Obama Gives His First Press Conference As Prez-Elect

Shortly before 3pm Eastern time in Chicago, President-elect Obama came out to give his first news conference. It was meant to focus on the economy, only straying with a question about the potential first puppy and schools for Malia and Sasha in D.C. It was relatively short, but Obama made a lot of clear points about what he will do, what he wants seen done and the most important fact that he isn't President for another seventy-three days and nine hours (though he wasn't that specific on the amount of time).

From RawStory:

The president-elect said he would like to see Congress pass another financial rescue package "sooner rather than later," but he promised that it would be his top priority if nothing is completed before Inauguration Day.

Obama emphasized that he was working with President Bush, who he noted would still be in charge for the next few months.

"I am not president, and I won't be until January 20th," Obama said.

Obama offered no clues about whom he would appoint to top cabinet posts like Treasury Secretary.

The transition team will "move with all deliberate haste," in vetting appointees, he said. "But i want to emphasize deliberate as well as haste."

You can see that he is raring to go, but can only cheer from the sidelines until he is officially in office. That doesn't mean his cheering doesn't have significant influence, but anything Congress can come up with now to actually help the middle class would be vetoed by the current President. Having Gov. Granholm (think auto industry) and Paul Volcker immediately behind him with Emanuel and VP-elect Biden along with the rest of the economic transistion team was meant to give him gravitas and it delivered. President Obama will be ready to deliver for our country the moment he takes the oath of office.