News Nuggets 69

As Economy Falters, Obama's Goodwill Grows from the New York Times

"The six weeks after Election Day have produced an extraordinary juxtaposition: the worse things have become for the country, the better they’ve become for President-elect Barack Obama."

The GOP's 'Hoover Time' from The Week

"Dick Cheney was spot-on last week in his verdict on Senate Republicans’ opposition to a survival plan for the American auto industry. "It's Herbert Hoover time," he said, mordantly channeling the theme song of a hallmark children's show of the 1950s: "It's Howdy Doody time." "

Putin Had Better Not Underestimate Obama from Le Monde [of France in English]

"Russia has once again sought a rivalry that would give it the feeling of being a great power. … Mr. Putin shouldn't be under any illusions about an American president who is considered inexperienced in foreign affairs."

Obama has Flexibility to Think Big From Day One (Al Hunt) from the Bloomberg News Service

"President-elect Barack Obama faces more difficult challenges than any new American chief executive since FDR. He also has more leeway, on policy and politics, than most."

Born in the USA from the Guardian [of London]

"Republicans are trying to prove that Obama is not eligible to be president. But their party has much bigger problems to solve."

Obama Team Woos GOP to Ease Way for Agenda from the Wall Street Journal

"Obama hopes the effort will both ease the way for an aggressive, decidedly liberal policy blitz after he takes office, and establish terrain for a good working relationship in areas where the parties can find common ground. First up will be a half-trillion-dollar stimulus plan he hopes will win Republican votes."

Don't Say the D Word from Time Magazine

""Shall we call it a depression now?" asked former Labor Secretary Robert Reich. "The threat of a widespread depression is now real and present," argued the University of Maryland's Peter Morici."

A Finger in the Dike (Nicholas Kristof) from the New York Times

"For the first time in human history, I agree with Dick Cheney. According to LA Times, he warned Republican senators that if they refused to bail out the auto companies, “we will be known as the party of Herbert Hoover forever.”"

Joe Cool Arrives at the White House from the Times [of London]

"Whether or not he lives up to the hype (and, frankly, who could?), Barack Obama looks set to become the coolest president America has ever had."