In his first public remarks since delivering his victory speech three days ago, President-elect Barack Obama vowed Friday that restoring the nation's economic equilibrium will be a priority of his administration. In his first post-election news conference, Obama said "I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead," Obama told reporters at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. "We have taken some major action to date, and we will take further action." CNN quoted Obama as saying that passing a stimulus package will be his first move if Congress fails to do so before he takes office January 20. "It's not going to be easy for us to dig ourselves out of the hole that we're in," he said, flanked by Vice President-elect Joe Biden and members of his transition economic advisory board. "But America is a strong and resilient country, and I know that we will succeed if we put aside politics and partisanship." Obama pointed to Friday's release of unemployment figures and bad news from the auto industry as part of the reason that his administration will have to move quickly on the economic crisis. Watch Obama lay out his economic plan » "We are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime, and we are going to have to act swiftly to solve it," Obama said. Obama expressed gratitude to President Bush for his invitation to White House and the promise the outgoing leader has made to keep him fully informed about the state of the nation.
