Gloria Estefan and Barack Obama Discuss Christmas

Last night, the hispanic television station Univision aired Gloria Estefan (Miami’s favorite latin pop diva) interviewing our head of state, Barack Obama for their Christmas Special. Estefan spoke with him about his mother in law, special programs he and his wife are involved in, and the magic of Christmas at the White House. She also spoke with him about his nearly perfected Spanish. After all, this was Univision’s holiday special. Here is a snipet of the interview:

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: This is one of the favorite times of the year for the White House, because everybody decorates every inch of the White House. The girls are having a great time with it.

GLORIA ESTEFAN: It’s very beautiful. And by the way, I have a very important question to start off this interview. Which chimney will Santa be coming down?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Well, we think that he’s going to be coming down into the Yellow Room, which is right at the middle of the Residence. So, that’s where we are going to set the cookies and the milk, because after working all night, giving the gifts….

GLORIA ESTEFAN: And something for the reindeers?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: And the reindeers, we’ll have a little reindeer snack out there…

GLORIA ESTEFAN: That’s wonderful…..

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: … Because we want to make sure when it comes to the White House, that he feels like he is getting good service.

GLORIA ESTEFAN: How does it feel having your mother-in-law at the White House?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Well, I’m a very lucky man because I love my mother-in-law. First of all, she helps us so much with the girls. I don’t think Michelle and I could do what we’re doing if it weren’t for her support. And the other thing is, she always takes my side when Michelle and I are in an argument.

GLORIA ESTEFAN: That’s wonderful. I loved my mother-in-law as well.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Absolutely…Absolutely….

GLORIA ESTEFAN: Lets move on to the great honor of interviewing you… Mr. President, there are many Hispanics serving our country through the military. My father was one of them. What message would you send to them and their families this holiday season?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Ultimately, the greatest honor I have as president is serving as Commander-in-Chief because I meet these young men and women who are serving selflessly, protecting our country at great sacrifice, without complaint, taking great pride in their country. In fact, I had a chance to do a naturalization ceremony here in the White House, of young men and women who came here when they were children, signed up for the military before they became citizens and they came here not to get something, but to give something back. That’s a reminder of what America is all about.

GLORIA ESTEFAN: And we thank them for serving this great nation…Without a doubt, there are angels among us who help their neighbors. In this program we introduced Mary, a 90-year-old woman that every day, travels many miles on the Subway to visit the sick; she takes them food and keeps them company… How should each and everyone of us serve our country?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: You think about the statistics, we have half of the kids in big cities dropping out from high school. Each one of them could benefit from an adult mentor who gives them a sense of what is possible in life. So, Michelle for example, one of the things she is doing as part of her service is bringing in young girls, high school girls from around the Washington D.C. area and she is bringing them into the White House. She is matching them up with professional women who can show them what it’s like to be a lawyer or what it’s like to be a policymaker. If you think of all people out there who could benefit from that… And you don’t have to be the First Lady to do that. Just having an adult who is taking interest in a young person… that makes a huge difference.

GLORIA ESTEFAN: And it’s true, one on one always is a great gift to someone else.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Absolutely.

GLORIA ESTEFAN: Mr. President, would you be able to send holiday greeting to all the Hispanics watching? Did you practice your Spanish?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Oh, my Spanish is going to be flawless.

GLORIA ESTEFAN: That’s great.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: En esta temporada festiva, todos queremos estar con nuestros seres queridos, pero también podemos tomar el tiempo para ayudar a nuestras comunidades. Cada persona puede hacer una gran diferencia.Michelle y yo les deseamos una Feliz Navidad.
(In this holiday season, we would all like to be with our loved ones, but we should also take the time to help our communities. Each person can make a big difference. Michelle and I wish you a Merry Christmas.)

Via: Miami New Times