Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said that if confronted with the prospect of a bankruptcy by General Motors or Ford, she would extend the resources of the federal government to help keep them afloat.

The New York senator was asked her views of a Chrysler-style bailout of the big automakers as she discussed manufacturing policy and other issues in an appearance before the Post-Gazette editorial board.

		Audio of Sen. Clinton The following audio excerpts of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton were recorded today during her appearance before the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial board. Preserving the American auto industry Jobs President Bush's legacy Social Security Medicare Health care International relations Education Leadership John McCain Democratic primary race

The Democratic presidential candidate argued that for both economic and national security reasons, the next president should be aggressive in taking steps to protect and nurture the nation's manufacturing base.

Mrs. Clinton said that one step the next president and Congress should take to deter the export of jobs would be to eliminate tax breaks that allow firms to shield foreign profits earned abroad from U.S. taxes. She dismissed as "defeatist," those who see something inevitable about the erosion of the American job base. Mrs. Clinton cited her visit to a Bucks County plant where wind turbines are manufactured in a former steel mill as an example of a creative approach to promoting the nation's manufacturing base.

On other issues, the former First Lady:

• called President Bush "one of the worst if not the worst president we've had";

• said that the solvency of Medicare was "a difficult issue," but one that could be dealt with in conjunction with the development of a universal health care system;

• cited wellness as an essential component of efforts to contain health care costs.

Mrs. Clinton also took the occasion to renew her criticism of her opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, for comments that she characterized as elitist, when he referred to "bitter," small town residents.