President-Elect Barack Obama's First Press Conference: Promises To "Act Swiftly" On Economy
Obama just wrapped up his first presser as President-elect, a historic moment. Here's video of the entire thing:
A couple of quick highlights. First, Obama sought to project a strong sense that he's already taking action on the economy, vowing to "act swiftly" to "confront this economic crisis head-on." The need to project a sense of action well before he takes power is a difficult balancing act, but a necessary one, given the imperative of calming the globe and thus making future action easier. And he did that.
Obama also sought to describe our economic problems as a two-tiered set of challenges: One requiring an immediate response; and the second demanding "long-term" policies to address such issues as the push for cleaner energy, health care, and middle-class tax relief.
Obama balanced gravity and a sense of appropriate seriousness with an occasional effort to lighten the mood with some easy banter, striking a tone that will probably turn out to be a hallmark of his presidency. He asked Chicago reporter Lynn Sweet why she had her arm in a cast. And he referred to himself as a "mutt" at one point with some self-deprecating humor that, given that he's just been elected president, risked sounding insincere, but somehow didn't.
The low point of the presser came when a reporter asked Obama to respond to the fact that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has written him an unusual letter congratulating him for his victory -- a frivolous waste of time given the big issues Obama is confronting.
Full text of Obama's opening statement after the jump.
Late Update: Video added above.
This morning, we woke to more sobering news about the state of our economy. The 240,000 jobs lost in October marks the 10th consecutive month that our economy has shed jobs. In total, we've lost nearly 1.2 million jobs this year, and more than 10 million Americans are now unemployed. Tens of millions of families are struggling to figure out how to pay the bills and stay in their homes. Their stories are an urgent reminder that we are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime, and we must act swiftly to resolve them.
The United States has only one government and one President, and until January 20th of next year, that government is the current Administration. I have spoken to President Bush, and I appreciate his commitment to ensuring that his economic policy team keeps us fully informed as developments unfold.
Immediately after I become President, I will confront this economic crisis head-on by taking all necessary steps to ease the credit crisis, help hardworking families, and restore growth and prosperity.
This morning, I met with members of my Transition Economic Advisory Board, who will help guide the work of my transition team in developing a strong set of policies to respond to this crisis. We discussed several of the most immediate challenges facing our economy and key priorities on which to focus on in the days and weeks ahead:
First, we need a rescue plan for the middle class that invests in immediate efforts to create jobs and provides relief to families that are watching their paychecks shrink and their life savings disappear. A particularly urgent priority is a further extension of unemployment insurance benefits for workers who cannot find work in the increasingly weak economy. A fiscal stimulus plan that will jump-start economic growth is long overdue - and we should get it done.
Second, we must address the spreading impact of the financial crisis on other sectors of our economy: small businesses that are struggling to meet their payrolls and finance their holiday inventories; and state and municipal governments facing devastating budget cuts and tax increases. We must also remember that the financial crisis is increasingly global and requires a global response.
The news coming out of the auto industry this week reminds us of the hardship it faces - hardship that goes far beyond individual auto companies to the countless suppliers, small businesses and communities throughout our nation who depend on a vibrant American auto industry. The auto industry is the backbone of American manufacturing and a critical part of our attempt to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I would like to see the Administration do everything they can to accelerate the retooling assistance that Congress has already enacted. In addition, I have made it a high priority for my transition team to work on additional policy options to help the auto industry adjust, weather the financial crisis, and succeed in producing fuel-efficient cars here in the United States. I have asked my team to explore what we can do under current law and whether additional legislation will be needed for this purpose.
Third, we will review the implementation of this Administration's financial program to ensure that our government's efforts are achieving their central goal of stabilizing financial markets while protecting taxpayers, helping homeowners and not unduly rewarding the management of financial firms that are receiving government assistance. It is critical that the Treasury work closely with the FDIC, HUD and other government agencies to use the substantial authority they already have to help families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.
Finally, as we monitor and address these immediate economic challenges, we will be moving forward in laying out a set of policies that will grow our middle-class and strengthen our economy in the long-term. We cannot afford to wait on moving forward on the key priorities that I identified during the campaign, including clean energy, health care, education and tax relief for middle class families.
My transition team will be working on each of these priorities in the weeks ahead, and I intend to reconvene this Advisory Board to discuss the best ideas for responding to these immediate problems.
Let me close by saying that I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead. We have taken some major actions to date, and we will need further actions during this transition and subsequent months. Some of those choices will be difficult, but America is a strong and resilient country. I know that we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and work together as one nation. And that is what I intend to do.
FIRST! Great presser. Enough said.
November 7, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seconded.
November 7, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thirded
November 7, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fourthed!
November 7, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fourthded.
November 7, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's so handsome.
