WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- President George W. Bush said Thursday that the government shouldn't "put good money after bad" to help the ailing U.S. automotive sector.
"No matter how important the autos are to our economy we don't want to put good money after bad," Bush told NBC News in an interview. "In other words, we want to make sure that the plan they develop is one that ensures their long-term viability for the sake of the taxpayer."
Snippets of the interview were broadcast on MSNBC. The remainder will be aired later.
Bush's comments come shortly after leaders of the Big Three U.S. auto makers appealed to lawmakers for $34 billion in emergency loans to help them weather the economic downturn that has sapped auto sales.
Bush and his wife Laura, who will move out of the White House in less than two months, were asked about the stresses of the presidency.
"No question it's a pressure cooker here in the White House, but nevertheless when you've got two people who love each other the pressure tends to make you, you know, brings you together more than not. So we've been through a lot together, it's been a fabulous journey," he said.
Earlier Thursday, the White House said the Bushes have bought a house in Dallas and will move there after Jan. 20.
-By Henry J. Pulizzi, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9256; henry.pulizzi@dowjones.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 04, 2008 17:15 ET (22:15 GMT)

Publié le 04 Décembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones