Sunday, November 30, 2008

Thanksgiving: A Break? Not for the Pres. Elect

Barack Obama had an extremely busy week this week. He started off Monday by naming Timothy Geithner, Lawrence Summers, Melody Barnes, and Christina D. Romer to his cabinet. He went on to say that the country is likely to lose at least a million jobs this year, and “the economy is likely to get worse before it gets better.” After this Carter-esc sentiment, he did go on to say that he has a plan to gain 2.5 million jobs back by 2010. It is speculated that this plan is to be supported by Obama’s plan to increase the taxes paid by those who make over $250,000 a year.

Tuesday, it was announced that the current Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, will remain Secretary of Defense for Obama, for at least one year. On Wednesday the 26, Obama not only went to a Food bank in Chicago, but he announced the Creation of his (the president’s) “Economic Recovery Advisory Board,” modeled after President Eisenhower’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. The ERAB will help advise the President through the current economic crisis of “historic proportions.”

On Thanksgiving, the President Elect gave out his weekly update, before Showing up on a Barbara Walters special on ABC. He spoke mostly of how bad the stock market and the economy were doing, but that we, as strong Americans, will push though the crisis. His thoughts were answered perhaps later that day, when the Stock Market closed with the DOW up over 1,000 points over the last four days, the largest increase in that time period since the great depression. Friday closed up 123 points.

http://stjoenews.net/news/2008/nov/27/dow-4th-straight-session/?business


http://www.wspa.com/spa/news/local/article/live_streaming_obama_to_announce_cabinet_posts/11533/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081125/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_gates;_ylt=AopVO9dzWbqtSUfgNTMi5vms0NUE

http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/president_elect_barack_obama_establishes_presidents_economic_recovery_advis/

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/business/NATL-O-Conomic-Team-Takes-Shape-.html

http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 16, 2008

This week Barack Obama officially resned from the senate. Although no one has yet been assigned to fill his position, many suspect that Jesse Jakson's son,Jesse Jackson Jr., will be taking the role of Illinois senator. However, Governor Rod Blagojevich says he will anounce Obama's succesor by the end of the year.

Obama also named Peter Rouse, his senate chief of staff, to be the senior advisor to the president. He also spoke in his second of what he plans to be weekly Addresses that have been released on YOUTUBE.

Obama plans to meet with Sen. John McCain in Chicago tomorrow in order to discuss how they can serve together to create a "more effective and efficient government."

YOUTUBE: Obama's Weekly Address
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd8f9Zqap6U

Next Illinois Senator
http://www.lasentinel.net/Will-Jesse-Jackson-Jr.-be-the-next-U.S.-Senator.html

Obama meets with McCain
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/16/AR2008111601840.html?hpid=topnews

Monday, November 10, 2008

Obama Begins Transition

President-elect Obama has had a busy week since the election. After promising his children a puppy, he witnessed his first President's Daily Brief, which will be given to him every morning by the CIA. The world is eagerly awaiting Mr. Obama's picks for his cabinet and administration posts, and was rewarded with one: Rahm Emanuel, Representative from Illinois, will be the Chief of Staff in the new Administration. Rep. Emanuel was the architect of the Democrat's successful bid to take control of Congress in 2006. An Obama aid said that the President-elect is not likely to make any cabinet picks this week, however. Obama also met with President Bush at the White House to talk about the transition.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Mr. President

You might have heard, but yesterday the first black president of the United States was Voted in yesterday, in a descisive Electoral victory, and a 3 point popular vote. Barak Obama, ladies and Gentleman, in now our official President Elect. This is indeed a historic day, and the begining of a very interesting four years. Obama said in his acceptance speech that he would 'tackle the nation’s broken economy, fight off global threats and support soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq.' Whether or not this means that he will or will not be withdrawling troops from Iraq has yet to be seen. A very interesting four years indeed...

Sunday, November 2, 2008

As Election Nears, Obama Hits Key States

With the election only 48 hours away, Senator Obama has been all over the country, visiting many key states, including Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Florida and Colorado. In his speeches, he cautioned his supporters, telling them "don't believe for a second that this election is over." While the polls are beginning to tighten, the Democratic nominee still has a commanding lead.

The state of Hawaii has verified Obama's birth certificate as genuine, knocking down notions that he was actually born in Kenya, which would have made him unable to serve as president.