Even as the President Urges Senate Democrats to Move Quickly, a Congressional Budget Office Ruling Lowers a Hurdle that Tripped Up the Clinton-Era Reform EffortBy GAIL RUSSELL CHADDOCKStaff WriterJune 6, 2009 1 comment FONT SIZE EMAIL PRINT RSS DIGG SHARE President Obama, with a strong assist from Congress's budget watchdog, is moving healthcare reform to the fast track on Capitol Hill -- with or without Republican support. President Barack Obama is forging ahead with healthcare reform. But will he have the support of Republicans as well as Democrats?(ABC News Photo Illustration)The next two months are a "make or break period" for getting healthcare done, the president told Senate Democrats at a White House meeting on Tuesday. Mr. Obama says he still wants a bipartisan plan, but Republicans worry that Tuesday's Democrats-only meeting signals a new tack that may leave them behind. Call it un-HillaryCare. The president's rush to closure, even before details of the plan are in place, is in sharp contrast to the White House-driven healthcare reform effort in the first two years of the Clinton administration. Obama is leaving the drafting of the plan largely to Congress, where competing plans are emerging on both sides of the aisle this week. Meanwhile, the White House is making the overall case for reform and generating a sense of inevitability that a plan will clear Congress this year.
President Obama, with a strong assist from Congress's budget watchdog, is moving healthcare reform to the fast track on Capitol Hill -- with or without Republican support.
The next two months are a "make or break period" for getting healthcare done, the president told Senate Democrats at a White House meeting on Tuesday. Mr. Obama says he still wants a bipartisan plan, but Republicans worry that Tuesday's Democrats-only meeting signals a new tack that may leave them behind.
Call it un-HillaryCare. The president's rush to closure, even before details of the plan are in place, is in sharp contrast to the White House-driven healthcare reform effort in the first two years of the Clinton administration.
Obama is leaving the drafting of the plan largely to Congress, where competing plans are emerging on both sides of the aisle this week. Meanwhile, the White House is making the overall case for reform and generating a sense of inevitability that a plan will clear Congress this year.
If it's not apparent to you, you're not paying attention. The republican agenda, and philosophy of most modern American conservatives, is based entirely in response to new deal democrats. Oooh they hate us sooo much. How dare we force hard working executives to give back to those free-loaders down on the line. That's why they pick the Sarah Palins when a women loses, and Michael Steele when a black man wins. And this response has created a party that is disgustingly disillusioned, and dangerous to a progressive future.
Modern conservative thought flies in the face of all established belief amongst the greatest thinkers in history, including the lord of the religion they claim to follow. Jesus, Buddha, Mohamed, and Confucius; all agree that the way to an enlightened society is to strive for something bigger than ourselves.
To believe their mindless babble a conservative must go to great lengths to justify their greed and heartlessness. Lindsay Graham hates earmarks but uses them frequently. Rush Limbaugh has been divorced twice but rails in defense of marriage's sanctity. Gay bashers are gay. And worthless bank executives foreclose on thousands of homes but coming running when the hammer's coming down on them.
They don't stand for personal responsibility. They just don't want to be responsible for YOU. They don't stand up for smaller government. They don't want government helping the poor. They think poor is by choice and they are certainly not giving up their hard-earned money to help out those bums on main street. And for all their professed patriotism, they sure do seem close to secession... again.
I fear your revolution, patriot. You revolt against the brotherhood of man. Your is a reformation against knowledge. Your cause is self-interest, and your enemy is the universal right to the pursuit of happiness.
To the conservative it is a sin for companies to sacrifice a little short term profit to provide a quality product at a decent price. That's disloyal to the shareholders. Teachers are only in it to put forth a liberal agenda. Artists create works for the money. And unions should shut up and take pay cuts when the companies going bad, but executives need us to stand up for their contracts when they run it into the ground. Oh, wait, most house republicans ended up voting to tax the contracts anyway.
The neocon transformers want us liberals to be their bogeyman. They want to scare you with stories of socialism. But we will not apologize for a literate society, a 70 year life span, a car in every garage, and highways from New York, to San Francisco, and even to Freedom, Ohio. We take pride in Universal Suffrage, and we relish in the scientific revolution. Liberal spending put a man on the moon and it will one day mine asteroids and explore deep space. And we will not back down from that.
UPDATE 2-US Treasury to roll out financial rescue plan By obama democrat - 9:09pm - 1 author - 0 replies Holder Confirmed As the First Black Attorney General By obama democrat - 9:07pm - 1 author - 0 replies Sources: Sen. Judd Gregg accepts commerce secretary post By obama democrat - 9:02pm - 1 author - 0 replies House OKs $819B stimulus bill with GOP opposition By obama democrat - Jan 28 - 1 author - 0 replies Next week the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is due to be passed by Congress and sent to the President By obama democrat - Jan 27 - 1 author - 0 replies Obama tells Muslim world: 'Americans are not your enemy' By obama democrat - Jan 26 - 1 author - 0 replies Remarks by the Presidenton Jobs, Energy Independence, and Climate Change By obama democrat - Jan 26 - 1 author - 0 replies Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 6:30 pm Press Briefing Highlights By obama democrat - Jan 26 - 1 author - 0 replies
UPDATE 2-US Treasury to roll out financial rescue plan By obama democrat - 9:09pm - 1 author - 0 replies Holder Confirmed As the First Black Attorney General By obama democrat - 9:07pm - 1 author - 0 replies
UPDATE 2-US Treasury to roll out financial rescue plan By obama democrat - 9:09pm - 1 author - 0 replies
Holder Confirmed As the First Black Attorney General By obama democrat - 9:07pm - 1 author - 0 replies
Sources: Sen. Judd Gregg accepts commerce secretary post By obama democrat - 9:02pm - 1 author - 0 replies House OKs $819B stimulus bill with GOP opposition By obama democrat - Jan 28 - 1 author - 0 replies Next week the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is due to be passed by Congress and sent to the President By obama democrat - Jan 27 - 1 author - 0 replies Obama tells Muslim world: 'Americans are not your enemy' By obama democrat - Jan 26 - 1 author - 0 replies Remarks by the Presidenton Jobs, Energy Independence, and Climate Change By obama democrat - Jan 26 - 1 author - 0 replies Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 6:30 pm Press Briefing Highlights By obama democrat - Jan 26 - 1 author - 0 replies
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THE ADMINISTRATIONPresident Barack ObamaVice President Joe BidenFirst Lady Michelle ObamaDr. Jill BidenThe CabinetWhite House StaffExecutive Office of the President PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMABarack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States.His story is the American story — values from the heartland, a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work and education as the means of getting ahead, and the conviction that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others.With a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, President Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. He was raised with help from his grandfather, who served in Patton's army, and his grandmother, who worked her way up from the secretarial pool to middle management at a bank.After working his way through college with the help of scholarships and student loans, President Obama moved to Chicago, where he worked with a group of churches to help rebuild communities devastated by the closure of local steel plants.He went on to attend law school, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Upon graduation, he returned to Chicago to help lead a voter registration drive, teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago, and remain active in his community.President Obama's years of public service are based around his unwavering belief in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose. In the Illinois State Senate, he passed the first major ethics reform in 25 years, cut taxes for working families, and expanded health care for children and their parents. As a United States Senator, he reached across the aisle to pass groundbreaking lobbying reform, lock up the world's most dangerous weapons, and bring transparency to government by putting federal spending online.He was elected the 44th President of the United States on November 4, 2008, and sworn in on January 20, 2009. He and his wife, Michelle, are the proud parents of two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.
President Barack Obama
Vice President Joe Biden
First Lady Michelle Obama
Dr. Jill Biden
The Cabinet
White House Staff
Executive Office of the President
Barack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States.
His story is the American story — values from the heartland, a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work and education as the means of getting ahead, and the conviction that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others.
With a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, President Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. He was raised with help from his grandfather, who served in Patton's army, and his grandmother, who worked her way up from the secretarial pool to middle management at a bank.
After working his way through college with the help of scholarships and student loans, President Obama moved to Chicago, where he worked with a group of churches to help rebuild communities devastated by the closure of local steel plants.
He went on to attend law school, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Upon graduation, he returned to Chicago to help lead a voter registration drive, teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago, and remain active in his community.
President Obama's years of public service are based around his unwavering belief in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose. In the Illinois State Senate, he passed the first major ethics reform in 25 years, cut taxes for working families, and expanded health care for children and their parents. As a United States Senator, he reached across the aisle to pass groundbreaking lobbying reform, lock up the world's most dangerous weapons, and bring transparency to government by putting federal spending online.
He was elected the 44th President of the United States on November 4, 2008, and sworn in on January 20, 2009. He and his wife, Michelle, are the proud parents of two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.
