Champions Tour players discuss President's priorities

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Jan. 26, 2009

We asked the following players this question: As the 44th President of the United States, what issues or priorities do you think President Barack Obama should focus on?

	Jay Haas	"I'm pretty apolitical I guess, but I would say obviously the economy is one thing that probably needs to be addressed, and he's got a lot on his plate for sure. You know with Iraq and the economy and the general disillusionment maybe of the American people. I think he's got chance to turn things around and do some really great things. I like his bi-partisanship he's trying to implement and I think he's going to be good."
	John Cook	"Well, number one he's got to be honest as well as the people around him. I think it is important to get things going in a direction that is beneficial. Whether we're going in that position or not they have be honest and figure what's the right way to go and listen to a lot of smart people. There are a lot of smart people around. I don't worry too much about him but the people around him. Hopefully he'll get some good advice and make some good decisions. People forget the President has to go on the information he's given. He can't sit back a week later and analyze it. He's got to make a decision. Hopefully he'll make the right ones and we'll be better off for it."
	Keith Fergus	"I think the biggest priority is getting the people believing in the government again. I know I've lost a lot of faith in what's going on in D.C. I don't trust very many of them. I think that can be said for a lot of people so I hope he brings back some trust and accountability. It seems everybody can do something but nobody is accountable up there. If he can weed some of that out and bring back some responsibility and trust and accountability to what is going on up there."
	D.A. Weibring	"I truly think George Bush will be looked upon dealing with the most difficult challenges in the last eight years. He kept us safe after 9/11 and I think history will be kind to him. He made a lot of tough decisions. I hope President Obama keeps that in mind and number one the security of our nation. We obviously have to deal with the economic crisis. I'm impressed with President Obama. He appears he has the ability to communicate and I hope he brings people together."
	Curtis Strange	"Boy, I don't know how you put one in front of the other with the growing crisis in the Middle East and the economy. I think you've got to clean up your mess at home before you get into the rest of the world. I hope the President helps our economy and the crisis that is going on now."
	Jeff Sluman	"I believe in America and I believe in Americans and I think we'll find our way through this situation we are in. I thought President Obama's inauguration speech was terrific and he really didn't pin any blame on one particular aspect. I think in general we've lost our compass a little bit. From there I just hope he's a great President because we need a great President now."
	Loren Roberts	"Probably attitude and you could already see it at the inauguration. When I say attitude I mean a positive idea about stuff. As a nation we are going to have to learn to go without a few things for awhile here obviously. We've all bellied up to the trough and consumed more than we probably should have. I think as a nation we are going to have to get a good positive attitude and get along without some things for awhile."
	Andy Bean	"Obviously the economy is one and I'm also in favor of doing some kind of health care. He's got his hands full with those two to start out with."
	Ben Crenshaw	"We're solidly behind our commander and he's got a lot on his plate. I think the first three months are going to tell a lot and I think he'll have some tough decisions. I saw he delayed the Khalid Sheikh Mohammed case for 120 days and he's got some really tough issues to deal with. One thing is his staff has a lot of experience. They've been through a lot of administrations and they are not averse to tough decisions and experience wise, I think that will help him. He's our President and we are all pulling for him."
	Tom Watson	"Well, I hope his priority is to play more golf and I hope I have a chance to play with him!"
	Tom Kite	"Well, I think the same issues that President Bush dealt with. Making sure our country is safe. I think that has to be number one on his list and we don't drop our defenses. I think number two is to get this economy turned around. It's a worldwide issue right now, but I think we're the ones who will take the lead in turning it around. Basically that involves building some trust in our financial institutions and our financial leaders. We've lost all the confidence in their ability to lead because they've done such a poor job with it."
	Hale Irwin	"I think he needs to get on the golf course to start with. To understand how this world turns you get on the golf course and get all those people he's got around him, Republicans, Democrats and take them to the golf course to expose themselves to what's its like to have to do it on their own."