Obama To Meet With Congressional Leaders On Economy

President-elect Barack Obama plans to meet on Monday with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to discuss their legislative agendas including how to jump-start the struggling U.S. economy, a congressional aide said on Thursday.

Obama will meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and then they will hold a second meeting with Republican leaders Rep. John Boehner and Sen. Mitch McConnell, the aide said on the condition of anonymity.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[FebM]

Its the beginning of the fourth republic, it happens every 72 +/- a few yrs - 1st from Washington to Lincoln, 2nd from Abe to FDR- 3rd from FDR to GW. Welcome to thr 4th Republic with Obama-08

[hortonhearsawho2]

I forget the Black candidates names in those races...

[VSamuels]

One of the chief things Obama will face is the ole worn argument of the republicans for 'small government' cheered by the foaming idiots in right hate radio. The very simplistic plea for small government ignores the more salient goal of having government work, be competent and responsible, as well as having inherent mechanisms to hold its players accountable to the people who have ultimately elected them. Obama faces down these knee-jerks and their ploys because for too long, because implicit in the republicans' argument for small government is the manner in which their dislike of government is linked to non-whites, and programs necessary to address societal needs from decades of legal discrimination.

The entire appeal for small v. large is not only irresponsible but meant to imply that government not resolve issues it was elected to confront; thus, government is to operate at a superficial level as more citizens fall below poverty, while those at the top cheat, steal, lie and manipulate government levers to ignore them breaking rules. The only question becomes at what point does republican governance for the 1% ignite into open social chaos---or is it all along their goal to push the nation into a fascist state?

[rabiddog6708]

Obama needn't bother......Bu$h still has 19 days to turn the economy around.....the man has never let us down before.......everything should be great by the time Obama takes the oath on 1-20-09.

[KillBillV2]

Is it just me or does the Huffington post keep posting pictures of Obama and Nancy Pelosi in an "awkward" position? Just like this picture for this story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/28/dems-readying-health-spen_n_146958.html

[UncommonSenz]

I thought the same thing. It's like they look for pics from some angle that create that same impression.

[iblog]

Well, the man is charming enough to be enamored with.

But dignified enough to be respected.

[wembakoy]

Good move because it is time to build this country love so much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a08L8fcNZLk

[Rightone11]

PE Obama has already lied. And many progressives are so willing to put that aside. Ok , fine. Let's put it aside. Now, what do we have left to go on? His record? Non-existant. His opinions? Also non-existant in most cases. He is an empty suit. And unfortunatley, this empty suit is now going to be POTUS. The sucess of this country is directly tied to Obama. I do not want Obama to fail because I do not want my country to fail. I pray every night for Obama and Bush. I just want Obama to quit hiding behind this "Only one president at a time" b s. Come out and make a statement on the Middle East situation. Do SOMETHING~I am not saying to get involved in foreign policy. He made a statement during the campaign that he could reiterate. He needs to do this...now! For our country's sake, Israel's sake, and his sake~

[rockyb26]

how much do they pay you for being a tr0ll? must be lucrative because you're insatiable.

[Rightone11]

I am merely stating my opinion. And I am not the only one that feels this way. Get over it~

[UncommonSenz]

"I just want Obama to quit hiding behind this "Only one president at a time" b s."

Yeah.. that stupid constitution that only creates one president at a time! Hey.. lets ALL be president right now!!!!

Like it or not, you have only one president right now. That president will change on Jan 20th, as stated in the US Constitution, and not a moment before. And he cannot "do something" until he takes office.

Those are facts. Objective, stand on there own, irrefutable facts.

The only "BS" is your use of the 48.4% figure for McCain's vote total. Still haven't told us exactly where you pulled that number out of..

[KillBillV2]

Are your parents siblings?

[UncommonSenz]

Yeah, I don't think his family tree forks all that much...

[rockyb26]

Texas' general election results:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25381335

read 'em and weep...

[UncommonSenz]

I love it!

So let's recap.

WrongOne says McCain got 48.4% of the vote. Which is wrong.

He says Houston went for McCain, when it was Obama 51%, McCain 49%.

You know, if wrongone is so upset by Obama, I think that means he will do just fine!

[vjoseph]

Oh put a sock in it!

[cantstopme2019]

We all need to get over the lies being told and believed

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coyote2012/3156957479/

[BabsfromKansas]

You need to stop spamming!

[Rightone11]

What are you referring to? The picture or the camera that took it?

[BabsfromKansas]

18 more days!~

[UncommonSenz]

I'll be there... probably on the Lincoln Memorial side, staring at a jumbotron and not even able to see the Capitol... but I will BE there!

[BabsfromKansas]

I'll see you there then! I'll be the one in the red hat :)

[VikingQuest]

LOL . . . hopefully he isn't looking for help from the Congressional leaders because then we know we're in real trouble.

[KCFreedom]

Obama is meeting with the wrong people. These people are among the enablers of the bad economy.

How come he isn't meeting the Congressmen who are RIGHT about the economy like Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul (and several others)? Why are they still marginalized?

He might as well meet with the CEOs of the failing banking institutions, like the Congress and Senate committee leadership did.

