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Obama on Thanksgiving: 'A New and Brighter Day Is Yet To Come'
November 27, 2008 11:11 AM
ABC News’ Matt Jaffe reports from Chicago:
The day after President-elect Barack Obama wrapped up his third press conference on the economy in as many days, he acknowledged on Thanksgiving that "times are tough" for the country, but harkened back to the successes of President Abraham Lincoln in reassuring Americans that "a new and brighter day is yet to come."
Listen to it HERE.
"Times are tough. There are difficult months ahead," Obama said in the weekly Democratic Radio Address, released two days early in time for the holiday. "But we can renew our nation the same way that we have in the many years since Lincoln's first Thanksgiving: by coming together to overcome adversity; by reaching for –- and working for –- new horizons of opportunity for all Americans. So this weekend –- with one heart, and one voice, the American people can give thanks that a new and brighter day is yet to come."
Watch it HERE.
Obama is spending the holiday at his Chicago home with his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia and Sasha, after volunteering at a food bank in their hometown Wednesday afternoon.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill headed north from their home in Wilmington, Del., to spend Thanksgiving with their family in Nantucket, off the Massachusetts coast.
Obama spent the first three days of this week emphasizing the "historic" economic crisis the country is facing, calling for "bold" government action, such as a massive stimulus package he wants Congress to have ready for him when he is inaugurated on January 20th.
On this national holiday, Obama not only acknowledged the nation's financial troubles, but also paid tribute to the troops serving abroad in America's two wars.
"This Thanksgiving also takes place at a time of great trial for our people," he said. "Across the country, there were empty seats at the table, as brave Americans continue to serve in harm's way from the mountains of Afghanistan to the deserts of Iraq. We honor and give thanks for their sacrifice, and stand by the families who endure their absence with such dignity and resolve. At home, we face an economic crisis of historic proportions."
In order to overcome the financial problems, Obama reiterated, "It's going to take bold and immediate action to confront this crisis."
But the Illinois lawmaker stated that government action alone will not be enough to revive the economy.
"This Thanksgiving, we are reminded that the renewal of our economy won't come from policies and plans alone –- it will take the hard work, innovation, service, and strength of the American people," concluded the President-elect.
On Thanksgiving morning, Obama went to the gym to work off some of the Thanksgiving grub awaiting him later in the day. He is expected to spend the holiday weekend with his family in Chicago, with a trip to the stores possible as well.
Noting Wednesday that his two daughters had already submitted their wish-lists for Santa, Obama said he might even do some "extra shopping" on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year.
After the holiday weekend, it's back to work for the suddenly media-friendly President-elect, who took a total of 13 questions from reporters in his tripleheader newsers this week and will face more early next week when he is expected to unveil his national security team.
-- Matt Jaffe
November 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (46)
Barack Obama has set the bar too high and his supporters are expecting miracles in a very short period of time, but his greatest challenge is going to be lifting the tens of millions of inner-city voters out from a life of crime and poverty. African-Americans in particular have always felt that they were not represented and therefore, neglected. Now, one of their own is going to be President and Democrats will have overwhelming control of both the House and Senate...so expectations are that NOW they will expect their fortunes to be reversed. Unfortunately, their hopes and dreams will be crushed by the reality that government is not going to change their fortunes for them. There are some who will continue to work their way to a better life, but not much more than in years past. For almost all, their situation today will still exist in 2012. My only question is...will they continue to be the victims of the Democratic Party, or will they expand their political views? Telling people what they want to hear may get their attention and in the short-term may inspire them to initiate action; but over the long haul, they must see significant progress to sustain that movtivation...or they will fall into despair and quit. Barack Obama has achieved the initial inspiration part and he has the Congress in his hip pocket, but can he sustain that momentum as Republicans attempt to undermine him at home (like Democrats did to President Bush) and our enemies undermine us abroad? I think we are in for a long four years, but I hope I am wrong.
Posted by: Gary | Nov 28, 2008 11:44:11 AM
they hated us before Bush. they are jealous as we were the richest most powerful nation on earth
Posted by: al | Nov 28, 2008 11:05:24 AM
If hussein holds another press conference to announce his plans I'm going to vomit. When will this lying tool (he's already gone back on or repositioned himself on every campaign promise since he won) stop campaigning and realize he will have to make decisions and stand on his positions as a president. Too bad he's never lead anything.
