Pat Dollard | Young Americans

So yesterday, the Republicans made it clear it was a no-go on a fast track, hoodwink stimulus deal going down, and the dems conceded they were right. But today, Obama decided to throw down the gauntlet…

Politico:

Saying “the people’s business can’t wait,” President-elect Barack Obama met Monday morning with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to talk about his economic stimulus plan.

“We’ve got an extraordinary economic challenge ahead of us. We’re expecting a sobering job report at the end of the week,” Obama said. Pelosi and her staff have been “working with our team to shape an economic recovery and reinvestment plan that starts putting people back to work,” Obama said.

Pelosi called it a “great honor and personal privilege to welcome you to the speaker’s office. Tomorrow we will swear in a new Congress. We will hit the ground running on the initiatives, some of which you described, to address some of the pain being felt by the American people.” They took no questions but Obama promised a media availability later.

Obama’s trip to the Capitol was his first of the New Year and comes the day before the 111th Congress convenes.

As he left Pelosi’s office, Obama was trailed by a throng of staff, including Dan Turton, his top liaison in the House, Pelosi Chief of Staff John Lawrence and Rob Nabors, the former staff director at the Appropriations Committee, who is now no. 2 at OMB. Obama waved to crowds of tourists who had assembled in Statuary Hall on one side and beneath the Rotunda on the other. Both groups applauded when he walked out and most of the tourists flashed pictures with their camera phones while professional photographers clicked away.

He said, “Hey, guys. Happy New Year.” And the crowd applauded again. Some shouted “happy new year” back.

Obama walked up to a 5-year-old boy, Carter Metz, who was standing several feet in front of the crowd taking pictures on an iPhone.

Obama leaned down to shake his hand as hundreds of people looked on. Finally, Obama turned to the crowd.

“Who does Carter belong to?” Obama asked.

Elizabeth Metz of Rogersville, Tenn., identified herself.

“Well, he’s got a future in photography,” Obama said.

“Makes me so proud, I’m excited,” Elizabeth Metz said afterwards.

“Good,” was all Carter had to say about the encounter.

The Capitol police had allowed the boy to step away from the crowd.