The L.A. Times gives a good review to President-elect Barack Obama for his first news conference, conducted on a day that began with downbeat economic news
“„Overall, the press conference went well. Obama seemed more at ease than he did on the campaign trail, and he had a nice repartee with reporters. And, perhaps most importantly, there was a new air about him — something you may have noticed during his acceptance speech on election night in Chicago’s Grant Park. He seemed presidential.
“„When possible, Obama’s answers about his plans for the future were vague. For example, when he was asked if he still intends to seek income tax increases for upper-income Americans, Obama was non-committal. “I think that the plan that we’ve put forward is the right one,” he said, “But, obviously, over the next several weeks and months, we’re going to be continuing to take a look at the data and see what’s taking place in the economy as a whole.”
“„Answers like those give him a lot of wriggle room. That’s what an incoming president wants.