November 7, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fifth
Watch: Obama Roasted Rahm Emanuel in 2005
November 8, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
i mean fifthed
November 8, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
+1
November 7, 2008 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since when have we looked forward eagerly to a presser? Since when have wanted it to last longer when it ended? Since when have we listened to someone with such a great voice speak words that made sense, answering questions large and small with candor? Since when has a president truly given us hope?
November 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since when have we wished inauguration day was tomorrow?
November 7, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not in my life time.
November 7, 2008 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since Clinton. Before that, since Carter. Before that, since Kennedy. Political considerations aside, it seems that Democrats are best at speaking in complete sentences. And not obfuscating (well, not ALWAYS obfuscating..."sex with that woman", "IS is", etc.)
November 7, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am so thankful! After inauguration day, maybe I can be rid of the thought that has gone through my mind practically everyday since W began his first term - that it's a terrible and shameful thing to be governed by idiots.
November 7, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's so strange to have a President that is smart and can talk.
November 7, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, and look at without wanting to throw up.
November 7, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
And be willing to actually refer to as "President Obama" (is that fuckin great to write and say??)...one construction that never passed through my lips, and would never be typed without quotation marks rendered with my right middle finger, was "President Bush" (there, I did it again. Won't do it too many more times!)
November 7, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
No shit! Why indeed.
One of my many hopes for his presidency is that it puts the nail in the coffin of this bogus anti-intellectualism the Republicans have promoted and that David Brooks, to his credit, used to call Palin a cancer on their party. As Garrison Keillor put it in his Nov. 5 article, "You have the gift of speaking clearly and forcefully, whole sentences and paragraphs, while thinking at the same time, a good gift" (http://www.salon.com/opinion/keillor/2008/11/05/happy_couple/).
November 7, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Harvard tend to do that to people :)
November 7, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why was the Mahmoud Ahmedinejad question a "la frivolous waste of time"? Obviously, the U.S/Iran relations are a pretty important going forward. And the Iranans are going to have their own Election in June.
So it's (In my view) an important question between balancing the desire to work with Iran on solving our differences while at the same time preventing Ahmedinejad from gaining any political capital that might make it less likely for a reformer like Khatami to win.
So, that would certainly have been a question I would like to have seen asked.
How did he respond? I'm at work so I haven't seen it.
November 7, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's frivolous because it didn't address any of those questions. It was just about trying to imply something sinister from a letter of congratulations. Who asked it, Jeff Gannon?
November 7, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. And it was framed almost in wingnut talking points. Perfectly reasonable to ask about Iran. Not reasonable to try and further those deplorable "some foreign leader approves of Obama and therefore, there's something wrong with him" themes.
November 7, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, the questioner was Jake Tapper. Perhaps it's common knowledge in D.C., but I was surprised to hear him say at the end of his Charlie Rose interview that Mark Salter is one of his closests friends. That would explain the way he - erm - shades his questions. Ahem.
The interview is here, if you want to check it out.
November 7, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh **that** Jake Tapper --- the one who first came out with the Rev. Wright video loop and, to my knowledge, never explained where he got it or how it was put together....
November 8, 2008 4:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
He repeated what he has said previously, that Iran should not have nukes or support terrorists.
The problem with the question, I think from Jake Tapper of ABC, was the sort of gotcha tone and the negative framing, which suggested that Tapper had bought into the right-wing stuff about Obama and Iran.
The way it was asked, the answer was obviously who gives a flying fig that Ahmadinejad wrote a letter to Obama congratulating him and obviously Obama's first priority as president-elect is not to send a diplomatic mission to Iran. Unfortunately, that answer was too impolitic for Obama to give.
November 7, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
That Nancy Reagan joke is gonna piss off a lot of republicans.
November 7, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let them complain! He's been elected! Tough.
November 7, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd agree the joke flubbed horribly, especially considering Nancy Reagan is likely still being treated for that fall a few weeks back. Seems like a pretty obvious our President-Elect shouldn't be poking fun at the opposing party's elderly, bed-ridden symbolic leader, even if it's in good fun.
Just because we won an election doesn't mean we shouldn't maintain some respect for the opposing party, and treat its elders delicately.
Remember 1994.
November 7, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had the same thought when he said it. And I second seanh's comments.
November 7, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
So what was the joke. I haven't seen it yet.
November 7, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's wait for the transcript. Because actually I heard it a bit differently. Obama said he'd talked with all living presidents.. and then something about he hadn't had a seance along with Nancy Reagan - that's what I thought I heard.
Give the guy a break! He's been under tremendous stress. His grandmother died. He won the presidency. There's a huge crisis going on. And he was kind enough to give a presser.
My comment above was simply related to the sense that the right will make hay of this. If so, so what? All the hay is useless now. He's going to be president. And making mountains out of molehills is silly.
