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Politics : Sioux Nation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: cirrus who wrote (166450)	4/29/2009 11:27:09 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 362795

Obama Says U.S. Taking ‘Utmost Precautions’ on Flu (Update2) By Julianna Goldman and Kristin Jensen April 29 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama said the world faces a “very serious situation” after the World Health Organization said a swine flu pandemic is imminent. “Every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations,” Obama said tonight during an hour-long White House news conference. Obama, marking his first 100 days in office, also highlighted his budget and economic plan, which he said will set the U.S. on a path toward recovery. He is calling for a “new foundation for growth” with investments in education, renewable energy and health care to help prime the economy in the future. The start of Obama’s term has been defined by major challenges, with the swine flu outbreak and a crashing economy at the forefront. Even so, polls show the new president is more popular than predecessors at the same point in their first terms, and Americans report feeling more optimistic. Still, Obama warned that more jobs will be lost before the recession is over. The government reported today that gross domestic product declined at a 6.1 percent annual pace in the first quarter after contracting at a 6.3 percent rate in the final three months of 2008. Unemployment hit a 25-year high of 8.5 percent last month, and many investors predict a double- digit jobless rate this year. Budget Approval Obama applauded the Democratic-controlled Congress for approving a $3.55 trillion budget that embraces his agenda, including putting approval of the president’s health-care proposals on a fast-track. “We are off to a good start, but it is just a start,” he said. “I am proud of what we have achieved, but I am not content.” In response to a question, Obama said he’s “very hopeful” about the prospects for Chrysler LLC, the third- largest U.S. automaker and it’s “not yet clear” that Chrysler will have to declare bankruptcy. He said he’s “more optimistic than I was” about the possibility of Chrysler merging with Italy’s Fiat SpA. Chrysler faces a deadline tomorrow on whether it can come up with a survival plan to qualify for more federal loans or file for bankruptcy. He said if Chrysler has to go through a bankruptcy it will be a “quick” process. ‘How Severe?’ Along with the economy, atop the list of concerns for many Americans now is the swine flu outbreak. The World Health Organization today said the first pandemic since 1968 is imminent after the flu spread to at least nine nations. Infections have been identified in 11 states in the U.S. The WHO raised its six-step pandemic alert to 5 from 4, the second jump in three days. “The biggest question right now is this: How severe will the pandemic be?” said Margaret Chan, director-general of the WHO, at a news conference in Geneva. “All countries should immediately now activate their pandemic plans.” In Mexico, where the toll is highest, 159 people may have died of the disease, according to officials there. U.S. cases jumped to 94, from 64 yesterday, and included a 22-month-old boy from Mexico who died in a Houston hospital. WHO and other health authorities have begun working toward the production of a vaccine against the disease. Sanofi-Aventis SA, Baxter International Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline Plc are talking with world health authorities about how to speed production of a preventive medicine. Wash Your Hands Obama said schools with confirmed cases should consider closing, and parents should be prepared to make alternative arrangements for children. And he urged Americans to take ordinary precautions such as washing their hands and staying home from work if they feel sick. Obama also turned to foreign policy issues during the news conference. He said he was confident that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal would remain secure. Still, the president said he was concerned about the “very fragile” government in the country and armed extremists. “You’re starting to see some recognition just in the last few days that the obsession with India as the mortal threat to Pakistan has been misguided, and that their biggest threat right now comes internally,” Obama said. The political system in Iraq is “holding and functioning,” Obama said in response to another question. He said incidence of civilian deaths and bombings is “very low relative to what was going on last year.” Separately, Obama said he believed the interrogation technique known as waterboarding is torture. “Waterboarding violates our ideals and our values,” he said. Light Moments There were a few light moments in the news conference. Asked to explain what has most surprised, troubled, enchanted and humbled him about the presidency, Obama paused to write down all the questions and drew laughter from the crowd. He said he’s learned that the power of the presidency is extraordinary, and limited. “I can’t just press a button and suddenly have the bankers do exactly what I want,” Obama said. Later, asked to return to the topic of U.S. intervention in the auto and banking industries, Obama said he had plenty of responsibilities already. “I don’t want to run auto companies,” he said. “I don’t want to run banks. I’ve got two wars to run already. I’ve got enough to do.” To contact the reporters on this story: Julianna Goldman in Washington at jgoldman6@bloomberg.net; Kristin Jensen in Washington kjensen@bloomberg.net Last Updated: April 29, 2009 21:47 EDT