Automakers' Debt May Be Obstacle to Federal Loans

"If I had my way, all three of those guys would be in the unemployment line and I think that ought to be one of the conditions for us doing this," Clyburn said. "We need to have new leadership."

Related

Will Auto Workers Derail Their Own Bailout?

PHOTOS: With GM on the Brink, A Look Back

Bankruptcy or Bailout for Automakers?

Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said in an interview Monday that the plans need to address some of the key structural issues facing the industry, such as costs, debt, dealer network costs and product lines.

"There needs to be a path to viability," Gutierrez said.

———

Associated Press Writers Jim Davenport in Columbia, S.C., and Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Ken Thomas in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.