By GottaLaff
Obama:
Wall St. cannot survive if Main St. is suffering. We need to summon a new spirit of ingenuity needed. Yesterday I announced 4 of my economic team. Today, two more:
Peter Orszag as director of OMB.
Robert Nabors as deputy director.
We need to shed the spending that we don't need. Budget reform is not an option, it is a necessity. This isn't about big or small government, it's about a smarter government. I'll ask my team to think/act anew to meet challenges. Eliminate programs we don't need.... Millionaire farmers received subsidies... that they didn't need... I intend to end this kind of waste... Focus on the rising cost of health care.
We'll make sure government is more efficient. Peter Orszag will make sure that happens [paraphrased]. [He's listing his accomplishments] ... His past career qualifies him, but his vision for the future is one I share. We must take steps now to solve our immediate crisis. He knows what works in the federal budget, and what doesn't. ... The old ways of Washington can't meet future challenges...
Assisting him, Deputy Dir. of the OMB, Robert Nabors. [lists accomplishments]
These app'ts are not the sum of my economic team, including Secs of Energy, Labor, HHS. I've yet to announce those. We must restore confidence in middle class families, that gov't. is on their side.
Q: Only one president at a time?
O: There is only one president at a time. Given the extraordinary circumstances, we need to put together a first class team that won't stumble into the next administration. We'll hit the ground running. We are not going back to business as usual when it comes to the budget. The large stimulus package will NOT be more of the same. We must jumpstart the economy, which requires a bold plan. But those investments must be wise, not wasting money in EVERY area... health care modernization that saves money in the long term. Not continue programs that aren't working: Same for education, defense, social spending. Rob and Peter's being here today indicates the importance of this. America needs to know their new president will act swiftly and boldlly.
Q: What sort of mandate do you have? Dem majority will give you opportunity to pass agenda?
O: We had a decisive win because of the desire for change. There's no question we have a mandate to move in a new direction, not same old practices that got us into this. But 46% voted for McCain, so we have a sense of humility and recognize that wisdom is not the monopoly of any one party. To be effective, Rs and Ds must work together. Common sense smart gov't. is what America wants more than anything: Not bickering, sniping. Re: Budget, people don't want to argue about big v. small gov't, but effective gov't. We'll work with R party, Rahm has already met with both caucuses. We want their ideas. We're already seeing bipartisan accolades for my new budget team. They're serious, honest people on my team.
Q: On behalf of local reporters, mayors, governors are facing hemorraging budgets. Where's ours? What speaks to the needs of governmental bodies, not necessarily Main St., Wall St.?
O: This is important, and I addressed it, and it's implicit in my plan. We will have to make sure we're investing in roads, bridges, infrastructure investments, that go through state/local gov'ts. Also, we should fast track some of these projects. The best way to do that may be to see what projects are already undertaken locally. We'll work closely with governors, mayors, towns small and large. We'll make sure we're listening to what's happening on the ground, not just designing something out of Washington. One other point: Peter and Rob and budget team will make sure we're proceeding based on national priorities, not politics. Friendship doesn't come into this. That's the "old way" of business. How can we protect taxpayer dollars w/o wasting money? Restoring confidence is a priority. Creating jobs. Spurring economic growth. That's part of the new way of doing business.
Part of new way of business is admitting mistakes.
Q: Will you draw a line between temporary and permanent fixes?
O: Short answer is yes. We must distinguish between immediate and temporary infusion to kick start the economy, and the structural spending that's created this huge debt. My econ. team will find areas where there is a twofer: Short term stimulus that lays groundwork for economic growth long term. Example: Provide a tax cut to 95% of workers. That will help the economy, and it will also restore some balance to our tax code. Health care, too: If we modernize it, help local hospitals and providers set up electronic records/billing... that will make the system more efficient. But more computers, etc, will boost the economy immediately, but long term helps to reduce costs. We still need to make tough choices. We need to eliminate programs that don't work. My first priority is to create jobs, provide relief to middle class families. When that's underway, we need to set up a long term plan, not leave debt for the next generation.
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