Barack Obama on His Multiracial Identity | Letterman

Barack Obama describes his upbringing as a multiracial person and his journey in politics. (Air Date 11/26/2004)
#BarackObama #Letterman
Subscribe to Letterman: bit.ly/3GeOIAg
Follow Letterman on Social:
Facebook: / davidletterman
Instagram: / letterman
Twitter: / letterman
Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@maggiegibbons2890]

This makes me nostalgic for optimism.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Nothing optimistic about his presidency, nor Michelle's racism.

[@equivalentexchangeisalie5726]

@@Frankincensedjb123 You mean Big Mike.

[@chefjeff1366]

I wish politicians could still talk about their opposing parties this way.

[@rowdyyates4273]

As maybe but I wish politicians would do what they say there going to do!

[@keithmorgan742]

@@rowdyyates4273 They're*

[@LetsBeHonestImAPrat]

Even Obama stopped talking like this

[@beckyhenkel7917]

You said it right. There used to be oppositions, now there are enemies! They don't understand the English language anymore!

[@jamesstout4641]

Probably one of the coolest presidents with the most swag the US ever had

[@joecap2919]

You just like him because he dated men in college, admit it..

[@felixmadison5736]

@@joecap2919 No, but I remember Joe Kapp did when he was in college before getting into the NFL. You didn't have to change your last name here on KZbin. Be proud of being gay like Trump, Rand Paul and Lindsey Graham are.

[@joecap2919]

@@felixmadison5736 So you are a documented gay hater. You Q Anon members are nuts. KZbin will document your hate speech.

[@felixmadison5736]

@@joecap2919 Thank you for that. It's nice to know you are not a member of the Trump Cult.

[@joecap2919]

@@felixmadison5736 Why do you Q-Anon members hate gays and minorities? Explain yourself.

[@almetals]

Such effortless charm and charisma.!

[@ws0153]

Hard to believe that only 4 years after this he was President

[@kevinanderson5599]

Man, he'd make a great president.

[@FRANCESCOBERGOMI]

Robin Williams called Barack Obama a "tanned Kennedy" on one of his panels on Letterman. Wondering how that would be received today.

[@brendanbloomberg3283]

He actually was more of a black George w. Bush.

[@tristramcoffin926]

He basically still is president

[@pretorious700]

He'd be a fantastic race baiter too.

[@sadiehawkins5908]

24. Or how could we do it? Draft? Since he can't do third term and seems pretty stuck on the constitution thingy how could we draft Michelle? Even their daughter then ? Bo Obama? Any of them.

[@UncleBernhard]

He speaks in whole sentences!

[@captainmercy87]

He did not insult anyone either!

[@ChrisDawsonNC]

And Dave lets him speak and did an excellent interview.

[@barb6868]

He speaks so eloquently.

[@joecap2919]

Unlike Dementia Joe

[@bartstarr100]

@@joecap2919 sad sad Russian troll

[@nicktutt44]

Man I miss both of these guys!

[@bmf88]

What he ever do for you besides stir up race hate between everyone?

[@shilibrad8705]

Yep. And back then people were civil. Really miss the 2008 campaign too, it was a good time. And John was a great opponent. Everything went south after 2012.

[@tbarton00]

@@bmf88 can you give a specific example of him stirring up race hate between everyone?

[@bmf88]

@@tbarton00 are you kidding me? If your that blind to see then there's no point I've met many like you and no matter how many examples you'll always defend him

[@bmf88]

@@tbarton00 there was never all this race tension before Obama this false narrative of black people being opposed is a joke. They talk about equality.. no they want black domination I can't believe soft white people like yourself fall for they " o im poor and cant get anywhere because I'm black so I'm gonna blame it all on the racist white people" they need to start pointing fingers at themselves before they do white people

[@dgh5223]

He’s actually biracial but never was called that. His mom was white. Dad was black. He was called black just because his skin color.

[@mnstocknews]

Duhhhh. White America made that dumb rule..

[@mnstocknews]

Duhhhh.. White America made up this dumb rule...

[@nonono9194]

Shows which one gives more privileges

[@amppma7302]

this is a bittersweet clip. seems like another world.... miss both of these guys

[@lavarball528]

Obama yes. Letterman is a creep.

[@joelglanton6531]

That's because it was another world. Are you familiar with the Mayan calendar?

[@callmeshaggy5166]

"Me and Paul run negative ads." "Against each other??!"

[@tenestetubo]

I can understand why Trump hated Obama. He's all the thing he couldn't be, when it comes to communication among many things. Obama ability to cross platform and be an effective communicator is something worth to listen.

