Obama says white voters won’t bail on him

updated 12:55 p.m. ET Oct. 30, 2008

SUNRISE, Fla. - Barack Obama, bidding to be the first black president, says he doesn't believe that white voters will bail on him in the privacy of the voting booth.

"They've been saying that for a while. But we're still here," Obama told host Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show" during the taping of a segment to air Wednesday evening.

In Stewart's satirical show, which pokes fun at politics and media, he also puts newsmakers like Obama on the spot about serious topics. Stewart quizzed Obama about whether white voters who keep telling pollsters they back him will do otherwise on Election Day.

That potential of prejudice, known as the "Bradley Effect," has hung over the election. "I don't think white voters have gotten this memo about the Bradley Effect," Obama said.

Then, making light of the race topic, Stewart asked whether Obama is going to be confused about whether he should even vote for himself as the son of a white mom and black father.

Obama played along.

"I won't know what to do," the smiling Democratic presidential nominee said. "It's a problem."

Stewart also suggested that Obama made a tactical mistake by planning a Wednesday rally with former President Clinton in Florida at the late hour of 11 p.m. By that time, Stewart said, many of Florida's older people will already be asleep.

Video   Obama jokes trump Joe's white van Oct. 30: Late night comics take aim at Obama's primetime address, Palin supporters and Joe the plumber. Msnbc.com's Courtney Hazlett has the Wednesday night wrap up. msnbc.com

"No comment on that, Jon," Obama said. "I'm trying to win Florida.

Obama, an Illinois senator, is leading most polls in his race against Republican Sen. John McCain. The election is Tuesday.

The presidential contender laughed when Stewart said the nation has changed since Obama first launched his bid, like a once new car that has since been kicked around too much.

Obama said he had no second thoughts about running.

"I actually think this is the time to want to be president," Obama said. "If you went into public service thinking that could have an impact, now is the time you can have an impact."

Obama taped the segment via satellite ahead of two campaign rallies in Florida. It was scheduled to air at 11 p.m. Wednesday on Comedy Central.

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