President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a departure ceremony ...Today, January 18, 2009, 8 minutes ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a departure ceremony for his whistle stop train trip at the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia January 17, 2009. (Gary Hershorn/Reuters)A stand-in for President-elect Barack Obama (R) holds up his ...Today, January 18, 2009, 44 minutes ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - A stand-in for President-elect Barack Obama (R) holds up his hand during a rehearsal for the swearing-in ceremony of the inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. January 18, 2009. Obama will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. President of the United Stats on January 20. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES)Vehicles in the motorcade of President-elect Barack Obama are ...Today, January 18, 2009, 2 hours ago | (AFP)(AFP) - Vehicles in the motorcade of President-elect Barack Obama are seen as they pass by the Capitol in Washington, DC. Barack Obama's team vowed Sunday to hit the ground running on the recession-hit economy and Iraq, as a star-studded concert kicked off a three-day inauguration party for America's first black president.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a ceremony for his ...Today, January 18, 2009, 2 hours ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a ceremony for his whistle stop train trip at the train station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania January 17, 2009. Obama began a day long train trip to Washington in Philadelphia. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)Arizona Cardinals's fan Jose Velasquez, dressed as Barack Obama ...Today, January 18, 2009, 2 hours ago | (AP)(AP) - Arizona Cardinals's fan Jose Velasquez, dressed as Barack Obama is seen before the NFL NFC Championship football game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)In this July 24, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama ...Today, January 18, 2009, 3 hours ago | (AP)(AP) - In this July 24, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama waves as he arrives at the Victory Column in Berlin. Though much of the world will party through the night Tuesday after Obama is sworn in as America's 44th president, just as it did when he was elected, there are signs the ardor is cooling as the sheer weight of his challenges sinks in. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE) NO IONLN **U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a rally at Baltimore ...Today, January 18, 2009, 3 hours ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a rally at Baltimore City Hall War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009. Obama is on a train trip to Washington to kick off several days of inauguration festivities with him being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on January 20. (Jim Young/Reuters)A banner of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is seen in front ...Today, January 18, 2009, 6 hours ago | (AP)(AP) - A banner of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is seen in front of a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Antwerp, Belgium, Sunday Jan. 18, 2009. Palestinian group Hamas announced Sunday it would hold fire for a week to give Israel time to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip. The move came hours after a unilateral Israeli ceasefire came into effect. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)Leftists women hold mock babies during a demonstration displaying ...Today, January 18, 2009, 9 hours ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Leftists women hold mock babies during a demonstration displaying solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, near the US embassy building in Awkar, north of Beirut, January 18, 2009. Posters of U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and U.S. President-elect Barack Obama are seen in the foreground. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON)US President-elect Barack Obama waves after making remarks to ...Today, January 18, 2009, 9 hours ago | (AFP)(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama waves after making remarks to supporters at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, MD. Barack Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Jim Watson)Thousands gather for a glimpse of US President-elect Barack ...Today, January 18, 2009, 9 hours ago | (AFP/Getty Images)(AFP/Getty Images) - Thousands gather for a glimpse of US President-elect Barack Obama at a rally before he leaves at the train station in Wilmington, Delaware. Barack Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)US President-elect Barack Obama makes his way onto the stage ...Today, January 18, 2009, 9 hours ago | (AFP)(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama makes his way onto the stage to address supporters at City Hall/War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. Barack Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)Barack Obama exhorted Americans Saturday to unite in a "new ...Today, January 18, 2009, 9 hours ago | (AFPTV/Pool)(AFPTV/Pool) - Barack Obama exhorted Americans Saturday to unite in a "new declaration of independence" from bigotry, small thinking and ideology, as he set off by train to Washington to take power. Duration: 00:49(AFPTV/Pool)Laterra Hopkins (C) sheds tears as she greets US President-elect ...Today, January 18, 2009, 9 hours ago | (AFP)(AFP) - Laterra Hopkins (C) sheds tears as she greets US President-elect Barack Obama after he addressed supporters at City Hall/War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. Barack Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)US President-elect Barack Obama (C) arrives in Washington, DC ...Today, January 18, 2009, 9 hours ago | (AFP)(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama (C) arrives in Washington, DC on the Whistle Stop Tour train. Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Stan Honda)President-elect Barack Obama attends a rally at Baltimore City ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 8:43:59 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama attends a rally at Baltimore City Hall War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009. (Jim Young/Reuters)President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are seen on ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 6:23:47 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are seen on their train en route to Wilmington, Del., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Pool, Chang W. Lee)US President-Elect Barak Obama and wife Michelle Obama during ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 4:29:11 PM | (AFP/Pool)(AFP/Pool) - US President-Elect Barak Obama and wife Michelle Obama during the first slow roll at Myrtle and Marion Avenues, Claymont, DE, on the way to Wilmington, DE, during Whistle Stop tour. Cheered by rejoicing thousands, Barack Obama Saturday steeled Americans to conquer crises at home and abroad, launching his inaugural party with a triumphant train tour to Washington.(AFP/Pool/Chang W. Lee)US President-elect Barack Obama (C) arrives in Washington, DC ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 4:29:11 PM | (AFP)(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama (C) arrives in Washington, DC on the Whistle Stop Tour train. Feted by thousands and invoking history to steel the United States against crises at home and abroad, Obama rode a hope-fuelled inaugural train to Washington Saturday, three days before he is sworn in as president.(AFP/Stan Honda)US President-elect Barack Obama speaks to supporters at War ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 4:20:11 PM | (AFP)(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama speaks to supporters at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. A jubilant crowd greeted Obama on Saturday for a pre-inaugural rally in Baltimore despite enduring hours of bone-chilling cold.(AFP/Jim Watson)Supporters cheer as US President-elect Barack Obama speaks at ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 4:20:11 PM | (AFP)(AFP) - Supporters cheer as US President-elect Barack Obama speaks at City Hall/War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. A jubilant crowd greeted Obama on Saturday for a pre-inaugural rally in Baltimore despite enduring hours of bone-chilling cold.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 3:18:21 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza during his whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 3:16:23 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza during his whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. To the right of Obama is Quincy Lucas of Dover, Del., Michelle Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and his wife Jill Biden. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)President-elect Barack Obama waves the crowd after speaking ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 3:04:11 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama waves the crowd after speaking at the War Memorial Plaza during his whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)President-elect Barack Obama waves after speaking at the War ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 3:01:43 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama waves after speaking at the War Memorial Plaza during his whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. To the right of Obama is Quincy Lucas of Dover, Del., Michelle Obama, and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, attends ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:50:05 PM | (AP)(AP) - Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, attends her birthday party on the train at the station in Baltimore, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:44:40 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza during his inaugural whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama greets the crowd after speaking ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:39:06 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama greets the crowd after speaking at a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009 during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a rally at Baltimore ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:39:00 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a rally at Baltimore City Hall War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009. Obama is on a train trip to Washington to kick off several days of inauguration festivities with him being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on January 20. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (C) waves to a large crowd ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:37:42 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (C) waves to a large crowd gathered a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009, during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)President-elect Barack Obama speaks besides bullet proof glass ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:34:02 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks besides bullet proof glass during a rally at a stop on his inaugural train tour in Baltimore, Md., Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves to supporters at a rally ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:27:40 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves to supporters at a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009, during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves to a large crowd following ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:12:47 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves to a large crowd following a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009, during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves following a rally at ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:12:37 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves following a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009, during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)President-elect Barack Obama speaks at War Memorial Plaza in ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:10:45 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)President-elect Barack Obama speaks at War Memorial Plaza in ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:09:02 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)President-elect Barack Obama, waves with his wife Michelle Obama ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 2:01:47 PM | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama, waves with his wife Michelle Obama at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks in Baltimore, Maryland ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 1:59:48 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks in Baltimore, Maryland January 17, 2009, the final stop on his inaugural train trip to Washington. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks in Baltimore, Maryland ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 1:58:22 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks in Baltimore, Maryland January 17, 2009, the final stop on his inaugural train trip to Washington. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle (3rd R), ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 1:49:22 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle (3rd R), vice president-elect Joe Biden (2nd R) and his wife Jill (R) greet the crowd at a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009 during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a rally at the ...Yesterday, January 17, 2009, 1:48:12 PM | (Reuters) Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content
(Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a departure ceremony for his whistle stop train trip at the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia January 17, 2009. (Gary Hershorn/Reuters)
(Reuters) - A stand-in for President-elect Barack Obama (R) holds up his hand during a rehearsal for the swearing-in ceremony of the inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. January 18, 2009. Obama will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. President of the United Stats on January 20. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES)
(AFP) - Vehicles in the motorcade of President-elect Barack Obama are seen as they pass by the Capitol in Washington, DC. Barack Obama's team vowed Sunday to hit the ground running on the recession-hit economy and Iraq, as a star-studded concert kicked off a three-day inauguration party for America's first black president.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a ceremony for his whistle stop train trip at the train station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania January 17, 2009. Obama began a day long train trip to Washington in Philadelphia. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)
(AP) - Arizona Cardinals's fan Jose Velasquez, dressed as Barack Obama is seen before the NFL NFC Championship football game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
(AP) - In this July 24, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama waves as he arrives at the Victory Column in Berlin. Though much of the world will party through the night Tuesday after Obama is sworn in as America's 44th president, just as it did when he was elected, there are signs the ardor is cooling as the sheer weight of his challenges sinks in. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE) NO IONLN **
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a rally at Baltimore City Hall War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009. Obama is on a train trip to Washington to kick off several days of inauguration festivities with him being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on January 20. (Jim Young/Reuters)
(AP) - A banner of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is seen in front of a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Antwerp, Belgium, Sunday Jan. 18, 2009. Palestinian group Hamas announced Sunday it would hold fire for a week to give Israel time to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip. The move came hours after a unilateral Israeli ceasefire came into effect. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
(Reuters) - Leftists women hold mock babies during a demonstration displaying solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, near the US embassy building in Awkar, north of Beirut, January 18, 2009. Posters of U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and U.S. President-elect Barack Obama are seen in the foreground. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON)
(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama waves after making remarks to supporters at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, MD. Barack Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Jim Watson)
(AFP/Getty Images) - Thousands gather for a glimpse of US President-elect Barack Obama at a rally before he leaves at the train station in Wilmington, Delaware. Barack Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama makes his way onto the stage to address supporters at City Hall/War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. Barack Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)
(AFPTV/Pool) - Barack Obama exhorted Americans Saturday to unite in a "new declaration of independence" from bigotry, small thinking and ideology, as he set off by train to Washington to take power. Duration: 00:49(AFPTV/Pool)
(AFP) - Laterra Hopkins (C) sheds tears as she greets US President-elect Barack Obama after he addressed supporters at City Hall/War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. Barack Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)
(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama (C) arrives in Washington, DC on the Whistle Stop Tour train. Obama rode a special inaugural train into Washington three days before becoming president, carrying the hopes of a nation demoralized by recession and entangled in two foreign wars.(AFP/Stan Honda)
(Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama attends a rally at Baltimore City Hall War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009. (Jim Young/Reuters)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are seen on their train en route to Wilmington, Del., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Pool, Chang W. Lee)
(AFP/Pool) - US President-Elect Barak Obama and wife Michelle Obama during the first slow roll at Myrtle and Marion Avenues, Claymont, DE, on the way to Wilmington, DE, during Whistle Stop tour. Cheered by rejoicing thousands, Barack Obama Saturday steeled Americans to conquer crises at home and abroad, launching his inaugural party with a triumphant train tour to Washington.(AFP/Pool/Chang W. Lee)
(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama (C) arrives in Washington, DC on the Whistle Stop Tour train. Feted by thousands and invoking history to steel the United States against crises at home and abroad, Obama rode a hope-fuelled inaugural train to Washington Saturday, three days before he is sworn in as president.(AFP/Stan Honda)
(AFP) - US President-elect Barack Obama speaks to supporters at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. A jubilant crowd greeted Obama on Saturday for a pre-inaugural rally in Baltimore despite enduring hours of bone-chilling cold.(AFP/Jim Watson)
(AFP) - Supporters cheer as US President-elect Barack Obama speaks at City Hall/War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore. A jubilant crowd greeted Obama on Saturday for a pre-inaugural rally in Baltimore despite enduring hours of bone-chilling cold.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza during his whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza during his whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. To the right of Obama is Quincy Lucas of Dover, Del., Michelle Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and his wife Jill Biden. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama waves the crowd after speaking at the War Memorial Plaza during his whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama waves after speaking at the War Memorial Plaza during his whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. To the right of Obama is Quincy Lucas of Dover, Del., Michelle Obama, and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
(AP) - Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, attends her birthday party on the train at the station in Baltimore, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at the War Memorial Plaza during his inaugural whistle stop train trip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama greets the crowd after speaking at a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009 during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a rally at Baltimore City Hall War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009. Obama is on a train trip to Washington to kick off several days of inauguration festivities with him being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on January 20. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (C) waves to a large crowd gathered a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009, during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks besides bullet proof glass during a rally at a stop on his inaugural train tour in Baltimore, Md., Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves to supporters at a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009, during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves to a large crowd following a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009, during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama waves following a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009, during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama speaks at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama, waves with his wife Michelle Obama at War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks in Baltimore, Maryland January 17, 2009, the final stop on his inaugural train trip to Washington. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle (3rd R), vice president-elect Joe Biden (2nd R) and his wife Jill (R) greet the crowd at a rally at the War Memorial Plaza in Baltimore, January 17, 2009 during his whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi Monday asked U.S. President-elect Barack Obama not to repeat old U.S. policy on Iran, the official IRNA news agency reported. Iran would "undoubtedly take due and timely stands by taking into account the performance and approaches of the next U.S. administration," Qashqavi said, adding that "we must see how will be the change in Obama's approaches and whether or not it will lead to a fundamental change in U.S. policy." Obama said on Sunday that "We are going to have to take a new approach. And I've outlined my belief that engagement is the place to start," but added that "Iran is going to be one of our biggest challenges." 0bservers said it would be a different approach from that of President George W. Bush whose administration kept distance from the Iranians and never entered a serious dialogue with them over the issues which Tehran claimed to have the influence on. Obama has not concealed his concern over Iran's support for regional Islamic hard-liners, Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah for one, and over Iran's nuclear enrichment. Obama is going to take office as the president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2009. The United States and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Editor: Sun
TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi Monday asked U.S. President-elect Barack Obama not to repeat old U.S. policy on Iran, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Iran would "undoubtedly take due and timely stands by taking into account the performance and approaches of the next U.S. administration," Qashqavi said, adding that "we must see how will be the change in Obama's approaches and whether or not it will lead to a fundamental change in U.S. policy."
Obama said on Sunday that "We are going to have to take a new approach. And I've outlined my belief that engagement is the place to start," but added that "Iran is going to be one of our biggest challenges."
0bservers said it would be a different approach from that of President George W. Bush whose administration kept distance from the Iranians and never entered a serious dialogue with them over the issues which Tehran claimed to have the influence on.
Obama has not concealed his concern over Iran's support for regional Islamic hard-liners, Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah for one, and over Iran's nuclear enrichment.
Obama is going to take office as the president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2009.
The United States and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Editor: Sun
Obama Senior Adviser David Axelrod, left, and Press Secretary-designate Robert Gibbs, center, check their BlackBerry E-Mail devices as White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel, right, listens while President-elect Barack Obama spoke during a news conference in Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 8:48 AM U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with his appointee for CIA Director, former Clinton administration White House chief of staff Leon Panetta (C), as Obama's apointee for National Intelligence Director, retired U.S. Navy Admiral Dennis Blair, looks on at a news conference at his transition office in Washington January 9, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES) Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:18 AM President-elect Barack Obama announces his intelligence team, including CIA Director-designate Leon Panetta, left, and National Intelligence Director-designate Dennis Blair, right, during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson) AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:36 AM President-elect Barack Obama announces his CIA Director-designate Leon Panetta, left, during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson) AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:27 AM President-elect Barack Obama answers questions during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson) AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:27 AM President-elect Barack Obama introduces National Intelligence Director-designate Dennis Blair during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson) AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:27 AM President-elect Barack Obama exits the podium after announcing his CIA Director-designate Leon Panetta, right, and National Intelligence Director-designate Dennis Blair, left, during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Washington, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson) AP via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:23 AM Human rights activists demonstrate the water-boarding torture technique outside the US Justice Department in 2007. US president-elect Barack Obama has nominated two Washington heavyweights to key intelligence positions, vowing to break with controversial "war on terror" practices.(AFP/Getty Images/Mark Wilson) AFP/Getty Images via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:00 AM Detainees at Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. US president-elect Barack Obama has nominated two Washington heavyweights to key intelligence positions, vowing to break with controversial "war on terror" practices.(AFP/DoD/File/Shane T. Mccoy) AFP/DoD/File via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:00 AM U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (C) and his appointees for CIA Director, former Clinton administration White House chief of staff Leon Panetta (R), and National Intelligence Director, retired U.S. Navy Admiral Dennis Blair, smile at the conclusion of a news conference at his transition office in Washington, January 9, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES) Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:24 AM US president-elect Barack Obama has nominated two Washington heavyweights to key intelligence positions, vowing to break with controversial "war on terror" practices.(AFP/Mandel Ngan) AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:00 AM U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's appointee for CIA Director Leon E. Panetta speaks during a news conference at his transition office in Washington, January 9, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES) Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 9:28 AM
Job seekers, seen here in November 2008, attend a career day in East Rutherford, New Jersey. US president-elect Barack Obama sought to cool down expectations from his incoming administration Saturday, saying the most serious crisis since the Great Depression gripping the United States will probably get worse before the economy starts to improve.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Spencer Platt) AFP/Getty Images/File via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 1 minute ago A woman looks at a job listing board in Oakland, California. US president-elect Barack Obama sought to cool down expectations from his incoming administration Saturday, saying the most serious crisis since the Great Depression gripping the United States will probably get worse before the economy starts to improve.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Justin Sullivan) AFP/Getty Images/File via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 5 minutes ago US President-elect Barack Obama sought to cool down expectations from his incoming administration Saturday, saying the most serious crisis since the Great Depression gripping the United States will probably get worse before the economy starts to improve.(AFP/File/Mandel Ngan) AFP/File via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 1 minute ago Preparations continue for President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 51 minutes ago Preparations continue for President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 45 minutes ago Preparations continue for President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 51 minutes ago President-elect Barack Obama at a news conference in Chicago, December 7, 2008. (Jeff Haynes/Reuters) Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 10 3:09 AM President-elect Barack Obama prepares to speak to the media following a meeting with members of his future cabinet and economic advisors at his transition office in Washington, January 6, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters) Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 10 3:09 AM President-elect Barack Obama arrives with Nancy Killefer, his appointee as White House Chief Performance Officer, during a news conference at his transition office in Washington, January 7, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters) Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 10 3:09 AM President George W. Bush speaks as President-elect Barack Obama looks over his shoulder during a meeting with former Presidents in the Oval Office, January 7, 2009. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) Reuters via Yahoo! News - Jan 10 3:09 AM Retired admiral Dennis Blair speaks after being nominated as national intelligence director by US President-elect Barack Obama. US president-elect Barack Obama Friday nominated two Washington heavyweights to key intelligence positions, vowing to break with controversial "war on terror" practices.(AFP/Mandel Ngan) AFP via Yahoo! News - Jan 09 11:01 PM
Job seekers, seen here in November 2008, attend a career day in East Rutherford, New Jersey. US president-elect Barack Obama sought to cool down expectations from his incoming administration Saturday, saying the most serious crisis since the Great Depression gripping the United States will probably get worse before the economy starts to improve.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Spencer Platt)
AFP/Getty Images/File via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 1 minute ago
A woman looks at a job listing board in Oakland, California. US president-elect Barack Obama sought to cool down expectations from his incoming administration Saturday, saying the most serious crisis since the Great Depression gripping the United States will probably get worse before the economy starts to improve.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Justin Sullivan)
US President-elect Barack Obama sought to cool down expectations from his incoming administration Saturday, saying the most serious crisis since the Great Depression gripping the United States will probably get worse before the economy starts to improve.(AFP/File/Mandel Ngan)
Preparations continue for President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
President-elect Barack Obama at a news conference in Chicago, December 7, 2008. (Jeff Haynes/Reuters)
President-elect Barack Obama prepares to speak to the media following a meeting with members of his future cabinet and economic advisors at his transition office in Washington, January 6, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
President-elect Barack Obama arrives with Nancy Killefer, his appointee as White House Chief Performance Officer, during a news conference at his transition office in Washington, January 7, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
President George W. Bush speaks as President-elect Barack Obama looks over his shoulder during a meeting with former Presidents in the Oval Office, January 7, 2009. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
Retired admiral Dennis Blair speaks after being nominated as national intelligence director by US President-elect Barack Obama. US president-elect Barack Obama Friday nominated two Washington heavyweights to key intelligence positions, vowing to break with controversial "war on terror" practices.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)
Last week, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that we're bringing 10 supporters to Washington, DC for several days of Inaugural celebrations.With the deadline coming up on Thursday, I'm pleased to announce the selection of the first grassroots supporter who will be attending the Inauguration.Cynthia Russell from Newberry, Florida, and her guest will attend the welcome ceremony, Barack's swearing-in, the Inaugural Parade, and our Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. Cynthia is a builder and has been feeling the impact of the recent economic crunch. She wrote:"I'm a single woman who has been building homes for over 18 years. I've supported myself and have been able to help out my mother from time to time. Now I find myself wondering how much longer I can hold on and be able to pay my bills and keep the doors open for business. Barack gives me hope. Hope that 2009 will truly bring change to Americans who find themselves in this mess with me."We need to select 9 more supporters like Cynthia, and I would love for you to be one of them.Can you make a donation of $100 or more before midnight on Thursday, January 8th?Supporters like you made this historic moment possible.You gave your passion and hard work to this movement, and you brought millions of new people into the political process. Thanks to you, this campaign was open to more people than any in history, and we're counting on you to do the same for the Inauguration.You could be there to celebrate your amazing accomplishments and give a strong start to the change you fought so hard for.Please make a donation of $100 or more and help us celebrate everything you did to make this day possible:https://donate.pic2009.org/tickettohistoryNothing could be better than having you there to be a part of this historic event.Thank you for everything you've done to bring us to this moment,MichelleP.S. -- The opportunity to be part of this historic event is open to everyone, regardless of whether you make a donation. Participate now by telling us what this Inauguration means to you.