November 7, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let them spin their wheels on this. Focusing on stuff like that is the kind of thing that cost them the White House.
November 7, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has bestowed much more praise on Ronald Reagan than what he's ever deserved. Let the seething wingnuts hyperventilate.
BTW, it's nice to know that they too took some time to enjoy President Elect Obama's press conference.
November 7, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
The question was something along the lines of, "have you been consulting former presidents to aid in your transition?" Obama responded with a "yes," then joked that he wouldn't use a sรฉance to contact dead Presidents for advice like Nancy Reagan.
I have no idea what incident, if any, Obama was referring to -- but I'm assuming people who know more about Nancy Reagan picked up the reference. Unfortunately, the joke suggested, none-to-delicately, that Nancy Reagan is some sort of loon.
November 7, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nancy Reagan consulted an astrologer while in the White House. It was a bit of a scandal at the time. Jeez, judging by your photo you look old enough to remember that!
Anyway, it was an off-the-cuff joke, not like he planned it. Repubs may make something of it - who else gives a darn?
November 7, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, you beat me to it.
November 7, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am young, but I should have remembered that. Thanks for the reminder (both of you).
November 7, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nancy Reagan started to consult with an astrologer (Joan Quigley) after his husband's assassination attempt in 1981, reaching the point that his schedule was influenced by that astrologer's assertions. This wasn't seen right by then Reagan's chief of Staff, Donald Regan. In 1987, Nancy opposed Regan's proposal than Ronald Reagan addressed the Iran-Contra scandals in part for "astrological warnings", this reached a point when Regan hung up on her and eventually, ended in his resignation.
The Obama joke is not about Nancy Reagan per se, but about the idea that astrology or any other nonsense influence his course of action. It's a legitimate comparison and I think, it reflects his approach to the issues. If the conservatives want to complain, let them whine. They just don't get it, like some of them still don't get their responsibility for the problems that America and the World suffers today.
November 7, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
It helps to understand the context.
And Nancy Reagan was a bit of a loon for consulting astrologers. I know my saying that will cause wingnuts to stop breathing momentarily, but it's the truth, so tough.
November 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was not so much a joke, said for the purpose of getting a laugh, as it was an awkward follow-up to an awkward statement of his own, that he'd consulted with those former presidents "that were living" -- which sounded stupid when he said it and led to this lame attempt at humor. It bothered him at the time because he didn't finish listing the former presidents he'd consulted and had to catch that up later. -- News flash! We're going have a real human being as a president! At least he *realizes* it when he says something sorta stupid!
November 8, 2008 4:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the "joke"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59XB68F54kA
Right wing blogs are already in full outrage mode.
November 7, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's widely known that Nancy Reagan consulted astrologers for policy advice. That was the joke. It's been a joke for years, late night talk show fodder.
No big deal. And who gives a fuck what the wing nut blogs think, especially after all of the things they've said and continue to say about Obama? They can save it. And we can laugh at them for being so fucking stupid and silly.
November 7, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I won't be losing any sleep over it, but it's not terribly diplomatic to point and laugh when your opposition finds something disagreeable.
Our side makes mistakes too, and we should recognize and concede the gaffe when we see one. I'd say its pretty reasonable to hope our President-Elect avoids further jokes at the expense of former Presidents and their ailing, elderly, well-respected relations. No big deal, I just hope we can recognize it wasn't exactly the high point of his first press conference.
November 7, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I point and laugh because they'll lose their mind over this harmless joke after spending months calling Obama a terrorist sympathizer, communist, racist, Jew hater, etc. They deserve no sympathy...not now. I'll be more than happy to see Obama work with GOP members of Congress. I'll be more than happy to see him take into consideration the beliefs and values and concerns of those who didn't vote for him. I'll be more than happy to see him try to win these people. I'll even apologize on Obama's behalf to reasonable conservatives who may have been offended by Obama's joke. (I doubt there are many out there - the wingnut blogger/talking head outrage is mostly manufactured BS.)
But the Hannitys and Limbaughs and Kristols and Palins and the Cornerites of the world? They can go eff themselves. They deserve no respect. Not after the way they acted. (and continue to act)
November 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's the gaffe?
That he had the temerity to joke about Nancy Reagan and astrology?
With everything else he discussed in that presser, this is what we're going to focus on? Seriously?
Do you realize how ridiculous that is?
And the fact that Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity might take offense seems like a pretty good indicator that whatever it is they're taking offense at, it's probably good.
November 7, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude - do you know the definition of a prig?
Look it up - cause that would be you.
November 7, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not entirely sure why everyone is throwing fits over my interpretation. So I thought the joke was in bad taste, especially in light of the former First Lady's current condition. Is that so horribly terrible? We have a mild disagreement. Cool your self-righteous jets.
