First thoughts: First and 10 for Obama

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:15 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** First and 10 for Obama: Fresh off his first legislative victory in getting the second half of the TARP money released -- Rahm Emanuel called it the equivalent of completing an 80-yard pass on the first play of the game -- Obama today hits the road to sell another priority, his stimulus plan. In Bedford Heights, OH, just outside of Cleveland, the president-elect will visit Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Company, which makes parts used to construct wind turbines. Per the transition office, Obama will tour the plant and then hold a discussion with workers on the factory floor. Coinciding with Obama’s stop in Ohio is a brand-new TV ad that Americans United for Change, a group funded by liberal organizations and labor unions, is running today in the Cleveland area that urges retiring Sen. George Voinovich (R) to support the stimulus. While we wouldn’t compare yesterday’s TARP win to an 80-yard pass -- it was more like a solid 20-yard completion over the middle -- it was certainly much better than fumbling the first snap of the play, and it makes it MUCH easier to set up a touchdown with the stimulus.

*** You don’t see this every day: Perhaps more striking than the passage of the TARP money were some of the statements we saw from GOP senators, who nearly apologized for voting against the money. Here’s Minority Leader Mitch McConnell statement: “Again, I want to express my appreciation to the incoming administration for its responsiveness to Republican concerns. Every time we asked a question it was promptly answered. So far, Republican interactions with the incoming administration have been quite encouraging and appreciated. While I voted on the losing side, I hope the new administration will consider some of my concerns, and we hope their stewardship of these funds is successful in stabilizing the markets according to the original purpose of the TARP.” Here’s Sen. Corker’s: “This was a painful vote for me. I greatly respect President-elect Obama’s economic team, Larry Summers and Tim Geithner, and I look forward to working with them in any way I can .I told them that in order for me to support releasing the additional funds, I needed them to diagnose the problem.” Wow! These two statements show an amazingly gracious GOP right now. The Obama-Rahm charm offensive, so far, appears to be working.

*** The vote and 2010: NBC’s Ken Strickland says the 52-42 vote on the TARP money broke down mostly along partisan lines. Six Republicans, however, voted with Obama (Alexander, Gregg, Kyl, Lugar, Snowe, Voinovich), and nine Democrats voted against him (Bayh, Cantwell, Dorgan, Feingold, Lincoln, Ben Nelson, Shaheen, Sanders, Wyden). But to show you how hot of a political potato the TARP money is, FIVE of those nine Dems are up for re-election in 2010 (Bayh, Dorgan, Feingold, Lincoln, Wyden). And out of the six GOPers who voted with Obama, just ONE is up for re-election in 2010 (Gregg). One Republican up in ‘10 didn't vote (Bunning). Overall, of the 29 senators up for re-election who voted on the legislation yesterday, 19 (so 66% of them) voted against Obama. By the way, outgoing senators Biden, Clinton, and Salazar voted with Obama, and so did Roland Burris.

*** $825 Billion and growing: Turning back to the stimulus, the House yesterday released the details of its legislation. The price tag: $825 billion. So it has already grown $50 billion from Obama’s earlier $775 billion estimate. Folks, this will keep growing…

Video: The House unveils Obama's economic stimulus plan. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.

*** Tackling entitlements: In a conversation with Washington Post reporters and editors yesterday, Obama pledged to tackle entitlement reform and also to convene a “fiscal responsibility summit” next month. Now, did he say what he'd do? No, but the symbolism will earn Obama early praise from deficit hawks. Who knows what comes out of the summit -- a blue-ribbon panel that takes months to come up with an incredibly watered-down reform? Given the history of politicians tackling entitlements, it's more likely than not, but starting the conversation is good early P.R.

*** Decision day? The Washington Post’s Cillizza reported yesterday that New York Gov. Paterson could have a choice to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat very soon.

Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 4 days
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 12 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 144 days
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 137 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 291 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 655 days

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Comments

So it has already grown $50 billion from Obama’s earlier $775 billion estimate. Folks, this will keep growing…

And our wallets will keep shrinking.

Pay To Play (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:33 AM)

The first entitlements that need to be taken care of is to make Congress pass a bill disallowing them payraises for the next few years. They've been grossly overpaid and with the red ink now they need to lead by example, instead of screwing over the poor and needy.

