Obama Presser: Government's Umbilical Cord
Question 12 How is your position on state secrets doctrine different from the Bush administration's?
Thinks state secrets doctrine is overly broad and should be modified.
Question 13 What is govt's role as keeper of public trusts and bonds in soon to be public cos. again?
"I think our first role should be as shareholders looking to get out. I don't want to run auto companies. I don't want to run banks. ... The sooner we can get out of that business, the better off we will be."
Believes America should have a functioning auto industry, but that there shouldn't be an umbilical cord between Treasury and the car cos.
"My job is to ask the auto industry, 'Why is it you guys can't do this?'" Obama said of lack of U.S. hybrid vehicles.
His response to those who say he only wants to grow govt: "I would love a nice lean portfolio to deal with but that's not the hand that's been dealt us. And every generaiton has to rise up to the specific challenges that confront them. ... I'm confident that we will meet these challenges just like our grandparents and forebearers met them before."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)