GM Doesn't Want You Tracking Its Private Jet

Automaker, pilloried on Capitol Hill, is retiring two of five planes

(NEWSER) - After facing turbulence on Capitol Hill over its corporate jets, General Motors is cutting two aircraft from the ranks, the Detroit News reports. “This is strictly the result of drastic cutbacks in travel around the globe,” said a spokesman. The automaker, which began this year with seven jets, also turned in two in September. GM spent $256,793 on flight costs for its top execs last year. More»

Dodd, Obama hint a change at the top is in order to get bailout

(NEWSER) - Sen. Chris Dodd wants General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner “to move on” and a new management team in place if a government bailout is going to move forward, reports the Wall Street Journal. While not making it an outright condition for a rescue package, the Connecticut Democrat told CBS’ Face the Nation that "You've got to consider new leadership." More»

Execs say that's 'way down the list,' but Detroit desperate for federal bailout

(NEWSER) - Bankruptcy is officially on the table for General Motors and Chrysler, a source tells Bloomberg. The companies may accept a pre-packaged bankruptcy, which would force the union and creditors to make concessions, in order to get government help. At least three congressmen have had their staffs explore the possibility. GM CEO Rick Wagoner has argued against bankruptcy, saying it would force the company to liquidate. More»

CEOs of America's automakers will renew plea for bailout today

(NEWSER) - The Big Three CEOs are heading back to Washington this week, and this time two of them will be driving, the Wall Street Journal reports—Alan Mulally in a Ford Escape hybrid, and Rick Wagoner in a Chevrolet Malibu hybrid. The CEOs will attempt Thursday to persuade Congress to extend them $25 billion in low-cost loans, based on reorganization plans to be submitted today. More»

Group of frontrunners will emerge, Former House Speaker predicts

(NEWSER) - Newt Gingrich predicts that Sarah Palin will not be the Republicans’ 2012 presidential nominee, the Hill reports. “I think that she is going to be a significant player,” the former speaker of the House told Face the Nation. “But she’s going to be one of 20 or 30 significant players.” In other talk shows:

• Arnold Schwarzenegger will do all he can to help President Barack Obama, but not as a Cabinet member, the Hill reports. “I am the first one to go and do everything that I can, as governor, and as a state, to support his administration,” he told This Week.
• Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told Fox News Sunday that the GOP needs to adapt as voters move away from the right. “We have to be a conservative party. But we have to apply those principles in the context of a changing country,” he said.