November 7, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Geez, dude, lighten up. She was a bit of a loon and it was widely mocked when the astrologer-consultation was found out at the time. She and the President just shrugged it off. Me thinks it's time for your nap. . .
November 7, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah this is nothing. But I guess the last few days has take from the the far right what little sense of humor they did have.
November 7, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chuck Todd's response to the Nancy Reagan and "mutt" remarks was that Obama must be still "punchy" from election night.
November 7, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
"punchy" is probably the best word for it.
November 7, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have a transcript, but Obama was basically asked if he had been in contact with former presidents and he said he had, then clarified by saying former living presidents, then tossed in a comment about how it wasn't like Nancy Reagan or anything, holding seances...
It wasn't by any means meanspirited but it did feel like an off moment.
November 7, 2008 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read that in the transcript, it seemed a little mean, but watching the video it's clear that people started laughing when he said "you know, that are living" and then he tossed that in.
November 7, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
HOLY SHITE..are we SERIOUSLY discussing "Nancy Reagan" gate??
this is BEYOND absurd. this is like lipstick on a pig level.
it was funny. he said he was tlking to LIVING presidents b/c lynn sweet asked about "living ex presidents."
November 7, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. We are discussing it. Doesn't mean we think it's significant or horrible or catalcysmic. We're just... talking about it.
November 7, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I liked the joke.
This board is the toughest fucking audience -
November 7, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, I loved the joke!
November 7, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
He should not have said it. That said, it's no big deal. It was meant to be a light hearted thing, not an insult, and it didn't come off all that well. Whatever. Besides, it's Friday--people are having drinks (I know I'm about to in 2 hrs.) or eating pizza w/ the fam (that's what I we used to do when I was a kid--that was the Friday night "fun" meal) or whatever. The wingnuts are just hot in the ass to find something to bitch and moan about. We should all put them on mute.
And maybe they should spend their time trying to exercise some actual thought about why no one's buying what they're selling--unless it's Needless Markup to a fellow wingnut governor--instead of fellating the memory of a dead president.
November 7, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama desperately needs a nap. I'd say the substance was adequate or better, but he looked pretty uncomfortable, possible even sick behind the podium. His delivery seemed weak, perhaps thrown off by the campaign's weeks of stump-style speaking -- I'd say Obama's infamous professorial, roundabout manner of speaking was back in full swing.
This is nitpicking, but I wish they'd ditch this "Office of the President-Elect" nonsense. Branding and image are certainly important parts of presidential politics, but I think they can ease up a bit on those aspects of his transition. The imaginary office reminds me of that really embarrassing campaign presidential seal he spoke behind during his energy roundtable with Democratic governors a while back. Cool your jets image team! We're convinced he's the presidential type!
Still, a competent performance, and I look forward to seeing his administration continue to develop in the coming weeks.
November 7, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
An OOTPE logo is fine for a letterhead, foolish for a podium. I second the motion to ditch it.
November 7, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
He did fine. I think he was trying to strike a somber mood. The top issue was the economy and his economic advisory team was sitting up there with him. There's nothing cheery about what is going on with the markets and our economy. I think he was trying to convey as much seriousness as possible. But he did throw a joke or two in there. Above all, he appeared confident and competent. Like a leader. Like a president.
November 7, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
November 7, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
YAY!!!! A new topic! :-)
Seriously, I DVR'd the press conference and it's a definite keeper - I'll always be in awe of this great man!
November 7, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
"an historic moment," not "a". Nitpicky, I know. In other news, I think it was a great moment for Obama as well.
November 7, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, either works. You only need to use "an" when there's no H sound (e.g., "an honor"). In the case of historic, many people use "an" anyway, and so it's become an acceptable alternative.
November 7, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really liked it. He did a good job. He needs rest though. He should take the weekend off.
November 7, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure he'll sleep in, but I can imagine that it would impossible for him to just hang out and do nothing. His mind is probably going a thousand miles an hour.
November 7, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Read today that he will be going to Hawaii in December, as is needed for a couple of reasons. It did cross my mind that when "Toot" died as she did - rather, when she did - that it allowed him to have this time to focus on a solid start rather than rushing back to Hawaii. I'm sure HE would rather have had the chance to be with her some more, but maybe in some way she was making things a bit easier. (And she did, I heard, get to vote for him, having done so by early ballot!)
November 8, 2008 5:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would guess his obvious exhaustion is similar to the exhaustion we are experiencing only ten fold. Remember how the lack of adrenaline cause us, well at least me, to feel exhausted for a couple days. Imagine what kind of rush he had built up and then suddenly didn't have anymore.
