In his first press conference since winning this week's U.S. election, President-elect Barack Obama called on the American Congress to "act swiftly to resolve" the current economic crisis.

Noting that he won't take office until January and that the country has only one president at a time, he said Congress needs to pass an economic stimulus measure either before he gets to the White House or shortly afterwards.

"Immediately after I become president I will confront this economic crisis head-on by taking all necessary steps to ease the credit crisis, help hardworking families, and restore growth and prosperity," he said.

"I'm confident a new president can have an enormous impact."

But for now, Obama deferred to U.S. President George Bush and his advisors to handle the financial crisis. Obama held the press conference in Chicago shortly after meeting with vice president-elect Joe Biden and economic experts.

He said he wants to focus on creating jobs and helping middle class residents by:

• extending unemployment benefits
• helping the ailing auto industry
• enacting a second stimulus package for the economy

The current and incoming administrations' work won't be made any easier by the latest economic news. More evidence emerged Friday that the U.S. may be heading into a recession. The government reported that the unemployment rate had jumped to 6.5 per cent last month from 6.1 per cent in September.

General Motors also announced Friday that it will cut about 3,600 North American jobs, including 500 in Canada.

The auto giant reported a net loss of US$2.5 billion this quarter, due largely to shifting market trends and the struggling global economy.

Calling the auto industry the "backbone of American manufacturing," Obama pushed the Bush administration to help speed up the distribution of a US$25 billion loan program for automakers to make more fuel-efficient vehicles.

A Canadian Auto Workers official told CTV's Mike Duffy Live Friday night that Obama's call to help the struggling industry is a good sign for the struggling industry.

"He's saying the right things. I only hope our prime minister, Stephen Harper, will follow suit," said Chris Buckley, CAW Local 222 president.

"I encourage our prime minister to join hands with Barack Obama and try to help the auto industry here and in the U.S."

In addition to domestic and international economic pressures, the new Obama administration will also face diplomatic challenges, particularly in the Middle East. On Friday, Obama noted that he will review a letter sent from Iran's leader after Tuesday's election, but didn't respond publicly.

"We only have one president at a time," Obama said. "I'm not the president and I won't be until Jan. 20."

But that doesn't mean he's not being pressured to make some executive decisions in the meantime -- like buying the puppy he promised his daughters during Tuesday's acceptance speech.

"I think (the issue has) generated more interest on our website than just about anything," he said, adding the family wants to adopt a dog from a shelter. But he noted the new pet has to be hypo-allergenic because his daughter Malia is allergic.

"So...whether we're going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household," he said.