Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Auto Industry Leaders in Detroit, Michigan

Iraq

Q. Mr. President, are you encouraged by developments in the Gulf?

The President. Well, I'm hopeful. It's a little early yet to reach a final conclusion. We're watching it very closely.

[At this point, one group of reporters left the room, and another group entered.]

Auto Industry

Q. Mr. President, why do you meet with the auto industry as often as you do?

The President. Why do I?

Q. Yes.

The President. Because it's an important part of our economy, an important part of our strategy for economic revival, and because we've had a good partnership in working on a lot of issues.

I'm very encouraged and Americans should be, not just the people of Michigan but the people of the United States, that the auto industry is back, clearly, leading the world now in sales of cars at the cutting edge and rebuilding our manufacturing base here at home. That's a big part of the objective of my administration. So I'm encouraged by it. I want to keep working with them.

Q. How did you feel about your reception?

The President. It was great.