November 7, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
The amount of attention and expectation from the MSM frankly seem premature and immature.
Why didn't he solve the economy yet, geez it's been more than 72 hours why haven't I recieved my free Pizza, soda and coconut cake delivered?
He is not kept his promises.
I hate him.
November 7, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure everytime he speaks to the press we'll get some comment like this one today:
The United States has only one government and one President, and until January 20th of next year, that government is the current Administration. I have spoken to President Bush, and I appreciate his commitment to ensuring that his economic policy team keeps us fully informed as developments unfold.
November 7, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
That made me laugh while sitting on my porch. The neighbors, again, are thinking I'm weird.
It's already day three, so where's the puppy, huh?
WHERE'S THE PUPPY?!?!!??!?!
November 7, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe they'll teach the puppy to growl and snarl when they say "Republican", "Conservative" or "Palin."
Just like Dana Parino (aka Queen Useless) taught her dog to snarl at the word "Clinton."
November 7, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's stumbling so badly out of the gate that I'm stunned he even managed to get elected.
It's been almost 72 hours since he was declared the winner, and the economic crisis hasn't even been solved yet. I'm deeply disappointed in him.
November 7, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't laugh - Fox News already claimed the stock market drop this week was all because of Obama!
F-in' IDIOTS!!
November 7, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention the climate's still warming up!!
November 7, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Take the weekend off sounds good,,,,, spend quality time adopting the first canine.
To keep things in balance going forth, perhaps Fridays could be 'Frump of the Week' day. Which of either Barney Frank or David Axelrod out frumps the other in a given week. Be a nice way to go into the next eight years of weekends.
November 7, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Curious why Josh seems to intimate that somehow Obama was asserting himself as some quasi-president in his post? It's in direct conflict with the article, headline on home page, and the substance of Obama's comments ("One President at a Time").
Was Josh at the same conference? Who needs a nap? I think it might be Josh Marshall :)
November 7, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
O/T -- I guess it's none of my (or anyone's) business, but any word that Obama will be going to Hawaii for the funeral services of his grandmother?
November 7, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only thing I've read so far is that he'll go some time before January for a memorial service.
November 7, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was kinda left wondering what he felt the value was of giving this press conference. Despite having that cadre of elite economic commandos behind him, he didn't really say anything about the economy that he hadn't already said during the campaign. But damn, it was good to see him in president-mode and being treated as such by the media-types.
November 7, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think he did it to set the tone for how he's going to govern. And he did that!
November 7, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Definitely.
November 7, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it was to reassure people (and the market) that he was engaged and working on solutions so that he could be ready to go on day one. Between the job losses and the market, people are getting pretty damn panicky.
November 7, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes plus he knows that this country cannot wait to see him take office and to get to work on this -
I don't expect everyone to swoon all the time over Obama - but goddamn, some of these comments are ridiculous.
It was the very first press conference he has given as president elect - will y'all please give him a break on his jokes? On whether he was tired? On whether he was maybe nervous to start with?
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit!
November 7, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, but let's not take every non-swooning statement as a direct attack on the Prez-elect. I'm ecstatic he's number 44, but too many "oh my gawd isn't he dreamy" comments and we turn into creepy kool-aid cultists.
November 7, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well if swooning over the president and his COS means I'm a cultist, then baby I'm a cultist.
Since when is saying: Whooee, he is hot! Being cultish?
I thought it was being alive.
;)
[ps. I already know I'm spending eternity on the 2d level of Dante's Hell - with the rest of the lustful and somehow I find it difficult to think that is a bad thing.]
November 7, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure he did. He said that the fiscal stimulus package was the most immediate item on the agenda and encouraged its passage even before he takes office. The sooner the better, he said.
In other words, he was saying to Bush, you might as well work with Congress and pass the thing because if you don't I'm going to do it anyway in a couple of months.
November 7, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
He had already voiced his support for it during the campaign, but it was good to hear him say he was going to make sure the financial institutions receiving the bailout would spend it appropriately. That spoke to the WTF reaction I had when I heard they were using the money to buy each other up.
November 7, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since when have I even bothered to remember when a presser was happening so that I could stream it in while I was working and become irritated at anything else that interupted focusing on what was being said?
Never.
1st presser. Great job O. Get some rest.
November 7, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
O/T -- I guess it's none of my (or anyone's) business, but any word that Obama will be going to Hawaii for the funeral services of his grandmother?
November 7, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since when have I ever bothered to remember when a presser was happening so that I could stream it live and be irritated when anything else diverts my attention from paying attention to what is being said?
Since when have I cared?
First presser. Great job O.
Get some rest.
November 7, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently the wingnuts are crying that he didn't call on a Fox reporter. What a shame :)
Who will be writing the Fox talking points next January?