Obama scores a legislative touchdown with TARP before he's even in office, now that's change I can believe in. The repugnant ones are now the disloyal opposition as they put their party of losers before the country by trying to stop the progress our country so despearately needs.

I guess the repugnant ones are surprised that Obama is treating them with respect, something they never bothered to do to the Democrats. Change We Can Believe In!

4 Days until the Worst is Gone!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:38 AM)

Memories – Late December Back in 2000

I remember when counting the chads was all the rage in Florida. There were huge crowds of people everywhere down there. Who our next President of the United States was going to be was still an unknown. No one knew what the outcome was going to be. People were holding up signs demanding that all the votes be counted. Evidently no one trusted the Republicans to do the right thing. It was a confusing situation and of course a media frenzy. And in the crowds was this one man holding up a sign, who did everything he could to get on tv. The camera would span to other areas of the crowds but no matter where the cameras were, this man would keep showing up. He was obviously a Miami Dolphins fan. His sign read: The New York Jets s^ck. It was hysterical.

And now 8 years later, Karl Rove is off and running with a Committee to see to it that GWB's legacy is far better than the legacy made up by The Ronald Reagan Was The Best President Ever He Won The Cold War Committee.

And the usual suspects will be doing the dirty clean up work - Limbaugh, Hannity, Brit Hume, O'Reilly, Coulter, Malkin. Giuliani.

Coming soon (actually this evening): Richard Lewis, guest on Countdown With Keith Olbermann. I can't wait.
I just love this man as a guest.

Go Steelers. Go Barack Obama. Go us. Cheers.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:39 AM)

I'm glad to see that Obama is putting more emphasis on spending than on tax cuts to spur the economy. We've had 8 years of proof that tax cuts don't spur the economy when they're deficit financed.

It's time for Demand-side Economics now that the supply siders have been proven wrong, wrong, wrong! Time to create some real jobs to replace all those lost by the bushwhacker.

I hope Paterson gets his act together and gets Hillary's replacement named like yesterday. The more Democrats in the Senate the better to overcome the disloyal opposition.

Prison for Criminals Bush and Cheney!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:42 AM)

President Bush's final message was a welcome, not because of what he said, but because it is final. He did not accept any responsibility for what has happened on his watch, so he has earned the initials, WPE...worst president ever.

Holder sort of stunned the committee yesterday by saying waterboarding is torture and torture is a crime in this country and throughout the world. Few republicans will want to publically argue with that statement, or the statement that no person is above the law. Bush/Nixon...Nixon/Bush Both broke the law. So far no one has asked if Holder will prosecute Bush/Chaney...because they know the answer. I have said for some time that Holder will appoint a special prosecutor to investigate torture, and based on public comments made by Bush and Chaney, they will look quite guilty. In the end, maybe a year from now, Obama will pardon Bush and by accepting the pardon, Bush will have to assume guilt.

It's still cold in Indiana, it is coming your way Washington and New York. Hope it passes through by Monday.

Ron Indiana (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:43 AM)

'...Mitch McConnell statement: “Again, I want to express my appreciation to the incoming administration for its responsiveness to Republican concerns....'

That' a good sign
I thought Obama was being too responsive to Republicans
But, clearly his methods are working....

Let's hope they can work together in the future
Things won't be all milk and honey
There are real differences

Remember Hillary Clinton advertising herself as a 'fighter'?
How would that have worked in this situation ?
How would undiscipline and sloppiness have worked?

Obama was the right choice and the real deal

Now, let's move him to the left, into a more progressive stance

The tide has turned

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:43 AM)

The big TARP win allows Obama and his team to focus all of their time and energy on somehow working the stimulus package into something that at least partially appeases Republicans and gets through Congress without too much trouble.

He’ll have to fight the GOP as much as his own party; the Dems will try hard to keep their pet projects in the bill, much to the consternation of Republicans and the Obama administration.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:44 AM)

Pay To Play :'...So it has already grown $50 billion from Obama’s earlier $775 billion estimate. Folks, this will keep growing…

And our wallets will keep shrinking...'

