable U.S. auto industry look like? So that we are creating a bridge loan to somewhere as opposed to a bridge loan to nowhere.

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The interview had a personal side as well, as both Obama and his wife talked about the transition to the White House.  Being leader of the free world is, after all, the ultimate work from home job.

(CBS) Kroft: I know that from talking to you, you’ve said that this has put a lot of, you know, your husband’s involvement in politics has put strains in your marriage from time to time. He’s about to take over the most pressure packed job in the world. But he’s also gonna be home, right?

Michelle Obama: Oh yeah. He’s got a big office at home now.

You know, this entire year and a half has brought us closer together as a family. And we managed to stay close and become even closer with Barack gone most of an entire two year period. And now we get to be together under the one roof, having dinners together. And, you know, I envision the kids coming home from school and being able to run across the way to the Oval Office and see their dad before they start their homework. And having breakfast. And he’ll be there to tuck them in at night. And, you know, again, you know, there’ll be moments of deep seriousness and times of great focus. But, you know, we’ll be together doing that. And that gives me reason to be very excited.

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And no interview would be complete without an update on the Obamas’ search for a dog for their daughters.

See also the full transcript:

• Obama On Economic Crisis, Transition
• The Obamas On Their Personal Transition
• Obamas On Picking The Presidential Pooch