Nov 07 2008
Obama: “I want to see a stimulus package sooner rather than later.”
Barack Obama noted the economy in his first ever press conference as President-Elect of the United States. The first plan of action would be an economic stimulus package that would extend jobless benefits, send food aid to the poor, dispatch Medicaid funds to states and spend tens of billions of dollars on public works projects.
If congress can’t pass the package then Obama declared “it will be the first thing I get done as president of the United States.”
Obama also didn’t rule out possible changes in his tax plan, stating that economic conditions might prompt him to change his tax plan that would give a break to most families but raise taxes on those making more than $250,000 annually.
“I think that the plan that we’ve put forward is the right one, but obviously over the next several weeks and months, we’re going to be continuing to take a look at the data and see what’s taking place in the economy as a whole,” Obama said.
A full transcript of the press-conference can be found here - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obama_text;_ylt=AoKYTYBOyB2WIsOVN5m8vj9h24cA
Moving on to more hard-hitting news, who will President-Elect Obama select as his new family dog? Apparently there are two issues the Obama family is straddling while making this important decision. One is that his ten year old daughter Malia has some allergy concerns, and the second is that the Obama’s wants to adopt a dog from the shelter.
“But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me,” said Obama, in an apparent self-deprecating reference to his mixed race heritage. “So whether we’re going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household.”
I’m sure America will be following this story closely as it unfolds.
I liked the way he referred to BushCo as “the lame-duck” administration.
For some reason, I think the “first puppy” will receive much undue attention.
There was a unique tone to that press conference. I liked the fact that there was no antagonism about “Mandates” just a one-step at a time approach which takes into consideration “facts on the economic ground”.
It did seem pretty presidential. Obama has definitely hit the ground running. The celebration has ended and Obama understands the task beforehand and you can tell he is working diligently to solve it.
i’m glad he’s already thinking about the right things and not obsessing over wallpaper or the inaugural ball.
… and i’m sure i’ll miss journalism just as soon as i have the time/energy to. :)