And how much has the Iraq war cost us ?
How much will it cost in the future ?
The Recovery plan is miniscule in comparison
How much have we spent on 'Star Wars' ?
Talk about 'pork barrel', Star Wars takes the cake

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:46 AM)

>>>Here’s Minority Leader Mitch McConnell statement: “Again, I want to express my appreciation to the incoming administration for its responsiveness to Republican concerns. Every time we asked a question it was promptly answered. So far, Republican interactions with the incoming administration have been quite encouraging and appreciated.
==========
Wait a minute! Let's read that again.

>>>Here’s Minority Leader Mitch McConnell statement: “Again, I want to express my appreciation to the incoming administration for its responsiveness to Republican concerns. Every time we asked a question it was promptly answered. So far, Republican interactions with the incoming administration have been quite encouraging and appreciated.
=========
One more time for the kids who rode the short-bus to school.

>>>Here’s Minority Leader Mitch McConnell statement: “Again, I want to express my appreciation to the incoming administration for its responsiveness to Republican concerns. Every time we asked a question it was promptly answered. So far, Republican interactions with the incoming administration have been quite encouraging and appreciated.
==========
See, boys and girls. This is what happens when you have a President who actually LISTENS to the other side instead of SHUTTING THEM OUT! THIS IS THE CHANGE I BELIEVE IN!

4 DAYS UNTIL WE CAN FINALLY KICK BU--SH-- TO THE CURB!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:47 AM)

ONLY 3 MORE DAYS OF OBAMA'S PLAY-ACTING ... AND THEN REALITY!

ONLY 3 MORE DAYS OF PLAY-ACTING FOR OBAMA ... (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:50 AM)

'...DON'T BELIEVE YOUR LYING EYES.... P

This, however, was the quote that got my attention:

"Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I've always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right."

When reflecting on his two terms, in other words, Bush's argument is that he didn't deliberately fail. He acted with the nation's best interests in mind? He did what he thought was right? Well, of course he did. What president goes around trying to undermine the country, making decisions he hopes are wrong?

The president, in this sense, set the bar as low as it can go. When parents tell a little-leaguer, "It doesn't matter if you succeed, just do your very best," it's the right way to offer support to a child. Similarly, Bush seems to think having the right intentions, as he perceives them, should count, regardless of the results. He's effectively asking the nation, "How about an 'A' for effort?"...'

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:53 AM)

I'm glad to see Obama meeting with workers at a manufacturing facility in Cleveland. I hope he contiunes to hold such visits and meetings throughout his tenure as President. He needs to stay in touch with the people.

One of my suggestions to Obama on the Obama/Biden Transition Team Citizens Briefing Book Site was that he continue to schedule and hold town meetings with people across the U.S. throughout his Presdiency. To scheudle perhaps 6 - 12 meetings a year at randomly selected sites (also to be televised) so to keep people informed as to his policies and proposals and to allow them to ask questions. I think people would apprecuiate such contact. Similar to Roosevelt's FireSide Chats but only face to face with folks so that he is sure to hear directly from your average citizen. It would also show people that town hall meetings are truly ways of staying in touch with and communicating with the American people rather than using the same just for a campain gimmick.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:57 AM)

President Obama should never Pardon Bush & Cheney for the war crimes they committed; Because if he does, he will be lowering himself to their level and THAT is NOT change I can believe in..

gepa (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:57 AM)

guess the repugnant ones are surprised that Obama is treating them with respect, something they never bothered to do to the Democrats
----------------------------------------------------
Please. Do you think a bunch of liberal columnists would ever have invited Bush to dinner? No way. It's a two way street. Democrats who've crucified Bush for eight years now suddenly want all this respect from Republicans.
Every president has tried to work with the other party. It's up to the opposition to be the grownups. In the Dems case, that was expecting too much.

Erica, Salinas CA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:59 AM)

To Pat, Boston--thanks for the Steeler support. Welcome to the bandwagon. Your comment about Rove made me think that it is too bad Bush did not have inner strength of character and conviction and instead was mislead by Rove and Cheney.

To MSierra-I had the same thought--the best he could come up with was that he tried hard and wishes he could do some things over. How sad.

I think the change movement will continue to gather momentum and all of us have a role to play in it.

