The Big Question for Mar. 24: Obama’s news conference

The Big Question is a feature where influential lawmakers, pundits and interest group leaders give their answers to a question that’s driving discussion in news circles around the country.

Some responses are gathered via e-mail, while others are gathered in person via tape recorder.

Today’s Big Question is:

What is the most important thing the president must communicate in his news conference tonight?

Read responses below from Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Anna Burger, John Zogby, William Redpath, John Castellani, Timothy Potter, Celinda Lake, Dean Baker, Dr. Herbert London, and Dr. Larry J. Sabato.

Read the last Big Question here.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said:

How the Treasury package is going to create jobs and move the economy forward.

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) said:

I think the president has to articulate why the economic policies that he has been presenting, which are now a fairly large number, are likely to be a roadmap to recovery this year. People are not impatient, but on the other hand, they would like to see change, and they’d like to see upward movement. Read the full response here.

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn) said:

I’d like to hear, in a positive and constructive way, how this economic stuff is going to restore people’s confidence. Competence, optimism and confidence.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga) said:

I have not thought about that, but in the American people’s mind there is only one issue and that is the U.S. economy: how we got there, where we are and how we’re getting out. Read the full response here.

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said:

Of course, the president has to decide that himself, but I think what I would be doing is how the so-called banking plan is going to work and how it’s going to be fair to the American taxpayer.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) said:

I think the most important thing the president to do tonight at his press conference is, number one, to answer all the questions openly, number two, certainly and hopefully impart reassurance for the people that he understands exactly what is going on here. He needs to understand that most people are so busy with their lives, they’re only picking up little bits and pieces on some of the newscasts. Read the full response here.

Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) said:

That we’re all in this together, and that resolving the financial crisis is everyone’s business. And trying to score political points in a situation with the economy melting down is irresponsible and not what we should be up to.

Anna Burger, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer, said:

President Obama’s budget is a bold solution to our healthcare crisis and we cannot let opponents of change stand in the way. Tonight, he must continue explaining why our deficits will grow even greater if we don’t deal with the major underlying problems with the economy now. Read the full response here.

John Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International, said:

He has to provide some details how the stimulus works. When the orange cones and concrete barriers will go up. What that means for commerce and safety. The difference between children with computer access in their schools and those who currently do not. What funding research means for jobs now and the future. Read the full response here.

William Redpath, Chair of the Libertarian National Committee, said:

The President must communicate that there is a detailed plan, that will be followed, to have the government sell its debt or equity holdings of businesses as soon as possible, with no economic loss to taxpayers from those investments.

John Castellani, Business Roundtable President, said:

President Obama has laid out a broad and ambitious agenda for the nation, but we must start with economic recovery.

The president spoke to Business Roundtable members recently about his short- and long-term plans, reinforcing that while his first priority is returning our economy to a path for growth, he is committed to tackling the long-term challenges facing our economy, including education, health care, energy and environment issues. Read the full response here.

Timothy Potter, Director of Government Relations at FRCAction, said:

He needs to communicate that he is in charge. He needs to “own” the economy. No more blaming his predecessor. It is time to take responsibility. At times it appears that no one in his administration is in charge. Several of his nominees for cabinet positions have had to withdraw for one reason or another. Congress has passed two earmark laden spending bills, one disguised as a stimulus bill and one described as leftover business from the previous administration. Read the full response here.

Celinda Lake, President of Lake Research Partners, said:

Frame the budget with the goals that it plays in his economic recovery effort. So that it isn’t just spending but investing in something. Highlight three key elements that are in the budget so that people know the members who vote against are voting against x,y, and z.

Dean Baker, Co-Director at the Center for Economic Policy and Research, said:

President Obama must show that he not only understands people’s anger at Wall Street (feels their pain), but he is prepared to act based on this understanding. People have every right in the world to be furious over their tax dollars being used to enrich the millionaire bankers who wrecked their firms and the economy. The people are not just acting out of emotion, they understand that this elite has used its political power to raid their pockets. Read the full response here.

Herb London, President of the Hudson Institute, said:

Instead of discussion of economic “catastrophe” the president must restore confidence in the markets. He should be Rooseveltian noting that Americans are resilient and have overcome great difficulties in our past. He can appear cautiously optimistic without seeming pollyannish.

Larry Sabato, Director at the Center for Politics, said:

Strength and confidence. The two most successful Presidents of the 20th century, FDR and Reagan, never failed to project both when it mattered. Oh, and leave the jokes to Jay Leno. Gallows humor in public isn’t appropriate for a President at a time like this.