Last week, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that we're bringing 10 supporters to Washington, DC for several days of Inaugural celebrations.
With the deadline coming up on Thursday, I'm pleased to announce the selection of the first grassroots supporter who will be attending the Inauguration.
Cynthia Russell from Newberry, Florida, and her guest will attend the welcome ceremony, Barack's swearing-in, the Inaugural Parade, and our Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.
Cynthia is a builder and has been feeling the impact of the recent economic crunch. She wrote:
"I'm a single woman who has been building homes for over 18 years. I've supported myself and have been able to help out my mother from time to time. Now I find myself wondering how much longer I can hold on and be able to pay my bills and keep the doors open for business. Barack gives me hope. Hope that 2009 will truly bring change to Americans who find themselves in this mess with me."
We need to select 9 more supporters like Cynthia, and I would love for you to be one of them.
Can you make a donation of $100 or more before midnight on Thursday, January 8th?
Supporters like you made this historic moment possible.
You gave your passion and hard work to this movement, and you brought millions of new people into the political process. Thanks to you, this campaign was open to more people than any in history, and we're counting on you to do the same for the Inauguration.
You could be there to celebrate your amazing accomplishments and give a strong start to the change you fought so hard for.
Please make a donation of $100 or more and help us celebrate everything you did to make this day possible:
https://donate.pic2009.org/tickettohistory
Nothing could be better than having you there to be a part of this historic event.
Thank you for everything you've done to bring us to this moment,
Michelle
P.S. -- The opportunity to be part of this historic event is open to everyone, regardless of whether you make a donation. Participate now by telling us what this Inauguration means to you.
WASHINGTON – A top adviser to President-elect Barack Obama said Sunday that the country's slowing economy won't keep the new administration from fulfilling its plans for a middle-class tax cut."We feel it's important that middle-class people get some relief now," Obama adviser David Axelrod said.Middle-class tax cuts will be part of the new administration's stimulus plan, Axelrod said. "This package will include a portion of that tax cut that will become part of the permanent tax cut that he'll have in his upcoming budget," Axelrod said.The incoming administration is considering tax cuts of $1,000 for couples and $500 for individuals that will be delivered by reducing the tax withheld from paychecks. That plan has been estimated to cost about $140 billion over 2009-2010.The lump-sum rebates issued earlier this year were used by many people to pay down debt, rather than spending the money and boosting the economy as the administration had hoped."People need money in their pockets to spend," Axelrod said. "That'll get our economy going again."Congress should have a new stimulus plan ready for the new president to sign as soon as possible, Axelrod said.He placed the cost of a planned Obama stimulus package at "$675 billion to $775 billion" but said "those numbers are not fixed.""Obviously, the sooner the better. I don't think Americans can wait," he said. "People are suffering, our economy is sliding, and we need to act. And so our message to Congress is to work on it with all deliberate speed."The slowing economy also means that it's more important than ever to eliminate President George W. Bush's tax cuts, Axelrod said. "It's something we plainly can't afford moving forward," he said. "Whether it expires or we repeal it a little bit early we'll determine later but it's going to go. It has to go."Eliminating Bush's tax cuts while adding in new middle-class tax cuts doesn't mean that Obama is raising taxes, Axelrod argued."It'll just restore some balance," said Axelrod, saying the two moves will equal a "net tax cut for the American people."Axelrod also said Obama wants to create as many as 3 million jobs for work-starved Americans, but wants those jobs to be in areas that will help the nation's economy in the future. Obama's staff has talked about "creating or saving" millions of jobs with his economic program."We want to do it in a way that leaves a lasting footprint, by investing in energy and health care projects and refurbishing the nation's classrooms and labs and libraries so our kids can compete, and rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges and waterways," Axelrod said. "And in this way, we're not only creating work, but we're laying the foundation for the future of our economy."Axelrod refused to talk in detail about Israel's offensive against Islamic militant Hamas in the Gaza strip, saying Obama was in contact with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President George W. Bush about the crisis. Some 280 Palestinians have died in the first 24 hours of the air campaign against Gaza rocket squads and Hamas members.But, he said, "President Bush speaks for the United States until Jan. 20 and we're going to honor that."Axelrod acknowledged that the United States has had a "special relationship" with Israel, calling it an "important bond, an important relationship."Obama's "going to work closely with the Israelis. They're a great ally of ours, the most important ally in the region," Axelrod said. "And that that is a fundamental principle from which he'll work. But he will do so in a way that will promote the cause of peace, and work closely with the Israelis and the Palestinians on that." Axelrod appeared Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS' "Face the Nation."
WASHINGTON – A top adviser to President-elect Barack Obama said Sunday that the country's slowing economy won't keep the new administration from fulfilling its plans for a middle-class tax cut.
"We feel it's important that middle-class people get some relief now," Obama adviser David Axelrod said.
Middle-class tax cuts will be part of the new administration's stimulus plan, Axelrod said. "This package will include a portion of that tax cut that will become part of the permanent tax cut that he'll have in his upcoming budget," Axelrod said.
The incoming administration is considering tax cuts of $1,000 for couples and $500 for individuals that will be delivered by reducing the tax withheld from paychecks. That plan has been estimated to cost about $140 billion over 2009-2010.
The lump-sum rebates issued earlier this year were used by many people to pay down debt, rather than spending the money and boosting the economy as the administration had hoped.
"People need money in their pockets to spend," Axelrod said. "That'll get our economy going again."
Congress should have a new stimulus plan ready for the new president to sign as soon as possible, Axelrod said.
He placed the cost of a planned Obama stimulus package at "$675 billion to $775 billion" but said "those numbers are not fixed."
"Obviously, the sooner the better. I don't think Americans can wait," he said. "People are suffering, our economy is sliding, and we need to act. And so our message to Congress is to work on it with all deliberate speed."
The slowing economy also means that it's more important than ever to eliminate President George W. Bush's tax cuts, Axelrod said. "It's something we plainly can't afford moving forward," he said. "Whether it expires or we repeal it a little bit early we'll determine later but it's going to go. It has to go."
Eliminating Bush's tax cuts while adding in new middle-class tax cuts doesn't mean that Obama is raising taxes, Axelrod argued.
"It'll just restore some balance," said Axelrod, saying the two moves will equal a "net tax cut for the American people."
Axelrod also said Obama wants to create as many as 3 million jobs for work-starved Americans, but wants those jobs to be in areas that will help the nation's economy in the future. Obama's staff has talked about "creating or saving" millions of jobs with his economic program.
"We want to do it in a way that leaves a lasting footprint, by investing in energy and health care projects and refurbishing the nation's classrooms and labs and libraries so our kids can compete, and rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges and waterways," Axelrod said. "And in this way, we're not only creating work, but we're laying the foundation for the future of our economy."
Axelrod refused to talk in detail about Israel's offensive against Islamic militant Hamas in the Gaza strip, saying Obama was in contact with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President George W. Bush about the crisis. Some 280 Palestinians have died in the first 24 hours of the air campaign against Gaza rocket squads and Hamas members.
But, he said, "President Bush speaks for the United States until Jan. 20 and we're going to honor that."
Axelrod acknowledged that the United States has had a "special relationship" with Israel, calling it an "important bond, an important relationship."
Obama's "going to work closely with the Israelis. They're a great ally of ours, the most important ally in the region," Axelrod said. "And that that is a fundamental principle from which he'll work. But he will do so in a way that will promote the cause of peace, and work closely with the Israelis and the Palestinians on that."
Axelrod appeared Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS' "Face the Nation."
