Obama and McCain Bury Hatchet in Chicago Sitdown

Obama Vows to Close Gitmo

Restoring confidence involves new regulations for big business, Obama said, to "restore a sense of balance."

"There's no doubt that we have not been able yet to reset the confidence in the financial markets and in the consumer markets and among businesses that allow the economy to move forward in a strong way," Obama said. "And my job as president is going to be to make sure that we restore that confidence."

Also pressing is the need to halt the cascading avalanche of foreclosures.

"We've got to set up a negotiation between banks and borrowers, so that people can stay in their homes," Obama said. "That is going to have an impact on the economy as a whole. And, you know, one thing I'm determined is that if we don't have a clear, focused program for homeowners by the time I take office, we will after I take office."

In addition, the president-elect said he would carry out his promise to close the prison for terrorists in Guantanamo Bay and issue an order that would end any grounds for torture.

"I have said repeatedly that I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that," he told CBS. "I have said repeatedly that America doesn't torture. And I'm going to make sure that we don't torture. Those are part and parcel of an effort to regain America's moral stature in the world."

Over the weekend, Obama also released a letter to his former Illinois constituents on his resignation from the Senate.

In the letter, Obama , another former Illinois senator on his way to the White House, quoted Lincoln:

"To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything," Obama wrote. "Today, I feel the same, and like Lincoln, I ask for your support, your prayers and for us to 'confidently hope that all will yet be well.'"