Steeler Fan Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:03 AM)

Hey FR writers, might want to re-read that sentence under the Decision Day heading again. "very soon" twice

Anne (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:04 AM)

It's easier to catch a fly with honey than it is with vinegar. Obama gets it. I'm surprised Bush and his love of colloquialisms never got this basic one. This is even a favorite one in the south.

Todd m (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:09 AM)

How is it, that you give Obama credit for getting the TARP money released, when he isnt even in office yet...
But, if someone says that investors are "skittish" about what the economic climate will become when Obama takes office, the first response is "he isn't in office yet, he can't be blamed for anything".....?

It's going to be that way for four years, isn't it? You're going to cheerlead and propogandize for him, no matter what he says or does....aren't you?

Obama is nothing but hype, and people like M. Sierra are nothing but foolish lemmings who will facilitate the slow deterioration and destruction of America, if we let them.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:16 AM)

Obama likes Abe Lincoln so let's all send the Chosen One a penny.

Polythene Pam (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:25 AM)

Anne -- thanks for the catch.

Mark Murray (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:27 AM)

Now it's turning out that Obama's pick for the Treasury Tim Geithner didn't make a 'common mistake' in not paying his income taxes. He actually was told several times by his employer he was directly responsbile for paying his Social Security taxes. He ignored those requests.

Sounds like tax evasion to me.

CT Rowe (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:29 AM)

So the Choosen is going to send us $500-$1000, and then raise our taxes to pay for that, and all the other payoffs he wants to do, by increasing our taxes by $3000-$5000. Call me unimpressed.

Unimpressed (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:34 AM)

And our wallets will keep shrinking.
Pay To Play
******************************************************
And how much of THAT do you contribute to the last bozo who held the office? Oh, that's right, the last 8 years simply didn't happen; it's Clinton's fault. Geesh, you guys (Republicans) need to get back to reality.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:35 AM)

They should've renamed Bush's speech last night, the Goodbye and Good Riddance Speech! And worst of all, it pushed my favorite show, Ugly Betty, off the night's schedule! Now that was the final straw. Bad enough after 8 years of Bush, we are in the Second Great Depression, but to ruin my only favorite TV night by pushing off my favorite TV show, that's totally unforgiveable!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:36 AM)

This 'shared sacrifice' Obama keeps talking about. Will my house value decreasing by 40% in the last year be part of that 'shared sacrifice'? Will my 401k decreasing by 50% in the last year be counted as my 'shared sacrifice'? Will me picking up the work of the people that have been laid off at the company I work for be part of that 'schared sacrifice'?

Or, is Obama just going to raise my taxes on top of all this?

Shared Sacrifice (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:37 AM)

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:16 AM

-----
wow, all that bitterness still enveloping you from Hillary's primary loss. It's just not healthy.

pat huntington ny (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:37 AM)

Please. Do you think a bunch of liberal columnists would ever have invited Bush to dinner? Erica, Salinas CA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:59 AM)
==========
You mean those liberal columnists that the Republicans were calling "traitors", "un-American", "terrorist supporters" who should "leave the country" if they didn't support Bush?

Yeah, how absolutely heinous that they wouldn't invite Bush and the Republicans over for a kegger.

4 DAYS UNTIL WE CAN FINALLY KICK BU--SH-- TO THE CURB!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:43 AM)

I could not watch Bush last night.I've seen his act and how he is always trying to sell himself as something he isn't.George is and always will be kind of lost in space,in over his head.George has had a charmed life,always someone there to bail him out.He really dose not under politics,he dose not understand foreign policy,he struggles with the english for goodness sake.He was just a front man for Chaney and his followers.He ran the country on a gut feeling,please,you can not run a country on a gut feeling,you have to have much more then a hunch.He said that he was trying to do the best he could,that may be true,but what does it say for the people that voted for him and still think he has done a good job,they must all own banks.George was a tinker-er,Obama is a Thinker,he has learned to listen,ponder,seek other opinions,make a conclusion.In other words think first shoot second.To bad Chaney thought he and the cowboy could bully other into there thinking.I think thwere will be a sad ending to this story,and some one will be held accountable.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:43 AM)