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Bush, saying the journalist confessed that the mastermind of the attack was a militant known for slitting his ...How Bush Can Transcend the Shoe Thrower Wall Street JournalOur Mideastern future: a pair of shoes and a gun Daily Star - LebanonInternational Herald Tribune - AFP - New York Times - Financial Timesall 3,642 news articles »Voice of AmericaIraq approves pact retaining non-US forcesBoston Globe - 1 hour agoBy Saif Hameed and Ned Parker BAGHDAD - The Iraqi Parliament approved a security agreement yesterday allowing British troops and other non-US foreign forces to stay when a UN mandate expires on Dec. 31.Video: Raw Video: Troops in Iraq Celebrate Christmas AssociatedPress Troops 'will remain in Iraq until July' ABC OnlineWashington Post - New York Times - Ha'aretz - Los Angeles Timesall 2,689 news articles »Sydney Morning HeraldMexican beauty queen arrested in gun-filled truckThe Associated Press - 2 hours agoGUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) - A reigning Mexican beauty queen from the drug-plagued state of Sinaloa was arrested with suspected gang members in a truck filled guns and ammunition, police said Tuesday.Police detain Mexican beauty queen, seize weapons CNN InternationalMexico beauty linked to alleged mobsters arrested Houston ChronicleRight Celebrity - International Business Times - Reuters - BBC Newsall 306 news articles »guardian.co.ukCostume drama: Taiwan MPs look gift pandas in the mouthReuters - 1 hour agoTAIPEI, Dec 24 (Reuters Life!) - Two Taiwan legislators danced in giant panda costumes in parliament on Wednesday to mock the much-ballyhooed arrival of goodwill gift pandas from China which they see as an unwelcome interference by the mainland.Video: Raw Video: Taiwan Welcomes Chinese Pandas AssociatedPress China to lift yuan rules for Taiwan banks -paper Reuters IndiaChristian Science Monitor - Voice of America - eTaiwan News - Xinhuaall 1,015 news articles »BBC NewsJapan PM rules out snap electionBBC News - 57 minutes agoJapanese Prime Minister Taro Aso has ruled out calling a general election in the near future. Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo, Mr Aso said his government needed to focus on tackling the country's economic difficulties.Japan's PM says he is not planning snap election The Associated PressJapan set for massive budget boost Aljazeera.netAFP - Bloomberg - Reuters - China Dailyall 472 news articles »Sydney Morning HeraldBrazil, France sign military hardware dealsLos Angeles Times - 1 hour agoA visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy joins his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to announce contracts for 50 helicopters and five submarines, one of them nuclear-powered.Brazilian president urges citizens to keep consumption XinhuaBrazil, France Sign Defense Deal Voice of AmericaReuters - AHN - BBC News - Bloombergall 391 news articles »Aljazeera.netUS confirms 'bilateral charter' with Georgia being negotiatedAFP - 5 hours agoWASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States confirmed Tuesday it was negotiating a "bilateral charter" with Georgia similar to the one it recently concluded with Ukraine, a move that risked more Russian ire.Video: Georgia`s attack was no surprise RussiaToday Putin's Russia Reaches Out RadioFreeEurope/RadioLibertyUnited Press International - PRESS TV - The Associated Press - Bloombergall 594 news articles »BBC NewsChinese vessels ready for Somalia missionXinhua - 1 hour agoBEIJING, Dec. 23 (Xinhua)-- China on Tuesday hailed its decision to send warships to patrol off the Somali coast as "a move to safeguard world peace and stability.3 Chinese Ships to Head to Somali Coast Voice of AmericaChina ready to use force on Somali pirates AFPThe Associated Press - BBC News - FOXNews - CNN Internationalall 767 news articles »AFPCongo Vows to Defeat LRA RebelsVoice of America - 3 hours agoBy Peter Clottey Residents in the Democratic Republic of Congo affected by the activities of the Lord's Resistance Army LRA) rebels said they will support a continuous assault on the rebels.DR Congo to be rid of LRA rebels 'in days': minister AFPUganda civilians fear rebel atrocities United Press InternationalThe Associated Press - Xinhua - Sudan Tribune - Frost Illustratedall 171 news articles »New York TimesUK NGOs use Christmas to attack IsraelJerusalem Post - 1 hour agoBy HERB KEINON AND JERUSALEM POST STAFF In time for Christmas, several British NGOs have returned to past theological offensives against Israel by combining emphasis on Bethlehem, stories of Palestinian suffering, and false allegations of Israeli ...In West Bank, Glimmers of an Economic Revival New York TimesIsrael ready to complete apartheid wall PRESS TVJewish Telegraphic Agency - International Herald Tribune - Reuters India - Scotsmanall 271 news articles »Canada.comBelgian king calls on ex-PM to solve crisisFinancial Times - 4 hours agoBy Nikki Tait in Brussels and Michael Steen in Amsterdam Wilfried Martens, a former prime minister, has embarked on the unenviable task of finding a solution to Belgium's latest political crisis after the government resigned over allegations that ...Belgian King Names Adviser as Crisis Claims Leterme BloombergBelgian king asks veteran politician to help form new gov't XinhuaUnited Press International - Reuters - Wall Street Journal - Aljazeera.netall 471 news articles »Today's Zaman3 Bomb Suspects in Kashmir Are Pakistanis, Police SayNew York Times - 33 minutes agoBy SOMINI SENGUPTA NEW DELHI - The police in Indian-administered Kashmir announced Tuesday the arrests of three suspected suicide bombers who they said were Pakistanis using fake Indian identity cards.Tight security as Kashmir votes BBC NewsIndia says arrests Pakistan soldier, Islamabad denies Reuters IndiaHindu - Times of India - Indian Express - ABC Onlineall 205 news articles »ABC NewsBush Forgives Man Convicted for 1948 Aid to IsraelWashington Post - 1 hour agoBy Dan Eggen In 1948, Charlie Winters took an unusual step for a Boston-born Protestant businessman: He waded into the bloody struggle for a Jewish state in the Middle East, selling decommissioned B-17 bombers to the Haganah resistance group and even ...Jailed for aiding Israel, but pardoned by Bush International Herald TribunePardon is given man who aided Israel Boston GlobeABC Online - New York Times - Austin American-Statesmanall 184 news articles »BBC NewsBritain condemns NZ diplomat's expulsionStuff.co.nz - 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Michelle Obama (L) and President-elect Barack Obama's half sister ...Today, December 23, 2008, 2 hours ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Michelle Obama (L) and President-elect Barack Obama's half sister Maya Soetoro-Ng return from scattering the ashes of his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, at a seaside ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 23, 2008. (Hugh Gentry/Reuters)Security personnel stand watch as President-elect Barack Obama ...Today, December 23, 2008, 3 hours ago | (AP)(AP) - Security personnel stand watch as President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle attend a seaside memorial for Obama's grandmother in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, center, ...Today, December 23, 2008, 3 hours ago | (AP)(AP) - Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, center, walks with guests after a seaside memorial for his grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, left, ...Today, December 23, 2008, 3 hours ago | (AP)(AP) - Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, left, walks with his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, after a seaside memorial for his grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle return to ...Today, December 23, 2008, 3 hours ago | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle return to their vehicle after a seaside memorial for his grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle return to ...Today, December 23, 2008, 3 hours ago | (AP)(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle return to their vehicle after a seaside memorial for his grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (2nd L) and his wife Michelle ...Today, December 23, 2008, 11 hours ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (2nd L) and his wife Michelle (L) walk to their vehicle with Secret Service agents after meeting with Marines at the Semper Fit gym on Marines Corps Base Hawaii while on vacation over the Christmas holidays in Kailua, Hawaii, December 23, 2008. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry (UNITED STATES)Michelle Obama (R), wife of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, ...Today, December 23, 2008, 11 hours ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Michelle Obama (R), wife of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, shakes hands with Marines after working out at the Semper Fit gym on Marines Corps Base Hawaii while on vacation over the Christmas holidays in Kailua, Hawaii, December 23, 2008. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry (UNITED STATES)President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle prepare to ...Today, December 23, 2008, 15 hours ago | (Reuters)(Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle prepare to work out at the Semper Fit gym on Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, while in Hawaii for a vacation over the Christmas holidays, December 22, 2008. (Hugh Gentry/Reuters)In this June 3, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful, ...Yesterday, December 22, 2008, 6:38:09 AM | (AP)(AP) - In this June 3, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., gets a thumbs up from his wife Michelle in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson/FILE)Iin this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, ...Yesterday, December 22, 2008, 6:37:11 AM | (AP)(AP) - Iin this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, left, kisses his wife Michelle Obama after addressing supporters at the election night rally in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, ...Yesterday, December 22, 2008, 6:36:25 AM | (AP)(AP) - In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, left, his wife Michelle Obama, right, and two daughters, Malia, 7. and Sasha, 10, wave at the election night rally in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate ...Yesterday, December 22, 2008, 6:26:11 AM | (AP)(AP) - In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his wife Michelle, cast their votes at a polling place in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)In this July 4, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, ...Yesterday, December 22, 2008, 6:25:04 AM | (AP)(AP) - In this July 4, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, second from right, and his wife Michelle, left, watch an Independence Day parade with their two daughters, Malia, right, and Sasha in Butte, Mont. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)In this Aug. 25, 2008 file photo, Michelle Obama speaks during ...Sunday, December 21, 2008, 8:25:01 PM | (AP)(AP) - In this Aug. 25, 2008 file photo, Michelle Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Denver. There are plenty of unanswered questions buzzing around Barack and Michelle Obama's impending arrival, but one has hairdressers on the edge of their styling chairs: Who will be chosen to do Michelle Obama's hair? (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)Stylist Keith Harvey, right, works on Lanie Alston's hair at ...Sunday, December 21, 2008, 7:28:44 PM | (AP)(AP) - Stylist Keith Harvey, right, works on Lanie Alston's hair at Keith Harley Hair and Scalp Clinic, his salon in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008. Harvey hopes that Michelle Obama might look to him as her new hair stylist. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)Michelle Obama and Malia Obama, wife and daughter of President-elect ...Saturday, December 20, 2008, 5:51:37 PM | (AP)(AP) - Michelle Obama and Malia Obama, wife and daughter of President-elect Barack Obama, arrive for their holiday in Honolulu Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Michelle Obama along with her daughter, Malia, arrive at Honolulu ...Saturday, December 20, 2008, 5:47:01 PM | (AP)(AP) - Michelle Obama along with her daughter, Malia, arrive at Honolulu International Airport with her family Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Honolulu.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)Michelle Obama and Malia Obama, wife and daughter of President-elect ...Saturday, December 20, 2008, 5:43:30 PM | (AP)(AP) - Michelle Obama and Malia Obama, wife and daughter of President-elect Barack Obama, arrive for their holiday in Honolulu Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's wife Michelle (C) gets ...Saturday, December 20, 2008, 8:08:47 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's wife Michelle (C) gets ready to board a plane for a 12 day Hawaii vacation in Chicago December 20, 2008. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)Michelle Obama, wife of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, leaves ...Friday, December 19, 2008, 10:04:37 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Michelle Obama, wife of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, leaves the University of Chicago Laboratory schools in Chicago December 19, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive ...Friday, December 19, 2008, 8:36:24 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools in Chicago, December 19, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)President-elect Senator Barack Obama comes onto the stage with ...Friday, December 12, 2008, 8:33:54 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - President-elect Senator Barack Obama comes onto the stage with his family, (2nd L-R) daughters Sasha and Malia and his wife Michelle, to speak to supporters during his election night rally after being declared the winner of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Campaign in Chicago, November 4, 2008. (Jim Young/Reuters)In this Aug. 19, 2006, file photo television personality and ...Thursday, December 11, 2008, 8:36:18 PM | (AP)(AP) - In this Aug. 19, 2006, file photo television personality and dog psychologist Cesar Milan arrives for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Debate about the ideal dog became a hot topic for canine enthusiasts after President-elect Obama and his wife Michelle promised their two girls a dog at the White House, and Milan, host of the National Geographic Channel program ``The Dog Whisperer'', suggests a medium-energy dog as the Obamas may not have time to manage a high-energy dog, but need a pet they can walk with and play with, which rules out a couch potato. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)A tourist takes photographs of clay figures of U.S. President-elect ...Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 10:23:53 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - A tourist takes photographs of clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, in a shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife ...Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 10:22:08 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, are seen in a shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife ...Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 10:21:40 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, are seen in a shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)Craftsman Genny Di Virgilio holds a clay figure of U.S. President-elect ...Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 10:20:24 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Craftsman Genny Di Virgilio holds a clay figure of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, at his shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife ...Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 10:20:15 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, are seen in a shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife ...Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 10:19:04 AM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, are seen in a shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)Michelle Obama and US president-elect Barack Obama, seen in ...Wednesday, December 03, 2008, 12:46:08 PM | (AFP/File)(AFP/File) - Michelle Obama and US president-elect Barack Obama, seen in November 2008, stand outside the Diplomatic entrance of the White House in Washington. Top fashion designers are lining up to help Michelle Obama decide what to wear when she becomes first lady on inauguration day next month.(AFP/File/Tim Sloan)Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, right, Malaysian actress ...Monday, December 01, 2008, 8:20:54 PM | (AP)(AP) - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, right, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, second right, and Hong Kong actor Jet Li, left, attend the Clinton Global Initiative Asia Meeting in Hong Kong Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008. Bill Clinton kicked off his first charitable conference abroad in Hong Kong on Tuesday after he agreed to greater oversight of his foundation to pave the way for his wife Hillary Clinton's appointment by President-elect Barack Obama as secretary of state. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Democratic presidential candidate ...Sunday, November 30, 2008, 9:17:59 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) bumps fists with his wife Michelle (L) before his speech at his South Dakota and Montana presidential primary election night rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 3, 2008. REUTERS/Eric Miller (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA) REUTERSRNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 Democratic presidential candidate ...Sunday, November 30, 2008, 9:16:19 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (R) stands with his wife Michelle (L) and children Malia (2nd L) and Sasha (2nd R) after his speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado August 28, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) ...Sunday, November 30, 2008, 9:14:48 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) talks to his family (L-R) wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia on a live video feed from Kansas City at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver August 25, 2008. Obama is expected to accept the Democratic presidential nomination at the convention on August 28. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 Michelle Obama waves as she arrives ...Sunday, November 30, 2008, 9:14:45 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 Michelle Obama waves as she arrives at the podium to speak at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 25, 2008. U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is expected to accept the Democratic presidential nomination at the convention on August 28. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Democratic presidential nominee ...Sunday, November 30, 2008, 9:14:16 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his wife Michelle attend a campaign rally at Bicentennial Park in Miami, Florida, October 21, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 U.S. President-elect Senator Barack ...Sunday, November 30, 2008, 9:10:13 PM | (Reuters)(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 U.S. President-elect Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) along with wife Michelle (R) and daughters Sasha and Malia (2nd R) wave during his election night victory rally in Chicago November 4, 2008. Obama captured the White House on Tuesday after an extraordinary two-year campaign, defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first black to be elected U.S. president. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES) REUTERSRNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 U.S. President-elect Senator Barack ...Sunday, November 30, 2008, 9:08:49 PM | (Reuters) Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content
(Reuters) - Michelle Obama (L) and President-elect Barack Obama's half sister Maya Soetoro-Ng return from scattering the ashes of his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, at a seaside ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 23, 2008. (Hugh Gentry/Reuters)
(AP) - Security personnel stand watch as President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle attend a seaside memorial for Obama's grandmother in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP) - Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, center, walks with guests after a seaside memorial for his grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP) - Michelle Obama, wife of President-elect Barack Obama, left, walks with his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, after a seaside memorial for his grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP) - President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle return to their vehicle after a seaside memorial for his grandmother Madelyn Payne Dunham in Honolulu, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (2nd L) and his wife Michelle (L) walk to their vehicle with Secret Service agents after meeting with Marines at the Semper Fit gym on Marines Corps Base Hawaii while on vacation over the Christmas holidays in Kailua, Hawaii, December 23, 2008. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - Michelle Obama (R), wife of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, shakes hands with Marines after working out at the Semper Fit gym on Marines Corps Base Hawaii while on vacation over the Christmas holidays in Kailua, Hawaii, December 23, 2008. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle prepare to work out at the Semper Fit gym on Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, while in Hawaii for a vacation over the Christmas holidays, December 22, 2008. (Hugh Gentry/Reuters)
(AP) - In this June 3, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., gets a thumbs up from his wife Michelle in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson/FILE)
(AP) - Iin this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, left, kisses his wife Michelle Obama after addressing supporters at the election night rally in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)
(AP) - In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack Obama, left, his wife Michelle Obama, right, and two daughters, Malia, 7. and Sasha, 10, wave at the election night rally in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)
(AP) - In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his wife Michelle, cast their votes at a polling place in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)
(AP) - In this July 4, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, second from right, and his wife Michelle, left, watch an Independence Day parade with their two daughters, Malia, right, and Sasha in Butte, Mont. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/FILE)
(AP) - In this Aug. 25, 2008 file photo, Michelle Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Denver. There are plenty of unanswered questions buzzing around Barack and Michelle Obama's impending arrival, but one has hairdressers on the edge of their styling chairs: Who will be chosen to do Michelle Obama's hair? (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
(AP) - Stylist Keith Harvey, right, works on Lanie Alston's hair at Keith Harley Hair and Scalp Clinic, his salon in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008. Harvey hopes that Michelle Obama might look to him as her new hair stylist. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
(AP) - Michelle Obama and Malia Obama, wife and daughter of President-elect Barack Obama, arrive for their holiday in Honolulu Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP) - Michelle Obama along with her daughter, Malia, arrive at Honolulu International Airport with her family Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Honolulu.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's wife Michelle (C) gets ready to board a plane for a 12 day Hawaii vacation in Chicago December 20, 2008. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - Michelle Obama, wife of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, leaves the University of Chicago Laboratory schools in Chicago December 19, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools in Chicago, December 19, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)
(Reuters) - President-elect Senator Barack Obama comes onto the stage with his family, (2nd L-R) daughters Sasha and Malia and his wife Michelle, to speak to supporters during his election night rally after being declared the winner of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Campaign in Chicago, November 4, 2008. (Jim Young/Reuters)
(AP) - In this Aug. 19, 2006, file photo television personality and dog psychologist Cesar Milan arrives for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Debate about the ideal dog became a hot topic for canine enthusiasts after President-elect Obama and his wife Michelle promised their two girls a dog at the White House, and Milan, host of the National Geographic Channel program ``The Dog Whisperer'', suggests a medium-energy dog as the Obamas may not have time to manage a high-energy dog, but need a pet they can walk with and play with, which rules out a couch potato. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
(Reuters) - A tourist takes photographs of clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, in a shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)
(Reuters) - Clay figures of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, are seen in a shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)
(Reuters) - Craftsman Genny Di Virgilio holds a clay figure of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, for use in Christmas nativity scenes, at his shop in Naples December 10, 2008. Obama and his wife Michelle are appearing in Italian nativity scenes this year, alongside the baby Jesus and wise men, according to Naples craftsmen selling figurines in the run-up to Christmas. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/Agnfoto (ITALY)
(AFP/File) - Michelle Obama and US president-elect Barack Obama, seen in November 2008, stand outside the Diplomatic entrance of the White House in Washington. Top fashion designers are lining up to help Michelle Obama decide what to wear when she becomes first lady on inauguration day next month.(AFP/File/Tim Sloan)
(AP) - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, right, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, second right, and Hong Kong actor Jet Li, left, attend the Clinton Global Initiative Asia Meeting in Hong Kong Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008. Bill Clinton kicked off his first charitable conference abroad in Hong Kong on Tuesday after he agreed to greater oversight of his foundation to pave the way for his wife Hillary Clinton's appointment by President-elect Barack Obama as secretary of state. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) bumps fists with his wife Michelle (L) before his speech at his South Dakota and Montana presidential primary election night rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 3, 2008. REUTERS/Eric Miller (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA) REUTERS
(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (R) stands with his wife Michelle (L) and children Malia (2nd L) and Sasha (2nd R) after his speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado August 28, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)
(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) talks to his family (L-R) wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia on a live video feed from Kansas City at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver August 25, 2008. Obama is expected to accept the Democratic presidential nomination at the convention on August 28. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)
(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 Michelle Obama waves as she arrives at the podium to speak at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 25, 2008. U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is expected to accept the Democratic presidential nomination at the convention on August 28. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)
(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 US Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his wife Michelle attend a campaign rally at Bicentennial Park in Miami, Florida, October 21, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)
