by Laura Conaway

From Reuters:

President-elect Barack Obama said on Monday he had requested access to the remaining $350
billion of the financial industry bailout so he would have "ammunition" if the U.S. financial system weakened further.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Obama said his White House would focus the rescue funds on housing foreclosures and small businesses, representing a fundamental change from President George W. Bush's use of the first half of the money.