Excerpts from Klein's Interview with Obama

On his decision not to suspend his campaign during the financial crisis:

We were getting phone calls from people from Washington, and I think there were some on our staff who were thinking that maybe we should interject and respond in some way. My strong feeling was that this situation was of such seriousness that it was important not to chase the cameras ... One of the benefits of running this 22-month gauntlet is that you have been through some ups and you have been through some downs. And you start realizing that what seems important or clever or in need of some dramatic moment a lot of times just needs reflection and care. And I think that was an example of where my style at least worked.

On General David Petraeus, with whom he has disagreed over Iraq policy:
I'm glad Petraeus is in CENTCOM ... I think he's ... not just an astute soldier, but I think he's somebody who cares about facts and cares about the reality on the ground. I don't think he comes at this with an ideological predisposition. That's one of the reasons I think he's been successful in moving the ball forward in Iraq. And I hope that he's applying that same perspective to what's happening in Afghanistan.

On negotiating with the Taliban:
This is one useful lesson that is applicable from Iraq. The Sunni awakening changed the dynamic in Iraq fundamentally. It could not have occurred unless there were some contacts and intermediaries to peel off those who are tribal leaders, regional leaders, Sunni nationalists, from a more radical, messianic brand of insurgency. Whether there are those same opportunities in Afghanistan I think should be explored.

On kick-starting the economy:
Finding the new driver of our economy is going to be critical. There is no better potential driver that pervades all aspects of our economy than a new energy economy ... That's going to be my No. 1 priority when I get into office, assuming obviously that we have done enough to just stabilize the immediate economic situation. We've got a boat with a lot of leaks, and we need to get it into port. That's what the financial rescue package is about. But once we get it into port, once the credit markets are functioning effectively, then it's time for us to go back to the fundamentals of this economy.

On Joe the Plumber:
The point I was making was twofold. Number one, I want to give you a tax cut sooner so you can save sooner to start your business sooner, because the average plumber starting off sure isn't making $250,000 a year. And the second thing is, plumbers, like everybody else, need customers. And if everybody's broke, you're not going to be able to build your business ... It's a simple principle that we've lost, which is that when everybody's sharing in our prosperity, everybody wins.