Mr. Obama's First Interview Since the Election

by A. Tran | December 11, 2008 at 09:41 pm

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Mr. Obama held his first interview on Dec.10 with the Chicago Tribune reporters in a sparely furnished office since his election on Nov. 4.

Mr. Obama discussed a wide range of issues about his strategy for his first year in office from his decision to keep his Chicago's home to his plan to reach out to the Muslim world, from his plan to retool the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to recalibrating American foreign policies, from his personal reflections on being the first African American President to following the tradition of being sworn in like all presidents, by using his full name: Barack Hussein Obama.

One simple matter comes down to three little words, and on them he has made up his mind: he won't shrink from using his full name when he takes the oath of office.

During the campaign, Obama's detractors would often invoke his middle name, Hussein, in an attempt to falsely paint him as a Muslim. Obama, a Christian, doesn't care.

And when he takes the oath of office Jan. 20, he plans to be sworn in like every other president, using his full name: Barack Hussein Obama.

"I think the tradition is that they use all three names, and I will follow the tradition," he said. "I'm not trying to make a statement one way or another. I'll do what everybody else does.''

Barack Obama says his presidency is an opportunity for the U.S. to renovate its relations with the Muslim world, starting the day of his inauguration and continuing with a speech he plans to deliver in an Islamic capital.

"I think we've got a unique opportunity to reboot America's image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular,'' Obama said Tuesday, promising an "unrelenting" desire to "create a relationship of mutual respect and partnership in countries and with peoples of good will who want their citizens and ours to prosper together."

The world, he said, "is ready for that message."

Mr. Obama expects to improve US international relation around the world with more nuanced foreign policies and approaches.

Mr. Obama said the country must take advantage of a unique chance to recalibrate relations around the globe, through a new diplomacy that emphasizes inclusiveness and tolerance as well as an unflinching stand against terrorism.

"The message I want to send is that we will be unyielding in stamping out the terrorist extremism we saw in Mumbai,"

Mr. Obama reflects on his Presidency and race relations.

And then there are the grand issues, like the burden placed on him by history. As the first African-American president, he acknowledges, he thinks about it.

"The biggest challenges we face right now in improving race relations have to do with the universal concerns of Americans across color lines," he said. "If we are creating jobs throughout this economy, then African-Americans and Latinos, who are disproportionately unemployed, are going to be swept up in that rising tide."

"I think that more than anything is going to improve race relations," he said, "a sense of common purpose.''

Mr. Obama plans to maintain his home in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Even in the White House, though, he doesn't plan to sever ties to home. He made reference to former President George H.W. Bush's White House getaway--Kennebunkport, Maine.

"Let me explain to you, my Kennebunkport is on the South Side of Chicago," he said. "Our friends are here. Our family is here. We are going to try to come back here as often as possible . . . at least once every six weeks or couple months."

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Amy Judd

at 22:58 on December 11th, 2008

Great interview.

dfaugust2k (not verified)

at 04:16 on December 12th, 2008

~all smoke and mirrors, the ONLY things he has defined here are:

1. He will use "HUSSIAN" when sworn in, although it was unconscionable that his opposition would stoop so low as to actually invoke this muslim's name while campaigning

2. He will keep the house that was scandalously purchased via dirty-dealings with Tony Rezco in the same neighborhood as his pals domestic terrorist bill ayers and race-hustler "reverend" wright.

Jawa Lunk

at 04:35 on December 12th, 2008

What cracks me up the most is how we heard time and time again that Hillary Clinton has no business in the White house, yet...she's one of the first he appoints.

He clamored "Change, change, change..." but then places the Clinton's in office again, same, same, same...

On a completely different note, Why is it he is hailed as the first African American president when he is just as much white as he is black?

Now I'm not racist, I can't be considering I am half Irish and half American Indian, my step mother is Mexican and I have a couple black uncles.

I call them black because that's what they want to be called, just as I call myself white. Why? well, I guess because that's what I look like.

But you don't hear anyone saying "He's our next white president" which is just as accurate as calling him African American.

