| | Obama on auto industry: 'I got corned beef'
 During a stop at a local Chicago restaurant Friday, a reporter asked President-elect Obama about the automotive industry, ABC News reported.
"I got the corned beef," a smiling Obama said.
The comment outlines the behind-the-scenes role Obama has taken to the crisis facing American auto companies. Publicly, Obama has kept himself out of the battle in Congress over another $25 billion bailout for the Big Three automakers.
But Obama and his staff are quietly working with legislators to address the struggling industry, the Associated Press reported.
"They basically were encouraging us to stay at the table and get something done," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., one of the senators involved in conference calls to discuss the status of negotiations.
Obama's new chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, and congressional liaison, Phil Schiliro, routinely attend the meetings.
Although Obama previously made statements supporting the bailout, he told "60 Minutes" he'd like to "see how this thing plays itself out."
One right-wingblogger suggested the President-elect backed off after public opinion turned against the bill. With a strong chance that a deal could fail, a high-profile role for Obama would have been risky and could have linked him too closely to a congressional stalemate.
Whatever his reasons, Senate Banking Committee Chariman Christopher J. Dodd agreed Obama had taken a backseat approach to the debate, the Washington Times reported.
"I can tell you flat out there will be no endorsement [by Mr. Obama] prior to January 20," Dodd said.
In public, Obama continues to avoid concrete answers to the press.
Before Obama left the eatery Friday, he saw some diners dressed in suits and said, to much laughter, "You look like smart guys -- give me some advice on the economy."
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