Sen. Barack Obama granted an exclusive interview to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Thursday night, huddling with the popular new prime time host in an appearance that’s sure to fire up plenty of Obama’s supporters.

Maddow noted that Obama often criticizes President George W. Bush, but not the Republican Party in general, a point Obama gamely welcomed by touting his outreach to Republicans. He also suggested that even if his bipartisan approach disappoints Democratic partisans who are looking for a fight, it appears to be working for his successful presidential campaign: