On Friday, Jimmy Kimmel interviewed presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Here’s the pool report from Amy Chozick of the The Wall Street Journal.
The interview was ” via satellite from a conference room at the Sheraton in Philadelphia. The program will air on Sunday after the NBA finals. The interview was basketball themed and most of the questions were about, yes, basketball.
Questions are paraphrased unless they are in quotes.
Kimmel: Happy Fathers Day. Whats a typical Fathers Day at the Obama house?
Obama: We usually have some experiment with waffles or pancakes and theres a lot of cleanup afterwards…They come with stuff we wouldnt normally put on pancakes like whipped cream. Then we go to church.
(insert from Lynn Sweet: The Obamas quit Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago’s South Side last week. end insert)
Kimmel: Are you required to report gifts as a public servant?
Obama: Only of its over $50 but my children are pretty stingy
Kimmel asked Obama how often he plays basketball. He said about once a week and told the story of how he played in Iowa and won and didnt play in New Hampshire and lost and now plays before every contest.
When asked if he would put a basketball court in the White House, Obama said I hear theres a bowling alley and obviously that didnt go to well so were going to put in a basketball court.
They talked about Obamas brother-in-law who is a basketball coach at Oregon State. Obama said he always plays with Reggie Love and talked about his background at Duke and in the NFL.
Kimmel asked if he and Reggie shower together or separately after the games. Jimmy, were not going to discuss this now, Obama laughed.
Obama said he has been watching the NBA finals. Hes a Bulls fan so isnt behind one particular team but he said he did not anticipate Boston manhandling the Lakers like they have.
Youre big on hope, senator. Do you think the Lakers have hope? Kimmel asked.
Kobe Bryant is the best player in he world and is basically unstoppable when he is at the top of his game, Obama said.
Are you worried that if the Lakers do come back it might inspire Hillary Clinton to get back in the race? Kimmel asked.
Obama was quick to reply: Sen. Clinton and I are on the same team.
Kimmel said he is interested in being Obamas running mate and would like to get on his short list of potential candidates.
Obama said hes sure the talk-show host would bring in a lot of new voters but added I just dont think you vet. That whole ting with [Ben] Affleck. Thats just not going to work.
