DETROIT (AP) — President Barack Obama says General Motors and Chrysler would have gone out of business had he not decided to help save the then-struggling auto industry seven years ago.
Obama traveled to Detroit on Wednesday to tour the North American International Auto Show and celebrate the resurgence in the industry and the city at large.
In remarks after his tour, Obama noted the widespread opposition to his decision to bail out the automakers.
Obama is portraying himself as a leader who doesn't take the easy way out.
He says he didn't run for president to be popular, but to do what needed to be done.
He says rescuing the U.S. auto industry and saving jobs during a recession needed to be done.