Posted by: Rob | Nov 28, 2008 8:06:19 AM
Anna,
Yeah, Bush kept us safe alright. 911 happened on HIS WATCH.
Yeah, he invaded the WRONG country and only stoked up resentment among Middle-Easters. I personally would be pretty angry if my family member got killed in a mis-targeted air-strike.
Yeah, he kept us safe alright. The Americans in Mumbai aren't very safe now. The troops in Afghanistan aren't very safe now either.
Yeah, we haven't been attacked on home soil since after 911, but the whole world pretty much hated us (until Obama won, that is).
Posted by: Grey Matter | Nov 28, 2008 5:23:49 AM
>>To that person who wasn't grateful to >>Bush for keeping us safe after 911, >>maybe 911 would not have happened if >>Clinton had done something, ANYTHING, >>after the UN was bombed!
Posted by: Anna | Nov 27, 2008 3:48:33 PM
Anna, you suffer the same vices as the Bush administration. You're too damned confident about things that you know nothing about, but you only want to look at mirrors of your uninformed opinion. When hubris meets ignorance you get elitists: democrats and republicans.
Attention GOP puppets: read Tenet's newest book and Bob Baer's book to understand exactly what's wrong with our intelligence agency and what's right with it. If you are literate, honest, and have any firing neurons you would know the CIA lost its ways under REAGAN! And even then take the time to actually learn what the agency told the BUSH administration about Iraq and then think. I know it makes you uncomfortable, but your country needs your patriotism, not your chauvinism. You might began to answer the question about how "safe" we all are today, with an iota of fact.
Try cracking a book you don't want read with an open mind. Maybe the _Iraq study group report_? Don't worry its short. We were all born imperfect and will die imperfect, but unless you try to grow every day of your life you might as well be dead.
Posted by: Patriot | Nov 28, 2008 12:49:07 AM
Hey bal
I have some for you? You reap what you sow. Fact is that either Obama puts out or shut up! If you want respect & support, then he better show some decisive ACTION. It speaks louder than words and don't forget respect. Time will tell? And I am also independent.
Posted by: marty | Nov 28, 2008 12:31:54 AM
the last 16 years have done wonders to our country-----slick willy and his trade sellouts and bush with his freaking war.now obama is expected to correct it all before he is even sworn in as pres. it is no wonder this country is in such a mess.
Posted by: rodney | Nov 27, 2008 9:47:08 PM
Does a new and brighter day yet to come mean that things can't get much worse? But tis better to have holiday cheer than none!
Posted by: kat | Nov 27, 2008 9:13:30 PM
Just hearing president elect Obama speak, as compared to president Bush gives me hope that he can in time turn around this mess that the Bush lead Republican Party has gotten us in.
Posted by: marty | Nov 27, 2008 7:57:21 PM
Yes, PEBO - in about 4-8 years!
So: If God's people will humble themselves and pray, and cease from their wicked ways,... God will heal their land! :)
Posted by: aware2u | Nov 27, 2008 7:28:23 PM
Hey Brent, Take away the college kiddies and the blacks and Obama would NEVER have won.......
Posted by: Anna | Nov 27, 2008 3:50:34 PM
That's not even close to the truth Anna. Obama won in all catagories. Check the facts.
Posted by: d | Nov 27, 2008 5:48:57 PM
One more thing we need to get straight. Mr. Obama is not the President-elect. He will not be until the electoral college votes and that won't happen until December. If we are going to be so accurate about things on here lets start with who Obama even is.
Posted by: Jeremy | Nov 27, 2008 5:47:29 PM
President-elect Obama is love and America incarnate, we can all learn from him. Happy Thanksgiving.
Posted by: SB | Nov 27, 2008 5:40:01 PM
no matt , hes not going to be trapped by unfriendly reporters pre-biasing the gullible american readers/voters.
your questions will all get answered once he effectively gets his hands on the levers that run this country.
hes going to let his actions do the talking... just sit back and watch.
also of note...you republican whiners remember , dont forget about april 15th!
Posted by: bal | Nov 27, 2008 5:02:06 PM
The election was a landslide if all you count is people 30 and younger. Looking at it from the GOP side it IS too bad you can't take them away. The real scary part is voters who were 30 and younger for this election will include all the voters 34 and younger for the next election, and their numbers are only going to grow as a percentage of the voting population going forward. This is the beginning of a generational shift in politics.
