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'This Week' Sunday Exclusive: President-Elect Barack Obama
January 07, 2009 7:31 AM
Join me this Sunday morning for our exclusive interview with President-elect Barack Obama -- his first Sunday morning interview since coming back to Washington, D.C. as the future Commander-in-Chief.
Our exclusive one-on-one with the president-elect kicks off ABC News’ week-long series on the economy, “America’s Economy: What’s the Fix?”
I sit down with Obama just as Congress is on the verge of introducing the economic stimulus package.
We'll cover all the big issues facing Obama in his first hundred days.
We'll also find out how his family is settling into life in Washington.
Don't miss it.
If you have a question for the president-elect, email me HERE.
On our roundtable: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, The New York Times' Thomas Friedman, The Wall Street Journal’s Peggy Noonan, and ABC News’ George Will join me to debate the week’s politics.
--George Stephanopoulos
January 7, 2009 in This Week with George Stephanopoulos | Permalink | Share | User Comments (52)
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Wow,
Can we expect more hardball questions comparable to what the media has asked him so far.....
"where did you first meet michelle"?
"when did you realize that she was the one"?
"are you excited to move into the white house"?
"what is on your breakfast menu"?
These are the kinds of zingers barry has had to deal with thus far. God help us all.
Posted by: Dave | Jan 7, 2009 9:17:51 AM
Again George Stephanopoulos is licking Obama's nut sack
Posted by: grizzly bare | Jan 7, 2009 9:53:22 AM
Here are the haters! LOL! If you remember is was George and company that thought the American public wanted to hear them question PEBO about flag pins, trying to through him under a bus! Stop the silliness! This man has had Fox News and the rest of you digging into his backround! He's been questioned alot more than silly Sarah! He will be your President, get over it!
Posted by: try the truth | Jan 7, 2009 10:17:55 AM
For once in this whole election debacle, George, try to earn your keep and ask some thought provoking questions of PEBO like "why is this in-coming administration plagued with so much corruption even before they take office?" In the history of the USA, why is PEBO the least vetted public official ever? How is it that a civilian will be barred from getting security clearance but PEBO, who admitted taking hard drugs (cocaine), is allowed to be commander-in-chief? Please get your nose out of PEBO's butt and at least pretend to be a journalist.
Posted by: chotolal7 | Jan 7, 2009 10:30:53 AM
"These are the kinds of zingers barry has had to deal with thus far."
He's had plenty of tough questions. Don't blame him because you can't be bothered to get yourself informed. And if you have a tough question for him, email George. And by tough, I don't mean "uhhhhhhh....duhhhhhh...birth certificate! liberal! kool-aid! messiah!"
Posted by: Silky | Jan 7, 2009 10:42:40 AM
"like "why is this in-coming administration plagued with so much corruption even before they take office?""
How in his administration has been shown to be corrupt? There you guys go again, just making stuff up. You are nothing but noise.
Posted by: Silky | Jan 7, 2009 10:44:03 AM
"In the history of the USA, why is PEBO the least vetted public official ever? How is it that a civilian will be barred from getting security clearance but PEBO, who admitted taking hard drugs (cocaine), is allowed to be commander-in-chief?"
What is your evidence that he is "the least vetted public official ever?" And the presidents of the last 16 years have admitted to using drugs. Using drugs does not disqualify somebody from getting security clearance. Just a heads up. Two absolutely asinine questions which George, thankfully, knows better than to even entertain the notion of asking.
Posted by: Silky | Jan 7, 2009 10:49:43 AM
Dear Mr. President Obama,I just curious about what you will do first, the Time you will enter the White House, as your new place to live in together with your Beautiful Family?
What is your New Year resolution in this 2009?
What is your first reaction about the
shirtless Photo from you in Hawaii?
we love you and god bless you.cnny
Posted by: cnny | Jan 7, 2009 11:18:25 AM
Are you going to stop the massacre by the Jews of innocent children and other civilians in the Gaza, or are you going to continue giving them carte blanche to keep on murdering Palestinians as they please?
