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Many US Democrats want a more assertive Obama
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-05 11:28 He also declined to take a stand in a debate over the source of money for an auto loan package. The dispute has divided Democrats and hindered progress on assistance for the industry. At issue is whether to take money from the $700 billion designated for the financial sector or to take it from a previously approved loan aimed at manufacturing more energy-efficient cars. "I think it's premature to get into that issue," Obama said at the conference. Presidents-elect typically spend the transition period assembling their cabinets and their White House staffs and preparing to take the reins of power. This transition is occurring at an extraordinary time, with bad economic news mounting by the day and with one of the country's major industries begging for a hand to keep from collapsing. Two Democratic senators involved in trying to salvage the auto companies have said Obama could help move the process along and should become more engaged. "The Obama team has to step up," Sen. Christopher Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and one of the lead negotiators, said November 21 in Hartford, Connecticut, his home state. "In the minds of the people, this is the Obama administration. I don't think we can wait until January 20." Two days later, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, a point man in helping his state's main industry, making cars, urged Obama to help resolve the dispute over money for the auto loan package. "It would be very helpful if the president-elect would become more involved in resolving the issue over the source of the funds," he said. "I want him to offer his assistance. He is a person who can really bring people together." Frank, shrewd and quick-witted, also poked fun at Obama's calls for a "post-partisan" governing environment in Washington. Frank predicted that regulatory legislation aimed at preventing abuses related to subprime mortgages and credit cards stood a much better chance next year, when Democrats have greater majorities in the House and Senate. "It is a grave mistake to assume that parties are irrelevant to this process," he said. "My one difference with the president-elect, about whom I am very enthusiastic, is when he talks about being post-partisan. "Having lived with this very right-wing Republican group that runs the House most of the time, the notion of trying to deal with them as if we could be post-partisan gives me post-partisan depression," Frank said. |
