Obama’s Radio Address

This is a transcript of Obama's radio address on Nov. 22, 2008



Good morning.

The news this week has only reinforced the fact that we are facing an economic crisis of historic proportions. Financial markets faced more turmoil. New home purchases in October were the lowest in half a century. Five-hundred-forty-thousand more jobless claims were filed last week, the highest in 18 years. And we now risk falling into a deflationary spiral that could increase our massive debt even further.

While I’m pleased that Congress passed a long-overdue extension of unemployment benefits this week, we must do more to put people back to work and get our economy moving again. We have now lost 1.2 million jobs this year, and if we don’t act swiftly and boldly, most experts now believe that we could lose millions of jobs next year.

There are no quick or easy fixes to this crisis, which has been many years in the making, and it’s likely to get worse before it gets better. But January 20th is our chance to begin anew — with a new direction, new ideas, and new reforms that will create jobs and fuel long-term economic growth.

I have already directed my economic team to come up with an Economic Recovery Plan that will mean 2.5 million more jobs by January of 2011 — a plan big enough to meet the challenges we face that I intend to sign soon after taking office. We’ll be working out the details in the weeks ahead, but it will be a two-year, nationwide effort to jumpstart job creation in America and lay the foundation for a strong and growing economy. We’ll put people back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, modernizing schools that are failing our children, and building wind farms and solar panels; fuel-efficient cars and the alternative energy technologies that can free us from our dependence on foreign oil and keep our economy competitive in the years ahead.

These aren’t just steps to pull ourselves out of this immediate crisis; these are the long-term investments in our economic future that have been ignored for far too long. And they represent an early down payment on the type of reform my administration will bring to Washington — a government that spends wisely, focuses on what works, and puts the public interest ahead of the same special interests that have come to dominate our politics.

I know that passing this plan won’t be easy. I will need and seek support from Republicans and Democrats, and I’ll be welcome to ideas and suggestions from both sides of the aisle.

But what is not negotiable is the need for immediate action. Right now, there are millions of mothers and fathers who are lying awake at night wondering if next week’s paycheck will cover next month’s bills. There are Americans showing up to work in the morning only to have cleared out their desks by the afternoon. Retirees are watching their life savings disappear and students are seeing their college dreams deferred. These Americans need help, and they need it now.

The survival of the American Dream for over two centuries is not only a testament to its enduring power, but to the great effort, sacrifice, and courage of the American people. It has thrived because in our darkest hours, we have risen above the smallness of our divisions to forge a path towards a new and brighter day. We have acted boldly, bravely, and above all, together. That is the chance our new beginning now offers us, and that is the challenge we must rise to in the days to come. It is time to act. As the next president of the United States, I will. Thank you.

Obama Condoms

Partial review from the net:

“Well, they’ve finally done it…Obama condoms for sale. What will they think of next? And yes, they even have a slogan attached to them…use with good judgment. Wonderful. At least they’re trying to be responsible about this.

Actually, there may be some good to this, though personally, I think it’s a publicity stunt, but…let’s be honest. Teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases in the minorities is rampant. Maybe with a role model like Obama and a product like this, we might actually see a decline in this problem. I don’t know, but it’s at least a possibility.

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Well to me this is just a stunt, check the website here. I really don't think people are going to order these for safety and besides who would trust them? But the owner of the company insists it is the real thing.

There is even McCain and Palin condoms for sale, also clothing.

60 Minute Interview

Last night on 60 min.Obama talked about the economy, foreclosures and his mother-in-law.

"I don't tell my mother-in-law what to do," Obama said. "I'm not stupid. That's why I got elected president, man."

Comedy central will be all over that statement soon.

"There's no doubt that we have not been able yet to reset the confidence in the financial markets and in the consumer markets and among businesses that allow the economy to move forward in a strong way," he said.

"And my job as president is going to be to make sure that we restore that confidence."

Michelle Obama talked about wanting to help military families and improve the public school system in Washington, DC.

President elect Obama said he hopes to emulate FDR's willingness to keep looking for solutions until something worked.

"That's what the American people expect," Obama said. "And, you know, that's the kind of common-sense approach that I want to take when I take office."