FACTBOX-Obama on the economy on his 100th day
WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama sought on Wednesday to assure Americans that the United States "will see a better day" in a news conference marking his first 100 days in office.
Here are highlights of his comments on economic issues:
THE ECONOMY
* "I didn't anticipate the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression."
* "Millions of Americans are still without jobs and homes, and more will be lost before this recession is over."
* "We can't go back to an economy that's built on a pile of sand, on inflated home prices and maxed-out credit cards, on overleveraged banks and outdated regulations that allow recklessness of a few to threaten the prosperity of all."
* "I'm always amused when I hear these, you know, criticisms of, 'Oh, you know, Obama wants to grow government.' No. I would love a nice, lean portfolio to deal with, but that's not the hand that's been dealt us."
BUDGET
* "This budget builds on the steps we've taken over the last 100 days to move this economy from recession to recovery and ultimately to prosperity."
* "We have to lay a new foundation for growth, a foundation that will strengthen our economy and help us compete in the 21st century. And that's exactly what this budget begins to do."
AUTO INDUSTRY
* "I am actually very hopeful, more hopeful than I was 30 days ago, that we can see a resolution that maintains a viable Chrysler auto company out there."
* "The fact that the major debt-holders appear ready to make concessions means that, even if (Chrysler) ended up having to go through some sort of bankruptcy, it would be a very quick type of bankruptcy and they could continue operating and emerge on the other side in a much stronger position."
* "I've always said that GM has a lot of good product there and if they can get through these difficult times, and engage in some of the very difficult choices that they've already made, that they can emerge a strong, competitive, viable company."
* "I don't think that we should micromanage, but I think that, like any investor, the American taxpayer has the right to scrutinize what's being proposed and make sure that their money is not just being thrown down the drain."
* "I want to disabuse people of this notion that somehow we enjoy, you know, meddling in the private sector."
WALL STREET/CREDIT CARDS
* "I expect to sign legislation by the end of this year that sets new rules of the road for Wall Street, rules that reward drive and innovation, as opposed to short-cuts and abuse."
* "We will also work to pass legislation that protects credit card users from unfair rate hikes and abusive fees and penalties." (Compiled by Jasmin Melvin, Editing by Frances Kerry)
