Read the interview and watch video here:
In an interview with The Associated Press, Obama discussed a wide range of topics:
-The president said he could see abandoning his own proposal to indefinitely hold some terror detainees -"it gives me great pause" - and that he would not be comfortable ordering such a disposition for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prisoners without congressional action.
-In light of recent Supreme Court cases dealing with highly charged questions about the nation's racial progress, Obama said the high court was "moving the ball" away from affirmative action. Yet he also noted that the justices had not foreclosed the continued use of racial preferences in hiring and college admissions, which he said he supports in some circumstances. In any case he said affirmative action is neither the panacea - nor the problem - that it's often made out to be.
-With most experts in agreement that there's a good chance Iran could have a usable nuclear bomb sometime during his presidency, Obama said, "I'm not reconciled with that."
-Asked about Michael Jackson's death, an event that has transfixed many, Obama said he didn't see any controversy in the fact that he did not issue a formal public statement about the pop star and knew of no dissatisfaction among blacks about that. He called Jackson a brilliant performer whose talents were paired with a tragic, sad personal life.
The 24-minute interview, with Obama nearly six months into his job and his approval ratings still high, ranged from the serious to the silly. Asked to let Americans in on a secret about White House life, the president chose the pastry chef and rued that "the best pie I have ever tasted" is a challenge to the first couple's self-discipline and waistlines.
