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OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 2/10/09

Obama and the First Pragmatic Presidential Press Conference of His Presidency

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Kevin Gosztola
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What Obama is hoping to implement with his economic stimulus package that may or may not create 4 million jobs is a basic form of the Workers’ Green Administration (WGA) that Democratic presidential nominee Dennis Kucinich proposed during the 2008 election. And, it indeed may be worthwhile to remember America’s Works Progress Administration and implement a strategy for economic survival that recalls FDR’s program.  

 

 

Obama set a bottom line that was spoken about frequently---saving or creating 4 million jobs. Why 4 million? Why not 3 million or 5 million? What is the significance of that number?

 

Outside of the economic stimulus package discussion, there were a few other questions that were noteworthy. Each had an answer that proved Obama will tiptoe cautiously when approaching issues that are still stigmatized by the Bush Administration.

 

CNN’s Ed Henry asked about whether the media would have access to flag-draped coffins or not. Obama replied:

 

Now, with respect to the policy of opening up media to loved ones being brought back home, we are in the process of reviewing those policies in conversations with the Department of Defense, so I don't want to give you an answer now before I've evaluated that review and understand all the implications involved.

 

Henry also asked the key question on Afghanistan---When will Obama be withdrawing troops? Obama replied:

 

I do not have yet a timetable for how long that's going to take. What I know is I'm not going to make -- I'm not going to allow Al Qaeda or bin Laden to operate with impunity, planning attacks on the U.S. homeland.

 

Obama’s answer was restrained and safe. He chose to use a line already popularized by the Bush Administration and accepted as truth. (Remember, Saddam and WMDs in Iraq as threats were once accepted as truth too. Now, it’s difficult to make a case that either posed a threat.)

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Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Unauthorized Disclosure." He was an editor for OpEdNews.com
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