Day one...

What do people think of these two items that Obama has already implemented?

New lobbying rules that will not only ban aides from trying to influence the administration when they leave Obama's staff, but also those already hired will be banned from...

working on matters they have previously lobbied on, or to approach agencies that they once targeted. The rules also ban lobbyists from giving gifts of any size to any member of his administration.

A pay freeze that would hold salaries at their current levels for the roughly 100 White House employees who make over $100,000 a year.

I think it is quite refreshing to see a President who is putting the interests of the American people ahead of the interests of the wealthy and multi-national corporations.

I think you might be blowing things out of proportion. Making minor administrative changes has as much effect on the interests of the American people as banning trans-fats in the White House cafeteria.

It's something Nice to see he did something, at least...I'm curious: how does this stack up with what our last president did the first day he was in office for either term?

I have a feeling that Bush would suffer the worse for the comparison...or Clinton, for that matter.

He's already falling behind. Within his first week, I expected the economy to be fixed, the war in Iraq to end, and global warming to be reversed. His presidency is already a failure as far as I'm concerned. Bring on 2012!!!

Anyway, they are interesting changes, and certainly a nice shake-up within the Beltway. However, when Obama says that families are tightening their belts, it's a bit ludicrous to think that capping government salaries of $100,000+ qualifies as asking Washington to do the same. Especially when the administration is about to spend half of a multi-billion dollar bailout package funded by taxpayers.

kingofpop, the capping of salaries is more symbolic than anything else.

mikeh, please show me where I was blowing things out of proportion? While it might seem minor to you, it is extremely meaningful to K street. They are being told that the days of unlimited access is gone. He is making it clear that money interests will not have the upper hand when it comes to lobbying.

We'll see. It's blowing things out of proportion because to make a sweeping statement like Big money will no longer rule politics! after 24 hours is reactionary. I hope you're correct, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

To address thedude's point, on Bush's first day in office in 2001, Bush moved to block federal aid to foreign groups that offered counseling or any other assistance to women in obtaining abortions. (Wiki).

I'd say that Obama could have spent his first day popping wheelies on a BMX on the White House lawn and it would still be a step forward from his predecessor's first day.

***kingofpop, the capping of salaries is more symbolic than anything else.***

Agreed, it is symbolic, and shouldn't be made out to be more than that.

Look, I'm not trying to slander the guy. He's been in office one day, and certainly every move he makes will be scrutinized, discussed, and over-analyzed to death in the media and elsewhere. I think that's the case with these two items. They are, as I said, interesting changes and a departure from past business. But we can't make sweeping statements about an Obama administration after each 24-hour period.

I'm much more interested in what Obama said about changing interpretation of the Freedom of Information Act, and government agencies turning down requests to disclose information. I'm curious to see what he plans to do after declaring there have been too many secrets in Washington.

mikeh, Please show me where I said: Big money will no longer rule politics!.

I never said it, so please do not use quotes unless it is something I actually said.

I am not getting ahead of myself. I merely stated a fact, and my opinion that it was refreshing to see a president put the interests of the people first.

Square five...

Square four...Will our journey never cease?!

Square three...

Square two...

Square one. At last, we're back.

Welcome back...