Obama is nothing but hype, and people like M. Sierra are nothing but foolish lemmings who will facilitate the slow deterioration and destruction of America, if we let them.
J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY
******************************************************
And you J. Merle are nothing but a very angry individual and have been since you've been posting. I, for one, appreciate M. Sierra's posts as he seems to be an intelligent indivudal that "gets it", unlike you. Try to take off your Republican blinders for a bit and watch how Obama is trying to reach across the aisle to you idiots, unlike the former bozo who had the cowboy mentality of it's "my way or the highway". Obama will turn this country around IN SPITE of people like you. He'll just drag you along kicking and screaming. The real lemming here is YOU!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:46 AM)

J Merle Stanley - what happend to you? You have suddenly - and I do mean suddenly become a right wing nut! Did someone or something from space invade your body and replace the real you with a repugnant? This was not your mantra last summer, although you were a die hard hillary supporter, you are now loosing your game, get that alien out of you and come back to earth with the rest of us please, I miss the way you were!

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:47 AM)

ess the repugnant ones are surprised that Obama is treating them with respect, something they never bothered to do to the Democrats
----------------------------------------------------
Please. Do you think a bunch of liberal columnists would ever have invited Bush to dinner? No way. It's a two way street. Democrats who've crucified Bush for eight years now suddenly want all this respect from Republicans.
Every president has tried to work with the other party. It's up to the opposition to be the grownups. In the Dems case, that was expecting too much.
Erica, Salinas CA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 9:59 AM)
_____________

And how was it up to the democrats to be grownups when it was shoved down their throats that any vote against the war, and especially any vote against increased and continued funding of the war, amounted to a lack of patriotism and disrespect for the troops?

And how was it up to the democrats to be grownups when, in trying to investigate the firing of judges, no one responded to their subpoenas?

Respect must be earned.

Jackson, Seattle (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:51 AM)

Breaking news out of Florida! Alex Sink is NOT running for Senate, in what is truly a MAJOR blow to Democrats: http://campaigndiaries.com/2009/01/16/sink-out/

Dan (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:51 AM)

First and Ten? Are you kidding FR?

Obama will be on the sidelines while a more experiemced player, Sec. of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, makes the calls.

Tombstone Shadow (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:52 AM)

C A ~ Sorry I was testy about the Anna Molly / Molly Anna / Anomaly thing. Of course we can be civil. If only others would show us the same courtesy.

Moon Maid (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 10:54 AM)

Another terroisrt attact? Enough with the fear tactics, Georgie boy. Let's not sell your war profiteering!
Goodbye and Good riddence, you Howdy Dowdy,Cowboy!

Beverly in Chicago

-------------

Scare tactics? Too funny!

How about Obama running around saying we're going to get double digit unemployment unless we spend trillions of dollars on things we don't need? That's not a scare tactic?

Too Funny (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:14 AM)

The press in this country is biased and really a joke. Obama hasn't done a damn thing yet and the press is already swooning. Getting his leftist congress to pass a bill that allows billions to be spent to reward useless, unproductive union workers is hardly throwing an eighty yard pass as Emmanuel said. The US has arrived at the perfect storm. Large democrat majorities in both houses and a left tilting president pose a huge threat to the future. Obama will increase the number of entitlements and government jobs which is a proven way to strangle progress and growth (see great depression). If entitlements and government jobs were the answer then it follows that the Soviet Union would have been a huge success instead of the utter disaster it was.Your children and mine will be heavly taxed to pay for Obama's generosity to his constituencies. Example: Obama slipped in 39 billion for public schools and public colleges. These twin train wrecks are mismanaged and are being strangled by unions that do not care one wit about education. I fear for the country with these jacobins now in power. we will not recognize ourselves when the Dems are done pillaging the country.

Paul (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:17 AM)

And...what is Feinstein's excuse? She got her nose out of joint on Panetta? She is from the most liberal city in CA. She needs a good person to run against her.......Anyone?

Jo Hallmark, TN (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:22 AM)

I love the chowder heads who are complaining about "spending"...they were silent while bush wasted a trillion in a war most of the republicans won't even serve in...now shaddup

Ralphie (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:30 AM)

And how was it up to the democrats to be grownups when it was shoved down their throats that any vote against the war, and especially any vote against increased and continued funding of the war, amounted to a lack of patriotism and disrespect for the troops?
--------------------------------------------
Oh, I see. So elected officials like John Kerry, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton 'caved in' to pressure with their Iraq War votes? Wow, glad they have so much backbone. If they felt it was wrong, they should have had the cojones to vote against it.

