Obama's struggle to bring in change (contd.)

9th Feb has been a busy day for Obama. He made a trip to Elkhart, Indiana to meet the people at a Townhall meeting. Elkhart has a high 15% unemployment now, the major industry there being production of RVs (recreation vehicles). His objectives for the trip were quite clear-- have a direct chat with the people, hardsell his economic plan, emphasize the need for urgency in action by senate in passing the bill (and thus putting more pressure on the Republicans to act swiftly). Having seen the meeting live on CNN, i would say that he achieved his objectives to a great extent.

( I was reminded of Indira Gandhi who used to go to people and address them directly at huge rallies whenever she had political problems, there by putting great pressure on her detractors. Also, he looked like 'the angry youngman' , Amitab Bachan in zanzeer & deewar.)

Later in the evening at 7pm(EST) he addressed his first primetime press conference at the east room in white house. At this conference he spoke well and answered the 13 questions well. More often, he sounded like a professor and his answers were lengthy. But, it was refreshing to see a man who was well informed, knew what he was talking about and spoke with passion and conviction.

The salient points are----

- this is not your run of the mill recession, it is the biggest one since great depression.

- his priorities are to create 4 million jobs, improve the credit availability from banks, improve
consumer confidence.

- jobs will be created by the private sector, but government has to jump-start the economy now.

- hard to take criticism form those (republicans) who have doubled the national debt.

- inaction is not an option at all.

By his actions today, Obama has taken full ownership of the plan and rightly so. Time alone will tell whether he will succede and to what extent. But one thing is clear, he has a plan and he is a man in hurry. He beleives in change and will do his best to bring in. He is asserting himself as the President showing signs of agression, at times. His popularity is at a high 75%. All this bodes well for america in it's hour of economic crisis.

Good luck Mr. President.