Obama says he has no interest in running autos

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama says the government should help Chrysler and General Motors stabilize but then should get out of the auto business as quickly as possible.

The government is working on ways to help the two struggling auto giants survive with public money and increased federal involvement.

Said Obama: "I don't want to run auto companies ... I've got more than enough to do."

The president said the government should not micromanage but that it does have the right to scrutinize what the auto companies are proposing.

He said his goal is to prevent a breakdown of the auto industry that would "affect everybody."

The president spoke Wednesday at a prime-time news conference in the East Room of the White House.