"Hank Paulson has worked tirelessly under some very difficult circumstances," Obama said in an hourlong in-terview to be aired on "60 Minutes" [Nov. 16, 2008], according to excerpts released by CBS News. "I think Hank would be the first one to acknowledge that probably not everything that's been done has worked the way he had hoped it would work."

Obama said he has assigned someone on his presidential transition team who interacts with Paulson daily.

"We are getting the information that's required, and we're making suggestions in some circumstances about how we think they might approach some of these problems," Obama said.

Obama also said the government must do more to help distressed homeowners. "We have not focused on foreclosures and what's happening to homeowners as much as I would like," Obama said, according to the excerpts. He called for setting up "a negotiation between banks and borrowers so that people can stay in their homes."

Meanwhile, Obama was an invisible force as foreign leaders convened at an economic summit in Washington.

One sentiment runs below the crosscurrents as a summit of world leaders wrestled with a global crisis this weekend: What would Obama do?

Obama is staying away, ensconced in Chicago, unwilling to make any public show of political influence before he is sworn in to office Jan. 20. Indeed, his break with Congress will be complete today, when he officially resigns his Illinois Senate seat.

Obama is being especially cautious about the economic summit, letting President Bush represent the nation. But in the Democratic radio address yesterday, Obama subtly made the point that the summit was only a beginning. "I'm glad President Bush has initiated this process because our global economic crisis requires a coordinated global response," he said.

Looking ahead to the new president, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said of Obama: "I have not the slightest doubt that we will be able to proceed along the way that we set out today. This is a reasonable approach that the new president will surely support."

Obama has proposed a $175 billion economic recovery plan that includes tax cuts, help for states and spending on public works nationwide. As Congress convenes this week, members are tossing around figures of $300 billion or more. Obama aides are signaling flexibility.