Mondo Times Money Poll Archive

This poll ran from December 15 to 19, 2008.

Mondo Stars Poll Results

Should the US government bail out the auto industry? Yes 271/31% No 601/69%

Votes: 872

On Sunday, December 14, 2008, the Reuters news agency reported that a government bailout of the American auto industry may not happen for some time, if it happens at all:

"Lawmakers making the rounds on U.S. television networks on Sunday said they expect the administration to act soon to ward off a collapse of the U.S. auto industry, which could lead to millions of job losses and inflict even greater pain on the recession-mired U.S. economy.

Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, said on CBS\' "Face The Nation" the Treasury Department has been talking this weekend with automakers about their balance sheets.

"I don't think they yet know what they're going to do," said Corker, who added that he spoke with White House officials Sunday morning. He offered no further details.

Corker tried to assemble a compromise plan for U.S. senators that ultimately failed late Thursday due to disagreements over workers' pay and benefits.

Bush said last week his administration would consider using part of the Treasury\'s $700 billion bailout package for financial institutions to keep the Big 3 U.S. automakers going over the short term as they sought lasting solutions.

United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger, the top labor union official, said on CNN's "Late Edition" that his organization was in discussions with the administration but has been given no sense of timing of any relief.

"We've not been given any indication of that at all," he said.

Some prominent Republican lawmakers oppose bailing out GM, Chrysler and Ford, criticizing them for making inefficient cars that not enough Americans want to buy."

On December 19, 2008 President George W. Bush commited $17.4 billion in government money to provide General Motors and Chrysler with cash they say they need to continue operating during the coming year.

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