[@jeffcubeta]

And charming.

[@octasalvat1501]

Bro, Trump is way better than obama in communication. Dude was hated to the bone and he still won an election. Dont let hate cloud your mind

[@tenestetubo]

@@octasalvat1501 lmao

[@spenser9908]

Trump had to come in to clean up Obama's mess.

[@tenestetubo]

Isn't that exactly what Biden is doing? cleaning up the orangutan's mess.

[@lovepeace3041]

Amazing to see how it was all always there.

[@keefriff99]

The poise, the intellect, the personableness…a once in a generation talent.

[@itannoysme3348]

@@keefriff99 Congrats. "Personableness" is a once-in-a-generation word.

[@nsxmatt]

Both Obama and Mccain had respect for each other and fought a fair and respectful campaign. Being a supporter of Obama I would not have been upset if Mccain had won also. Both wanted to REALLY make his country great and cared for it deeply. Something you just dont see anymore.

[@LucasPenido]

I remember this interview as if it was today! I remember Dave introduced him like: “The next President of the United States…”

[@sadiehawkins5908]

Oprah fileld him in obln the plan lol. She has great taste doesn't she?

[@DABA2024]

2 terms. 0 armed insurrections. 0 Impeachments. This is what a winner looks like folks.

[@sjwhite54]

Perfect.

[@PyroNexus22]

hundreds civilian murders by drone strikes, thousands imprisoned, god knows how many tortured. Yeah, this is what a winner looks like in this day and age.

[@saladsalad9991]

Kinda glossing over the whole continuing of the war in Afghanistan, not closing GITMO, proliferation of secret spying of every Americans digital communications.. It feels good to like Obama but when you scrutinize his entire term it's a lot more complicated for a rational thinker. He was given the Nobel peace prize and his speech at the acceptance ceremony promoted slaughtering people all over the globe in project US dominance. When he came to the town of Flint after the water crises was exploding to national attention all he did was sip a tiny amount of water from a cup and say it was safe. Why didn't Obama use federal resources to help the people of Flint? Where was the Army Corps of Engineers -- they're literally among the most qualified people to fix a city's polluted water. After that stunt the US Army was authorized to use abandoned properties in Flint to conduct military exercises using live ammunition. Instead of helping fix Flint the Commander in Chief, Barack Obama, let the US military use the city for target practice for urban warfare exercises. instead of calling in the Army Corps of Engineers to give Americans drinking water. It's sick.

[@fluxcapacitor1621]

0 indictments. 0 administration convictions.

[@bertall1ca]

@@PyroNexus22 no free healthcare

[@dr.davidenglish778]

I like his witty sarcasm. It was sort of sad to see him age so fast after 8 years in the White House. Whether he would admit it or not, it took a physical and mental toll on him.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Yeah, but it didn't finish the job.

[@dr.davidenglish778]

@@Frankincensedjb123 that is a pretty cruel thing to day. He worked his ass off for 8 years for this country whether you like him or not.

[@rowdyyates4273]

@@dr.davidenglish778 guy was a imposter real name Barry soto got caught out with his birth certificate ex CiA just another stooge!

[@dr.davidenglish778]

@@rowdyyates4273 keep drinking the cool aid. The buzz must be awfully good.

[@rowdyyates4273]

@@dr.davidenglish778 looks like you missed the billboards along the USA highway and the big news on the tv about his real birth certificate? Big heads like you always no nothing- don’t forget to do your fly up? And you may get a subscriber🦃

[@carls.1000]

We forget Obama would become President in less than 5 years after this appearance. You can tell that Dave has an intuitive sense that Obama was going to be President.

[@davesuiter]

The greatest President since FDR.

[@theadmitler1713]

@@davesuiter Not GREAT but coolest sure most hip sure, statistically he sucked

[@Sheila-bz6ip]

Obama was a installed president, just like Obiden and is a third term installed president.

[@heleneschenbacher9867]

Barack lived door to me in Honolulu. He was only Punahou private student who worked after school job at Baskin-Robins. We bodysurfed at Sandy Beach on eastern shore of Honolulu. Good buddy. I am no longer a close friend in his Millionaire inner circle…he moved on. Most intelligent, ethical, moral man I’ve ever met. Aloha Pumehana my bruddah!

[@raynemichelle2996]

I loved Baskin Robbins' daiquiri ice. They don't make it anymore

[@bridgetdraper5146]

@@raynemichelle2996 the Baskin Robbins near me here in Texas has it.

[@raynemichelle2996]

@@bridgetdraper5146 oh cool. I live in Canada though. Here they have a flavour that's very similar called Citrus Twist Ice.

