Schumer: Obama won’t govern from left

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday said the
incoming Obama administration will not necessarily be a “left-wing government.”

Schumer, a member of the Senate’s Democratic leadership,
cast Obama as a moderate politician who would govern from the middle after
taking the oath of office on Tuesday.

{mosads}While Obama will be a clear break from the Bush
administration, Schumer added in an interview with CNN that the new president’s
administration is “not necessarily going to be a left-wing government.”

Obama is “a moderate activist,” according to Schumer, who
will push for changes in the short-term to both the economy and the war in
Iraq.

The incoming president is expected to ask the military to
begin taking steps to reduce the U.S. presence in Iraq shortly after he is
inaugurated, while scaling up U.S. troops in Afghanistan. His first steps on
the economy will involve shepherding an $825 billion economic stimulus bill
through Congress.

Schumer also said Obama will ask the country to make
sacrifices. He predicted Americans would be willing to do so, particularly
because of the tough economy.

The New York senator blamed GOP filibusters for the
gridlock in the 110th Congress, but pledged that Democrats would work with
Republicans.

“We want to see government work. We don’t want to just
make speeches and scream at each other,” he said.