Scott Olson
President-elect Barack Obama told Tom Brokaw on Meet the Press that as far as the economy is concerned, “things are going to get worse before they get better.” Obama said he’s “disappointed” the Bush administration hasn’t moved “quicker” to offer mortgage assistance, called on the Big Three carmakers to “restructure,” and explained that his ambitious plan for road construction and school repairs will be merit-based. “You know, the days of just pork coming out of Congress as a strategy, those days are over,” he said. Obama seemed to distance himself from campaign promises to undo Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy and the withdrawal of troops from Iraq in 16 months. He also declined to endorse the appointment of Caroline Kennedy to Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat.