To the Point
Should Barack Obama Go Big or Go Cautious?
Barack Obama has said the economic crisis means that a range of campaign promises will have to be delayed. But he's also said there are "certain investments we cannot delay, precisely because the economy is in turmoil." Also, the Treasury Secretary shifts the focus of his bailout plan, and another humanitarian disaster in Africa.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenBarack Obama has said the economic crisis means that a range of campaign promises will have to be delayed. But he's also said there are "certain investments we cannot delay, precisely because the economy is in turmoil." Was the election a mandate for big change or cautious pragmatism? We hear different opinions. Also, Treasury Secretary Paulson shifts the focus of his bailout plan, and UN peace-keepers are on the ground in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but a humanitarian disaster is happening anyway. We'll get the background.
Banner image: President-elect Barack Obama at his first post-election press conference last Friday, flanked by his vice president-elect Joe Biden (L), his new chief of staff Rahm Emanuel (R), and members of his Transition Economic Advisory Board. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesShould Barack Obama Go Big or Go Cautious?
Barack Obama made a lot of promises during the campaign, then came the crisis in the economy. Can Obama fix the economy and spend big money on healthcare, education, infrastructure and energy independence, all at the same time?
Read the story1 minPaulson Shifts Focus of Bailout Plan
When Congress passed the $700 billion bailout, the focus was on buying so-called "troubled assets" linked to sub-prime mortgages. Today, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said that's not the best use of the money after all. Instead, he wants to buy stock in banks . Greg Robb writes for Marketwatch.com , part of the Dow Jones News Service.
Read the story6 minRwanda and the Strife in the Democratic Republic of Congo
After the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, world leaders said they'd never let it happen again. But another humanitarian disaster is taking shape in Rwanda's neighbor. The Democratic Republic of Congo, a country the size of Western Europe, is rich in minerals but desperately poor in infrastructure.
Read the story8 min
