Obama Strained at First Post-Election Press Conference

President-Elect Barack Obama appeared visibly strained at his first press conference since he was elected. In evaluating Obama’s responses to questions regarding a letter of congratulation from Iran’s Ahmadinejad, the economy, his recent intelligence briefing, the possible stimulus package, a new family dog, and a school for his daughters in Washington, etc., I’m in agreement with Bob Scheiffer at CBS. Scheiffer said Obama was playing his cards close to his vest and really didn’t tell us much about any of these issues.

I’d say Obama’s responses to a couple of questions were just a little iffy. When asked if he’d consulted with former presidents, his attempt at humor fell flat when he said he’d spoken to living presidents, but he hadn’t attempted to do what Nancy Reagan had done and hold a séance with the deceased. I didn’t hear any laughter, and Obama quickly moved on.

Obama’s ridicule of the aging Nancy Reagan at this stage in her life may have seemed inappropriate to some.

In response to a question about finding a puppy for his daughters as promised after the election, his second attempt at humor – although self-deprecating this time - might also have fallen a little flat; he compared his own bi-racial lineage to the pedigree of a mutt.