MTSU Audio Clips

•Obamanomics

1. An MTSU economics professor says two key members of President-elect Obama's economic team meet the criteria for the positions they would hold in the administration. Dr. Bill Ford, who holds the Weatherford Chair of Finance, says Tim Geithner (GIGHT-ner) is a good choice for Secretary of the Treasury.

economy1.mp3 :20 OC: "as the Treasury Secretary"

Ford also says former Harvard University President Lawrence Summers can handle the job of director of the National Economic Council. Obama also nominated University of California at Berkeley economist Christina Romer to head the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

2. President-elect Obama's economic team includes two highly qualified leaders, according to an MTSU economics professor. Dr. Bill Ford, who holds the Weatherford Chair of Finance, says Tim Geithner (GIGHT-ner) is a good choice for Secretary of the Treasury, and Lawrence Summers meets the criteria for director of the National Economic Council.

economy2.mp3 :16 OC: "for that job"

While Obama's economic appointees are not expected to run into any trouble during Congressional confirmation hearings, the futures of the Big Three automakers' chief executive officers might not be so secure. However, Ford says he doesn't necessarily think they should be ousted as a condition of a government deal to save the auto industry.

3. While holding to his assertion that the U.S. has only one president at a time, President-elect Obama has assembled a team of advisers to work now on a comprehensive economic stimulus plan. The specifics haven't been made public, but it includes assistance for the Big Three automakers. Dr. Bill Ford, holder of the Weatherford Chair of Finance at MTSU, says the car company CEOs will have to improve on their last appearance before Congress if they expect government help.

economy3.mp3 :16 OC: "in the past"

Ford joked that the executives won't get a bailout unless they drive into Washington for the next hearing. The CEOs were lambasted for flying to Washington in private jets at an estimated cost of about $20,000 for each round trip.

4. Some members of Congress say they think the removal of the current CEOs should be a condition for any government bailout of the Big Three automakers. But Dr. Bill Ford, holder of MTSU's Weatherford Chair of Finance, says that's a fate that some of them might not deserve.

economy4.mp3 :18 OC: "just not sure"

General Motors officials claim that the company will go belly up before President-elect Obama takes the oath of office without immediate help. However, Ford says he thinks GM, Chrysler, and Ford Motor Company should go into bankruptcy rather than receiving a bailout.

5. An MTSU economics professor says he thinks the Big Three automakers should go into bankruptcy. Some economists have said that consumers would not continue to buy cars from companies that file for bankruptcy out of concern that they would be deprived of parts and service. But Dr. Bill Ford, holder of the Weatherford Chair of Finance, says that shouldn't be a problem.

economy5.mp3 :18 OC: "they're asking for"

Obama has nominated New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner (GIGHT-ner) to be his Treasury Secretary and former Harvard University President Lawrence Summers to head the National Economic Council. Ford says both are well qualified.