[Rightone11]

Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are looney-tunes. NO ONE listens to either one of these extremists~

[rockyb26]

or you

[harriscrl3]

Um because they are NOT leaders in the House or the Senate. What good is meeting with Kucinich and Ron Paul going to do for Obama as far as having his package ready to sign ASAP. Its just a waste of time.

Carol

[KCFreedom]

No, but they do have the ability to cut through the B.S. of conventional wisdom.

Once the ideas are compiled, then go to the Senate and House leadership to get something done. Just going to them isn't going to change anything. They certainly won't pass along anything from members outside the matrix.

[VOTER]

PE Obama will tell the GOP "leadership" the truth.

ALL 50 STATES ARE FACING PART OF BUSH'S LEGACY - KATRINA STATUS.

[Rightone11]

Not the state I live in. We aren't in debt. And we have a republican governor plus 2 republican US senators. What state can you say that about that is all democrat? Not one ~

[UncommonSenz]

Oh yeah, it is ONLY the states with democrats that are hurting.

Like Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Oklahoma.

I know you are all bitter from the elections, but try to at least keep some sort of foothold in reality.

[FebM]

Its a Katrinatitis cross the nation

[Rightone11]

Pelosi, Reed, McConnel, and all of the rest are in for a wake up call if they think they will be in charge. Obama will be the SOLE person calling the shots. And to tell you the truth, this is almost as bad as ALL of them being in charge. I don't know whether to be happy or sad about this~

If Obama comes across as a strong POTUS (which I doubt), we may be ok. If he comes across as NOT being able to make a decision (which I think will be the case), we are in deep doo-doo~

[LeftCoastLarry]

You seem to contradict yourself. First you imply that Obama will be strong ("SOLE person calling the shots") and then you imply that he will be weak ("NOT being able to make a decision").

Which is it?

[Rightone11]

Both. Obama IS spinless. And Obama will be the one calling all the shots. He is NOT what one would call "a strong president", once his 4 years are over. The decisions he will make are not going to be what one would call "courageous" or even "strong". He is too busy worrying what the world thinks of him~

[Dupree]

There is a proverb that says "soft words breaketh bones." People continually think that Obama is 'not' strong because he does not exhibit the same behavior pattern that we seem to describe in terms of "strength", however, he may be far more stronger than we realize...just using different tactics and tools that we have not attributed to strength...he fought against the Clintons which is no small or weak posture. He simply used a different method of strength that we may not be accustomed to....he is quite a different kind of poliitican. He fight back differently with tools that are not familiar to us. He surpassed not only Hillary but her husband Bill as well. For everyone knows that he was doing battle with both of them during the primary season. He fought against John McCain, who is considered a war hero...again no small feat that we may overlook. He ran the most disciplined campaign .....demonstrating his leadership and ability to call the shots. Has anyone noticed how quiet Hillary Clinton has been lately? Well, that is a direct result of his leadership quiet as it is kept. No drama Obama....wait and see....his high profile and big ego team.....will follow his lead and we will see remarkable discipline from those we never seen displayed before. As quiet as it is kept. Do not underestimate quiet strength...it can be far more effective than boastful and loud demeanors.

[Rightone11]

Do not confuse his softer tone as a different approach to strength. This is due to him not having an OPINION on things. Not because he is thoughtful and choses his words carefully.

I am not ignoring "quiet strength". I just haven't seen it. And Obama has definitley not capable of it~

[rockyb26]

cowards like wrongone don't understand anything you're saying. their bark is way bigger than their bite. strength to them means attempting to scare people by saying crap like "bring it on" then running and hiding when the sh !t hits the fan. case in point, wrongone feels like a big man when he can hide behind a screen name and computer. catch him in person and i'm sure he'd be singing a different tune.

[Jazz42]

Well stated.
I completely agree with you.
(Dupree)

[vjoseph]

Amen Dupree. I am favoriting this

[rockyb26]

"If Obama comes across as a strong POTUS (which I doubt)"

welcome to the minority wrongone. 76% of the country disagrees with you. wake up already.

[Rightone11]

Nope. 48.4% of the people who are eligible to vote and who voted, voted AGAINST Obama. Please realize this. People were NOT voting for McCain, they were voting AGAINST Obama.

Spin it anyway you want. Numbers don't lie~

[JiminNC]

Just see what Jacki Zehner is saying and do the exact opposite.

[incognito-ergo-sum]

This is the day the nightmare begins for Sean Hannity, Rush, BillO et al. The Speaker of the House, Pelosi meeting with the p.e. Obama.

I will enjoy their radio and tv shows today, while I listen to their high pitched screaming. I remember 2 years ago, Sean saying the worst words in the English language are "Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House."

ruby green, my dog got me up today too. Wonder what they know?

[Rightone11]

Don't know about the other ones you spoke of, but Rush is still on vacation. He won't be back until Monday. So you'll have to wait on his reaction. Sorry. Guess you should have stayed in bed~

[KillBillV2]

Sounds like you are in bed with Rush Bighead. You know when and where he is on vacation.

[leeman79]

Before they discuss our economy, they need to reestablish one first.