Why does race even matter?

I mean really...is anyone anything any more?

At least not in America.

The term American any more should relate the fact that America is our country and heritage. Should we continue to call ourselves by our color or ancestry?

This country was founded by British Separatists, built by Irish indentured servants, populated by masses of immigrants from many nations, transportation developed by Chinese slaves, and land provided by the original residents whom we've aptly named American Indians because those who "discovered" this place didn't even know where they were.

One of the greatest problems in this country is a dis-association because of how young our country is.

There is a lack of love for this great nation of ours because so many see themselves as a stranger in a strange land, continually associating themselves with an ancestry that originates in another land...thus causing a feeling of separation from this land.

I wish we could all just take a snapshot of where we are right now, and from this day forward view all the people of this great nation as AMERICANS, and start having some pride in our nation, and love for our country, and associate ourselves with the land we are in.

If there is something you don't like about this country, so something to change it. Get involved in politics, even if it's on a smaller scale, such as in your local county government, because everything counts, and it should all matter to us.

I may not approve of where Obama stands, and I may not approve of his policies, but I am an AMERICAN, and our country voted for him, and I will do everything I can to support this country, the country that I love...and that I COME FROM and BELONG TO.

And it is my hope that all who live in this country feel the same way...and if not, well, you don't HAVE to stay here.

One of the great things about this country is FREEDOM...you DO have a choice here.

Jawa Lunk

at 09:55 on December 13th, 2008

Well I'm not saying that because I am an American I bury or disregard my Irish and Indian heritage...But me being an American comes before anything Irish or Indian...

Of course, then one could argue, weren't the Indians really the first ones here?

Jawa Lunk

at 15:04 on December 13th, 2008

hahaha... jealous slackers that's funny!

How come the only time lazy people get active is to tear down active people?

Karen Hatter

at 15:18 on December 23rd, 2008

As my comment was one of the comments accidently deleted, I will attempt to reconstruct my previous contribution here.

I had addressed the fact that using one's country of origin or ethnicity, in conjunction with the designation American, did not make one traitorous, with the comment " .... and it is my hope that all who live in this country feel the same way...and if not, well, you don't HAVE to stay here.", a verbal reworking of the old adage, as I stated before, 'America, love it or leave it!', which I stated previously, was never a good slogan.

All who find themselves citizens here and now reside here, of European, Asian, African, Latin and Hispanic descent and the rest, with the Indigenous Peoples having resided here long before this land was renamed the United States of America, arrived here under uniquely different circumstances.

All who came here often found discrimination and isolation when they arrived, viewed as 'odd' or 'alien', by another group, with those viewed as 'odd' often relying upon their cultural ties to one another as they set about attempting to carve a niche of inclusion in this land.

Had it not been for the ability of new arrivals to sustain their cultural heritage as they added their input into shaping America, many would not have survived to be among those that have found their place in America. Nor is there total inclusion or acceptance by all who reside here of everyone that is here at present.

As I stated before, America has never been the 'melting pot', to which it is so often referred. It has always been more like a 'stew', with each 'ingredient' adding it's own special 'flavor' to the stew.

Of course, there's always been someone who didn't like peas or carrots or something in the stew.

Jawa Lunk

at 02:39 on December 24th, 2008

Argh....

I know, my entire account, all my comments and posts were also deleted...

They returned most of my stuff though, everything up to the 18th of December was restored.

I gave up trying to find all the posts I commented on :(

But at least they saved some of my account...

I hope it doesn't happen again :P

It's a lot of work and time posting, uploading things, commenting on posts...

A. Tran

at 15:35 on December 25th, 2008

This is an updated reply to Jawa Lunk since my original comment (12.11) was among those comments that are deleted due to some sort of accidental technical glitches.

I do not think that anyone who chooses to honor her or his cultural heritage along with her/his citizenship in America is behaving in an un-American way. It is a misguided and divisive notion to think that any American who chooses to acknowledge her/his heritage is automatically being labeled as being un-patriotic. It is this kind of notions that caused fear and xenophobia among some Americans after 9/11.

