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CBS News 60 Minutes interviewed U.S. President Elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama on November 16, 2008.  Steve Kroft conducted the extensive interview which was taped on Friday in Chicago.  Of great interest is what Obama and his administration plan to do to address the worsening economic crisis and this was discussed at length. Obama affirmed commitment to helping homeowners …

 One area that I’m concerned about, and I’ve said this publicly, is we have not focused on foreclosures and what’s happening to homeowners as much as I would like. We have the tools to do it. We’ve gotta set up a negotiation between banks and borrowers so that people can stay in their homes. [...]

..And the auto industry, but not with a “blank check.”

So my hope is that over the course of the next week, between the White House and Congress, the discussions are shaped around providing assistance but making sure that that assistance is conditioned on labor, management, suppliers, lenders, all the stakeholders coming together with a plan what does a sustainable U.S. auto industry look like? So that we are creating a bridge loan to somewhere as opposed to a bridge loan to nowhere.

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The interview had a personal side as well, as both Obama and his wife talked about the transition to the White House.  Being leader of the free world is, after all, the ultimate work from home job.

(CBS) Kroft: I know that from talking to you, you’ve said that this has put a lot of, you know, your husband’s involvement in politics has put strains in your marriage from time to time. He’s about to take over the most pressure packed job in the world. But he’s also gonna be home, right?

Michelle Obama: Oh yeah. He’s got a big office at home now.

You know, this entire year and a half has brought us closer together as a family. And we managed to stay close and become even closer with Barack gone most of an entire two year period. And now we get to be together under the one roof, having dinners together. And, you know, I envision the kids coming home from school and being able to run across the way to the Oval Office and see their dad before they start their homework. And having breakfast. And he’ll be there to tuck them in at night. And, you know, again, you know, there’ll be moments of deep seriousness and times of great focus. But, you know, we’ll be together doing that. And that gives me reason to be very excited.

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And no interview would be complete without an update on the Obamas’ search for a dog for their daughters.

See also the full transcript:

• Obama On Economic Crisis, Transition
• The Obamas On Their Personal Transition
• Obamas On Picking The Presidential Pooch

More than a symbolic gesture, a ‘National Telework Week’ could raise awareness on numerous benefits that teleworking offers:

U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, a Virginia Republican, has promoted the idea by sending a letter requesting the creation of a “National Telework Week” to President Bush and introducing a resolution to promote the idea. Wolf said he wants to encourage more employers to consider the option.

“The best part of telework is that it improves the quality of life for all,” Wolf said in his written statement Tuesday. “Nearly 20 million Americans telework today, and according to experts, at least 40% of American jobs are compatible with telework. Telework reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. It reduces gas consumption and our dependency on foreign oil.”

Wolf said telework provides parents with flexibility to meet personal and professional demands, increases opportunities for people with disabilities, and helps fill the nation’s labor market shortage. He also said that companies reap benefits, including cost savings, lower absentee rates, increased retention, higher productivity, and improved morale.

[...]

Wolf said “work is something you do, not someplace you go.”

“Hopefully we can make telework as commonplace as the morning traffic report,” he added. “There is nothing magical about strapping ourselves into a car and driving sometimes up to an hour and a half, arriving at a workplace and sitting before a computer. We can access the same information from a computer in our living rooms.”

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A Washington Times editorial notes that independent workers make up 30 percent of the U.S. workforce and are, as yet, not a fully recognized constituency:

As presidential candidates roll out new health-care plans that rely on employers and government, they might turn their attention to this fact: Independent workers — which include part-time workers, the self-employed, contractors, temporary workers, leased workers and on-call employees — have emerged as a powerful force in America. Today, they constitute more than 30 percent of the U.S. workforce and are among the most politically and civically active Americans. Despite their growing importance, independent workers are absent from policy debates in Washington and health-care plans announced by presidential campaigns

America’s 42 million independent workers are valuable assets to our economy and make businesses more efficient. Temporary workers and independent contractors allow employers to manage a workforce based on seasonal demands, fluctuations in workloads and the need for specialized skills without permanent staff. Hiring independent workers also enables a nimble response to structural economic shifts, such as increased international competition that requires businesses to become more efficient. Trends in telecommuting make the use of a flexible workforce more attractive for businesses and the workers themselves

Independent arrangements also benefit workers with a diversity of interesting projects and more time to balance work and family. These arrangements also provide workers with income in industries in which permanent work is not a viable option. Individuals with flexible work can use their time and specialized skills efficiently and not get caught in crippling bureaucracies.