President-Elect Obama Meets the Press in Chicago and Comments on 'Mutts'

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
by Christine Bowman

More history was made as President-Elect Obama met with reporters for the first time in Chicago Friday. Having convened his economic team earlier in the day, he chiefly briefed reporters on what he characterized as "more sobering" economic news, and in particular job loss numbers.

Obama took care to emphasize that the country has only one president at a time, yet his press availability seemed crafted to offer the waiting world, fearful of all economic hell breaking loose, reassurances about a path forward for the world's financial markets and struggling citizens. He promised a strong set of policies that will "confront head-on" problems faced by the struggling American middle class and unemployed citizens, small businesses, states and municipalities, and global markets. Before taking questions, President-Elect Obama closed on a confident note describing America as a "strong and resilient country."

When taking questions, Obama also touched on international issues, cabinet selections, and his desire to set a tone that will help Americans unite to solve the big problems. With a significant nod to the hometown audience, he took questions from Chicago reporters Lynn Sweet and John McCormick, among others.

On a hometown note, perhaps a few others besides BuzzFlash News Network recognized a hometown reference when the President-Elect answered the key question about his family's search for a new pet. "This is a major issue," he joked, saying the family dog must be one that does not trigger an allergic reaction in daughter Malia, but ideally also would be a shelter dog -- "a mutt like me."

Back when Barack Obama was just campaigning in north suburban Evanston for a Senate seat in 2003, he stopped in and met up with local Evanston businessman and African-American civic leader Hecky Powell. For the record, that same Hecky Powell had recently found himself in hot water as a school board member when the board was embroiled in sensitive talks about racial balance in the district's schools. At that time, Hecky Powell referred to biracial children, of which there are many in Evanston, as "mutts." A brouhaha ensued. Defiant in the face of political correctness, the restaurateur added a  "MUTT Special" entree to his store's menu, and elected not to seek a second term on the contentious board. One hopes no similar disproportionate storm erupts this time at the mere self-deprecating mention of "mutts."

^{Hecky Powell, District 65 school board member and restaurateur serves up food to all and anger to some at Hecky's Barbecue, 1902 Green Bay Road, which now features the "MUTT special." Photo by Esther Chou.}