Whos in Charge Here

ALien · 11-26-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

As George Bush doesn't seem to want to be president any more, and Barack Obama can't take over until January, who is running the world's biggest economy at this crucial time?

The difference between their two most recent news conference could not have been more marked. Outlining his treasury team, Barack Obama looked presidential and raring to go from the moment he walked in and the press rose to their feet.

George Bush by contrast looked jaded and reluctant to still be in the job as he announced yesterday's bail-out for Citigroup on the steps of the treasury department. He fumbled through the poorly recorded and low-key press conference with Hank Paulson standing awkwardly beside him.

Is Bush working any more, asked Michael Tomasky. He doesn't seem to want to - referring repeatedly to Obama in his press conference as if it was the president-elect's problem now and not in 60 days' time.

So does America have two presidents at the moment, or none?

Earlier this month, Obama refused to go the Washington summit on the financial crisis because he didn't want to tread on Bush's toes.

"The president-elect will respect the fact that we have one president at a time," his aide said.

But Obama's behaviour since has suggested he is not respecting that convention, and that he is acting as kind of co-president. Some call it a "split-screen presidency", although he has no formal power until the end of January.

As Bush "is hardly being president at the moment", others wonder why Obama can't just take over now.

kidflash2008 · 11-28-2008, 08:14 AM

President Bush is still there to bail out the banks in secret. At times I wonder if there is a leader, as it seems the only ones trying to do something to help the economy are the ones who are not in power yet.

Mingus · 11-28-2008, 08:56 AM

Ever since people found out that the banks weren't going to lend any of the money, instead using it to buy other banks; and that they were giving bonuses to CEO's and stuff; the Bush administration and Paulson have done little to nothing, publicly. Privately, we haven't a clue what's going on, but can only assume more of the same bullshit.

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11-28-2008, 08:14 AM	#2
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	President Bush is still there to bail out the banks in secret. At times I wonder if there is a leader, as it seems the only ones trying to do something to help the economy are the ones who are not in power yet.

11-28-2008, 08:56 AM	#3
Mingus Investigator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 325	Ever since people found out that the banks weren't going to lend any of the money, instead using it to buy other banks; and that they were giving bonuses to CEO's and stuff; the Bush administration and Paulson have done little to nothing, publicly. Privately, we haven't a clue what's going on, but can only assume more of the same bullshit.