Obama: Foreclosures a top priority

NEW YORK, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- President-elect Barack Obama, in his first extended post-election interview, says one of his top priorities is preventing home foreclosures.

"We have not focused on foreclosures and what's happening to homeowners as much as I would like," Obama said in the interview to air Sunday night on "60 Minutes," the long-running CBS news show.

Asked about aid to the auto industry, Obama said he does not want to give car makers "a blank check." He added that a total collapse would be a disaster and the industry needs "a bridge loan to somewhere."

Obama said he also plans to name at least one Republican to his Cabinet. He said he has been spending time since the election reading Abraham Lincoln, who famously included many of his political enemies in his administration.

"There is a wisdom there and a humility about his approach to government, even before he was president, that I just find very helpful," Obama said.

When interviewer Steve Kroft asked him if he has thought, since the election, "What did I get myself into?" Obama responded that he knows the challenges he faces are "enormous." He said his job between now and his inauguration is to get clear priorities and the right team for his administration.