November 7, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
HAHA - Think Progress just noted that Obama never called on Fox News during the Q&A today, even though they had a hand up the entire time!
Right on, O! Show those clowns they're not a legitimate news source!
November 7, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sure it would've gone like this:
*Obama calls on Fox News reporter*
Fox News Reporter: AYERS!
*pause*
Fox News Reporter: I didn't actually have a question.
*Reporter sits down*
November 7, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
They'll have plenty of time to ask him questions. Give them a couple of weeks and maybe they'll get beyond their Ayers fix. Of course, that's wishful thinking.
The presser was in Chicago and, if you noticed, he made a point of making sure that local reporters - at least two (Lynn Sweet was one of them) - got to ask a question. That's classy and respectful of his hometown.
November 7, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is! I like Lynn Sweet and the Sun-Times - they're more hardcore Chicago than the Tribune, which is more focused on the world.
November 7, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, for the past eight years, I forgot what it's like to have a president who is smarter than I am, and who I actually trust. This is all going to take some getting used to..lol.
November 7, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and who's actually President!
November 7, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who actually listens to the questions and then answers them.
November 7, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
And this is the question Lynn Sweet asked him:
How the fuck do you answer that?
Um, no, Lynn, I only conlsulted dead Presidents.
November 7, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm back, bitches.
who loves our president?
November 7, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I do! I do!
November 7, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love how his tone has changed since the campaign.
MFWIC
November 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, I haven't been called a bitch in...hours! :-)
November 7, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too! Me too!
It's just starting to sink in.
November 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
We do! We do!
O this T, but I posted it on another one after you ran off to do "real" things. I was looking at pictures of Rahm and Obama and I think I've got it figured out: you really love those brown bedroom eyes and dimples, don't you? :-)
November 7, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
The eyes, the skin, the hair - yeah.
Plus he does remind me of Ari Gold and I have a lot of affection for Ari Gold.
November 7, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
And when was the last time we even *enjoyed* looking at pictures of the Pres and his COS????
November 7, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
That question makes me fall out of my chair laughing.
Seriously - what's up with the Repugs - they are the least appealing bunch to look at - You just either instinctively want to draw your children closer to you or feel for your wallet the minute you see one of them.
November 7, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
You love Bush? Thanks for finally admitting it.
November 7, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too! Me too!
November 7, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect that in addition to general exhaustion and the overwhelming weight of it all actually upon him, we have to remember he's still in mourning. Losing his grandmother, who helped raise him, has to be part of his more somber demeanor. Anyone who has lost a parent knows how it changes you. And she really was his 2nd mother.
November 7, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes I do.
I really think he goes home at night and cries. He needs to and I bet he does.
November 7, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have made notice of Obama's slow and steady approach. This press conference was his first introduction. He is not one for the quick win, but rather he is a steady builder of familiarity. He will hold one or two more (which will then equal in number GW Bush's total in 8 years) before the inauguration. When he assumes office we will be comfortable and feel that he has been there all along. It a great method and it works.
I will say that it is nice to see a President-Elect that can communicate and be clear. The Nancy Reagan comment was wrong and I expect he will probably have to say something about it again. New President-Elect jitters, but not right anyway. He needs some time off.
November 7, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I took it that when he said "living" presidents, he was thinking to himself - well it's obvious they're living so that was kind of a stupid thing to say - and then made the Nancy Reagan joke to sort of poke fun at himself for saying "living" in the first place.
He could have made the same point about not participating in seances without mentioning Reagan, though.
But whatever, I don't give a crap. I'm just glad he's the one taking questions at this point.
November 7, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I second your entire post.
November 7, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
If he says something about it, he prolongs the faux controversy.
Jesus.
This is what people are talking about? Seriously?
November 7, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
So true. I find myself having a hard time shifting out of the campaign mode, where every comment is so heavily scrutinized and can actually cost votes.
November 7, 2008 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
What he said about Nancy is a fact.
Republicans avoid them like vampires avoid the day.
There will be a lot of poo-flinging monkeyshines.....
but when will that NOT be the case from these vote-suppressing folks?
November 7, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG LIGHTEN UP!!!
MUST WE BE SO FCKING PC?? jeezuz...
November 7, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
No we must not or I am leaving the liberal/progressive movement forever.
I HATE PC. IT'S A SOUL KILLER!
November 7, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Evidently.
If this is how people are going to react, I'm outta here.
November 7, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
A mutt like me?
Does that mean he thinks Michelle is a bitch?
November 7, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's not anti-PC, that's just straight up asshole, that comment is.
November 7, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
In typical liberal fashion you have zero sense of humor.
November 7, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
She'll have a sense of humor, as will I and everyone else in here, when we read something FUNNY! What you wrote above was probably hilarious to you, but we found it insulting!