Please respond. Thank you.
Posted by: Gloria from Chicago | Jan 7, 2009 5:04:48 PM
How can four days of Inaugural Balls be justified in light of the current economic crisis? If Mr. Obama would insist that this not happen, that would truly be 'change'!
It seems the money being spent could be used more wisely, in a way that would 'help' the Americans who have lost jobs and losing their homes. I hear "one thing"...I'm seeing another.
Posted by: Sherry Winkler | Jan 7, 2009 7:12:16 PM
President Obama, I am a ex-navy man. With all of the old navy ships that are in moth balls, why don't we re-fit them and use them for emergency housing and regular housing. When Katrina hit, we could have used something like that. Also, with the way the economy is going, we could use them for housing for those that are in need.
Many Thanks,
Robbie McBroom
Posted by: Robbie McBroom | Jan 7, 2009 9:26:02 PM
With the news of Jett Travolta, I hope you, Mr. Obama are more aware of the dangers of epileptics living alone. In my case, I own my house, live alone, can't work and get SSI for Rxs. Texas devalues the house to the heirs of the property owner with state assistance. The branch of state govt. is Tx. DADS. I feel my sons deserve the full inheritance of my property. People with DADS assistance, who don't own property, don't pay. What can you do to help make it fair for the adult epileptic who lives alone, has no assistance & doesn't want heirs to lose the value of their inheritance? Here in McAllen, the only assistance I get is through the local ADA transportation provided. That is GOOD, but will everyone wait until the number of Jett Travolta cases keeps growing before epileptics-people with seizures are recognized for needing help?
Posted by: Cecilia Creix | Jan 7, 2009 10:26:22 PM
President Obama, Now that oil & Gasoliene is going back up, which most figured it would, will you allow safe environment drilling, instead of letting China, Russa & everyone else get it, right off our coast? It would be nice to help Americans - for a Change!
Posted by: disgusted in Ohio | Jan 7, 2009 10:37:46 PM
Are new energy solutions going to really impact the lives on everyday people within the first two years of your presidency, Mr. Obama?
Posted by: David McBride | Jan 7, 2009 11:59:12 PM
Are new energy solutions going to really impact the lives of everyday people within the first two years of your presidency, Mr. Obama?
Posted by: David McBride | Jan 8, 2009 12:00:15 AM
"How can four days of Inaugural Balls be justified in light of the current economic crisis? If Mr. Obama would insist that this not happen, that would truly be 'change'!"
Every president has done it. It's tradition and it's not necessarily about him. Do you really think he wants to do it? No. Nobody would. But it's part of the gig. It's for others people.
Posted by: Silky | Jan 8, 2009 9:19:19 AM
CRY FOR HELP
THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH SMALL BUSINESS AND WHY THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE NOT WORKING. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO STIMULATE THIS ECONOMY NOW. NOT GIVING BIG BUSINESS MORE MONEY IS HELPFUL. SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO PAY PEOPLE AND GROW TO HIRE PEOPLE AND THUS STARTING THE ECONOMY ROLLING ONE SMALL STEP AT A TIME. I HAVE BEEN SELF EMPLOYED FOR 15 PLUS YEARS AND I TRIED TO PAY PEOPLE TO WORK FOR ME AND I COULD NOT AFFORD THE PAYROLL TAX, SALES TAX, PROPERTY TAX, UNEMPLOYMENT TAX, INSURANCE, HIGH ENERGY COST TAX ON GAS, TO GET TO WORK, TAX ON THE COLD BEER AFTER WORK AND THE LIST GOES ON. HOW CAN A SMALL BUSINESS GROW?? I HAVE MOVED 4 TIMES IN THE TOWN I HOUSE MY BUSINESS BECAUSE THE RENTS KEEP GOING UP ALONG WITH THE SNOW BALL EFFECT OF ALL THE GOODS I USE AND SELL. I BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS WHEN I CAN BUT MOST PRODUCTS COME FROM OVERSEAS. I BELIEVE IN BUY AMERICAN AND PUT AMERICANS BACK TO WORK, BUT YOU SEE WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST.
