Obama Love and Happiness Thread

[bigtree]

I don't remember a President-elect ever meeting with the nation's governors before the inauguration. Mr. Obama did this morning and demonstrated his special form of outreach and dynamism at the meeting which was representative of his pledge to bring a 'new' type of politics to Washington.





from the Philidelphia Inquirer: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20081202_Obama_says_hell_govs_role_in_bailout.html

"The partnership we begin here cannot – and will not – end here," Obama said, in brief remarks. "I will not simply ask you to help implement our economic recovery plan. I am asking you to draft and shape that plan. If we listen to our governors, we will not only be doing what is right for our states, we'll be doing what is right for our country."

To Republicans in the room, Obama offered "the same hand of friendship and cooperation that I offer my Democratic colleagues." Vice President-elect Joe Biden, who also attended, noted the presence of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP running mate to John McCain, and said.

"Your being here sends a powerful message – I hope the whole country can see that this election is is over," Biden said. "We're all here together dealing with a common problem."

Straying from prepared remarks, Obama said "I'm not going to allow Joe and myself to get infected with Washington-itis."

"We are not going to be hampered by ideology," he added, discussing working with GOP governors. "Let's have a conversation," he said.


from the WSJ: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122823053791072519.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

"Make no mistake: These are difficult times, and we're going to have to make hard choices in the months ahead about how to invest precious tax dollars and how to save them -- hard choices like the ones you're making right now," Mr. Obama said. "I won't stand here and tell you that you'll like all the decisions I make. You probably won't. But I promise you this -- as President, I will seek your counsel. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree."


from AFP: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iRxtFSHseeZEilXIKLWHWtGA-0gw

"To solve this crisis and to ease the burden on our states, we are going to need action and were are going to need action swiftly" Obama told the governors at the talks in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, the cradle of US nationhood.

"That means passing an economic recovery plan for both Wall Street and Main Street," Obama said, vowing to jumpstart the economy, create 2.5 million jobs and give tax cuts to the struggling middle class.

"Change is not going to come from Washington alone, it will come from all of you," he said, offering the governors a "partnership."

Obama, with vice president-elect Joseph Biden by his side, reached out to Republicans including Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin who accused him on the campaign trail of "palling around" with terrorists.

"I offer you the same hand of friendship, the same commitment to partnership as I do my Democratic colleagues," Obama said.


from transcript of remarks: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120201486_pf.html

OBAMA: I offer you the hand of friendship, the same commitment to partnership as a do my Democratic colleagues. There is a time for campaigning, and there is a time for governing. And one of the messages that Joe and I want to continually send is that we are not going to be hampered by ideology in trying to get this country back on track.

We want to figure out what works. That doesn't mean that we're not going to have some disagreements. But what it does mean is that if you can show me something you are doing that's working or if you tell me that this program or this regulation is hampering us from doing smart things that will advance the interests of our state, then you're going to have a ready ear.

And that's going to be something that I want everybody to understand.

(APPLAUSE)

So I think it was Justice Brandeis who said during a period of much greater turmoil in the markets, although I haven't checked what's happening right now, than we're experiencing at the moment. He said a single courageous stated may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory experimenting with innovative solutions to our economic problems.

And that's the spirit of courage and ingenuity and stick-to-it- ness that so many of you embody. That's the spirit that I want to reclaim for the country as a whole. One where states are testing ideas, where Washington is investing in what works, and where you and I are working together in partnership on behalf of the great citizens of this nation.

So with that, let me stop. And I think that I'm going hear from presentations from some of the governors and then I will be able to answer questions and let's have a conversation for the next few minutes. I think, at this point, the press may be leaving so you guys can actually tell me what you believe.

(LAUGHTER)

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

END

[Lugnut]

1. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this.

I'm feeling pretty good about the new administration and actually getting something done for a change.

[malaise]

2. I wish I could be this magnanimous

I want some arrests starting with Bush and Cheney.
Respect PE Obama but I want some arrests for criminality.

[barbtries]

3. so funny that you posted this

i've been toying with the idea of posting a thread with the title "Obama wins election!"

i am not ready to start kvetching and bitching and moaning. i want to see how it goes when he's president. i want to hang on to hope, and the elation of having won after 8 years in the wilderness. to just bask in the glow of believing that i have my country back. just not ready to be negative yet.

he seems to understand this need.