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August 31st, 2008 at 10:46 pm

Video: Barack Obama Joe Biden on 60 Minutes – Full Interview 8-31-08

Barack Obama and Joe Biden on 60 Minutes, broadcast August 31, 2008

Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama and his Vice Presidential running mate Senator Joe Biden held their first joint interview on 60 Minutes, broadcast on August 31, 2008.

The candidates discussed a range of topics with Steve Kroft, including Barack Obama’s historic candidacy, the role that Joe Biden would have in an Obama administration, Joe Biden’s previous failed Presidential campaigns and what he has learned from them, and reactions to presumptive Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain’s recent, historic selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate.

60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft conducted the first joint interview with the candidate and his running mate, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, this past Friday, Aug. 29, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

We began our conversation with the new Democratic candidates backstage just moments after the most improbable nominee had given the most important speech of his young career.

Asked if he ever doubted it was going to happen, Sen. Obama told Kroft, “Of course.”

When?

“Well, let’s see. About a year ago we were down 30 in Iowa. But I never doubted that it could happen. I never doubted that if we were able to mobilize the energy that you saw in that stadium,” Obama said. “All across the country.”

“I knew it was gonna happen before he did. I was running like the devil. I watched. I thought I was pretty good, but I watched. I watched. This guy just sort of grabbed the lightening, ya know, just grabbed it. And you could tell, Barack, I tell ya, my team knew, I knew in August,” Sen. Biden told Kroft.

“We were doing okay. But this is exciting,” Obama remarked.

“Were you surprised to be up here?” Kroft asked Biden.

“I was surprised, I’m truly honored to be up here. I’m a great admirer, we’re friends and we fit,” Biden said.

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Jill Biden after Barack Obama delivers his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 28, 2008

(R-L) Senator Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, and Senator Joe Biden walk off stage after Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination at Invesco Field at Mile High at the 2008 Democratic National Convention (DNC) August 28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.

Obama on John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as his VP running mate.

She seems to have a compelling life story. Obviously, she’s a fine mother and an up-and-coming public servant. My sense is that she subscribes to John McCain’s agenda.”

“She’s a life-long member of the NRA. She’s a hunter. Her husband’s a member of the United Steel Worker Union. Blue collar guy. Got a son on the way to Iraq. It seems like just the kind of person who would appeal to voters in states that you absolutely have to win,” Kroft remarked. “And they have to win.”

“Well, look, I am happy if this ends up being a referendum on what’s going to be good for blue collar workers,” Obama said. “I’ll put my guy, Joe Biden, up against anybody when it comes to fighting on behalf of those families, because he’s been there. He comes out of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He’s been fightin’ for those folks ever since he got into the Senate. And he hasn’t stopped. And he hasn’t forgotten where he’s come from.”

Barack Obama makes a surprise appearance after Joe Biden delivers his VP acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 27, 2008 in Denver, Colorado

Obama on his selection of Joe Biden as his VP running mate.

“Let me tell you the reason I picked Joe Biden. Number one, he can step in and become president. And I don’t think anybody has any doubt about that,” Obama said.

“Number two is that if I’m in the room making the kinds of tough decisions that the next president’s gonna have to make, both on domestic policy and on international policy, then I want the counsel and advice of somebody who’s not gonna agree with me a 100 percent of [the] time. In fact, somebody who’s independent enough that can push back and give me different perspectives and make sure that I’m catching any blind spots that I have. And Joe Biden doesn’t bite his tongue,” he continued.

Joe Biden on the plagiarism controversy in his 1988 Presidential campaign.

Asked what he’s learned about politics and running for office in those 20 years, Biden said, “I made a mistake. I made a mistake 20, 21, 22 years ago. I was arrogant. I didn’t think I had to prepare. I showed up at the debate and I failed to quote somebody. A guy named Neil Kinnock. And I just ask people and everyone else, look at the last 20 years of my career since that allegation occurred.”

“But, I think that I have a record that people can go back and examine and decide whether or not I mean what I say. No matter how I say it whether I’m consistent with what I’ve asserted I care about. That’s all I care about. But, you know, there’s gonna be a lot, I’m sure a lot of things said about it,” he added.

Source: Obama Explains His Choice, Reacts To Palin (Full transcript of interview)

Photo credit: Top photo CBS, Photos 2, 3 Chuck Kennedy/Getty Images North America, Photo 4: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America

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