Obama Urges Congress To Move On Economic Plan (VIDEO)

CHICAGO — President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday urged Congress to get moving next week on an economic rescue plan that would extend jobless benefits among other actions.

"If Congress does not pass an immediate plan that gives the economy the boost it needs, I will make it my first order of business as president," Obama said in his Democratic Party's weekly radio address.

The radio address was also videotaped and being posted online through a YouTube link to Obama's transition Web site, . The president-elect plans to continue to record online videos of the addresses after he takes the oath of office Jan. 20. http://www.change.gov

WATCH ADDRESS

Obama said he was pleased President George W. Bush brought world leaders to Washington to discuss turmoil in the financial markets, "because our global economic crisis requires a coordinated global response."

Obama stressed the importance of creating jobs in the United States and helping to relieve the nation's economic distress.

Digging the country out of tough times will require people to pitch in and look after each other, in addition to long-term investments such as making health care affordable and rebuilding the nation's infrastructure, he said.

"Make no mistake: This is the greatest economic challenge of our times," Obama said. "And while the road ahead will be long, and the work will be hard, I know that we can steer ourselves out of this crisis because here in America we always rise to the moment, no matter how hard. And I am more hopeful than ever that America will rise once again."

Comments

[rwellsrwells]

Thank God it was only 3 and a half minutes. I don't know what else he could have said, but the campaign is over, and another stump speech is more depressing than inspiring. Really, hearing about what color they're going to paint the kids' rooms would have been more interesting. Yes, I voted for him, don't regret it for a minute, but - new material, please!

[Octoberon]

For those of us outside the USA who didn't get very involved in the campaign, that was a very enlightening three and half minutes.

[LesaLesa]

You didn't have to listen to it all. Instead of weekly radio addresses like Bush, he's going to also do video addresses. If you don't want to listen, turn it off and quit complaining. He can't give new material until he's President. He can only re-assure at this time.

[rollingdivision]

What? He should have tons of new ideas, policies and directions he can talk about and set the stage.

[rmetz74]

Maybe it wasn't for you. Maybe it was for the millions of Americans who didn't vote for him, who haven't heard this yet - those he addressed in his acceptance speech - because they were busy watching McCain on Fox.

You're not going to like everything he does. That doesn't mean he should stop doing it.

[raop]

The problem with his position is that he really cannot give more than a stump speech now. Any policy decision he reveals now will fly in the face of one president at a time argument. What he is doing is the right thing. Bide his time and use this time to come up with some logical proposals. It was smart of him to not attend the G-20 summit. All the focus would have been on him and he would be blamed by the right for grandstanding on the world stage before he is president. It is too early to say anything about his presidency right now. need to give him 2 years at least before asessing him. His agenda as Christiane Amanpour put it is an agenda from hell. He defintiely deserves credit for putting himself on the line to shoulder the nation's responsibilities. it is really irritating to see these so called TV experts like Morning Joe ,Lou Dobbs and rest of the crap sit and try to rip him apart. if they feel they have the solutions to this whole crisis, then go ahead and apply fo ra job in his govt. and show how it is done. No....all they want is their cushy studio jobs where they sit and yap endlessly with no substance. Before calling him an empty suit, all these so called empty suits should land up in govt. and show what they can do.

[bevmanwarren]

The camera person in me wants to....PAN RIGHT!

~GBBO~ (God Bless Barack Obama)

[bradr]

Well....I am a cameraman and having him to the right is called....composition. This is actually properly composed except for the headroom. They actually should have tilted down a bit, maybe that is what bothered you subconciously.

[psy]

Totally agree. The subject should never be in the center. Especially with 16x9

[LesaLesa]

Today America is lying on her back looking up. I've always been told,

"If You Can Look Up, You Can Get Up."

And if it takes "A Team Of Rivals" to get this country back on it's feet, I say, Go For It.
I'm behind you all the way, President Elect Obama.

[GQB]

While I think this is a terrific idea, if only to make the statement about being in touch, the context seems 'off' for some reason.
Is it just me, or is the tried-and-true American flag and desk just seem to conflict with the medium?
He should experiment with different formats.
- Walking about the grounds.
- on a couch
- (retro) alongside a fireplace.

The desk just seems wrong.

[aOsO]

You're reading to much into this, just let the man talk to his supporters, thank you.

[Eriq]

Sure, but the great thing is... Obama's not just talking to his supporters any more. He's now president, and is talking to EVERYONE!! Whee!!!!

