Boxer prods Obama on the economy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Monday joined the ranks of top Democrats prodding President-elect Barack Obama on the economy.

Boxer told reporters she wrote Obama a letter calling for an effort to "mobilize our great nation."

"America pulled itself out of the Great Depression," Boxer told Obama, " ... by mobilizing to fight World War II. Now, in order to break out of this deep recession, we must also mobilize our great nation by rebuilding our infrastructure and by combating global warming. The good news is that these mobilization efforts are consistent with short-term job creation and long-term economic prosperity."

Boxer told reporters, "I think it is critical to work in partnership with the president to achieve economic recovery. And the time for action is yesterday. I mean, we really, as you know, need to work on it."

She said if she is in California Friday, "I will release information on the impacts of the recession on the ground in my state."

Obama is already getting advice from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to take a bolder lead on the economy, even though he doesn't take office until Jan. 20.