Obama: Proud But Not Content

President Talks Torture, Swine Flu, Agenda And Accomplishments On 100th Day In Office

(CBS)  At a primetime news conference Wednesday marking his 100th day in office, President Obama told Americans that while "we are off to a good start," "more will be lost before this recession is over."

"I'm proud of what we've achieved, but I'm not content," the president said. "I'm pleased with our progress, but I'm not satisfied."

He went on to detail the challenges facing the country, including lost jobs, a deficiency of credit, the struggles of the auto industry, long-term deficits, and "threats ranging from terrorism to nuclear proliferation, as well as pandemic flu."

"All this means you can expect an unrelenting, unyielding effort from this administration to strengthen our prosperity and our security in the second hundred days, in the third hundred days, and all of the days after that," he said.

The president warned Americans not to expect to return to the practices and lifestyles that preceded the economic downturn.

"Even as we clear away the wreckage of this recession, I've also said that we can't go back to an economy that's built on a pile of sand, on inflated home prices and maxed-out credit cards, on overleveraged banks and outdated regulations that allow recklessness of a few to threaten the prosperity of all," he said.

The president opened the news conference by commenting on the swine flu situation - or, as the White House now calls the disease, the H1N1 flu virus.

"Every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations," he said.

"I've asked every American to take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu: keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you're sick; and keep your children home from school if they're sick," he added.

The first question posed to Mr. Obama concerned "under what conditions you might consider quarantining." The president responded that "this is a cause for deep concern, but not panic" and said he is following the advice of health officials who are not recommending closing the U.S.-Mexico border.

"From their perspective, it would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out, because we already have cases here in the United States," he said. (Read more about the president's comments on the flu outbreak.)

Asked about immigration, the president said the country "can't continue with a broken" system. He said he believes his former rival for the presidency, Sen. John McCain, has the "right position on immigration reform" and said he " would love to partner with him and others on what is going to be a critical issue."

The president also addressed the plight of the struggling U.S. auto industry, offering words of encouragement for Chrysler and General Motors.

"I am actually very hopeful, more hopeful than I was 30 days ago, that we can see a resolution that maintains a viable Chrysler auto company out there," he said. On GM, the president said he believes "they can emerge a strong, competitive, viable company."

Watch President Obama's press conference, in full:



"I would love to get the U.S. government out of the auto business as quickly as possible," he said. "And it was my obligation and continues to be my obligation to make sure that any taxpayer dollars that are in place to support the auto industry are aimed not at short-term fixes that continue these companies as wards of the state, but rather institutes the kind of restructuring that allows them to be strongly competitive in the future." (Read more about the president's comments on the auto industry.)

Asked whether "the previous administration sanctioned torture," the president said, "I do believe that [waterboarding] is torture." He said he is "absolutely convinced" that ending such practices was the right thing to do because it "corrodes the character of a country."

CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller asked the president whether he would ever authorize using so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques." Mr. Obama said "there have been no circumstances during the course of this first 100 days in which I have seen information that would make me second guess the decision that I have made" to discontinue their use. (Read more about the president's comments on torture.)

The president also suggested that his administration might back away from its controversial decision to adopt a Republican legal strategy aimed at derailing lawsuits alleging government wrongdoing. (Read more about the president's comments on state secrets.)

And he said he is "confident that we can make sure that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is secure."

"We want to respect their sovereignty, but we also recognize that we have huge strategic interests, huge national security interests in making sure that Pakistan is stable and that you don't end up having a nuclear-armed militant state," said Mr. Obama.

Not every moment in the press conference was quite so serious; asked what most surprised, enchanted, humbled, and troubled him in office, the president quipped that he needed to write down all the categories. When he got to "enchanted," he smiled and said, "enchanted. Nice." (Read the entire exchange.)

Though he remains popular (Mr. Obama's approval rating stands at 68 percent in the most recent CBS News/New York Times poll) and can claim significant victories in his first 100 days, the president is pushing an ambitious agenda that includes rejuvenating the economy, overhauling the health care system, and dealing with two wars and other foreign policy challenges.

He got an unexpected boost in getting that agenda through Congress from Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, who announced Tuesday that he had decided to become a Democrat. The decision creates the prospect of a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate for the Democrats if and when Minnesota Democrat Al Franken is seated.

The president welcomed Specter to his party Wednesday morning, saying he was "thrilled" about the decision and calling the longtime Republican "one tough hombre."

CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Chip Reid asked the president what the move says about the state of the Republican Party and the notion of "one party rule."

"I am under no illusions that suddenly I'm going to have a rubber-stamp Senate. I've got Democrats who don't agree with me on everything, and that's how it should be," he said.

He added of Republicans: "If I'm taking some of your ideas and giving you credit for good ideas, the fact that you didn't get 100 percent can't be a reason every single time to oppose my position. And if that is how bipartisanship is defined, a situation in which basically, wherever there are philosophical differences, I have to simply go along with ideas that have been rejected by the American people in a historic election, you know, we're probably not going to make progress."

