Live Blogging President-Elect Obama’s First Press Conference

On the financial crisis:

First of all, we need a rescue plan for the middle class that invests in immediate efforts to create job and provide relief to families who are watching their paychecks shrink and their life savings disappear

A fiscal stimulus plan that will jump start economic growth that is long overdue. We have to address the spreading impact of the financial crisis on the other sectors of our economy. We must also remember that financial crisis is increasingly global and requires a global response.

On the automobile industry:

The auto industry is the backbone of American manufacturing and a critical part of our attempt to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. We will review the implementation of this administrations financial program.

Closing statements, before opening up the stage to reporters:

We will be moving forward grow our middle class and strengthen our economy in the long term. We want to provide clean energy, health care, education and tax relief for middle class families.

Let me close by saying this. I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead. Some of the choices that we make are going to be difficult. It is not going to be quick, it is not going be easy, to dig ourselves out of the whole that we are in. We will succeed if we put aside partisanship and politics.

About a stimulus package:

I want to see a stimulus package sooner rather than later - if it does not get done in the lame duck session it will be the first thing i will get done when I am president.

When asked by a reporter if he had received and read the letter of congratulations written by President Ahmadinejad of Iran, he said that, “He was aware that the letter was sent.

Let me state that Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon I believe is unacceptable. We have to mount an international effort to prevent that from happening. Iran’s support of terrorist organizations is something that has to cease. I will be reviewing the letter and we will respond appropriately, It’s only been 3 days.

On a visit to the White House:

President Bush graciously invited Michelle and I to meet with him and first lady Laura Bush. We are gratified by the invitation.

In addition to taking a tour of the White House, he is sure that there will be talks between himself and Bush of key policy issues, but that he doesn’t “anticipate any problems.”

On differences:

Undoubtedly there may end up being differences, not just between members of different parties, but between people of the same party, the critical point, the critical tone that has to be struck by all of us involved right now is that the American people need help.

Now is a good time to set politics aside for a while and think practically about what will actually work to move the economy forward and it is in that spirit that I will have a conversation with the president.

On further staff announcement and appointments:

When we have an announcement about cabinet appointments, we will make them. There is no doubt that people want to know who is going to make up our team. I’m proud of the choice I made as Vice President partly because we did it right, I’m proud of the choice of chief of staff, because I thought it through. I’m confident that we are going to have an outstanding team.

On what books he is reading, the difficult choice of the first puppy and school choices for his daughters:

I re-read some of Lincoln’s writing who is always an extraordinary inspiration.

He also mentioned that President Bush senior and President Carter have reached out to him in an effort to make the transition as smooth as possible.

The selection of the first puppy has “generated more interest on our website just about anything. We have two criteria that have to be reconciled - one is that Malia is allergic, has to be hypoallergenic, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but obviously a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me.”

He also mentioned that Michelle Obama would be scouting out some possible schools.

Photo by bobster1985