I'm all for non-PC banter, but when you insult someone you supposedly support, like THE FIRST LADY, then that's something else entirely - bad taste!
November 7, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another glum liberal. Shocking.
November 7, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only bitch is Sarah Palin. And we all know who the bastard will soon be! LOL!
November 7, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why are you wearing a Groucho mask in your avatar?
November 7, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Won't even ask whose knob you're smoking in your avatar!
November 7, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's Josh Marshall in the avatar BTW.
November 7, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're just not very bright, are you?
November 7, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, I hope you're kidding - everyone is really starting to get overly PC in here for my taste.
November 7, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not I.
November 7, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, but I suspect you're the only one on this board who can - and does - lick his own balls.
November 7, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well at least I have a pair.
November 7, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard three.
November 7, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's because I'm from Krypton. And BTW, that are no black guys there.
November 7, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tryin' to establish some racist cred, there?
November 7, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, he actually thinks that makes him sound cool.
November 7, 2008 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who knows. Maybe he's Foghat in disguise.
November 7, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
video added everyone
November 7, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's OK, guys. Joe Klein at Swampland gives Obama a big star for a great presser. He even thought the "mutt" comment "was just delightful". Joe didn't see any gaffes, which I guess would include the Nancu Reagan reference. "Obama said nothing controversial, so far as I can tell."
November 7, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joe Klein is on drugs.
November 7, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Every single comment you've made translates thusly:
Sucks to be me now.
That's all you're saying.
November 7, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's going to be so great to have a president who actually takes the problems of this country seriously.
Getting a little of ahead of the curve, I'm looking forward to his first state of the union address. I'm even going to watch it.
November 7, 2008 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Bush took the problems seriously, he was just corrupt and incompetent.
November 7, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I loved it!
November 7, 2008 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pretty damn impressive that the entire press corps stood up when Obama entered the room. Nice respectful touch.
November 7, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't it? He noticed too. I just loved it.
Wow - is everybody on planet begging him to just take over or what?
LOL!!
November 7, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Overall Obama did well. Not every thing he said was perfect but Obama gets an "A" because it was a dramatic improvement over Bush. I like the "Mutt" comment. It was self-depracating.
I felt that Obama was the president already.
November 7, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did anyone notice something about the press conference? I am talking about the reporters Obama called on.
He called on...AP, NBC, ABC, CBS, Chicago news papers,CNN and New York Times.
November 7, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
As expected, a fine and very encouraging start to what I hope will be a very successful presidency.
The only thing that bugged me was his use of "enormity" for "immensity." "Enormity" is imprecisely used to mean "great size," as in : it is difficult to comprehend the enormity of the continent, but the original and preferred meaning is 'extreme wickedness,' as in : the enormity of the mass murders. To indicate enormous size, the words enormousness, immensity, vastness, hugeness, etc., are preferable.
But the press conference was otherwise wonderful.
November 7, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently Obama called Nancy Reagan and apologized for his quip. According to press reports they had a great conversation.
November 7, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Which of course won't defuse the ire of the wingnutosphere, but it was a gracious (if not really necessary) thing to do.
And as much as I dislike that old monster, I suspect that Nancy Reagan would have laughed at the joke too, this long removed from the actual events that led her to consult the astrologer. It's not like he said she had palled around with terrorists.
November 7, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I bet they did -- and that Nancy voted for him, too!! Her disdain for McCain could not have been more obvious. I'm sure she would rather be getting calls from Obama, whatever the reason. (That's the same way he handled his inadvertent reference to a female reporter as 'sweetie' - immediate personal phone call to the only person who might legitimately be affected.)
November 8, 2008 5:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama needs a LOT of practice with this forum. He looked and sounded incredibly nervous and his stilted delivery, stuttering and long pauses were painful to watch.
I'm sure he'll get better with time, but damn, he needs the practice!
November 7, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's been 3 days. My goodness.
November 7, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's had this problem a lot longer than 3 days. I saw several interviews with him during the primary that were so full of pauses, "ummms" and non-answer, answers, that listening to him literally made me wince.
November 7, 2008 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually I thought that Obama did great. He is just going to get better and better.
November 7, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Most Overanalyzed Presser Ever.
November 7, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
D76, we're still comin' down from Tuesday. It's like we dropped *way* too much acid and the trip is lasting four days instead of one. The unadulterated joy has given way to a hyperactive sensory system that just won't quit; I'm still seeing trails!
November 7, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm guessing you're right. In a glass-half-full kinda way, having this many people this engaged in the process can't be a bad thing. I hope this presser is getting overanalyzed in bars and barbershops as well.
