Obama set to confront all challenges
November 9, 2008
There are challenges ahead for Obama.
After losing 1 million jobs this year, another 260,000 evaporated in October, with unemployment at a 14-year high in America.
The backbone of America’s industrial might, Ford and General Motors, is on the brink. The slowdown is accelerating and has not yet hit the bottom.
Christmas looks bleak.
In his first press conference since winning the trust of the American people, Barack Obama wanted to project firm engagement and determination, and he succeeded. Flanked by his vice-president, Joe Biden, and his top economic advisers, including former cabinet secretaries and CEOs from the old and new economies, Mr Obama was clear: he would “confront this economic crisis head on” and “take all necessary steps” to get America moving again.
Mr Obama’s face, tightly drawn after non-stop campaigning and no pause to properly celebrate his historic victory as the first African-American to be elected president, betrayed the intensity of the challenges ahead.
Mr Obama was undaunted.
“I do not underestimate the enormity of the task ahead … America is a strong and resilient country. And I know we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and politics and work together as one nation. That’s what I intend to do.”
This is what the American people wanted and needed to hear, and Wall Street, too, with the Dow up solidly after digesting Mr Obama’s performance.
Obama conveyed that he will be ready on day one of his time as President.
He was wary about the cheeky congratulations from Iran’s leader and did not spill any national security beans to which he is now privy.
He has been reading Lincoln, talking to the former presidents and engaging in extensive canine research with his daughters.
And then there was a flash of his smile, a wave, and a desire to keep moving.
Good post. We have to temper our jubilation with a full knowledge of the work that lies ahead. This is just the beginning of a long, steep climb, and we’ll need everybody pulling to get us to our goals.