I am deeply proud of my Vietnamese heritage as an American who has contributed to my country through community activism, educational programs, and volunteerism. I celebrate my ethnic heritage and citizenship with an equal measure of enthusiasm and pride.

The fact is whether I choose to celebrate my ethnic heritage or not, people do not necessarily assume that I am American based merely on my appearance, but rather assume that I am a "foreigner from Asia". I have never taken offense by that erroneous assumption, but I will write that over my lifetime, I have endured countless dreadful name-callings that will make most reasonable people wince. Nevertheless, I remain a proud Vietnamese American who continues to contribute to the communities with educational programs. And, I am not alone, as there are countless other ethnic Americans who have done wonderful things for America. Would you deny these Americans their rights to celebrate their cultural heritage just because you and some others don't like it? I will write with certainty that, they too, are proud Americans.

My choice to celebrate my ethnic heritage is just like many Irish, Italian, African, Jewish, Latino, Arab Americans, to name a few around the country.

Many of these Americans have contributed in numerous and historical ways to build America throughout these several hundred years.

Would you deny these Americans their rights to be proud of their heritage by telling someone like architect I.M Pei that he's un-American because he refers to himself as Chinese American? Would you deny Mr. Henry Louis Gates his rights to referring to himself as an African American scholar and author by declaring that he is un-American?

dfaugust2k (not verified)

at 04:45 on December 12th, 2008

"President-elect Barack Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, refused to take questions from reporters this morning about whether he was the Obama “advisor” named in the criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich." -so much for a TRANSPARENT ADMINISTRATION, how about an interview that actually responds to these issues, MR. Alfred E. Barak HUSSIAN Osama?

dunkelberg

at 06:03 on December 12th, 2008

I think we've got a unique opportunity to reboot America's image around the world

Lord knows we need it after eight years of gypsies in the palace

Jawa Lunk

at 10:02 on December 13th, 2008

HAHAHA...do you really for one minute think that this countries image has anything to do with who is in the "palace"?

Who puts those "Gypsies" in the palace?

We need to stop pointing fingers, because whenever you do my friend, there are four more pointing back at yourself.

"We" as Americans are the fault for the image of this country...

Not those "We" decide to place in seats of power.

How convenient it is for the Republicans to blame the Democrats, and the Democrats to blame the Republicans, while all the while the decay of the moral values of this country, and the sad image of our society truly lie solely in our laps...

I accept responsibility for every time I spoke out of turn, every time I didn't help when I should have, every time I passed someone in need, every time I passed judgment instead of love...

For every action that I should have taken, but didn't, and for every time I should have sat still, but moved...

I pray God forgives me and I can learn from my weakness, so that I may become stronger.

Why does the world dislike the US? Because of the masses which occupy it.

How can we change their view of us? by changing the way we view ourselves.

Look in the mirror and ask each morning, "What can I do today to better the lives of those around me and make this world a better place for the needy, the hurt, the ones who do not feel loved or that they have hope?"

It all starts inside each of us.

dunkelberg

at 15:07 on December 23rd, 2008

HAHAHA...do you really for one minute think that this countries image has anything to do with who is in the "palace"?

Yes. I do not find it a laughing matter, unless you are just being derisive.

When you have, as we have had for the last eight years, an idealogue who doesn't give a damn about what others think, believe or contribute, you will have the disaster that we now call our image abroad.

The good thing is that most foreigners know the problem is Boy George and not the majority of the American people.

Jawa Lunk

at 02:52 on December 24th, 2008

Well, if you think me laughing is because I think the state of this country is funny, then you're wrong.

If you think I am laughing at your statement, that would be more accurate.

But my laughing is not because I do not take what has been happening in this country seriously.

And our problems will oil, for one instance, has been an issue long before the last eight years my friend.

As well as many of the other issues that parties enjoy pointing the fingers at each other for.

Now, don't think that I am defending the Republicans...I'm not, but at the same time I am not defending any other "party", because there is nothing to party about.

As far as our image goes, you are being mislead...

