WORLD> America
Bush says he didn't compromise soul to be popular
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-18 19:04

He said his administration is continuing to look at options for helping the Big Three automakers and that it needs to get done "relatively soon." He said a "disorganized bankruptcy" of one or more of the automakers could cause great harm to the economy "beyond that which we're now witnessing."


A protestor throws a shoe at another protestor, dressed in a US President George W. Bush costume, during a demonstration in solidarity with the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush and with the tens of thousands of Iraqis killed in the war, in front of the White House in Washington, December 17, 2008. [CFP] 
"That concerns me," he said. "And the other point is that I -- I'm not interested in -- in really putting good money after bad."

On other subjects:

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• Bush called Obama's national security team "solid," especially praising his own Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who will continue in the post in Obama's administration.

"I think the incoming administration's going to have to fully analyze the risks and the tools and -- come to their own conclusion," he said. "But one thing's for certain. I'm confident that President-elect Obama knows that one of his most solemn duties is to protect the American people."

• Bush avoided discussing Blagojevich.

"They're going to have to sort it through in Illinois," Bush said. "Obviously anytime anybody allegedly betrays the public trust there's got to be great concern because, you know, democracy really is, you know, really rests on the trust of the people. It's a system of people and by people and for people. And, therefore, the public trust is important."