U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is examining ways to make a quick impact upon taking office, Obama's top aides said Monday.
"I think it was very gracious of President George W. Bush to invite him so early, usually it happens a little later in the process," Valerie Jarrett, co-chair of Obama's transition team, was quoted by CNN as saying.
"I think because of the daunting challenges that are facing our country, President Bush thought it was important to move forward quickly," she said.
A prominent Democratic source close to Obama said Jarrett is also the president-elect's choice to take over his seat in the Senate, though Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich would have the final say over a replacement.
John Podesta, the other co-chair of Obama's team, said the talks with Bush are likely to cover "a broad range of issues" -- but the slumping U.S. economy is expected to dominate the discussion.
Podesta told CNN's "Late Edition" that Obama will push Congress to enact "at least part" of an economic package before he takes office in January, but said the problems Americans face need short-term and long-term approaches.
"It's clear that we need to stabilize the economy, to deal with the financial meltdown that's now spreading across the rest of the economy. The auto industry is really, really back on its heels," Podesta said.
Rahm Emanuel, Obama's designated chief of staff, said the government needs to consider "fast-forwarding" 25 billion U.S. dollars in low-interest loans already approved by Congress to help the Big Three U.S. auto makers retool for more efficient vehicles.
"They are an essential part of our economy and our industrial base," Emanuel told CBS' "Face the Nation."
"There are existing authorities within the government today that the administration should tap to help the auto industry," he added.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article