International Herald Tribune: Obama plans quick use of executive power

International Herald Tribune: Obama plans quick use of executive power

The Associated Press

Monday, November 10, 2008

WASHINGTON: Barack Obama will assume the U.S. presidency with "a real mandate for change," and likely will use his executive powers to make quick changes, perhaps reversing Bush administration policies on stem cell research and oil exploration.

John Podesta, who's handling Obama's preparations to take over in the White House on Jan. 20, said on Sunday that Obama was reviewing President George W. Bush's executive orders on those and other issues as he prepares to put his own stamp on policy after eight years of Republican rule.

[…]

"I think across the board, on stem cell research, on a number of areas, you see the Bush administration even today moving aggressively to do things that I think are probably not in the interest of the country," Podesta said.

Obama has supported stem cell research in an effort to find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Also, the federal Bureau of Land Management is opening about 360,000 acres (145,000 hectares) of public land in Utah to oil and gas drilling, leading to protests from environmentalists.

[…]

Speaking on Fox television, Podesta said Obama was working to build a diverse Cabinet likely to include Republicans and independents part of the broad coalition that supported Obama during the race against Republican John McCain.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been mentioned as a possible holdover.

[…]

Obama, who will be the nation's 44th president, was to hold its first postelection meeting with Bush this week.

Bush and first lady Laura, will host Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two daughters — 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha for a Monday tour of the executive mansion. Obama and Bush were expected to hold substantive meetings then as well.

[…]

Read the entire article here: International Herald Tribune: Obama plans quick use of executive power

___
On the Net:
Transition office: http://change.gov/

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/10/america/NA-US-Obama.php

20081110 International Herald Tribune Obama plans quick use of exe power