(Reuters) - RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 U.S. President-elect Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) along with wife Michelle (R) and daughters Sasha and Malia (2nd R) wave during his election night victory rally in Chicago November 4, 2008. Obama captured the White House on Tuesday after an extraordinary two-year campaign, defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first black to be elected U.S. president. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES) REUTERS
Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content
AP – President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in Chicago, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008. After … Slideshow: President-elect Barack Obama Play Video Barack Obama Video: Climate experts get key US posts BBC Play Video Barack Obama Video: Obama's Detroit Decision ABC News WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama has increased his employment goal with the nation's economic outlook worsening, seeking to create or save 3 million jobs in the next two years instead of the 2.5 million he proposed last month.Obama set the more ambitious target earlier this week after meeting with top economic advisers who cautioned that the nation's unemployment rate could exceed 9 percent given the current pace of job losses, Obama transition officials said Saturday.During the presidential campaign, Obama pledged to create or save 1 million jobs. He increased that goal to 2.5 million over two years just last month.Obama and his family traveled Saturday to his home state of Hawaii for a two-week vacation. But advisers were using Obama's guidance as a roadmap for a draft stimulus package to have ready when he returns on Jan. 2, advisers said.Obama met with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his economic leadership team Tuesday in Chicago.Transition officials said Christina Romer, an economics professor who Obama has chosen as chair of his Council of Economic Advisers, opened the meeting by arguing that historical data and wide-ranging expert opinions suggest that upcoming economic problems could be more severe than anything the country has faced over the past half century. She said the country is likely to lose another 3 million to 4 million jobs over the next year without significant action.Biden and Obama responded by pushing for a more ambitious jobs plan, driven by federal investments in health care, education and energy that could have a stimulative effect and lay the ground work for long term reform and a more sustainable economy. Ideas included weatherizing 1 million homes, shifting to a paperless health system, investing in disease prevention and modernizing schools.Obama's team and congressional staff over the last week have been scrambling to come up with details of a plan to pump up the droopy economy with $650 billion or more in government spending over the next few years.The aides met in the basement of the Capitol on Friday to devise ways to pump public money into science, energy, education, health care and infrastructure programs, as well as to help the poor and unemployed.They hope unleashing a torrent of spending in the near term will create jobs and lift the economy.Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress want to enact the still-emerging plan as soon as possible after he takes office on Jan. 20.The plan, which some Obama aides think could swell to about $850 billion after negotiations with Congress, would be the largest investment in public infrastructure since the federal highway system was established in the 1950s. It also would provide tens of billions in dollars of aid to financially strapped states.Obama declined Friday to put a price tag on his plan, but said the economic problems require a bold approach."I'm not going to give you a number because we're still making these evaluations," he said in response to a question at a Chicago news conference where he named four new members of his administration. "But you are exactly right that what we've seen, in terms of the evaluation of economists from across the political spectrum, is that we're going to have to be bold when it comes to our economic recovery package."Biden, speaking in an interview set to air Sunday, said he believed there will be another stimulus package of roughly $700 billion to keep the economy from "absolutely tanking.""The economy is in much worse shape than we thought it was in," Biden told ABC's "This Week," according to excerpts released Friday.Transition officials said Obama and Biden directed the team to incorporate several principles into their job-creation programs, including:_No earmarks for any spending proposals. _Requirements that states and local governments use federal funds quickly to ensure immediate job creation. _New public-private partnerships to support innovation. Transition officials said Obama expressed frustration with Washington's failure to jump-start "smart grid" power lines to increase electricity savings and said more partnerships with the private sector could help that idea get under way. _Full transparency to ensure citizen oversight of fund allocation. _Investments in ideas that work over ideology. _A focus on reducing waste in the federal budget. _Steps to protect workers from future recessions by enacting measures like the existing unemployment insurance program that automatically expand stimulus in tough times. ___ On the Net: Obama Transition: http://www.change.gov
AP – President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in Chicago, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008. After …
WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama has increased his employment goal with the nation's economic outlook worsening, seeking to create or save 3 million jobs in the next two years instead of the 2.5 million he proposed last month.
Obama set the more ambitious target earlier this week after meeting with top economic advisers who cautioned that the nation's unemployment rate could exceed 9 percent given the current pace of job losses, Obama transition officials said Saturday.
During the presidential campaign, Obama pledged to create or save 1 million jobs. He increased that goal to 2.5 million over two years just last month.
Obama and his family traveled Saturday to his home state of Hawaii for a two-week vacation. But advisers were using Obama's guidance as a roadmap for a draft stimulus package to have ready when he returns on Jan. 2, advisers said.
Obama met with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his economic leadership team Tuesday in Chicago.
Transition officials said Christina Romer, an economics professor who Obama has chosen as chair of his Council of Economic Advisers, opened the meeting by arguing that historical data and wide-ranging expert opinions suggest that upcoming economic problems could be more severe than anything the country has faced over the past half century. She said the country is likely to lose another 3 million to 4 million jobs over the next year without significant action.
Biden and Obama responded by pushing for a more ambitious jobs plan, driven by federal investments in health care, education and energy that could have a stimulative effect and lay the ground work for long term reform and a more sustainable economy. Ideas included weatherizing 1 million homes, shifting to a paperless health system, investing in disease prevention and modernizing schools.
Obama's team and congressional staff over the last week have been scrambling to come up with details of a plan to pump up the droopy economy with $650 billion or more in government spending over the next few years.
The aides met in the basement of the Capitol on Friday to devise ways to pump public money into science, energy, education, health care and infrastructure programs, as well as to help the poor and unemployed.
They hope unleashing a torrent of spending in the near term will create jobs and lift the economy.
Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress want to enact the still-emerging plan as soon as possible after he takes office on Jan. 20.
The plan, which some Obama aides think could swell to about $850 billion after negotiations with Congress, would be the largest investment in public infrastructure since the federal highway system was established in the 1950s. It also would provide tens of billions in dollars of aid to financially strapped states.
Obama declined Friday to put a price tag on his plan, but said the economic problems require a bold approach.
"I'm not going to give you a number because we're still making these evaluations," he said in response to a question at a Chicago news conference where he named four new members of his administration. "But you are exactly right that what we've seen, in terms of the evaluation of economists from across the political spectrum, is that we're going to have to be bold when it comes to our economic recovery package."
Biden, speaking in an interview set to air Sunday, said he believed there will be another stimulus package of roughly $700 billion to keep the economy from "absolutely tanking."
"The economy is in much worse shape than we thought it was in," Biden told ABC's "This Week," according to excerpts released Friday.
Transition officials said Obama and Biden directed the team to incorporate several principles into their job-creation programs, including:
_No earmarks for any spending proposals.
_Requirements that states and local governments use federal funds quickly to ensure immediate job creation.
_New public-private partnerships to support innovation. Transition officials said Obama expressed frustration with Washington's failure to jump-start "smart grid" power lines to increase electricity savings and said more partnerships with the private sector could help that idea get under way.
_Full transparency to ensure citizen oversight of fund allocation.
_Investments in ideas that work over ideology.
_A focus on reducing waste in the federal budget.
_Steps to protect workers from future recessions by enacting measures like the existing unemployment insurance program that automatically expand stimulus in tough times.
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On the Net:
Obama Transition: http://www.change.gov
Barack Obama's Cabinet lineup, completed Friday with a month to spare, sends a signal that the fresh-faced president-elect will lean on experienced hands and moderate voices to steer the nation through turbulent times.Though the former Illinois senator was accused during the campaign of fostering a far-left agenda, his Cabinet and staff features faces from the Clinton administration and even two Republicans. The list of nominees suggests Obama, facing a deep recession and wars on two fronts, will rely on the kind of Washington veterans he campaigned against during the Democratic primaries. Analysts say Obama's picks signal the president-elect values projecting the image of confidence over projecting the image of a new sheriff in Washington. "He's been compared to the Messiah by the media, and his team suggests that he's Clinton Two," said Christopher C. Hull, adjunct professor of government at Georgetown University. "There's a very marked contrast between what he said during the campaign and what he's done in terms of putting his team in place ... As an American, I'm relieved." Obama's picks would reflect a "moderate and mainline" policy platform, he said.Obama's final Cabinet picks, announced Friday, were Rep. Hilda Solis of California for labor secretary and Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois for transportation secretary, and he picked former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to be U.S. trade representative and venture capitalist Karen Mills to lead the Small Business Administration.Solis, a four-term congresswoman known to be heavily pro-union, was one of the few Obama picks who triggered any controversy. She was viewed with skepticism by some in the business community. Kirk, on the other hand, somewhat eased the business community's concerns about new trade restrictions, saying he will pursue an "aggressive, pro-trade agenda."Obama also has named four former rivals to his team, though some might not cause the president-elect many headaches. For example, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped to be secretary of commerce, is a former President Clinton appointee who broke with the Clintons when he endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. Hillary Clinton now is poised to be Obama's secretary of state.David Lewis, political science professor at Vanderbilt University, argues that the presence of these former rivals poses a "risk" because any friction could turn into nasty bureaucratic battles in Obama's administration.But Obama clearly was trying to send a message with his seasoned choices, Lewis said."There's a sense in which these picks are intended to reassure the markets, the international community that there is a steady hand at the tiller," said Lewis, who is part of the White House Transition Project, a resource of experts for presidential transition teams. He said Obama also might have turned to some of these candidates out of necessity, since most qualified officials would have come out of either the Bush administration or the Clinton administration. He said Obama might be preparing to appoint more progressive candidates to lower-level positions, grooming them for more important posts later on. For now, Obama has increased the odds that his nominees will face a relatively drama-free confirmation process by steering clear of risky choices.There have been complaints about attorney general nominee Eric Holder's role in Clinton-era pardons. And revelations about Bill Clinton's foundation's international donors could make things rocky for his wife. But historically, most nominees eventually make it through confirmation. Since Jimmy Carter took office in 1977, only one Cabinet secretary nominee for an incoming administration has been rejected. The Senate voted in 1989 against former Sen. John Tower, George H.W. Bush's nominee for secretary of defense. Dick Cheney was confirmed to that post shortly afterward. Aside from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, all of Obama's Cabinet secretary nominees will have to be confirmed. President Bush told FOX News earlier in the week that he thinks Obama's national security team is "solid." There was some geographic imbalance in Obama's Cabinet picks, however. None of them are Southerners, though Kirk, the pick for trade representative, is from Dallas.FOXNews.com's Judson Berger and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Barack Obama's Cabinet lineup, completed Friday with a month to spare, sends a signal that the fresh-faced president-elect will lean on experienced hands and moderate voices to steer the nation through turbulent times.