November 8, 2008 3:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
It seems that he's not going to apply cronyism to his choices for his cabinet. I have hope the he will be a great President. He reads about former Presidents. He's probably the most intelligent President in modern history. A critical thinker to boot. I like that he is not rushing. After all, he has a bit time to make the right decisions.
He isn't a socialist but given the state of our nation he could steer more to the left. He will be a very hands on President, unlike Bush. Bush allowed his staff to steer him since he had no real interest in governing. Obama has seem this and will run his Adminstration like he did his campaign.
I am cautiously optimistic but look forward to seeing how this new chapter unfold. Yes, we can!
November 7, 2008 9:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Buyer's remorse!
I was thrilled and relieved at the election outcome, but after listening to Senator Obama speak at his press conference today, I am crestfallen. He said, if I remember correctly, "President Bush has invited Michelle and I to the White House." I am not upset about the invitation, and though I don't much like the current WH occupant, I don't object to President-elect and Mrs. Obama visiting. The problem is the grammar. Please, somebody remind Sen. Obama that the correct form is "invited Michelle and _me_ . . ."
I'm just kidding about the "buyer's remorse," but as a professional editor I always seek grammatical perfection--and with Senator Obama, I almost always get it!
November 8, 2008 1:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wouldnt it be nice if Obama (and his cabinet members) took a pay cut (say 30%) for the first 6 months while in office? It would send a very powerful message symbolically...that Obama shares America's pain ..and that would encourage maybe the super rich in the USA to give up part of their salary. Most of the people in Obama's cabinet are fairly rich already before they got into office and enjoy fabulous perks...taking a small pay cut would send a very powerful message to Americans as well as shut up all the right wingers pie hole about who is more elitist.
-- tom
November 8, 2008 3:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great press conference. Interesting that Obama cut it off when the questions started to stray into frivolous territory.
I was struck by how exhausted O looked. His eyes were rather sunken and had dark circles under them. Hopefully, he can get at least 2-3 days of down time to recoup. After all, he was right when he said we can have only one president at a time and his turn starts on 1/20/09.
A great as O is, he is not a super-human.
November 8, 2008 4:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
TheraP asks "Since when have we looked forward eagerly to a presser? .... "
It's been so long I can barely recall .... Actually, it was a Bush press conference in early 2004 that sort of "woke me up" to what a travesty it had all become. (And yes, I kept the Q & A because it had such an effect on me.) GWB was asked why he was insisting that he and Cheney had to be interviewed by the 9/11 Commission together, not separately, as the commission had requested. And his answer was
"because the 9/11 Commission wants to ask us questions, that's why we're meeting. And I look forward to meeting with them and answering their questions."
The reporter then repeated that he was asking **WHY** they refused to meet with the commission separately, as had been requested, and Bush "clarified" his remark (heavy sarcasm) by saying
"Because it's a good chance for both of us to answer questions that the 9/11 Commission is looking forward to asking us, and I'm looking forward to answering them."
I lost it! Simply lost it. Hadn't fully realized until that moment what utter contempt Bush had for our intelligence .... and how thoroughly he had emasculated the press that they would meekly accept bilge like that! ... how words had lost all meaning. And only got more enraged when I looked for press reports and no one thought it worth a mention, or noted how he gave a "typical" non-answer or lauded the reporter for so bravely pressing the matter. (I'm old enough to remember Sam Donaldson and Dan Rather at pressers -- the poor, scared reporter mildly repeating his question was not "pressing" the matter!)
I hope Obama realizes that when people pick apart and react to his every word at these events, it's really a compliment because it will mean that they/we are once again **listening** to what a President has to say! What an amazing concept.
November 8, 2008 5:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
i got teary-eyed on tuesday night because a black man had been elected president.
but what really choked me up was that america had overwhelmingly voted for reason, intellect, humanity, empathy, and compassion in their leader. i got my first taste (in a loooong time) of seeing those qualities in a president yesterday during the press conference.
it's still sort of hard to accept that this is really happening. i feel like a dog that has been repeatedly beaten -- it takes a long time before the dog stops cowering when someone raises their hand to pet him. my trust in voters and the presidency has been severely compromised and it's going to take some time before i'm comfortable again, but it's nice to be back in a loving family again.
November 8, 2008 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
You just got teary eyed on Tuesday night? I get up every morning and cry. Just sat out on the portal and cried. I get up and say O my god we did it, and I cry - a few tears anyway.
I guess I'll get used to it eventually.
November 8, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Symptoms of clinical depression.
I always thought you were on drugs. Apparently you need some.
November 8, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just keep posting comments - all you're saying is "Sucks to be me.
And I get that very well.
November 8, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's going to be an awesome leader. After all the "palling around with terrorist" Caribou Barbie and John McShame tried to throw at him...very few people bought it. And finally Bill Ayers finally speaks
November 9, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink