Obama Promises to Get Tough with Washington Lobbyists

Attempting to stick to the script from his presidential campaign, President Barack Obama is promising to take on special interests and appears ready to back up his words with actions. Obama has noted that he will fight to change health care, education and energy policy and told reporters, "The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long. But I don't. I work for the American people." The populist message is in keeping with Obama's campaign promises and has been referred to as "radical" by some pundits.

Obama further noted that his budget, submitted last Thursday to Congress, will help the country out of its current predicament, but only if members of Congress were equally willing to overlook special interests. Said Obama, "I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they're gearing up for a fight. My message to them is this: So am I."

While focusing primarily on the three main issues he's campaigned on - education, healthcare and energy - Obama is speaking of sweeping change across a seemingly broken country that has succumb to big business, big government and big labor for far too long. Capping off a recent speech, Obama said, "We have done more in these past 30 days to bring about progressive change than we have in the past many years. We are closing the gap between the nation we are and the nation we can be by implementing policies that will speed our recovery and build a foundation for lasting prosperity and opportunity."