The Most Important Stories You May Have Missed

The obvious headlines like "Obama Wins Presidency," are hard to miss, and I'm sure all you poli-sci buffs are well-versed on Obama's cabinet picks, but here are some stories you may have missed with all the hoop-la and fanfare over trivial issues like who will be the next leader of our struggling country:

What breed best suits the new first family?  Forget picking a secretary of state, Barack's next big decision will be: pitbull, rottweiler or poodle.  Or how about a pit-rot-oodle?  Of course, everyone from foreign diplomats to Jamie Foxx have an opinion on this topic.  But the real expert in this area?  Yes, that's right, the Dog Whisperer (aka Cesar Millan).  Dog guru and Oprah show regular, Millan has publicly delivered some of the world's best advice to our president-elect.  "The dog won't know he's Barack Obama and won the presidency," he says.  Gasp!  You mean a dog won't know that his master is the saviour of the United States?  Oh my goodness!

So what are we politically-minded, concerned citizens to do?  Get out the VOTE, again!  You to can be a part of presidential history and vote on the name of the first-dog-to-be by going to Bar(ac)k the Vote (my, how clever).  I'm personally in favor of Hope, or maybe Change, it's just such a tough call. (image from Tripawds.com)

Michelle, Barack and the Harmony Ring:  One of the foremost credible news sources in the world reported the Barack plans to purchase a $30,000 "Harmony" ring for his wife Michelle.  The news source I am of course referring to is the Daily Mail.  Apparently, Italian designer Giovanni Bosco will create the one-of-a-kind diamond-encrusted rhodium ring.  (For those two or three of you who don't know what rhodium is, it's a metal produced in South Africa and the most expensive in the world.)  The ring will reportedly be ready in time for the Mrs. to wear to the inauguration.

But then Gawker has the audacity to try to dispute this story!  They say, "President-elect Obama—allegedly a 'man of the people'—is allegedly buying a fancy $30,000 ring for his fancy wife, allegedly!"  The nerve!  You can just hear the words, dripping with sarcasm.  How dare they question the authority of the Daily Mail?  Well, come inauguration day, we'll just see who's right.

Pssst!  Hey Barack!  I hear you can shop for "Harmony rings" at Wal-Mart, and they're only $150-300!  (image from Gawker.com)

The White House is a Non-Smoking Zone:  Republicans everywhere have taken up a new cause: alerting the public to the fact that Barack Obama is still a smoker.  If they can't attack him politically, then dammit, they'll attack him personally.  Despite the fact that he's trying to quit, he admits to giving in to temptation from time to time.  That's it!  I knew it!  We should have elected John McCain.  It's much more likely that Obama will succumb to lung cancer or heart disease that McCain would have to the stress of the job at his age.

Even though Obama "says" he won't light up in the White House.  What's to stop him?  We need more accountability in our government.  We can cut defense spending and put security cameras in every hall way and multiple smoke detectors in every room.  (image from SavagePolitics.com)

Interview with the President Elect

ABC aired a Barbara Walters special interview with President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.  The interview covered everything from the flailing economy to the selection of a "first-puppy" for the incoming first family.  Here are some highlights from the interview, which you can watch here.

On the economic crisis:  Many feel that with the economy in the state that it is "the fate of the nation is riding on [Obama's] shoulders."  With so much pressure on one man, he says his biggest fear is "that the economy is so weakened already."  But he says that his plan involves assembling the best team possible and come out full force in January.

On people's expectations:  He built his campaign on the promises of change and the hope of solutions to problems we've been accruing over the past eight years.  But do people expect too much out of Obama?  "I can meet the expectation of a government that is competent and honest and can make the daily lives of our citizens better," he told Walters.  "If people see progress, then I will have met expectations."  But, he reminds us that, "I am not a miracle worker."

On the auto makers' plan:  Despite the dismal situation of US auto makers, corporate heads are still taking risks and accruing expenses.  Obama suggests an "ethic of responsibility," where  "the least you can do is say I'm willing to make some sacrifices as well because I recognize that there are other people worse off."  As for tax hikes on the wealthy, the theme is a net tax cut for working families, whereas "people like you and me, Barbara, can afford to pay a little more."

On his cabinet choices:  Though Walters badgered Obama about his possible choices to fill his cabinet, he would only say, "No one would come to my press conferences if I spill the beans on 20/20."  As to the accusations that he would name those from the Clinton administration, "we need someone with experience in dealing with economic depression... the change comes from the person in the oval office."

On foreign policy:  Turning the attention to foreign policy, Obama suggested a plan that would transfer more troops to Afghanistan go on the offensive instead of remaining on the defensive together with a plan for withdrawing from Iraq.  Though he ceded that we have made some improvements in Iraq, he made sure to highlight that our job is to make sure we leave behind an iraq with structural integrity.  He also emphasized the fact that our focus should be on getting Bin Laden and to stay focused on Al-Qaeda strongholds in Afghanistan.

On racist threats against him:  "Those who voted for or against me overwhelmingly judged me on the basis of my platforms," he said in the interview.  "At the margins of any society are the extremists, but they're not at the heart of what america is."  He also cited his religious faith as carrying him through the day.

On his mother and grandmother:  Obama said that he knew his mom would not have been surprised at his victory, but most certainly proud of how he did it.  It would have been his grandmother, instead, who was surprised at the outcome.

On his previous aspirations:  Before deciding on running for president, he had wanted to be an architect, basketball player and judge.  "The one thing I know I didn't expect was to be president," he said.

On his wife:  "Michelle grounds me.  She is my reality check... a constant reminder of why do I do this."

Highlights from the rest of the interview:

Who has the last word in arguments?  Michelle.  "Whatever you say, honey."

[pause for a lipstick check and witty banter between the Mr., the Mrs. and Walters]
About the children: Sasha is 7 years old and Malia is 10.  Malia plans to sit at the desk where Lincoln signed the Gettysburg Address to write "important papers."

Yes, the girls will make their beds and clean their rooms.

Yes, the girls will attend private school.

Yes, the girls do write letters to santa.

No, the Obama's do not spank their girls: "We don't have to."

Inauguration speech preview: a theme ofrebuilding the sense that we're all in this together
Thanksgiving at the Obama's: 60 people at the house (mostly Michelle's family), and spent the day before at a soup kitchen

Parting thoughts from Barack Obama: "I want to remind people that as tough as times are right now... that we have been through tough times before, and the extraordinary blessings of being an American... that is the greatest of gifts that we have to give thanks for."

PS: Please, stop sending pictures of your dog to the Obama's: "We're getting more advice on this than on my economic policies."

photo courtesy of ABC news