Obama Meets with Predecessors

A meeting over lunch today at the White House, so Barack Obama could pick the brains of some predecessors.

“The ex presidents!“

Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and both George Bushes. 

“We want you to succeed.  Whether we’re democrat or republican we care deeply about this country.“ 

The next president was thankful.

“All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and the possibilities of this office. And for me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel, and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary.“ 

Obama’s economic challenge is extraordinary.  The deficit he’ll inherit pegged today at $1.2 trillion.

To get people back to work and end the mortgage meltdown, experts today urged Obama and congress to spend another trillion.

Mark Zandi, Chief Economist of Moody’s Economy.com said, “The only way out is through aggressive, quick government action.“

Robert Reich, Former Labor Secretary and Professor at UC-Berkeley commented, “Right now is not the time to worry about the debt.“

But Obama announced he is worried.

“In order to make these investments that we need, we’ll have to cut the spending that we don’t.“

Obama says central to his plan is cutting the waste in social security, in Medicare, and in every program that’s outlived its usefulness.

“Even in good times, Washington can’t afford to continue these bad practices.  In bad times, it’s absolutely imperative that Washington stop them and restore confidence.“

Restore confidence that government’s on the side of taxpayers, a main Obama theme.