RECENTLY I HEARD OUR MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR ON RADIO AND TV PROMOTING HIS PLAN TO HELP BUSINESS IN MASSACHUSETTS GROW. HE MENTIONED A COLLEGE STUDENT WITH NO HISTORY OF RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS AND HOW THEY GAVE HIM A LOAN AND NOW HE EMPLOYS 20 PEOPLE. NO EXPERIENCE, NO CREDIT HISTORY GOOD OR BAD AND HE GETS MONEY TO START HIS BUSINESS. I FOUND A LOCATION DOWN THE STREET FROM MY BUSINESS THAT WAS FOR SALE FOR A LONG TIME AND I DECIDED TO MAKE AN OFFER ON THE BUILDING. THE ASKING PRICE FOR 3 UNITS THAT I COULD HOUSE MY BUSINESS AND RENT TWO OTHER UNITS FOR INCOME AND PROBABLY MAKE MONEY ON THE DEAL, IF NOTHING ELSE. THE OFFER THEY ACCEPTED WAS $50,000.00 LESS THAN THE CURRENT ASSESED VALUE GIVING ME 20% EQUITY IMMEDIATELY. THE SELLER WAS ASKING $325,000.00 FOR THE PROPERTIES AND I OFFERED $200,000.00 AND THEY ACCEPTED THE OFFER AND WERE GOING TO GIVE ME CASH BACK FOR CLOSING COST OF $10,000.00. WHEN I WENT TO MASS DEVELOPMENT IN OUR LOCATION FOR A LOAN, I WAS DENIED BECAUSE I COULDN’T SHOW ENOUGH PROFIT ON MY TAX RETURN TO SATISFY THE BOARD, YET A COLLEGE KID GETS MONEY WITHOUT ANY ESTABLISHED CREDIT.
HOW ABOUT BAILING OUT THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OR EACH AMERICAN TAX PAYING CITIZEN. THIS WOULD TAKE ABOUT 500 BILLION DIVIDED UP BETWEEN ALL AMERICAN TAX PAYING CITIZENS. ROUGH ESTMATE $10-15,000.00 TO EACH OF US AND WE IN TURN WILL PAY OUR MORTGAGES BUY CARS AND PRODUCTS WHICH WILL IN TURN GET BANKS GOING AND ENERGY EFFICIENT CAR COMPANIES (HYDROGEN POWERED CARS IS THE WAY TO GO).
SINCE I HAVE PROPERTY I AM ON PAPER PROPERTY RICH BUT CASH POOR AND EVERY MOVE I MAKE TO BECOME LESS IN DEBT I GET SHOT DOWN BY BANKS BECAUSE MY DEBT TO INCOME RATIO IS LOW. I HAVE CO-SIGNED AND SIGNED FOR STUDENT LOANS, MORGAGES FOR MY PARENTS BECAUSE OF CREDIT CARD RATES OF 28 PERCENT BEING CHARGE ON LOANS WHICH WILL NEVER BE PAID FOR IF MINIMUM DUE PAYMENTS ARE MADE. MY FATHER IS 84 AND HE HAD CREDIT CARD DEBT ON 3 CARDS HIS PAYMENT HAD A PRINCIPAL PAYMENT OF ABOUT A DOLLAR A MONTH THE REST INTEREST. I HELPED HIM BY CO-SIGNING A LOAN ON HIS HOUSE AT A GOOD RATE. THIS HELPED HIM BUT HURTS MY NUMBERS WHEN TRYING TO BORROW MONEY. I CO-SIGNED MY DAUGHTERS STUDEN LOANS AND TOOK OUT MANY MY SELF TO HELP HER BECOME AN ARCHITECT. GREAT FOR HER BUT IT HURTS MY RATIO FOR CREDIT.