Though the former Illinois senator was accused during the campaign of fostering a far-left agenda, his Cabinet and staff features faces from the Clinton administration and even two Republicans.
The list of nominees suggests Obama, facing a deep recession and wars on two fronts, will rely on the kind of Washington veterans he campaigned against during the Democratic primaries.
Analysts say Obama's picks signal the president-elect values projecting the image of confidence over projecting the image of a new sheriff in Washington.
"He's been compared to the Messiah by the media, and his team suggests that he's Clinton Two," said Christopher C. Hull, adjunct professor of government at Georgetown University. "There's a very marked contrast between what he said during the campaign and what he's done in terms of putting his team in place ... As an American, I'm relieved."
Obama's picks would reflect a "moderate and mainline" policy platform, he said.
Obama's final Cabinet picks, announced Friday, were Rep. Hilda Solis of California for labor secretary and Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois for transportation secretary, and he picked former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to be U.S. trade representative and venture capitalist Karen Mills to lead the Small Business Administration.
Solis, a four-term congresswoman known to be heavily pro-union, was one of the few Obama picks who triggered any controversy. She was viewed with skepticism by some in the business community.
Kirk, on the other hand, somewhat eased the business community's concerns about new trade restrictions, saying he will pursue an "aggressive, pro-trade agenda."
Obama also has named four former rivals to his team, though some might not cause the president-elect many headaches. For example, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped to be secretary of commerce, is a former President Clinton appointee who broke with the Clintons when he endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. Hillary Clinton now is poised to be Obama's secretary of state.
David Lewis, political science professor at Vanderbilt University, argues that the presence of these former rivals poses a "risk" because any friction could turn into nasty bureaucratic battles in Obama's administration.
But Obama clearly was trying to send a message with his seasoned choices, Lewis said.
"There's a sense in which these picks are intended to reassure the markets, the international community that there is a steady hand at the tiller," said Lewis, who is part of the White House Transition Project, a resource of experts for presidential transition teams.
He said Obama also might have turned to some of these candidates out of necessity, since most qualified officials would have come out of either the Bush administration or the Clinton administration. He said Obama might be preparing to appoint more progressive candidates to lower-level positions, grooming them for more important posts later on.
For now, Obama has increased the odds that his nominees will face a relatively drama-free confirmation process by steering clear of risky choices.
There have been complaints about attorney general nominee Eric Holder's role in Clinton-era pardons. And revelations about Bill Clinton's foundation's international donors could make things rocky for his wife.
But historically, most nominees eventually make it through confirmation. Since Jimmy Carter took office in 1977, only one Cabinet secretary nominee for an incoming administration has been rejected. The Senate voted in 1989 against former Sen. John Tower, George H.W. Bush's nominee for secretary of defense. Dick Cheney was confirmed to that post shortly afterward.
Aside from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, all of Obama's Cabinet secretary nominees will have to be confirmed.
President Bush told FOX News earlier in the week that he thinks Obama's national security team is "solid."
There was some geographic imbalance in Obama's Cabinet picks, however. None of them are Southerners, though Kirk, the pick for trade representative, is from Dallas.
FOXNews.com's Judson Berger and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
DETROIT — It looks like autoworkers have dodged a bullet. Congress seems likely to pass some sort of “bridge” loan to keep General Motors, and perhaps Chrysler, from declaring bankruptcy and throwing union contracts and jobs on the trash heap. Congressional Democrats have drafted terms of a $15 billion dollar government loan for GM and Chrysler to help them survive through March 31. (Ford has asked for a $9 billion line of credit.) The loan still needs the support of 10 or more Republican senators to avoid a filibuster, and then needs to be signed by President Bush. It places restrictions on executive pay, sets up government oversight of the companies’ operations, and gives the federal government a stake in the companies. The additional 10 votes needed from Republican senators will not be easy to come by. Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney recently wrote a New York Times op-ed titled, “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt.” Romney, the wealthiest of all the 2008 presidential contenders (assets worth up to $250 million), argued for bankruptcy for the auto industry as the way to impose new union contracts that slash worker and retiree income and benefits. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), the senior Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, opposes any federal government assistance to avert bankruptcy. Shelby’s state ranks sixth on the list of states with the most autoworkers, almost all non-union. Yet those jobs exist because of generous handouts to foreign auto companies by the state of Alabama. Here in the Motor City many are wondering why Congress and the Bush administration were quick to deliver to the banks and insurance companies federal aid that dwarfs anything asked by the Big Three. At least, Motowners say, the auto companies are producing something real. Detroit City Council President Pro-tem JoAnn Watson, who traveled on her “own dime” to Washington to lobby on behalf of autoworker jobs, has been asking why blue collar workers are being told to make the lion’s share of the sacrifices. She noted that no furor was raised about overpaid bankers and other well-paid financial personnel. African American workers are more concentrated in the automotive industry than in the labor force as a whole. For Detroit, with its 85 percent African American population, already suffering from double-digit unemployment, the loss of more auto jobs and wages would be a devastating blow. The United Auto Workers union has agreed to consider re-opening its contract to see what additional concessions it might negotiate. Most likely concessions are eliminating a jobs bank that provides pay for some 3,000 laid off workers, and allowing auto companies to delay contributions to the retiree health and benefits fund negotiated last year. But UAW President Ron Gettelfinger told the Senate Banking Committee the union opposes any attempt to make the workers “shoulder the entire burden of any restructuring.” He noted, “Wages and benefits only make up 10 percent of the costs of the domestic auto companies. So the current difficulties facing the Detroit-based auto companies cannot be blamed on workers and retirees.” Gettelfinger pointed out that autoworkers earn on average $28 an hour, not $70 as widely reported, and last year’s contract conceded a $14 starting wage for new workers. A union worker’s average benefits add up to about another $10 an hour. The phony $70 figure comes from an accounting sleight-of-hand that inflates the labor cost for active workers by adding on the companies’ costs for “legacy” benefits for hundreds of thousands of GM, Ford and Chrysler retirees. “The main reason that Chrysler, Ford and GM have higher legacy costs than the foreign nameplate operations in the United States is not because their retiree benefits are much higher — it’s because they have so many more retirees,” the UAW says in a list of questions and answers on its web site. Working families and retirees have less discretionary money to spend than ever — almost all is earmarked for recurrent bills like housing, heating and health care. While multi-millionaires like Mitt Romney may not worry about such things, how will goods be bought and production pick up if the wages of unionized workers are seen as the problem instead of the solution? This is another reason why labor is fighting so hard — and the rest of the country should join them — to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. It would make union organizing a fairer process and would result in better wages for all working people. jrummel @pww.org
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Barack Obama has selected retired Gen. Eric Shinseki, who clashed with the Bush administration over the number of troops needed in Iraq, to be the next secretary of veterans affairs.Obama's announcement was made in a television interview taped on Saturday that is to be aired in full on Sunday.Shinseki famously clashed with the administration of President George W. Bush over how many troops would be needed in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion.Obama was to name Shinseki for the veterans' post at a news conference on Sunday that coincides with the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor."I think that General Shinseki is exactly the right person who is going to be able to make sure that we honor our troops when they come home," Obama told NBC's "Meet the Press" in a clip aired by NBC News on Saturday."Meet the Press" moderator Tom Brokaw noted Shinseki had lost his job in the Bush administration because he said more troops were needed in Iraq than then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld wanted."He was right," Obama said of Shinseki.Obama's news conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Sunday.Obama pledged during his presidential campaign to improve services for retired U.S. military men and women if he won the White House.The news conference is his latest in a string of announcements of appointments to his Cabinet and other top administration posts.Shinseki would need Senate confirmation to the position.(Reporting by Jeff Mason, editing by Vicki Allen)
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Barack Obama has selected retired Gen. Eric Shinseki, who clashed with the Bush administration over the number of troops needed in Iraq, to be the next secretary of veterans affairs.
Obama's announcement was made in a television interview taped on Saturday that is to be aired in full on Sunday.
Shinseki famously clashed with the administration of President George W. Bush over how many troops would be needed in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion.
Obama was to name Shinseki for the veterans' post at a news conference on Sunday that coincides with the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
"I think that General Shinseki is exactly the right person who is going to be able to make sure that we honor our troops when they come home," Obama told NBC's "Meet the Press" in a clip aired by NBC News on Saturday.
"Meet the Press" moderator Tom Brokaw noted Shinseki had lost his job in the Bush administration because he said more troops were needed in Iraq than then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld wanted.
"He was right," Obama said of Shinseki.
Obama's news conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Sunday.
Obama pledged during his presidential campaign to improve services for retired U.S. military men and women if he won the White House.
The news conference is his latest in a string of announcements of appointments to his Cabinet and other top administration posts.
Shinseki would need Senate confirmation to the position.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason, editing by Vicki Allen)
