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Microphone Picks Up Private Conversation Between Obama and British Leader on Need for Vacations and 'Thinking' Time
July 26, 2008 8:40 AM
At British Parliament today, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, met with Tory Leader David Cameron.
Seemingly unaware of an enormous fuzzy boom mike held by ABC News' Eric Kerchner, the two chatted casually -- and privately.
"You should be on the beach," Cameron told Obama. "You need a break. Well, you need to be able to keep your head together."
"You've got to refresh yourself," agreed Obama.
"Do you have a break at all?" asked Cameron.
"I have not," said Obama. "I am going to take a week in August. But I
agree with you that somebody, somebody who had worked in the White
House who -- not Clinton himself, but somebody who had been close to
the process -- said that, should we be successful, that actually the
most important thing you need to do is to have big chunks of time
during the day when all you're doing is thinking. And the biggest
mistake that a lot of these folks make is just feeling as if you have
to be -- "
"These guys just chalk your diary up," said Cameron, referring to a packed schedule.
"Right," Obama said. "In 15 minute increments …"
"We call it the dentist's waiting room," Cameron said. "You have to scrap that because you've got to have time."
"And, well, and you start making mistakes," Obama said, "or you lose
the big picture. Or you lose a sense of, I think you lose a feel-- "
"Your feeling," interrupted Cameron. "And that is exactly what politics is all about. The judgment you bring to make decisions."
"That's exactly right," Obama said. "And the truth is that we've got a
bunch of smart people, I think, who know ten times more than we do
about the specifics of the topics. And so if what you're trying to do
is micromanage and solve everything then you end up being a dilettante
but you have to have enough knowledge to make good judgments about the
choices that are presented to you."
-- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
July 26, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (606)
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Lillian: "intellegent wife"
For the second time in her adult life she can be proud to be an american.
Posted by: Lilly | Nov 6, 2008 11:43:28 AM
Dear amricns.
Please don,t voto mccain .
He is a dangerous man ,so he was in vietnam..so he was in prison .
Does that make him e president .
I wathed him from the netherlands ,this man is only on campane becuaese he was a war hero .
These things are historie .
You need a young president ,who wil help you out of trouble ,so that you can keep your houses.
i truly believe obama is the write one ,the time of old gay,s are over!!!!!!.
War time is over ..if you vote for mc,cain ....amrerica is over!!!!!!!!
Posted by: william | Nov 3, 2008 1:57:19 PM
It is most unfortunate that preconceived judgments are made on a very well known and respected former President who is still among the living. I refer to the former and most Honorable President Jimmy Carter. I believe that history will show that Former President Carter was one of the best Presidents who has ever held a political office in this country. He served this country in many great ways, both in office and out of the Oval Office of the presidency. President Jimmy Carter rolled up his sleeves and contributed MUCH to humanity; much more than many other Presidents, whether still among the living or not. It is terribly unfortunate that this Former President, or any Former President for that matter, having been chosen by the great electoral process of a free election in the United States of America, has had to go through such negative defamation as that of the Former and most Honorable President Jimmy Carter, whenever there are comparative judgments to be made and negative criticisms to be given to other politicians.
EHDowdye
Posted by: Dr. Edward Henry Dowdye, Jr. | Aug 12, 2008 8:30:38 AM
Too bad so sad Obama's not up to the job and he's whining before the campaign really gets heated. Have you EVER encountered such a baby?
Posted by: beebop | Jul 29, 2008 5:08:11 PM
this is an obvious publicity stunt. you people are suckers for caring about this. wake up.
Posted by: Andrew | Jul 27, 2008 2:02:59 PM------------------ I disagree, the only time it is not a publicity stunt is when he sticks his foot in his mouth. All other things out of his mouth are publicity stunts
Posted by: Cathy6224 | Jul 29, 2008 4:12:16 PM
OBAMA LACKS EXPERIENCE AND JUDGEMENT
Why didn't Obama, who chaired the senate committee on Afghanistan, call a single meeting on Afghanistan? He keeps wearing out the importance of his vote to not invade Iraq over 4 years ago, but that's 20/20 hindsight, because based on intelligence at the time, it made sense to invade Iraq ... that's why so many of his fellow democrats voted for it. Obama is a monday morning quarterback. Why did he vote present 100 times in the senate? After his misstatements his spokespeople are always having to clarify what he really meant. Being a community organizer ... gaining a seat in the state legislature by eliminating the competition on technicalities, instead of votes ... gaining a seat in the senate due to Senator Jack Ryan vacating his seat due to scandal ... barely getting the democratic nomination with less popular votes than Hillary, and without counting Florida and Michigan ... etc.. What are this guy's qualifications to be President of the United States other than outspending his opponents on ads, and getting unfair coverage from a bias media. Be an intelligent responsible American, elect Senator John McCain for President in November '08
Posted by: Howard | Jul 28, 2008 4:30:07 PM
WOW thats a lot of posts. You all need to stop and the arguing and leran to live with one another. Love not war folks. Love not war.