The president was also asked about the government's role as a shareholder in auto companies and other businesses that have taken federal money.

"You know, I don't want to run auto companies," he said. "I don't want to run banks. I've got two wars I've got to run already. I've got more than enough to do. So the sooner we can get out of that business, the better off we're going to be."

"I'm not an auto engineer," he added. "I don't know how to create an affordable, well-designed plug-in hybrid. But I know that, if the Japanese can design an affordable, well-designed hybrid, then, doggone it, the American people should be able to do the same."

"This was really President Obama at his best tonight," said CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer following the news conference. "He was to the point, he said what he wanted to say…and in the end I think he probably didn't tell us a single thing he didn't want us to know."

In his opening statement, the president once again lauded his $787 billion stimulus bill, which he said "has already saved or created over 150,000 jobs and provided a tax cut to 95 percent of all working families."

He mentioned other accomplishments as well, including the passage of legislation providing health insurance for "eleven million American children whose parents work full time" and "a housing plan that has already contributed to a spike in the number of homeowners who are refinancing their mortgages, which is the equivalent of another tax cut."

The president also called for a "New Foundation for growth" - one that he said his budget paves the way to achieve. The Senate Wednesday adopted a $3.4 trillion budget plan that largely mirror's Mr. Obama's agenda, something the president lauded in his opening remarks.

The budget "contains new investments in education that will equip our workers with the right skills and training, new investments in renewable energy that will create millions of jobs and new industries, new investments in health care that will cut costs for families and businesses, and new savings that will bring down our deficit," he said.

At a Missouri town hall meeting earlier Wednesday, the president struck a similar tone.

"We have a lot of work left to do," the president told reporters at the news conference. "It's work that will take time, and it will take effort. But the United States of America, I believe, will see a better day. We will rebuild a stronger nation, and we will endure as a beacon for all of those weary travelers beyond our shores who still dream that there's a place where all of this is possible."

The Obama administration initially dismissed the "100 Days" milestone as what senior presidential advisor David Axelrod called a "hallmark holiday." But the administration eventually embraced the benchmark, which grew out of Franklin D. Roosevelt's busy first three-and-a-half months in 1933.

Click here for complete 100 days coverage with more reaction and analysis.

[revlin1]

Mr. Obama: WHO ARE YOU? Will you please come forth and let the American people know? first 100 days grade from middle America D-

[Illinoiswoman]

The presidents humbling discontent is what I wanted. How many have walked away from this completely missing his metaphor to corrections of a massive vehicle taking reasonably long times to show? How many Americans are still taught to know what a metaphor is and what it means? (English minor's pet peeve).

As far as I am concerned, my former NOT choice for my Senator, who proved to represent me well and had me thinking president early on, is right where I expected, where any normal person could expect. It is a cinch to have a perfect first 100 days when you (FDR) have a rubberstamp congress rallying behind the present problems, not figure out first how they can keep what they have before their constituents can eat.

Food for thought.

[Trust_me_]

Were off to see the wizard

Maybe he can get a brian!

[Trust_me_]

I heard from a friend that they sick the lawyers on you to go after the housing guys and charge from $1000 TO $3000 AND NO promisses.

www.makinghomeaffordable.gov

It explains the opportunites available for people facing foreclosure or those wanting to refinance their mortgage. (You could have found this site by checking whitehouse.gov).
Posted by realnews12

[Trust_me_]

mcthreeteeth
I see your still on the government payroll!

[specialty8]

midclas,
You just described the Obama handouts to the tee. "We can't help anybody but the big banks". Unless they paid no bail out for them. AIG is the perfect example.

[starleo146]

If only we had all this scrutiny on G.W.Bush as Obama has had maybe we wouldn't be in this mess. I do not remember anyone asking any questions as they have for Obama who is trying to clear up this mess of the republicans,what is wrong with them they remind me of the wall street and AIG crowd do not want to give up the power or the money. Have they got there heads in the sand, can they not see what they are doing to the country.

[mrzerato]

have run a small business for over thirty years, have employed people that depend on me for a paycheck. It is not as easy as you would like to think. 12 to 14 hours a day, yes I pay health insurance and by no means am I getting rich,nor do I wnt to give it to Obam for more handouts. You must be on the receiving end if you are for this.
Posted by specialty8

It is hard running a business. I unerstand that. I understand that if you are paying for your employees medical care , you keep paying more and more money or having the employees pick up the extra amount. If Obama gets his national health care, you would reduce the amount you pay for health care or your employees. That would be money in your pocket, a defacto tax cut.

