To the Point

Bad Times for General Motors

Once the symbol of America's industrial power, General Motors may not be the world's largest auto-maker much longer. Critics, including Pulitzer Prize-winner Dan Neil of the Los Angeles Times, say GM's many brands are too much like one another, and one of GM's best-known executives called Buick and Pontiac "damaged." Health care and pension benefits cost $1800 per vehicle, and foreign investments aren't paying off. What's GM doing about declining market share, shrinking profits and possible junk bond status? We hear more about the problems facing GM from journalists, auto industry analysts, economists and industry researchers. Making News: Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's Surprise Visit to Baghdad On the second anniversary of the downfall of Saddam Hussein, President Bush had a progress report for troops at Ford Hood, Texas. He praised the Iraqis for their efforts toward establishing a democratic government. Meantime, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld made another surprise trip to Iraq itself. Jill Carroll is in Baghdad for the Christian Science Monitor. Reporter's Notebook: Negroponte Vows to Reform Spy Agencies In his confirmation to become America's first director of all US intelligence services, John Negroponte answered questions about preventing future mistakes and about his service in Central America under President Reagan. Negroponte told the Senate Intelligence Committee he'll give the President the "unvarnished truth," whether he likes it or not. John Donnelly is covering the proceedings for Congressional Quarterly.