Obama says hopes auto industry can be helped

CHICAGO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said on Friday he was disappointed by the failure of a Senate deal to bail out the U.S. auto industry and hoped that the Bush Administration and Congress "will still find a way" to help the struggling car makers.

"The revival of our economy as a whole should not be a partisan issue," Obama said in a statement. "My hope is that the administration and the Congress will still find a way to give the industry the temporary assistance it needs while demanding the long-term restructuring that is absolutely required."

Obama, who takes office from outgoing President George W. Bush on Jan. 20, has said repeatedly that the U.S. auto industry cannot be allowed to collapse but must restructure to remain viable.