I NEED HELP AND I SPEAK FOR THE SMALLEST BUSINESS AND THE MIDDLE CLASS AMEICANS THAT PUT EVERYTHING INTO THE TAX SYSTEM AND NOW I AM READY TO CLOSE MY DOORS SEARCH FOR A JOB AND TRY TO SELL MY HOUSE AND BAIL OUT AND CUT MY LOSSES. THAT’S WHAT WE ARE FACING.
I CAN’T SEE GIVING BANKS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND CAR COMPANIES MONEY WHEN IT’S US THAT NEED TO EXPAND AND US THAT NEED THE TAX RELIEF AND US THAT NEED A BREAK. WE WILL SPEND MONEY WE WILL BUY GOODS WE WILL BUY CARS AND WE WILL PAY OUR MORGAGES.
THANKS
JIM
JAMES A VILLA SR.
16 BIRCHWOOD RD
PRINCETON, MA 01541
508-835-3499
Posted by: JAMES | Jan 8, 2009 1:30:04 PM
WHY I AM NOT SPENDING MONEY IN THIS ECONOMY.
I SENT THE EMAIL BELOW TO DOZENS OF CAR DEALERSHIPS. PLEASE, READ !
I need a new car. But, since I am one of those of many responsible homeowners that have been paying their mortgages and daily bills on time, I am unable to refinance my mortgage loan because I have not defaulted on my obligations.
If I refinance my mortgage loan, I will have a higher montlhy payment. That is due to the monthly devaluation of my new property. No equity !
I contacted over 100 politicians, magazines, newspapers and radio stations telling them that the consumers such as myself would be able to buy a new car, or whatever that is being sold out there, if we would be able to refinance our mortgage loans at a lower rate. The money that we would be saving, it would then be injected into this stagnant economy.
The politicians are not listening to their constituents. However, I am sure that they would listen to those that make financial contributions into their political campaign.
I am doing my half by letting you know why you are not selling the cars in your parking lot.
Now, it is up to you if you want to keep your business open or make the headlines of tomorrow's newspaper.
Contact the politicians and have them find a way to restructure the present mortgage loans held by responsible homeowners.
As I said before, I am doing my half. Don't wait too long only to regret by sitting on your hands.
Respectfully,
Walter Serafim
Posted by: WALTER SERAFIM | Jan 8, 2009 2:08:09 PM
What are you going to do about the issues in the middle east with Gaza and Israel President Obama. Also what do you think about the new New York FBI appointment.
Posted by: Ian | Jan 8, 2009 7:27:43 PM
My husband died 4 years ago. I new that if I made over 12,000 a year they could take my Social Security away ... but congress passed something last year taking my son's SS payments away. What are you going to do to bring this back? I am working 7 days a week 4 jobs just to put food on the table.
Posted by: Debbie | Jan 8, 2009 9:26:03 PM
Why is barack obama more concerned with supporting the people who don,t work and take the money from the taxes of the people who do work? Why is he taking away our sercurity and leaving our country open for any kind of terrisom, he does have me and millions of Americans nervous.God help our country.
Posted by: mickey | Jan 9, 2009 12:45:19 AM
Dear Mr.President Obama, my question of great concern for my self, grandparents, single parents and most importantly millions of children ...."What will you and congress do to enforce child support, since so many fathers are neglecting and not taking responsibility for the care of their children." I don't believe the suspension of a individuals drivers license and the forfeiture of income taxes to be a significant motivator.
Respectfully,
Debra
Posted by: Debra | Jan 9, 2009 12:49:57 AM
Have you gotten my mail sent you please respond.
Do you believe that there is no justice just life?
That's what I was told by my our attorney which is why I am here!!