[@bridgetdraper5146]

@@raynemichelle2996 I love Canada and Canadians! If i could send you some daiquiri ice I totally would! Do you all still have blackberry Canada dry ginger ale?

[@raynemichelle2996]

@@bridgetdraper5146 I'm not sure. Probably? I haven't bought pop at a store for a while. I hardly leave my house unless absolutely necessary.

[@DanK123]

What President has ever anywhere NEAR as charming and funny as Barack Obama? None. Legend.

[@rowdyyates4273]

He was a lying gay man married Too a man called Michael - Obama was born in Kenya and was a cia agent !

[@icomment7715]

@@rowdyyates4273 All of these simple people can't see past the surface. Barack sounds good and tickles their ears... So they believe he is just so amazing.

[@geoffreythomas1452]

I remember being in Chicago in 2005 and being a student calling up his office to schedule an appointment to talk, because I thought he was such a charismatic speaker. I wanted to write a paper on him and his story. He was too busy to talk to a film student, but it felt good to know that he was close enough to almost speak to the public. This is a good representation of him. Love Prez.

[@joecap2919]

There was nothing in it for him so you were disposable. That's how he operates.

[@cheska7456]

@@joecap2919 as compared to how Trump treats his minions🤔 I’d rather be with Barack Obama❤️

[@joecap2919]

@@cheska7456 You only say that because he dated men in college, admit it..

[@lindawendt5372]

How spot on were some of those ‘prophetic’ statements?

[@ask230]

He knew, even back then, that Barack would run for president.

[@whaddup5417]

Man this was 2004. To most Americans, he was just “the black Senator” everyone was talking about. Black people were great side characters. Great in comedy. Great rappers. Great ball players. Def not “great leaders”. Interviews like this helped change that.

[@ChuckNorrisCanSeeU]

He's mixed?

[@bernardm.3205]

@@ChuckNorrisCanSeeU He most definitely is and george "the war criminal" bush jr's good friend!

[@whaddup5417]

@@ChuckNorrisCanSeeU what’s your point?

[@daanoverveld7616]

In fact, Obama had yet to be inaugurated as a senator when this piece aired...

[@itannoysme3348]

You surely must be 12. MLK was a great leader. He stood on the shoulders of many earlier black leaders. Colin Powell was a great leader. Andrew Young has been one, too. Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan. There were Langston Hughes, James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison, black literary greats. Not side characters. The list is too long to write here.

[@ademkollari8992]

What an amazing man, God bless!

[@TEWMUCH]

So charming and funny. Just as I remember!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

He was a junior senator with no experience who lost his law license and barely taught in college, to only end up a puppet for the corporate left as the MSM misinformed the public and lied to protect him. For eight years, I rarely had a solid night's sleep. Very scary guy. Very scary.

[@felixmadison5736]

Funnier than Trump for all the right reasons.

[@rowdyyates4273]

“So charming and funny just like a clown🤡- he also had a different name and birth country!- he sold good old USA down the river!

[@felixmadison5736]

@@rowdyyates4273 Trump sold us out and wanted to be King!! Without any charm!! LOL!!

[@rowdyyates4273]

@@felixmadison5736 he only wanted to be king to wear a a crown to hide his hair loss!

[@47imagine]

This guy will be president some day. Mark my words.

[@rubenxavier204]

The best

[@keremels]

I miss him. Also, I wish to see a Native American president in my lifetime.

[@ajoz-bi9wl]

johny depp

[@shikharadelphiece8468]

Why should there be a red indian president? Just cause he is red indian?

[@randolfo1265]

I was not aware of Barack Obama in 2004. When I saw loads of his signs while visiting New Jersey in 2008, I knew something good was coming.

[@rebeccamccoy2346]

I could see ANY celebrity and stay cool….but I can tell you that if I ever came face to face with Barack I would absolutely loose it.

[@tthom2459]

Love this man. Sure do miss him. Hope he and Michelle have happy fulfilling twilight years.

[@joecap2919]

Soros paid them well, 3 mansions and counting😉

[@wjcroft72]

He's only 60. Decades left of both their lives. They have been very busy with their center in Chicago.

[@joecap2919]

@@wjcroft72 They have been busy buying 3 mansions with Soros money😄

[@MichaelMurphy-kj3xf]

@@joecap2919 Why are you so broke, son?

[@joecap2919]

@@MichaelMurphy-kj3xf I could buy and sell everyone you are related to combined kid. Don't smoke crack and post.

[@bartstarr100]

This guy should run for president

[@anonymousjohnson976]

Yes, President Obama needs a 3rd, 4th, and 5th term!

