Obama Press Conference Buzz: Patience, Not Panic
by Claudine ZapApr 29, 2009
It wasn't so long ago (say, 100 days) that Barack Obama's stern inaugural speech sent a sobering message to the nation that the time of maxed-out credit cards and worry-free mortgages were over. It was a time for change, sure: The unflappable Dad in Chief had moved in to the White House—part FDR, part Ward Cleaver. To mark his first 100 days in office, President Obama held a press conference that touched on the fears that have only multiplied since he took office, and had a calming message: Do not panic.
Simple question: Tell us everything
In one of the buzzier moments of an otherwise somber press conference, Jeff Zeleny from the New York Times wanted to know basically everything about Obama's first 100 days in a four-part question that the president had to resort to writing down: What surprised, troubled, enchanted, and humbled him most? Turns out, this is what surprised him most: How many gosh-darn problems he has to deal with all at once. "The typical president, I think, has two or three big problems; we've got seven or eight big problems." He noted that for all his power, people don't just go along with him. On his presidential wish list: a switch he could flip to make the not-always-agreeable Congress fall in line.
Flu fighter
Both in prepared remarks and in his answer to a question from the Associated Press, the First Dad showed he's concerned about the nation's health, saying that he's asking every American to follow these commonsense measures to combat swine flu: "Keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you're sick; and keep your children home from school if they're sick." He also said he won't be closing the border between Mexico and the U.S. since that would be "closing the barn door after the horses are out." In other words, please don't push the panic button yet. But if you do, be sure to use hand sanitizer afterward.
All he needs is just a little patience
As he put it, he'll be working for Americans for "the second hundred days and the third hundred days and all the days after that." After all, Americans have a long list of worries he's got to work on. His message: He's on top of it. So nobody panic. And remember, wash those hands.
