Obama sympathetic to automakers' plight

CHICAGO, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama Monday said any help provided to the auto industry must be a long-term solution, "not just kicking the can down the road."

At a news conference to announce his economic team, Obama said no one wants to see any more job losses, but at the same time the auto industry must realize it needs to retool and recognize changes coming to the energy economy.

Obama said he was surprised the heads of the Big Three automakers "didn't have a better thought-out proposal" when they appeared before Congress last week.

"Congress was right" not to act immediately on a request for assistance without a clearly defined plan, he said.

"I think we should help but additional money should be designed to assure a long-term sustainable auto industry, not just kicking the can down the road," he said, adding, 'I think Americans take great pride in the history of the American auto industry (but) taxpayers don't want to see more money wasted."