[@janbrandonjr]

@@anonymousjohnson976 obama actually said that is not a good idea i believe that was also on lettermen where he said that to much power for too long is not good for anyone

[@radbradke]

We definitely knew Barack was Presidential material after these interviews

[@rederik99]

after that DNC speech. I'm not an American, but boy does it ever send chills.

[@keithmorgan742]

DAMN!!! Only 3 elected black Senators at that point in time? Unbelievable. Well, sadly, not unbelievable. Maybe embarrassing is a better word?

[@patriciaskabla8203]

I agree with you, I miss this two as well!

[@pamconnelly8798]

Smart, classy, intellectual, charming ---we miss him

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Neighbors in Hawaii referred to president Obama mother as a hippie.." oh, she's just a hippy".

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

DAVID MICHAEL LETTERMAN 12 DE ABRIL DE 1947 75 AÑOS (76)

[@wrinkleneckbass]

I really don't understand all the hate people had for this guy. I have an idea though...

[@joelglanton6531]

Oh yeah, you don't understand all the hate people had for the globalist, neoliberal, warmonger president who shot missiles at civilians using Predator drones and looked out for the big banks and finance companies more than he looked out for the average citizen? 6 years after he left office, they're still reeling from this guy's administration halfway across the world- see for yourself on GoPro helmet-cam 4K HD as Russian and Ukrainian boys (and even women, children, and old men) are fighting, brother against brother, and dying face down in the dirt. Tell me though, why did you opt to merely allude to the race issue as opposed to stating explicitly that everyone who didn't like Obama's presidency must have been racist?

[@patricialabdon1544]

They just hate him because of his skin colour.

[@AmoredTM]

Ahh. When the name Puff Daddy was used. Takes me back.

[@markwagner7602]

"It's going to be a small caucus." Is he channeling Norm MacDonald?

[@elijahogaya8837]

Didn't know Barry could speak this fast.😊

[@cottonrock4116]

Do we even remember the McCain Obama campaign? Those were the Days. David Letterman!!!!

[@lkramberg]

It actually made me feel sad watching this thinking about how far down our nation has become morally and socially. Even if you don't agree with the politics of President Obama, compare him and his family to what we went through and are still going through. What has become of our country?

[@pretorious700]

Yeah, cultural Marxism was so patriotic and cool.

[@sadiehawkins5908]

We re coming back.

[@islandrepublic9166]

You have Hillary to thank for that. Without her Donald Trump would not even sniff the Presidency.

[@the406seadonkey6]

@@pretorious700 I bet you like attempted coups better, huh?

[@MichaelMurphy-kj3xf]

@@pretorious700 You sound like a real winner. Incels are a trip

[@PureSparkles22]

11:00 when they go low we go high

[@notintohandles]

P. S. Way to call it, David!

[@nuschlerclark895]

Oh god I really miss him!

[@RealGoodTalk]

I don't love this guy, but he is so interesting to listen to. Very intelligent man!

[@grantguy8933]

Agree or not his politics dude is a charming man

[@rushmuzik]

A true gentleman. He didn't throw any stones.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

He didn't have to. The all-leftist media protected his lies and deceit.

[@teejay3272]

I vividly remember his speech at the DNC. I also remember my senior citizen Mom, a white woman from the "old days," calling me right after and telling me he was going to be the President some day. She fell in love with him. Me too. And it appears, so did Presidential historians. If it wasn't for the dregs of society it's easy to think what more he could have accomplished on behalf of ALL Americans.

[@davidgomez5469]

Steven 😂😂😂😂

[@superminer2622]

hes so fine D:

[@rasboten2]

He was 43

[@adeliaadel2867]

yes my on,, 🙏😊,, ny,, barack asia obama's

[@jaspalludhian3180]

Such wonderful person he became president as European when he came over with First Lady London,Paris,Berlin also he visited his grandfather relatives live in Ireland he came to Dublin crowds were so huge like royalty.hope Trump won’t be voted back 2nd term wish Mrs Obama goes for president as first women also African American.

[@notintohandles]

I love hearing Paul laughing off camera about the breakfast comment.

[@FRANCESCOBERGOMI]

I just hope Dave's gonna release one of his (many) interviews with Donald Trump. That would be fair.

[@lynne8346]

I would like to never have to look at Trump’s face again, or hear his voice, thank you very much.

[@GlobalistJuice]

@@lynne8346 yeah, because you're so much better off now, after all of his good economic policies have been dismembered and 0bama's former VP has nuclear war at our doorstep.👍

[@MichaelMurphy-kj3xf]

@@GlobalistJuice The nutjobs usually have nonsensical screen names. Congrats!!!