Posted by: snodman | Nov 27, 2008 4:35:51 PM
Hey Brent, Take away the college kiddies and the blacks and Obama would NEVER have won.......
Posted by: Anna | Nov 27, 2008 3:50:34 PM
To that person who wasn't grateful to Bush for keeping us safe after 911, maybe 911 would not have happened if Clinton had done something, ANYTHING, after the UN was bombed! Anyone who has faith in these democrats better pray that they change, trust me.
Posted by: Anna | Nov 27, 2008 3:48:33 PM
Lets see what everyone things an him this time next year or when these problems don't miraculously disappear on January 21
Posted by: Brent | Nov 27, 2008 3:40:37 PM
President elect Obama was chosen by 52% of voters. An even larger percentage around the world is happy he won. I hate to tell you Obama-haters, but you guys are in the minority.
Posted by: Edwin L. Jones | Nov 27, 2008 3:33:18 PM
Mr Obama , blah, blah , blah, blah blahhhh.
Posted by: Frank | Nov 27, 2008 3:29:08 PM
America is already a brighter place, having elected Barak Obama as our president. His vision for a future inspires us to achieve it. Yes, it will take much energy and determination to undo the damage of the past eight years, but Yes We Can.
I for one am proud again to be an American.
To a reinvigorated and uncorrupted America. Happy Thanksgiving.
- Arye Michael Bender -
Posted by: Arye Michael Bender | Nov 27, 2008 3:18:41 PM
Isn't it about time that some of you leave the party politics at the door? For those of you who still insist upon continually bashing Mr. Obama may I remind you that he has yet to take office. For someone who is President-Elect, I feel he is already doing an excellent job of uniting a fragmented country and bringing the opposition into the fold. What other President-Elect has had to shoulder so much, so soon, prior to even being sworn in? I look forward to the Obama administration! This guy is good and I am even more confident in his abilities to lead and provide a vision. As for Mr. Bush, well.. history shall be his judge. Who knows what one would have done given the events and circumstances at the time. However, he should be given many kudos for his graciousness in welcoming the new administration with such openess and a willingness to work together. There's A LOT to be credited for that alone. For the still impossible naysayers, I ask you to ask yourself; "Could John McCain AND especially Sarah Palin have done any better?" Ms. Palin continues to underline her ineptness on a daily basis! ...Remember, she was John McCaine's choice of which I would say is a direct reflection of his decision-making ability.
Posted by: FS | Nov 27, 2008 3:14:38 PM
to mksyed:
What are you talking about?!
Posted by: vince vaughn | Nov 27, 2008 2:52:50 PM
Got bless Barak Obama.
Posted by: Gerry | Nov 27, 2008 2:38:41 PM
Hey Man, Say President Obama.Your President. If Bush can be President with "Stolen election" and do all this crap and you can say him president ..ss.
why you cant say PRESIDENT OBAMA who won LANDSLIDE. I know some of you redneck do not like that,Ha. Dont make us laugh.Open your eyes,come back to reality.world is changing.This is just the begining. I respect the GUTS of President BARAK OBAMA.He is a "SON OF A GUN" President of USA.
Posted by: mksyed | Nov 27, 2008 2:30:57 PM
I am waiting when Bush and all those
Republican "cowboys" are leaving.I hate
this people and of course 60-70% of all americans. They proved it and Voted fot it.Now we are all "Democrats" and will rule our country for Eight years of course for sure and may be next 12-16 years.Republicans are"Dog and Cat food".
From 2050 onwards whether Republican can Win "White House"is Questionable ??
Posted by: mksyed | Nov 27, 2008 2:18:51 PM
How can people say Bush kept us safe? Under whose Presidency did Sept 11th happen? Let's not forget that.
Peace
Posted by: Lisa | Nov 27, 2008 2:16:45 PM
Thanksgiving is what this man is talking about. My greatest hope is that we can remember that both parties have a say in what course this country will track notthose most Jingoistic. My prayers are with President-elect Obama and the efforts he is making to bring this country back from a precipace we (in looking at other posts in this blog) are getting too. Lets try to come to consensus in this country for our childrens good. It will not happen overnight but it will not happen at all if we are all not openminded.
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