President Obama signaled today that he will seek reelection and dismissed as "completely unfounded" reports that he might replace Vice President Joe Biden on his 2012 ticket with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
"Obviously, I haven't made any formal decision" on reelection, the president told National Journal in an exclusive 45-minute interview, "but I feel like I've got a lot of work left to do."
Told that his answer sounded like he was saying “yes,” Obama nodded, then broadly smiled. "Take it as you will," he said, laughing.
Obama bluntly dismissed suggestions, first raised by author Bob Woodward, that he might replace Biden with Clinton for the 2012 race.
"Completely unfounded. Completely unfounded," Obama said, repeating the phrase a third time for emphasis. "They are both doing outstanding jobs where they are."
The comment came toward the end of a wide-ranging Oval Office interview that suggested the president has started to think seriously, both in broad terms and on specific issues, about how he might navigate a new political landscape in Washington after November 2. While he did not predict the outcome of the congressional elections, which could cost Democrats one or both chambers, Obama said he believes angry voters are sending the message that they “want people in Washington to act like grown-ups, cooperate, and start trying to solve problems instead of scoring political points.”
The interview will be published in its entirety in the first issue of the newly redesigned National Journal magazine, which will be released Monday. In addition, further coverage will appear on the new National Journal website, which will also debut Monday.
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