Early transition? Obama takes the lead in economic crisis

James Rosen and Steven Thomma | McClatchy Newspapers

last updated: November 23, 2008 09:34:04 PM

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama took center stage in the economic crisis for the third day running Sunday as he dispatched aides to pitch his rapidly expanding stimulus plan on TV and announced plans to introduce his economic team Monday.

Appearing on the Sunday talk shows, his advisers indicated that the ambitious plan he announced Saturday to create 2.5 million public works and alternative-energy jobs, will be far more costly than previously discussed. Along with other possible steps to turn around the economy, it could cost the government as much as $700 billion.

This would be four times the size of the $175 billion stimulus package Obama promoted as a White House candidate.