Do you think Obama is choosing when to be President or to be President-Elect?

Obama is acting apropriately in these matters. It would be not only foolish for him to tip his hand where forign policy is concerned, but in some cases, it would be illegal, especialy where talking to forign leaders reguarding foriegn policy is concerned. I have been saying all along I will support Obama when he upholds the consytitution and does the right thing and critisize him viciously when he doesn't. In this case, he is acting propperly.

It is the right of all citizens to voice their opinions on national affairs. President Elect Obama is a citizen of this nation with the same rights as any of us. That he has some additional "pull" and some additional access to media and the power brokers due to his position means that his opinion has some weight. Within the context of National affairs he has chosen to use his eventual position to move certain agenda items forward. Good for him. He is absolutely correct in his reticence in not speaking publicly about international affairs, especially those that are sensitive or have to do with our national security. There can be only one voice, one President at a time. He has shown appropriate restraint. This is the right answer, always, for any incoming administration. We are in terrible and tenuous times. Barack Obama and his team are doing what they can to be prepared for the day he takes office. They want to go to work day one, good for them.

He's not "acting as President" on economic affairs. He's just voicing what his plans are for when he takes office later this month. Is it wrong for him to plan ahead? He very well also may be doing just as much planning on foreign affairs, but has been more vocal about his economic plans. He's not in a position to actually make decisions about either one, but I don't see anything wrong with making plans for when he is.

You're right, he isn't acting President yet, he's playing pretend. His little pretend news conferences and press shows are just for show. I won't watch him when he is the real President either so it doesn't matter who he is trying to be.

I think that is totally true. He is very pushy on the stimulus package and wanting it to be a done deal before he is even sworn in. Well, now it's by February, but still ASAP. He is telling people what needs to be done and holding speeches on it and such. Traditionally, President Elects only make appointments to the various positions but otherwise remain mum on politics. Even Obama said there should not be two administrations meddling in politics right now. That was when he was asked to comment on Gaza. He said that he doesn't want to interfere with the plans of the Bush administration in that regard. Only one president at a time so to speak. So yes, the behavior is a bit contradictory as to the position he wants to be seen in. I think I even commented on that in another discussion. But I suppose under the circumstances it's appropriate. He needs to show where he is heading economywise. Uncertainty and the resulting speculation might have made matters worse than they already are.