http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/10/AR2008111003267.html
Only reason Bush did it was because Obama pleaded with him.
Consider that previously, Bush had been asked to aid the automakers and his response had been “No, go build better cars.”
http://www.theoildrum.com/story/2006/1/26/15350/1301