A C, Tuscaloosa AL (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:42 AM)

Paul ~

You talk about how heavily our children will be taxed to pay for Obama's "generosity to his constituencies." Am I mistaken, or aren't we ALL Obama's constituencies? And, anyway, what's $39 billion for education compared with the trillions being wasted on the REAL "twin trainwrecks" of a war we didn't need and a bailout that never should have been. Don't get me started on public education, Paul. It was neo-con thinking -- not unions -- that strangled it, and it's more neo-con thinking now that prevents it from being fixed.

As for not recognizing ourselves when the "jacobins" finish pillaging the country ... good. Because some of us don't particularly care for what the country looks like NOW. Do you?

Anna Molly (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:45 AM)

And...what is Feinstein's excuse? She needs a good person to run against her.......Anyone?
Jo Hallmark, TN

I am with you Jo. The Democrats need to clean house and replace some of the Fifth Columnists with people who aren't working on the other team. Of course add Joe Lieberman to the list. I am tired of George Bush and his clones who claim they are following THEIR consciences. We have a representative form of government; not an elected dictatorship. If they can't follow the will of the electorate even when it conflicts with their beliefs or what they think God has whispered to them, then they should not be in office.

nuanced (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:50 AM)

I watched Bush last night and I am sorry to say but just looking at him made me sad. He is pathetic Infact if I were his boss I would request a drug test. While he was speaking he looked at Cheney for approval just sad sad.

Mishka Mehrens Anaconda MT (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:50 AM)

January 11, 2009

TO: President-Elect Barack Obama

FROM: Ruben Botello, Founder
AMERICAN HOMELESS SOCIETY

Dear Mr. Obama:

I have been in and out of homelessness since being honorably discharged as a USMC Vietnam veteran in 1969. I wound up homeless then, in and out of homelessness with my two sons in the Eighties, and homeless on my own again in the Nineties.

I started the American Homeless Society in 1987 while my sons and I were homeless in California. I have been in several hunger strikes, marches and demonstrations for homeless rights since then but have seen little progress.

My longest hunger strike was 58 days against President Reagan’s “trickle down” economic policies that created much more instead of less homelessness in our country. You now speak about fixing our nation’s economy from the “bottom up” and that should mean you are starting by ending involuntary homelessness at the bottom.

HUD Secretary Philip Mangano has been promoting 10-year plans to end homelessness in major cities across the country on behalf of the Bush Administration for the past few years. We would hope and pray you make a similar commitment to abolish homelessness but throughout our nation, not just in individual cities because there are far more homeless than these urban plans will ever reach.

Slavery was abolished in America over a century ago; why not abolish homelessness today, Mr. Obama? Homelessness is just as bad as slavery in several ways and much worse in others.

Men, women and children from all the races, colors, cultures, nationalities, ethnicities, religions and creeds in our diverse society find themselves homeless daily. They are forced to endure harassment, discrimination and persecution in our nation today much like the slaves President Lincoln’s armies fought to free in the Nineteenth Century.

America’s homeless are also forced to endure nature’s harshest conditions without warm homes or shelter for protection; without good food and nutrition; without essential hygiene, medicine and healthcare; and without the necessary education, training or experience required to qualify for the dwindling supply of jobs in today’s worsening economy. Many of America’s homeless today are even employed but underemployed and unable to afford existing rentals while thousands of others are altogether unemployable.

How can our great nation permit so many of these poor souls to continue to suffer and die needlessly on our streets? I joined the Marines to fight for my country in the Sixties so that all Americans could have a better life, not just the rich and well-to-do who are receiving all the bailouts today.

The list of barriers and obstacles facing today’s homeless goes on and on, Mr. Obama. Please, if you are serious about fixing our nation’s economy from the bottom-up, begin at the real bottom by making a firm commitment to end involuntary homelessness throughout our country without further ado.

