Interview with the President Elect

ABC aired a Barbara Walters special interview with President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.  The interview covered everything from the flailing economy to the selection of a "first-puppy" for the incoming first family.  Here are some highlights from the interview, which you can watch here.

On the economic crisis:  Many feel that with the economy in the state that it is "the fate of the nation is riding on [Obama's] shoulders."  With so much pressure on one man, he says his biggest fear is "that the economy is so weakened already."  But he says that his plan involves assembling the best team possible and come out full force in January.

On people's expectations:  He built his campaign on the promises of change and the hope of solutions to problems we've been accruing over the past eight years.  But do people expect too much out of Obama?  "I can meet the expectation of a government that is competent and honest and can make the daily lives of our citizens better," he told Walters.  "If people see progress, then I will have met expectations."  But, he reminds us that, "I am not a miracle worker."

On the auto makers' plan:  Despite the dismal situation of US auto makers, corporate heads are still taking risks and accruing expenses.  Obama suggests an "ethic of responsibility," where  "the least you can do is say I'm willing to make some sacrifices as well because I recognize that there are other people worse off."  As for tax hikes on the wealthy, the theme is a net tax cut for working families, whereas "people like you and me, Barbara, can afford to pay a little more."

On his cabinet choices:  Though Walters badgered Obama about his possible choices to fill his cabinet, he would only say, "No one would come to my press conferences if I spill the beans on 20/20."  As to the accusations that he would name those from the Clinton administration, "we need someone with experience in dealing with economic depression... the change comes from the person in the oval office."

On foreign policy:  Turning the attention to foreign policy, Obama suggested a plan that would transfer more troops to Afghanistan go on the offensive instead of remaining on the defensive together with a plan for withdrawing from Iraq.  Though he ceded that we have made some improvements in Iraq, he made sure to highlight that our job is to make sure we leave behind an iraq with structural integrity.  He also emphasized the fact that our focus should be on getting Bin Laden and to stay focused on Al-Qaeda strongholds in Afghanistan.

On racist threats against him:  "Those who voted for or against me overwhelmingly judged me on the basis of my platforms," he said in the interview.  "At the margins of any society are the extremists, but they're not at the heart of what america is."  He also cited his religious faith as carrying him through the day.

On his mother and grandmother:  Obama said that he knew his mom would not have been surprised at his victory, but most certainly proud of how he did it.  It would have been his grandmother, instead, who was surprised at the outcome.

On his previous aspirations:  Before deciding on running for president, he had wanted to be an architect, basketball player and judge.  "The one thing I know I didn't expect was to be president," he said.

On his wife:  "Michelle grounds me.  She is my reality check... a constant reminder of why do I do this."

Highlights from the rest of the interview:

Who has the last word in arguments?  Michelle.  "Whatever you say, honey."

[pause for a lipstick check and witty banter between the Mr., the Mrs. and Walters]
About the children: Sasha is 7 years old and Malia is 10.  Malia plans to sit at the desk where Lincoln signed the Gettysburg Address to write "important papers."

Yes, the girls will make their beds and clean their rooms.

Yes, the girls will attend private school.

Yes, the girls do write letters to santa.

No, the Obama's do not spank their girls: "We don't have to."

Inauguration speech preview: a theme ofrebuilding the sense that we're all in this together
Thanksgiving at the Obama's: 60 people at the house (mostly Michelle's family), and spent the day before at a soup kitchen

Parting thoughts from Barack Obama: "I want to remind people that as tough as times are right now... that we have been through tough times before, and the extraordinary blessings of being an American... that is the greatest of gifts that we have to give thanks for."

PS: Please, stop sending pictures of your dog to the Obama's: "We're getting more advice on this than on my economic policies."

photo courtesy of ABC news