U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's incoming White House chief of staff
says the economy will be the new administration's number one priority.
In televised interviews (with ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" and CBS's "Face the Nation") on Sunday,
Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel said Mr. Obama has pledged to move
with deliberate haste to confront the country's economic problems.
He said Mr. Obama has made it clear he plans to govern in a bipartisan
fashion. Emanuel said the large challenges facing the nation will
require the leaders of both the Democratic and Republican parties to
work together.
John Podesta, the director of Mr. Obama's transition team, told "Fox
News Sunday" that the president-elect's first concern is pushing
through an economic stimulus plan. But he said it is up to President
George Bush to help move the proposal.
Podesta said the incoming administration will also examine executive
orders signed by Mr. Bush that are at odds with Mr. Obama's views,
including an order on stem cell research. He said the new
administration could easily repeal or amend such orders, because no
Congressional action is necessary.
Mr. Bush and President-elect Obama are expected to meet Monday at the White House to discuss the transfer of power.
Mr. Obama said Saturday that his administration will immediately begin
efforts to restore the economy when he is sworn into office January
20th. He promised to move swiftly on a plan that helps working-class
families.
Mr. Bush has ordered his staff to make the transition as seamless as possible.