Look back through the last 20-30 years, and in every administration...other countries have hated us, with such a passion that they would destroy planes, take hostages, and try to destroy this country by any means they could devise.

If you for one minute believe that "most foreigners" "know" the problem is the president and NOT the American people, then you are grossly mislead and have forgotten all of those who have died in terrorist attacks, hijackings, hostage situations here and abroad, most of which took place against innocent people.

And this has happened in every administration...

Why?

Because of Americans (especially the leaders, regardless of party affiliation), general lack of respect for other nations, our own personal greed and arrogance, and our selfishness when it comes to money and oil.

The problem we face is far deeper than simply blaming any one party.

You read the news...week after week leaders of this country are caught with their hand in the cookie jar, or their pants down...

Party affiliation is nothing more than a ruse to give the average person the illusion that they have a choice and certain freedoms to fight for in this government.

It's a means of controlling the populous by allowing them to believe they have a say in things...

We need to clean house as the people, and start holding ALL officials who represent US accountable for all actions and decisions.

We need to be reminded that this country belongs to the people, not to the leaders who are making all the decisions and dragging us down with them.

Albert Milliron

at 21:05 on December 15th, 2008

It all depends if you have a MAC or PC in the White House

Jawa Lunk

at 14:20 on December 17th, 2008

HAHAHA...

I wish I had a dollar for every time I saw the BSOD (blue screen of death), and another dollar for each time I had to re-install windoze...

I was thinking of reverting to paper and pen...it may be a little more reliable.

Amy Judd

at 14:37 on December 23rd, 2008

Due to an accidental deletion of a member (which has now been corrected), some of the comments and responses on this post got deleted when the member was removed. Even though that member's comments have been reinstated, some of the original replies were not able to be and we really apologize for this.

This was a complete mistake and we hope one that won't happen again.

I apologize to the members whose comments no longer appear here.

Jawa Lunk

at 02:53 on December 24th, 2008

That's OK...it looks like most of my stuff is here.

My entire account was gone for a while :P But they got most of it back, everything up to the 18th of December.

dunkelberg

at 15:29 on December 23rd, 2008

Part of what disappeared was a conversation about maintaining one's cultural identity in today"s America. While you can see some feel such things as race and culture do not matter, it denies the ever present racism and prejudice alive in our society.

Pythiian1 had noted what a balancing act it can be as a new immigrant, picking and choosing as one attempts to assimilate or just get along in society. As I know I am not doing justice to her words or thoughts, I will stop there.

One of the comments above deserves some explanation.

hahaha... jealous slackers that's funny!

How come the only time lazy people get active is to tear down active people?

That was in response to something I wrote about the problems Vietnamese immigrants had along the Gulf Coast shortly after the rout that was the end of our Vietnam War. Many bought shrimp boats and worked before daylight and after dark to make them successful. They were successful.

There were so successful that jealous slackers who considered themselves real 'Mericans burned those shrimp boats and took pot shots at the crews. It was a shameful sign that many who wave and even wrap themselves in the flag, bragging of the land of the brave and the home of the free actually are neither free or brave. They are cowards shackled by their prejudice, hatred and ignorance.

I think that's about the gist of much of the stuff that disappeared.

I did admit that I might have some Canadian blood, but I don't want to talk about it.

Jawa Lunk

at 02:57 on December 24th, 2008

Well my comment actually sounds racist out of context and with the post missing I was responding to. hahaha

But let me clarify, I can't remember what the post stated I responded to, but I can assure everyone I am not racists :D

Half of my family is Mexican, and the other have is Irish/American Indian, and I also have 2 black uncles.

I just want to clarify my post, and wish the other had not been deleted.

Makes one wonder about all of the posts that were lost, and whether there are any other posts out there that will be out of context now???

A. Tran

at 18:29 on December 23rd, 2008

Thank you to Karen Hatter and Dunkelberg for taking time to re-post their comments to the article and in response to one of the respondents. I appreciate their efforts to restore the conversation about ethnic pride, immigrant Americans, exclusion, and racism.

Thanks to Amy for writing the explanation.