[@woodwaxen]

My God. What have we become since then. Not taking any political side in this, though I have a political leaning. We just don’t talk anymore. It feels like everyone has taken a side and they’re not budging. This is not America.

[@hutch1197]

Social media hadn't yet tainted our world.

[@Gam3Junkie]

Hopefully he'll make it as a politician! Seems like a bright guy.

[@mathsensei9801]

Wow I miss him

[@fjckfam]

Politicians from both sides used to talk about one another this way. They were opposite but full of respect until Trump came and the MAGA and the dump cults. SMH

[@brynwest4495]

Guys great he should run for president.

[@steviedub9370]

I’m not a democrat at ALL, but Obama was definitely a cool president

[@chrissybove7747]

Roy ramey Dailey

[@BigWilt2000]

Obama is so fine 😮‍💨😍

[@filoniz]

He is from the real African gene. They did say highly intelligent people tend to be funny and can laugh at themselves too.

[@marsazorean62]

KANSAS!!!!!

[@pretorious700]

The Manchurian Candidate.

[@PrinciplesOrDie]

They both had small caucus

[@pakdolan]

America went from Obama to Trump. Talk about doing a 180.

[@cottonrock4116]

Barry could have been a comedian. Quick wit.

[@adeliaadel2867]

my, on darling,, 🙏😊,, ny,, barack asia obama's

[@user-ls9rz3pl1j]

This is the real Barack Obama, dark lips! 😅 I don't know where he went ...

[@livefromplanetearth]

🌍

[@scethabsent2745]

yeah. prob shouldnt quote lbj too often.

[@Dan-nt2yb]

I’d vote for him.😃👍🏾

[@dylan777]

Perfect script haha

[@MaryKlopfer-wm3gd]

Weird.

[@elizeleroux6388]

At least Obama speaks of his multiracial families, he is proud of both sides, not like the others saying i am Black its total racist remarks, be proud of what and who you are, thats what i agree with , dont take one side and make yourself complete

[@chrissybove7747]

Neighbors know Roy u r him

[@Nicolas-uu3jr]

8 years and all you did with the greatest achievement in human rights history is grow bitter...

[@Doobernicus]

This guy is funny.

[@susettemclachlan8765]

His father was not the Kenyan, but the Indonesian founder of the religious organisation, SUBUD. I’m assuming he knows that. Since as his Hawaii classmate recalls, he was a pathological liar, even back then

[@Rob774]

Let it go bro!

[@Mattribute]

I forgot how likeable he was before he switched to being a banker/war machine sellout : (

[@cottonrock4116]

He knows Republicans well.

[@Zigidy]

Charisma that oozes. Honestly, I'm surprised that America didn't manage to vote a more slippery eel politician instead. He bucked the trend. But then the bucking strategy also gave room for the 'orange-utan' to become president.

[@pretorious700]

Lol, he's the slipperiest snake that ever crawled.

[@NewhamMatt]

11:00 Obama critically and tragically fails to read the trajectory of political discourse...

[@spewter]

Not really. He managed to get elected twice by purposefully branding his politics as positive. Anyway, his comments here are aspirations - “this is how it should be” - he’s not claiming that negative campaigning doesn’t work. Hillary Clinton definitely underestimated the power of negative campaigning but can’t see how Obama did.

[@H76Pro]

I think he might be president one day.

[@Sheila-bz6ip]

Obama is Indonesian

[@bubbamacks4896]

Obama is DA man!!!! Go Obama we r proud of you!!!

[@whodathunkitwhodathunkit8532]

Love and miss them both.

[@MidnightsLive]

David respects Obama. You can tell by his his willingness to Engauge.

[@Lori-lp6uc]

Letterman is brilliant. He could interview anyone!! Mr. Obama is so insightful, intelligent, and tolerant.

[@horse-4598]

Wow I didn’t know he was the only African American in the senate at the time that’s crazy.

[@genuinelyjag]

I like this guy, I bet he'll go far.

[@lefb6301]

I like this guy. He should run for President.

[@jso19801980]

damn, he's charismatic..

[@matthewt9534]

Much more positive and gracious than he was as president. He is so much more divisive 20 years later. He could have been the greatest if he kept up his approach in this interview.

[@zablonkirera2689]

Divisve my foot! I bet you are a republican. This is the most disciplined president the US had! He was working against a heavy machinery that didn't want him to succeed at all. To this day, republicans are still doing the same thing!!

[@drkenny7928]

Coming from Dumpy fan. Lol