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Obama: 'This is the Greatest Economic Challenge of Our Time' Weekly radio address posted on YouTube for first time

Updated 5:59 PM CDT, Fri, Nov 21, 2008

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President-elect Barack Obama will record the first ever multi-media radio address Friday in Chicago at his transition headquarters.

 

Today, another first for the Obama Presidency. The President-elect redefined the Weekly Democratic Radio Address by recording it on radio...and video. The traditionally four-minute speech is now a YouTube video posted on his site, www.change.gov.

In his speech, Obama acknowledged President Bush's efforts to bring leaders of the G-20 countries -- a group that includes the world's largest economies -- together in Washington. At the same time, he said his immediate concern is the recession Americans face at home. 

"Make no mistake: this is the greatest economic challenge of our time," said Obama. "And while the road ahead will be long, and the work will be hard, I know that we can steer ourselves out of this crisis ." 

NBC5's Phil Rogers reported on Friday that IOC members were clearly impressed with the presentation and applauded when it was over.

Obama's presentation came at a time when the president-elect's celebrity is felt around the world. On NBC5's "City Desk," senior advisor David Axelrod noted that Obama is now something of an ambassador for Chicago and the nation.

"I think there is a really positive feeling about this president-elect," he said. "I think that spirit will help in terms of attracting the Olympics."

The meeting was the largest gathering voting European members Chicago's bid committee will see before the final vote is taken 11 months from now, Rogers reported. Committee members, in fact, awoke Friday morning with their newspapers wrapped in a glossy celebration of the city's bid. They ended their day with Obama's message.

Comments (28)

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  • marta Sunday, Nov 16 at 9:45 AM FLAG COMMENT Just for foreign people who do not perfectly manage English: where do they find the written text of the speech? Thanks
  • conservative believer Sunday, Nov 16 at 12:11 AM FLAG COMMENT I wonder about those who bash Bush and vorted for the current elect president as being a great choice for a new leader. If Bush is so bad then give examples how he failed to keep us safe. How he failed to prevent this curent economic crisis set into motion by the democrat legislators who forced lending institutions to make risky loans to those who would not have qualified under normal circumstance. Obama will have little abi ... MORE >
  • Nancy Lopez Saturday, Nov 15 at 12:45 PM FLAG COMMENT I feel 100% positive that we as a Nation will come out of these hard times due to our World Class Leader we have in USA today. This too shall pass, the only differents is that we the middle class will see it much more sooner than just Wall Street. Thank you Obama for caring.....
  • Tammy Saturday, Nov 15 at 12:41 PM FLAG COMMENT Negatism will kill this country?! I think Bush was trying to kill this country. Thank god Obama was elected instead of angry McCain making so many bad choices in his campaign, imagine where he and Palin would have lead us? Most American's (and other countries) feel really good about the direction that Obama will take us. I'm so glad that I am not negative like the rest of the other people making comments. I feel bad for you
  • Minnie E Saturday, Nov 15 at 12:21 PM FLAG COMMENT Negatism will kill this country quicker than any problems we face. Those "snot nosed followers" will soon run this country.

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