[Sparky123]

Petty! What he is saying is much more important than where he sits, for heaven sake. These are serious times and his words are what we need to hear.

[biglover]

I agree Sparky some people just have to pick on everything. GQB go back to sleep and wake up on the right side of the bed wlll you please!!!

[janfin]

I agree.

[Tunghoy]

Here are some other suggestions of where he could give his talks from:

* While running on a treadmill
* Looking for empty boxes for packing his stuff
* While playing hoops
* Skydiving (requires mic with windscreen)
* From the supermarket, while buying groceries
* At the fish store (could slap Republicans with a mackerel)
* Shopping for xmas presents at Target...or FAO Schwartz in NY
* At a gas station......could talk about energy
* While making the bed....could talk about domestic issues

[NotMcCain]

That's funny. (But is it wrong that I'd love to see Obama and family doing ALL those things?)

I think GQB's point is valid that this is a good use of YouTube, but I hope they don't always use the same "presidential talk" static presentation.

Is it a small point compared to content? Yes. Are these innovative people likely to innovate in the presentation style, too? Yes.

but it still was an interesting point--that 21st century technology seems to need something (not sure what) a bit different from the old fashioned "desk-flag-books-speech" combo.

Anyway, Great idea to use YouTube and get it viewed by a lot more people, world-wide. I'm sure that will come in handy when he has different kinds of messages to get out as President. (62 days? Can't come soon enough).

[Dynamohum]

Why don't you go back to communist china? That is either where you are from or where you belong!

[starboymikey]

* Looking for empty boxes for packing his stuff

That should be Bush

* Skydiving

Bush again, but without the parachutte

[AnalyzeIT]

Freakin "A", this is his first. Did you want him to do all that you suggest in the 3 plus minutes.

Besides right now one should be listening to the message..........

Most American - shallow!!!

[Dynamohum]

Mr China, why don't you bite us Americans? Bite me....do you hear? Go someplace else. Stop impeding progress Mr Shallow.

[progressive83]

He'll be in the oval office soon enough, don't worry.

[solarwindmilly]

We must not as a nation forget the role the high cost of our dependence on foreign fuel played in the demise of our automakers. The exorbitant cost of gas the past year has done serious damage to our economy and society. We need to take lessons from our mistakes.WE also need to get out from under the grip our dependence on fore gin oil has on us. Why not take some of these billions and invest in America becoming energy independent. Driving an electric car would cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon. The electricity could be generated by solar or wind power. Green technology would create millions of badly needed new jobs. What America needs is a green revolution. It is time for us to move forward with alternative energy. I just read Jeff Wilson's new book The Manhattan Project of 2009. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about the downward spiral of our economy and it's effect on our society and would like to see our country become energy independent!

[jakie]

THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT

[gladys46]

Thank you P.E. Obama ! You sure have moved a nation!! Suddenly, republicans know the meaning of non-partisanship ... mostly where it relates to you chosing your own administration ! Amazing !

[Makesense]

Please select Bill Richardson as your Secretary of State. F Hillary Clinton. She is a neocon on Foreign policy. Voted on an unjust war that has lead to the death of our fellow, innocent Americans and many civillians. Leave her in the senate to work on healthcare. Period.

[Grlcajun]

I second this request...we need her on healthcare...and Richardson Rocks

[OhioJan]

I "third" that request!

[rjaya]

Well, addressing through youtube itself is a good change!!

[DFL]

I'M SO PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN AGAIN!

[ROCKETSENSE]

The bad news : Obama will be under a microscope and held to a higher standard than any President in History.

The good news: Obama is not only capable of meeting this challenge but giving time will exceed them as long as we remain vigilant and realize that we all must do our part to let him know that he is not fighting this battle alone.

Let , the likes of sean handitty , ruse limbuse , kneel booze, etc. wallow in their own smear and fear rhetoric. They are no longer longer relevant .

God Bless America
God Bless President Obama

[carljr]

Investing in Ameria = Investing in each of us. Less than 70 days till we reach the edge of the Bush desert and re-start the train to the 21st century. Spot on!

[TLCB]

I just love that man

[save1nj]

can we get more specific senator? otherwise, nice job. i'm a believer.

[justjojo]

I think his title at the moment is "President-Elect." Wasn't he resigning his senate post this weekend?

[jeanne193]

President-elect Obama, lead and I will follow. You have my trust and support. I am so proud of our country and our new president!!