Transcript: Barbara Walters Interviews the Obamas

Nov. 26, 2010— -- The following is an edited transcript of Barbara Walters' interview with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, as broadcast on "A Barbara Walters Special: A Thanksgiving Visit with President and Mrs. Obama," Nov. 26, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. The interview was conducted in the White House on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010.

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FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: Well hello.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Hello, Barbara.

BARBARA WALTERS: Well hello! …Fancy meeting you here

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: So nice to see you, how are you?

BARBARA WALTERS: I'm just fine, thanks.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Welcome.

BARBARA WALTERS: Thank you so much. It's good to see you.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: I'm very happy to see you, and you look beautiful.

BARBARA WALTERS: Well you're very kind to welcome us at this time, when you're, you're so busy, you've got Thanksgiving…

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: Ah, this is a fun time.

BARBARA WALTERS: Is it a good time?

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: The house is being prepared, so at least it's clean.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: [CHUCKLES]

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BARBARA WALTERS: Mr. President, I want to speak to you about something very serious.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Yes.

BARBARA WALTERS: I understand that it's a custom to pardon a turkey?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: It is.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: [LAUGHS]

BARBARA WALTERS: This year there is also a vice turkey?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: There is a vice turkey.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: Oh, I didn't hear about the vice turkey.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Well, we think that it's always appropriate that not only do we have the official turkey, but a backup turkey, just in case.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: How's he doing. Hi, you. Hi, you.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: How you doing, buddy.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: Hi.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Doing okay? You look pretty cute.

BARBARA WALTERS: Does Bo-Bo do anything?

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: He's clean. Let's see if he will.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Well let's see, hopefully.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: Come, Bo-Bo.

BARBARA WALTERS: Bo, do you shake hands? … Could you shake hands?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: There you go.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: There we go.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: There you go.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: Good job! [CLAPS] Good boy.

BARBARA WALTERS: Yes, and then he gets his tummy rubbed, right?

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: Yeah. Yeah.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Oh, he likes that.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: Oh, goodness, oh Barbara, I love you, I love you so. I love you so. Okay come on, let's go.

BARBARA WALTERS: Almost like having a son, isn't it?

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: I know. This is my boy…He's my dog.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: It's more hers. I gotta admit.

BARBARA WALTERS: You know, when I walked in here…

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: But the girls would be upset if we said that. It's their dog.

BARBARA WALTERS: I see. Maybe they won't watch.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA: [CHUCKLES]

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