SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: AMID reports that he is already making plans to reverse Bush Administration policies, the US president-elect, Barack Obama, used the Democratic Party's weekly radio broadcast to assure the country he intended "to hit the ground running" when he takes office on January 20.
His transition advisers have compiled a list of about 200 Bush Administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues.
In some instances, Senator Obama would be quickly delivering on promises he made during his two-year campaign, while in others he would be embracing Clinton-era policies upended by the President, George Bush, during his eight years in office.
"The kind of regulations they are looking at" are those imposed by Mr Bush for "overtly political" reasons, said Dan Mendelson, a former associate administrator for health in the Clinton administration.
While Senator Obama said at a news conference last week that his top priority would be to stimulate the economy and create jobs, his advisers say that focus will not delay key shifts in social and regulatory policies. >>> Ian Munro in New York | November 10, 2008
THE TELEGRAPH: [The Revolutionary] Barack Obama Prepares to Reverse Hundreds of Bush Directives
Barack Obama is preparing to overturn hundreds of rules and regulations on stem cell research, climate change and birth control introduced by the man he will replace in ten weeks.
Mr Obama is to meet Mr Bush at the White House on Monday. The visit will include a tour of the residence for his wife Michelle conducted by First Lady Laura Bush, and forms part of what Obama aides described as a "collegiate" transition of power.
Despite his fierce criticism of the Bush administration during the campaign, Mr Obama and his advisers are being treated with full cooperation as the handover gets properly underway.
John Podesta, head of the victorious Democrat's transition team, said White House staff were "being very forthcoming". "We are moving in a very professional way," he said on CBS' Face the Nation.
In his weekly radio address Mr Bush, who has fully embraced the historic nature of Mr Obama's election last week as the first African American president, said that a smooth handover was paramount.
"I told him [Mr Obama] that he can count on my complete cooperation," he said. "Ensuring that this transition is seamless is a top priority for the rest of my time in office."
Mr Podesta, who is heading the president-elect's transition team, said that the incoming administration was reviewing Bush's executive orders on stem cell research, oil and gas drilling, and other matters. >>> By Alex Spillius in Washington | November 9, 2008
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Australia) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback – Australia) >>>
