Bush Administration Assures Detroit Automakers

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, countered that prompt financial aid was critical because the Detroit-based U.S. auto companies are uniquely connected to other industries, including textiles, glass, plastics and steel.

In this photograph provided by "Meet the Press," Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm appears on "Meet the Press'" Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, during taping at the NBC studios in Washington. (AP Photo/Meet The Press, Alex Wong)

(AP)

The auto industry "would take down a huge array of businesses and jobs across the nation if it were allowed to fail. I believe the Bush administration understands that," Granholm said in Lansing, Mich.

Levin said he expects Bush's solution to help the Detroit automakers will be similar to the previous deal the White House reached with congressional leaders.

That plan providing loans for GM and Chrysler to help them survive until March 31 was passed by the House last week but blocked by the Senate, mainly by Republican senators, after the United Auto Workers union balked at making upfront wage concessions to take effect sometime next year. Ford Motor Co. has said it has enough cash to survive 2009.

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