[rickaren]

November 9, 2008


"There is not nearly the voice of doom and gloom that there was," said Kenneth Mefford, 46, an autoworker at Chrysler's Warren Truck, which builds the Dodge Ram. Even though his company might be sold or face extinction, he said: "Everyone down there is a lot more hopeful."

Complete Article LINK:U.S. autoworkers optimistic about Obama's plans | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

 

[rickaren]

Obama urges Bush back fast aid for autos

Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:47pm EST

WASHINGTON President-elect Barack Obama asked President George W. Bush at their White House meeting on Monday to back immediate emergency aid for the U.S. auto industry, The New York Times reported.

Citing people familiar with the discussion, the Times said Bush indicated he might support some aid to the struggling automakers and a broader economic stimulus package if Obama and Democrats in Congress dropped opposition to a free-trade pact with Colombia.

The Times quoted Democrats as saying neither Obama nor congressional leaders felt inclined to support the Colombian trade deal and might decide to wait until Obama takes office on January 20.




Balance of Article Link:
Obama urges Bush back fast aid for autos: report | Reuters

 

[rickaren]

Obama Pushes for $50 Billion for Automakers

Nov. 13

President-elect Barack Obama is pushing Congress this year to approve as much as $50 billion to save cash-starved U.S. automakers and appoint a czar or board to oversee the companies, a move that would require President George W. Bush's support, people familiar with the matter said.

Obama's economic advisers are now convinced that if General Motors Corp. doesn't get a financial lifeline soon, it will have to file for bankruptcy by the end of January. And if the companies don't get almost $50 billion, Obama will be dealing with the issue again by next summer.

Any czar or board would be patterned after the bailout of Chrysler in 1979 and New York City in 1975. Advisers such as former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker and former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers are said to be telling Obama that the cash is urgently needed now.

Congress would have to act in a lame-duck session that begins next week. Obama would need Bush's backing to pass such a sweeping and costly measure in part because Democrats don't have enough votes to force a floor vote or override a veto. Obama also would need strong support from auto-producing states such as Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin to pass such a sweeping and costly measure.

Yet to be determined is whether most of the money would be drawn from the $700 billion financial rescue package Congress passed last month or from newly allocated funds.

Obama's Exception

By injecting himself into the talks about how to save General Motors, Obama is making an exception to his decision to steer clear of policy-making until he takes office.

Continued Here:Bloomberg.com: Worldwide

The president-elect also wants the Federal Reserve to extend emergency loans to General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, according to Obama aides who spoke on condition of anonymity.