Sincerely,

Ruben Botello, Founder
AMERICAN HOMELESS SOCIETY
http://sananda.tripod.com/homeless/ahs1.html

Ruben Botello, Shippensburg, PA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:55 AM)

C'mon People:

To those slamming Obama and those placing him on a pedestal what is your point? One side posts arngy comments stating Obama is doing nothing and will do nothing and the other side is looking for Obama to solve all our problems. You folks fail to realize that Obama is an idea, not an all-knowing, do-all individual who can immediately resolve all the issues we face. There is not a single direction this country can take or will take that the Amercian people do not control. Not Obama or any other individual.

Many blame Bush for some of the poor conditions we find ourselves in today. But Bush would never have been allowed to steer this country in the wrong direction if not allowed by the Amecian people. He made some unwise choices as a result of being initially supported by the majority of the Amercian people or by a sense of approval through the silence shown by the majority of the Amercian people.

Some of the things that Obama speaks of have been hope, transparency, cooperation, team work, civil discourse, uplifting children and their opportunities, helping one another, volunteering to serve our community and country, etc. These are ideas, philosophies. They are not specific answers to every single issue that challenges us today.

To those who slam Obama what would you have him do? To those who place Obama on a pedestal remember that he asked for the help of the American people during the campaign. He stated " I cannot do this on my own".

How we face and manage this economic crises, the wars in Iraq and Afgahnistan, the threat of terrorism, health care, education, jobs, and all other issues is up to us. With enough voices and involvement we have the power to shape the direction that this country takes.

So my question is why do some of you slam Obama as if he is supposed to be the knight in shinning armour who is going to solve all this country's ills as those who place him on a pedestal think he can. The fact is he can't. Not without the involvement, help and approval of the Amercian people. He can suggest, he can open various doors by providing a set of ideas that he thinks the Amercian people want to live by (hope and transparency, team work, cooperation, uplifting childen, volunterering, helping one another, avoiding senseless and time-consuming arguement, tolerance, etc, etc.). That's all he can do. The rest is up to the American people. Remember this. It was not Obama who landed that plane safely in the Hudson yesterday nor the people who responded with help 90 seconds after the plane entered the water. It was people like you and me, Americans.

So for those placing Obama on a pedestal stop looking to him or arguing he can solve all our problems. And to those slamming Obama stop criticizing him because he can't or does not have the answer on how to safely land every single plane that needs to make an emergency landing. He is an idea, a pathway. He is not the solution. You are.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:59 AM)

I think J Merle Stanley is Full Moon! MSierra has great information to share along with Diane from ILL. I'm also curious about Moon Maid. Another Stanley personality?

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 12:01 PM)

A C, Tuscaloosa AL (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:42 AM) - If they felt it was wrong, they should have had the cojones to vote against it.

A C: I totally agree.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 12:03 PM)

Bush's speech was a play for sympathy. It was all about him and his disappointments with no mention of his victims. All I thought about was the image seared into my brain in the first days of the "shock and awe" invasion of Iraq that was reported before the press was muzzled. An Iraqi father was holding his dead son and asked why we were doing this to him. Bush still hasn't given him or us a truthful answer. Until he does there can be no redemption.

nuanced (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 12:05 PM)

As for not recognizing ourselves when the "jacobins" finish pillaging the country ... good. Because some of us don't particularly care for what the country looks like NOW. Do you?

Anna Molly (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:45 AM)

Evidently the country's alright. I dont see your azz losing any weight. I see you can still afford 50.00 for the internet. I see you still have your laptop. I see your still in a warm place as to you can type on the puter. I see your still just as broke now as you were when Clinton was in office. HUh...What you say......Oh ok you were rich when Clinton was president and now all of a sudden your broke. Your azz will be broke when Obama leaves office too.Some of you LIBERALS on here are sooooo stupid.

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 12:07 PM)

I love the chowder heads who are complaining about "spending"...they were silent while bush wasted a trillion in a war most of the republicans won't even serve in...now shaddup Ralphie (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 11:30 AM)

Is that by chance a progressive thought? Ralphie, you leave me breathless.

Your pal, Alice K (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 12:17 PM)

Obama is nothing but hype, and people like M. Sierra are nothing but foolish lemmings who will facilitate the slow deterioration and destruction of America, if we let them.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009
*************************************************
I'll take those two over you any day.

SAM, USA (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 12:19 PM)

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