Transcript of CNBC’s Barack Obama interview

Harwood: Speaking of trying to avoid the dangers of the bubble, you still got one of these in your pocket?

Obama: You know, I actually took it out as a consequence of this interview, but I'm still clinging to my BlackBerry. They're going to pry it out of my hands.

Harwood: Well, are you, in fact, going to overcome this idea as anachronistic that presidents can't use the most modern ...

Obama: Well, here's what I think I can get. I think I'm going to be able to get access to a computer somewhere. It may not be right in the Oval Office. The second thing I'm hoping to do is to see if there's some way that we can arrange for me to continue to have access to a BlackBerry. I know that ...

Harwood: As of this moment, you still have your BlackBerry.

Obama: As of this moment, I still do. This is a concern, I should add, not just of Secret Service, but also lawyers. You know, this town's full of lawyers. I don't know if you've noticed ...

Harwood: Yeah.

Obama:  ... and they have a lot of opinions. And so I'm still in a scuffle around that, but it — look, it's the hardest thing about being president.

Harwood: Yeah.

Obama: How do you stay in touch with the flow of everyday life? You know, when we were on vacation in Hawaii, I was greatly discouraged from going body surfing. Going to get shave ice was a major ordeal. And you know ...

Harwood: Well, were you told not to walk outside without your shirt on?

Obama: Well, the — I learned of that after the first day. But I think that ...

Harwood: Was that — was that an embarrassment to you? Or do you care? You got a lot of commentary about that.

Obama: You know, it was — it was silly, but, you know, silliness goes with this job.

Harwood: You got some flattery for that.

Obama: Well, you know, the — my wife was tickled by me blushing. Anyway, what point was I making here, John? We got sidetracked by the ...

Harwood: You were saying that it looks like you're going to maybe tussle to keep your BlackBerry.

Obama: I don't know that I'll win, but I'm still — I'm still fighting it. And — but here's the point I was making, I guess, is that it's not just the flow of information. I mean, I can get somebody to print out clips for me, and I can read newspapers. What it has to do with is having mechanisms where you are interacting with people who are outside of the White House in a meaningful way. And I've got to look for every opportunity to do that — ways that aren't scripted, ways that aren't controlled; ways where, you know, people aren't just complimenting you or standing up when you enter into a room, ways of staying grounded. And if I can manage that over the next four years, I think that will help me serve the American people better because I'm going to be hearing their voices. They're not going to be muffled as a consequence of me being in the White House.

Harwood: A couple of things quickly before we go. Dick Parsons going to be your next commerce secretary?

Obama: I have not made a final determination on who my next Commerce secretary is. When I know, I will let you know, John.

Harwood: Is he a candidate?

Obama: I have not — I am not going to make comments at all. Dick Parsons is a great guy, though, a good friend of mine.

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