Chamber vows to work with Obama

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced quickly Tuesday night it would work with President-elect Barack Obama on the economy.

The chamber also pledged to work with the new Congress, where Democrats scored big majorities in the House and Senate.

The pledges of cooperation were a quick turnaround from the chamber's activities during the campaign. The chamber raised money to oppose Democratic candidates and reported deploying nearly 600 staffers to key states, spending millions of dollars on ads, sending 15 million e-mails and 6.5 million pieces of mail, and making more than 6 million phone calls.

"Restoring the nation's economic health must be our top priority," U.S. Chamber President Thomas J. Donohue said in a statement. "Any successful and sustainable recovery will involve the business sector, which creates the jobs, the growth and the revenues on which all Americans and our government depend. The U.S. Chamber stands ready to work with the new administration and Congress on measures to spur growth and jobs by restoring credit and confidence throughout the economy, producing more American energy, rebuilding our infrastructure, and reforming our schools."

Donohue said the chamber wants to play a helpful role in the transition process.

"We will offer our policy ideas, access to our many domestic and international experts, and views on key appointees," he said.