Posted by: John | Jul 28, 2008 3:06:44 PM
Many of you people who falsely claim that the media is so in love with Sen Obama spend a lot of time talking about him too! Does that mean that you're in love with Sen Obama? It seems like it!
I have yet to see any one of you Obama bashers say anything about why you are voting for McCain vs why you aren't voting for Sen Obama. WHY ARE YOU IDIOTS VOTING FOR MCCAIN? ANYONE?
Posted by: UPeopleRCrazy | Jul 28, 2008 1:58:22 AM
All of you Obama haters, don't worry, it'll be over soon. 99 days to go before Sen. Obama becomes the next President of the United States. But, keep up your trolling until then. It's been good laughs!
Posted by: ddc2008 | Jul 28, 2008 1:48:02 AM
Vote your ignorance as you always do. Go for the least acceptable of the two and you will feel vindicated. Editorials and inexperienced writers will muddy the waters and advertisers will continue to avoid the newspapers and newsmagazines as well as politicians. Maybe we'll get the least damaging president in November just before the economy collapses definitely.
Posted by: bob | Jul 27, 2008 5:22:30 PM
Oh, Stop the drama, please....
Posted by: Bill Zimmer | Jul 27, 2008 5:09:40 PM
Just wondering why Barry Obama didn't give his "rock star" speeches in French or German? Didn't he just mock all Americans for not being bi-lingual. Oui!
Posted by: killerbee | Jul 27, 2008 4:18:41 PM
Obama is a male model, an empty suit.
McCain is a right leaning old man.
McCain is slightly more qualified for the office. That's not saying a lot, though.
They both stink as candidates. STINK, I say!
The one good candidate, Senator Clinton, was pushed to the side quite unfairly by Howard Dean and his Screaming, Bullying DNC.
There's only one recourse.
PUMA. Yes, PUMA.
Posted by: PUMA, Please | Jul 27, 2008 3:57:51 PM
Sport, you said you would vote for
Obama because "he is black". Well,
I hope it rains on election day and the
bus forgets to pick you up. What a reason to vote!!!
Lorene, You think old people "suck"
well I would like to see you when you get 'old'. You must remember, getting old is a given..........and they have
forgot more than you will ever know.
Posted by: A Texan | Jul 27, 2008 3:28:18 PM
God Bless you Sheli!!!!!Could not have said it better
Posted by: Bob Vaughan | Jul 27, 2008 2:46:28 PM
What kills me is that all you Dems and Cons get on these forums and essentially point out things that don't matter. Without mentioning the current administration, has anyone on the Obama side of the argument been able to make a case for Obama as a better policy maker/implementer...of course, you'll have to stipulate the results of future performance from what he says because he's never governed or put policy to work before; so we'll have to infer, for the sake or argument, that he'll do he SAYS he'll do, which based on his recent reversals, is tough to do. We get it, Obamanians, he's a superb politician and a true magician of public perception, but can anyone one of you argue from a policy stand point why he's a better choice than McCain without using the failures of an OUTGOING administration as a crutch? None of you can; and you all know that if John Q Public finds out about the extent of Obama's liberal agenda Obama is screwed with a capital S. I believe Obama will be elected, I give a 70/30 chance. I'm fine with it because the gift of his Jimmy Carter re-run will be a conservative House, Senate, and President. You Dems will own this empty vessel. The Cons have had there's, no it's your turn. But as Americans we'll ALL suffer the consequences of a far left agenda. That is the essence of socialism isn't it?
Posted by: Evan | Jul 27, 2008 2:40:08 PM
This will hurt Obama more than help him. We see him as a typical Clinton-like liberal who is out to make photo-ops and get the world to love us. I wasn't aware the world hated us. I don't see us keeping our people in; everyone is coming here still. Besides, the world should worry what we think of them, not us worry what they think of us.
Thank you Obama for showing us your total ignorance and arrogance. You've ultimately helped John McCain in November. WE DON'T NEED CARTER'S SECOND TERM!!
Posted by: Dale J. Mack | Jul 27, 2008 2:28:51 PM
Democrats have been pissing & moaning about how much time President Bush has spent on vacation for 7 years. Now BHO touts it as a great idea and a great way to govern.
Just a snakeoil salesman, the only thing he will change is our level of security when we need more not less.
Posted by: whatawaste | Jul 27, 2008 2:18:32 PM
Obama needs an MBA? Hahahaha!!!!!! Let's pause for a moment and consider how the MBA presidency of one George W. Bush worked out.
This conversation with David Cameron reflects simple common sense. No conspiracy theories needed.
Posted by: Ann Arbor | Jul 27, 2008 2:16:18 PM
this is an obvious publicity stunt. you people are suckers for caring about this. wake up.
Posted by: Andrew | Jul 27, 2008 2:02:59 PM
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