As the opening act of Obama’s fledgling presidency unfolded, the country — and the
world — kept a close eye on the 44th
president’s every important move.

Obama appears bemused by the disastrous economy, at times appearing to laugh off the economy’s dire state. This prompts 60 Minutes interviewer Steve Kroft to ask: “Are you punch drunk?” Obama explains that he has to maintain a sense of “gallows humor,” given the seriousness of the meltdown confronting the nation.