If Obama does not get national health care, medical and insurance costs will keep going up

[realnews12]

Bailout the wealthy on Wall Street and the financial institutions, but nothing for those going into foreclosure? Where is the help for them Obama?
--------------------------
Posted by scb1111_1


Check out the website:

www.makinghomeaffordable.gov

It explains the opportunites available for people facing foreclosure or those wanting to refinance their mortgage. (You could have found this site by checking whitehouse.gov).

[midlclass]

the republican party is really not the no party. only to the democratic way of doing things. it seems to me they are more of the republican't party. because all i hear from them is "we can't" do that , we can't raise taxes, we can't work with people it has to be our way or no way, while providing no way to an answer, we can't spend money on the stimulis but we can in a war in Iraq. We can't work with the middle class, we can't bail the little guy out but we can give money to the big banks. but we can't cut or monitor the excessive corp greed and ceo salareies. we can't raise minumum wage, we can't have a more cost effective health care system ETC,ETC, think about it ! republican'ts

[mjvwsr]

No small company is going to be taxed out of existence because their taxes went up a few percentage points.
Posted by rafterman1

you're right but there are four college kids who won't have summer jobs. Perhaps you can get them to change the tires on your home.

[jwind1]

You can stop that myth. No small company is going to be taxed out of existence because their taxes went up a few percentage points. If a company is so fragile that taxes going up a few points will ruin it, then they weren't going to last much longer anyways. But I'm glad to see that you think Obama can create jobs in only 100 days. You neocons are the only ones who seem to think Obama is a messiah. LOL.
Posted by rafterman1 at 8:26 AM : Apr 30, 2009

You know nothing about small business

[specialty8]

mrzerato,
I have run a small business for over thirty years, have employed people that depend on me for a paycheck. It is not as easy as you would like to think. 12 to 14 hours a day, yes I pay health insurance and by no means am I getting rich,nor do I wnt to give it to Obam for more handouts. You must be on the receiving end if you are for this.

[mrzerato]

You apparently have no idea what it takes to run a business. You have health insurance, fire insurance, libilty insurance, workers comp insurance, federal taxes, state taxes, county taxes, local taxes, water and sewer taxes, the right to breath taxes, you name it ,it will taxed. So yes, when Obam taxes us even more jobs will be lost and alot of people will lose their business.
Posted by specialty8

YOU are funny. Most small businesses do not have health insurance. The cost of providing insurance for your employees have gone too high. A proposal to bring the cost of insurance down would be a tax cut for those that provide insurance.

Most small business do not make more than 250K. And if they did, they would not stop production or fire employees because of the taxes increasing. They will get rid of employees if the recession is not addressed. That is why the US chamber of commerce supported the stimulus.

So you telling some one else that they do not know about business because they have never ran one. I say you do not know much about business if that is your beliefs. What every small business wants is for the government not load so many confusing laws on a small business.

[BeckieBest]

slownewsday05 - I came back just to see you idiots. Thanks for asking though I know you'll miss me. Bye
Posted by guyfrompa45

Again, just insults. Grow up, then come back.
Posted by slownewsday05 at 8:26 AM : Apr 30, 2009

Don't cry. It'll be ok son.
Posted by buarneyfwank at 8:47 AM : Apr 30, 2009



Ooops! You forgot to change out of your klan costume into your nazi one.

lol!

[specialty8]

Rafterman,
You apparently have no idea what it takes to run a business. You have health insurance, fire insurance, libilty insurance, workers comp insurance, federal taxes, state taxes, county taxes, local taxes, water and sewer taxes, the right to breath taxes, you name it ,it will taxed. So yes, when Obam taxes us even more jobs will be lost and alot of people will lose their business.

[omega39-2009]

lownewsday05 - I came back just to see you idiots. Thanks for asking though I know you'll miss me. Bye
Posted by guyfrompa45

Again, just insults. Grow up, then come back.
Posted by slownewsday05

(Thumb on nose while waving fingers) Neener-neener-neener!

[rafterman1]

Where are the JOBS Mr. President Barack Obama? Many are losing there jobs because companies believe you are going to tax them out of existance? Bailout the wealthy on Wall Street and the financial institutions, but nothing for those going into foreclosure? Where is the help for them Obama?
--------------------------
Posted by scb1111_1


You can stop that myth. No small company is going to be taxed out of existence because their taxes went up a few percentage points. If a company is so fragile that taxes going up a few points will ruin it, then they weren't going to last much longer anyways. But I'm glad to see that you think Obama can create jobs in only 100 days. You neocons are the only ones who seem to think Obama is a messiah. LOL.

[omega39-2009]

Bailout the wealthy on Wall Street and the financial institutions, but nothing for those going into foreclosure? Where is the help for them Obama?
Posted by scb1111_1

When he was proposing it, Santelli and the rest of you idiots went out "tea-bagging". Don't be surprised if your "empathy" is met with derision....

[scb1111_1]

Pride cometh before a fall.
Posted by valh1 at 8:07 AM : Apr 30, 2009

Richard Nixon had a lot of PRIDE too and you know what happen to him?