Obama makes economy top priority

Finding solutions to the financial crisis will be Barack Obama’s top priority as US president.

In his first address since winning the election, the Democrat senator said Congress must pass an economic stimulus package either before or just after he takes office in January. “Tens of millions of families are struggling to figure out how to pay the bills and stay in their homes,” the president-elect said. “Their stories are an urgent reminder that we are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime, and we are going to have to act swiftly to resolve it.”

Careful not to step on the toes of President George W. Bush, Obama repeatedly stressed that America could only have one president at a time.

He also showed similar caution when tackling a question on Iran. “Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon I believe is unacceptable, and we have to mount a international effort to prevent that from happening,” Obama said. “Iran’s support of terrorist organisations, I think is something that has to cease.”

Obama added that the US approach to Iran could not be done in a “knee-jerk” fashion. He is due to discuss the economy with President Bush when the two meet at the White House on Monday.

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