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

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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

[mimigrammy]

Well, after 8 years of GW, it is somewhat strange listening to a man who can speak without mangling the English Language and manage to communicate a clear message in the process. I look forward to January 20.

[Cookie100]

An American Green Energy Economy, right on Pr. President!

Thank you America, you elected the PEOPLES PRESIDENT! Someone who knows what it's like not to be wealthy, to live on food stamps, to go without like so many Americans.

And yet, West Virginia and the poorest states, who will benefit from his presidency refused to vote for him, and probably will not vote to re elect him!

The poorest and most uneducated still believe the Republican mantra. Wrap the bible in the flag, and proclaim the patriotic Christian values, vote for us, we'll keep you safe and we're the patriots. WHAT A LOT OF HOOEY! Ah, 9-11 happened when the Hedge was Pres, if it had been Gore, we would never had heard the end of it!
But then, it probably wouldn't have happened, get my drift!

[MsMike]

Let us please address all citizens with respect, even those who didn't vote for President-Elect Obama. If we can do that, there is a greater chance that they will listen to us and to him.

People who feel respected, are more likely to open their minds to change.

[jashbowie]

A video fireside chat is so blazingly obvious, yet it took BHO to implement it. Clinton built a bridge to the 21st century where BushCo. set up huge roadblocks, but Obama has already started clearing the way and soon we will be cruising into the future....­!

[indypete]

Roadblocks? Bushco have been busily building a bridge to the 12th century!

[thelegacymaker]

Thanks for keeping us all in the loop, Mr. POTUS-E. Not even officially in the White House, yet already running things. You are totally awesome.

[phredralf]

The set is pretty bad, he also had a terrible, fake background on The Daily Show. (I think) Maybe he'll do it from the White House when the time comes, but these cheesy sets are distracting.
Other than the minutia, I'm all ears and wholeheartedly excited about the coming administration, change has indeed arrived.

[bby328]

cheesy . . . maybe a fieplace wood help.

although the flag, law books and his back to the wall . . . just like the rest of US

go Obama.

[amistad]

Bad set? Who cares?

[indypete]

The set ain't the point, dude.

[Petey131]

This is great. The weekly radio address really didn't work for me. Now I can hear and see the President when I want. Thank you Mr. Obama! President-Elect!

[bby328]

The only thing not possible for President-elect Obama
no matter how hard he tries . . . he can never be . . .
the worst President in our country's history.

[indypete]

If we elected Peter Griffin or Homer Simpson you could say the same thing!

[qxav949]

He is itching to get at this. I can hear it in his pleas to Congress. When he reiterates parts of his stump speech, "...steer ourselves out..." etc., he is begging us to hold the strain if possible. God, I wish Jan. 20th was tomorrow. I'd gladly skip Christmas this year, after all it's not going to be that merry.
Help and competence is coming, people. It's coming.

[qxav949]

Help and competence are coming people. They're coming.

[ckfan]

I agreed. When he visited the White House you could see how engaged and energetic he was. He did all the talking and Bush did the listening. He can't wait to get into that chair. It will be tough and he can't do much in the next 4 to 6 months, but 2 years from now, we will feel and see a difference.

[3rdCitizen]

Somehow, some way, Limbaugh, Hannity & O'Reilly will interpret this as being a declaration of dangerous, anti-American socialism!

[bluesteel]

How about this:

Obama says we should "rise together" SOCIALIST!!1!! I don't want to rise together, I want to rise ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE!

[kimleehan]

Join the military, Be all you can. Rise up through the ranks Rise above and lead..

[rasit]

Let the detracters carry on, but the American people will see through them when the real CHANGE
comes to us under the Obama administration.

[rollingdivision]

This is weak, it's static and non interactive. How about a real weekly news conference answering questions, clarifying policy, explaining issues, etc?

[demandfortruth]

he can't...he­'s not president

[spiritualized]

i don't know. after 8 years of incompetence and mysteriousness, i will gladly accept this style of communication.

[rollingdivision]

Carping about Bush now no longer cuts it, President elect Obama must lead and be judged on his own, not in comparison to Bush or McCain. Taping a weekly video is no better than Bush taping a weekly radio message. Not one bit. He's an excellent speaker so why not hold regularly scheduled press conferences instead, maybe once a month?

[DBtv]

How about giving Barack a chance to get moved into the White House before you start nit picking the pace of change?

Progress is actually being made for the first time in decades.

Support Obama!

[rollingdivision]

Soon his supporters will be saying wait a year, wait a couple of years, then it will be in the second term. No, the presidency isn't an internship, he's on now.

[mick7191]

I am sure it is in the cards. Like he says, only one president at a time.

[skunky93]

your comment is weak.

We've never had this much contact initiated from their side to reach us. I'm grateful to see a new approach that is designed to talk to us on a consistent basis.

You're complaining because you want more, its not good enough?

tsk. please.

You're one of those.

Can't see the tree from the forest.

[dutchess2]

Didja hear?

White House security caught a man crawling over the fence... pulled him down and wrestled him to the ground.

Reporters arrived in time to hear them say:

"No, Mr. President, you have two more months, you can't leave yet."

We have to wait... but January is coming!

[indypete]

ROFLMFAO!

[DAE]

Hallelujah!!!

[firewmn]

I love this idea.. I can watch and listen when I have time..!! Perfect idea for the American people to get reconnected to the President's job..
**

[SeanGardner]

B-rock's going to have a great presidency. He's innovative, visionary, and inclusive. EVerything he's implementing is just building the excitement.

[jumperpin]

Just 66 days, 2 hours and 14 mins....

But please, stop pretending that employers aren't hiring because we don't have more formal schooling.

[bluesteel]

education = more long-term
if there is going to be a green energy economy, it's gonna need a workforce