Barack Obama

He's the up-and-coming U.S. senator who has everyone talking—Barack Obama! Gayle talks to Senator Obama and his wife, Michelle, about his political aspirations, new book and family life.

Just last month on Larry King Live, Oprah said she would support a presidential bid by Senator Obama. "I was flattered," Senator Obama says of the endorsement. "When somebody …pays you some attention and says nice things about you, it makes you feel good. And it tells you that maybe you're doing something right and that hopefully your service to the country is making a contribution." But Senator Obama says his primary focus right now is to campaign for the November elections. In addition, he says, he'll be busy on tour for his newest book, The Audacity of Hope. "Between those two things, and then paying a little attention to my wife and children, that's got me pretty full," he says.

Gayle also talks to Michelle about the senator's balancing his work on Capitol Hill with his time at home with the family in Chicago. "It's tough," Michelle says of his 20-hour days. "I consider myself the voice of reason in our household. You have to constantly fight for the balance and constantly sort of pull him away."

So, Gayle wants to know, will Senator Obama ever run for the presidency?

"We're just focusing on this month," he says. He laments that the family has not had a vacation in a long time. "Part of what we need is just some time to digest what's been going on. Between the book, adjusting to new life in Senate, Michelle having a new job, our kids growing older…with all that stuff going on I think it's important to sit back and reflect."

Plus, Gayle welcomes O, The Oprah Magazine contributor Martha Beck to the show! Martha talks about her work as a life coach and shares stories about her son, who was born with Down syndrome.