Barack Obama's Press Conference
Talks Economy, Takes Shot at Nancy Reagan
There was not much in the way of news made at the Obama press conference, aside from a shot taken at an old lady named Nancy Reagan. The majority of the questions were about the current economic situation and what Obama intends to do about it. The short answer appears to be the enactment of some kind of economic stimulus package, the shape of which is unclear.
Some components of the economic stimulus package were discussed. There will be some kind of bailout for the automobile companies that will force them to make fuel efficient cars. There will be an extension of unemployment benefits. There will be some kind of "rescue package" for the middle class.
Barack Obama took a cheap shot at former first lady Nancy Reagan, suggesting that she held séances. This was in response to a question of consulting former Presidents. No doubt this will cause Barack Obama's unsavory image among conservative Americans to be soiled even more, at least until and if Obama apologizes.
Barack Obama's stimulus package will be worked on by his team of economic advisors over the next several weeks and will be among the first initiatives of his administration should a lame duck session of Congress fail to pass one of their own. Barack Obama claimed that he was giving a "net tax cut" to the middle class, a claim made dubious by the fact that the Bush tax cuts are due to expire in 2010 and Obama shows no inclination to extending them.
The stimulus package will likely be very light on tax cuts and very heavy on spending. That is the nature of what comes out of Democratic administrations. They prefer spending to tax cuts.
Barack Obama dodged a question about meeting with the leaders of Cuba, Iran, and other rogue countries. He dodged another question about a letter of congratulations sent to him by President Ahmadinejad of Iran, which must prove somewhat embarrassing considering that Iran is an enemy of the United States.
The questions from the media were not very contentious, unlike those given to Republicans, and the answers (save the shot at Nancy Reagan) were not very alarming. The media will declare the Obama press conference a success, inevitably.
Source: Obama: This Is The Greatest Economic Challenge, CBS, November 7th, 2008
Published by Mark Whittington
Mark R. Whittington is a writer residing in Houston, Texas. He is the author of The Last Moonwalker, Children of Apollo, Dark Sanction, and Nocturne. He has written numerous articles, some for the Washington... View profile
- Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Package Seems UnlikelyAny potential for a bipartisan economic stimulus package seems to have drowned during the past two days of House floor debate.
- President Bush Announces Economic Stimulus PackageDuring a live address to the nation this morning, President George W. Bush Jr. announced the pending implementation of an economic stimulus package to assist Americans facing economic woes.
- Obama Press Conference to Have Economic FocusOne of Barack Obama's top priorities is to put an economic team together quickly to solve the financial crisis. He will address that today in his first press conference as President-elect.
- Mutts Line Highlights Obama Press ConferenceThe talk of Barack Obama's first press conference was how he described animal shelter dogs as "mutts like me"- a racial connotation which Obama was actually able to poke fun at.
- Obama Press Conference on Iran, Health Care, Other IssuesPresident Barack Obama had a press conference in which he offered stronger language, albeit in a measured tone, on Iran than he has had previously. But then, in some of the answers to questions, President Obama tempor...
- First Press Conference: President-Elect Barack Obama Meets the Press
- Obama Press Conference: What Would You Have Asked?
- Biggest Obama Press Conference Story May Be Overlooked
- Economic Stimulus Package Gets a Go-Ahead
- $8,000 Homebuyer Credit Lands in Economic Stimulus Package, Replaces $15,000 Credit
- Obama Rips Republicans on Economic Stimulus Package
- President Obama Makes Sense on Economic Stimulus Package
10 Comments
Post a Commentthank you for the information .Hi guys,drug interventions for drug addiction and alcohol abuse to help individuals with behavior problems relating to drugs, alcoholism, and prescription pills.
__________________________________________
jackie
Drug Intervention Missouri
The past eight years were far more offensive than an off-hand comment about Nancy Reagan and seances. To his credit, Obama promptly apologized. But, this gaffe pales in comparison to the two wars this country was plunged into, the crippling economic crisis we're facing and the record deficits left behind by the current Administration. These are the issues that directly affect ALL OF US!!!
The Nancy Raegan comment was a mistake in that it was something people whom already have a low opinion of Obama could dwell on (as they have here), it obviously wasn't an intentional attack on her. I find it distressing how focused people are on comments like these rather than anything of actual substance that was discussed during this important press conference.
I find it more distressing that 'news' articles this poorly written and blatantly biased are showing up on search engines at all.
The press conference went very well for Obama in my eyes, although I worry about how much he is focusing on the middle class in a way that can leave others feeling alienated. The majority of Americans may fall into that middle class category, but we shouldn't forget to take everyone into consideration when making economic strategies.
Mark, I saw the conference and your article is an accurate representation of what happened and was said. And WCB, Why does it make you so angry for people to tell the truth? Is the truth that awful for you? I hope you get well soon.
Arent't you a poor loser?
I was really surprised by the Nancy Reagan comment, I thought it was snarky. Kind of a low blow, unexpected and inappropriate. I also say that in a non partisan way. I know that it was meant as humorous, but it lacked respect, for a former First Lady in poor health, IMHO. Maybe he's just really tired, he looked exhausted to me. i think he should have thought first before that offhand remark, I was also taught to respect my elders, and found it really disrespectful.
On a lighter note, congrats! You were picked up by google news and I found your story in the search results there today.
Obama...stick to the freaking issues and leave a little old lady alone. This is going to be a long four years!!!!
People relax... it was a little levity.... He didn't slam Nancy Regan.
I read Reagan wasn't interested in the big public platform that her husband Ronald's presidency gave her. Rather, her interest was literally running the home, and her ultimate influence was on her own husband. Like you, President Reagan would often spoon with the lady and engulf her man parts with promised lips. All aboard!
whoa, I missed the Nancy Reagan dig, but he did call himself a mutt. I agree, it was a disrespectful jab at her and I say that not as a partisan, but as someone who was taught to respect her elders. The poor woman is not in the best of health either - she just fell recently I believe.