Obama being pressured by Democrats to be more hands-on

Democrats: Obama needs hands-on economic approach
By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer Jim Kuhnhenn, Associated Press Writer – 49 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Democrats are growing impatient with President-elect Barack Obama's refusal to inject himself in the major economic crises confronting the country. Obama has sidestepped some policy questions by saying there is only one president at a time. But the dodge is wearing thin. "He's going to have to be more assertive than he's been," House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., told consumer advocates Thursday. Frank, who has been dealing with both the bailout of the financial industry and a proposed rescue of Detroit automakers, said Obama needs play a more significant role on economic issues. "At a time of great crisis with mortgage foreclosures and autos, he says we only have one president at a time," Frank said. "I'm afraid that overstates the number of presidents we have. He's got to remedy that situation."

Obama has maintained one of the most public images of any president-elect. He has held half a dozen press conferences, where he has entertained question after question about the economy, the mortgage crisis, and the flailing auto industry. But he has meticulously avoided dictating policy or pressing members of Congress to embrace specific remedies.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081204/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_sidelines
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Actually, Obama has done quite a bit already considering this is still early in the transition period. But this may be a coordinated effort by the Democrats to float a trial balloon to see how the public, the media, congress and the Bush WH react to Obama taking an even more direct role now. I don't think this has ever happened before in the history of this country. Obama has to be careful how he deals with this - there are political landmines everywhere. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Is this story for real?

Someone, tell me it's a joke. Please.

If he was being more aggressive I suspect there would be many attacking him for that.

to take more control and be more vocal and then they can all freak out and say, "He's not president yet. Who does he think he is?!?!?!"

Unfortunately, for the drama addicted media, Obama is following the constitution........

If Obama's going to act, it has to be 100% his actions that he's taking responsibility for.

this transition period and am very happy with his selections for his cabinet.

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and I heard him a couple of weeks ago saying he was relying on the good will of the bailout recipients not to pull this shit (paraphrased and I have no link.....)

But no, it's Obama's fault for following the succession of power set up by the Constitution. :sarcasm:

What an asshat.

Good line about overstating the number of Presidents we have though. Nothing gets between Barney and snark.

He was one of the guys who couldn't fucking shut up about the $700 billion bailout, and of course, he's been wrong, wrong, wrong.

Obama knows what he's doing. Barney doesn't. He proved he's an asshat during the bailout hearings. He couldn't wait to get on TV every night and hear himself blab.

If he wants to help working people, the best thing he can do is let Obama run things.

I wish he would lay low for awhile -- his credibility is dropping.

America and the world are desperately awaiting Obama.

He has inherited a risk-averse party, so petrified by the thought of losing that it took a massive anti-GOP wave just to get us back into the majority.

Obama has shown himself to be a man of real courage. But I hope he doesn't expect our congressional majority in congress to act without him putting some skin in the game himself.

They aren't going to do much of anything - especially anything risky - until Obama signals his preference. That way they aren't sticking their necks out alone.

Just what the Repukes want. So they can call it the Obama recession

If he oversteps his bounds we would hear about it day in and day out.

I like Barney Frank but in this case he knows better.

Hey Barney and the rest of Congress for the last 2 years you have not accomplished much, all of you better be ready to work when Jan 21st rolls around.

I guarantee we will hear Congress members complaining about the hard work and long hours that they will be required to work.

They have been working under a lazy President for the last 8 years, what are they going to do when Obama hit's the ground running?

to keep his big fargin' mouth shut for a change.