Dear: President Elect Obama I hope that you have had both a safe and Merry Christmas. I am writing you today with the hope of protecting my family and friends. This letter was only crafted after her consistent encouragement and love. The justice system has treated us both harshly as of late. The negative events in that have taken place in our lives begin with a child custody battle with my wife's former spouse. Dude to poor representation and communication were suppose to have a child exchange. Late that Friday evening told that it would not take place without a slip of paper. But when we called our attorney who said that it had been signed that it was finished business. She called back to tale her ex-husband that it had taken place he claimed that he nor his attorney had the papers and that he knew no about no such thing. So due to the fact that we didn't have a copy ether. Due the time and day we were out shopping and running errands close to the courthouse naturally we stopped to request the papers. Which we did without result they offered little or no information. So we proceeded to drive next door in hopes of contacting the court appointed attorney for the childern. When we arrived they had began to lock up and their were only lights in a couple of offices near the back. So I decided to knock and give it a try the receptionist slowly walked about halfway to door looked at us with a fowl expression and turned around.While seeing this I called my wife to the door who was sitting in the car. By the time my wife had exit the car she had already returned to the office. She also tried knocking before I told her lets go and that we had done everything that we could. Prior to that day we only got to talk with the receptionist once which was she was rude an disrespectful. My wife tried to explain about abuse and neglect to the children. She cut my wife off rudely when she spoke and when I spoke to the receptionist she deflected my conversation onto my wife. She spoke to my wife as if I wasn't even in the room she was questioned saying that she refused to even take a message or have the children's attorney contact us. After leaving the parking lot about two miles away from the building there were blue lights behind me and my wife. As soon as I stopped the car. I rolled down the window to see what we had done wrong and a couple of officers came up to the car and opened the door and pull both of us out of the car. Then they did a complete search of our car. They had us both go to the police station were they forced questioning of my wife even after she asked for her attorney. The claimed they talked to both attorneys and the judge on our case because it had a gag order. After the got done with a phone call they took privately they knew more then they should have about the case. They made my wife go home after they told her I would been charged. Three police officers entered the room in front of the cell were they sat down for about 15 to 20 min.s laughing. Then I was pulled out of the cell by the Sargent. He tried get to agree with him that not had happened here is what he said. Then the three officers took me back to the cell. They then to me back into the cell and backed me into a corner to rouse me into an altercation. This was a blatant temp to start an altercation . While making the comments about and my wife's relationships. That they didn't like the fact that I was black and that I have a white wife. After this stuff happened they then had me transfer to the Rankin County Jail for five days on Misdemeanor. I had never been to jail or had any issues with the law until 07/11/08. On that Saturday talked to an inmate how was a military man who three way called my wife for me. I was only on the phone for about a minute when they cut the call off. They call me over to the speaker box and told me not to place any more call. After lights out a big heavy set male came to the cell an call me out. I asked him were we going and all he would tell me is that (you will see). We passed a desk with a black female officer whom I would find out here name later. I was then given death threats by a Deputy Sheriff with a tazer to my neck and between my legs. I have done everything that I can except making formal reports with little result. I have not mad the reports due to the fact that live with in this county. Mr. Obama I am not looking for a hand out just some justice. Me and my wife are willing to take a polygraph, Misdemeanor, or noliemir.com. I would be willing to do the Opra or Dr. Phil show.
Still Standing,
Derek
Posted by: Derek Ryland | Jan 9, 2009 6:59:03 AM
I love you very much but i have one small qestion for you ....what do you think about Ethiopia? especially our berocrat rulers. Generally, what diffrent policy do you have for africa than previous?
thanks
Posted by: Tamirat Worku Wolassa | Jan 9, 2009 9:06:17 AM
We are all keenly aware of the severe condition of the business and for profit sectors of our country. Very little is being said about the condition of the non-profits who are trying to assist individuals in all areas. I am the Exec. Director of a domestic violence shelter program that experience federal cuts for the current fiscal year (VOCA - Victims of Crime Act) and am holding my breath to make it through June.
Is President elect Obama looking into this critical sector of our communities (non-profits)?
I understand that there are so many questions that you cannon stay on the air long enough to make a dent but please at some point direct your attention to this need. Thanks for your excellent reporting!!! I will be watching Sunday!!
Posted by: Sherry from TN | Jan 9, 2009 9:58:31 AM
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