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“I’m disappointed to hear of the upcoming General Motors plant closings. Hardworking people are paying the price because our country’s leaders have put Washington corruption and Wall Street greed before Main Street’s interests for too long. Change is coming. I know families across America are hurting, and as president, I will lead members of both parties in a fight to keep and create good jobs in communities across the country. Now is not a time for words and platitudes. Now is a time for action. That is why I supported auto-industry loan guarantees and will continue to work to create opportunities for American auto companies to build the car of the 21st century and put Americans back to work.”
34 Comments on “Presidential Candidate John McCain Responds to GM Plant Closures...”
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Words are cheap. McCain has done nothing to help the domestic auto industry. “Now is not a time for words and platitudes”. So he should shutup already.
People sometimes forget that there are only two parties Democrat,& Republican. The idea that McCain represents a third (maverick) party is absurd. If you elect McCain you get a continuation of Republican policies, as the party that nominated him and all their apparatchicks are still there to continue to run the country after Bush. Further all that Republican money that financed the campaign will not let their candidate reverse course on any major policies. Even if Palen becomes president, the Republican machine runs the show. She knows less about national government than the first 500 names in any telephone book.
Hardworking people are paying the price because our country’s leaders have put Washington corruption and Wall Street greed before Main Street’s interests for too long.…
How about the greed and shortsighted business model of the industry executives? I would rather McCain had said that “It is a shame that such hardworking Americans are losing their jobs. But as a supporter of free enterprise and American ingenuity, I am disappointed that the big three chose to put short term SUV profits in their pockets instead of plowing them back into design of better cars. So, my friends, I see a squandered opportunity here. Many of those former SUV owners really loved the products that you, my fellow Americans, built for them. But the people running the company gave them nothing to turn to when then wanted something else. You know, my friends, that reminds me of Saturn. They, too, squandered their opportunity. So, in light of these basic mistakes, and the countless others that my friends at that maverick website – The truth about cars – would gladly add, I feel compelled to say that sending taxpayer money to these inept executives would be a waste of that money. Since, my friends, we all know that the government has its Iraq crisis to spend money on we certainly don’t need anything else to distract us. When I figure out why Obama says “ehrock” when I say “Irack” maybe I will revisit the issue…”
Hey! That’s my local newspaper! The Janesville Gagzette!
(If that gives you an idea of what I think of them)
Their press is a quarter mile away from my house. I have considered taking some eggs over there before.
What is the cost to the rest of us if GM stops funding health care?
Will the Detroit 2.5 get any relief from state level franchise laws that leave them with too many dealers,many of whom run pretty lousy operations?
Lets see a politician address these.
jw – put our national contenders in a room and you have is: an empty suit with oratorical ruffles and flourishes, a cranky old man, a gaffe-o-matic machine and then what appears to be a normal human being. I forget which 19th century President observed that every town of 5000 has the caliber of citizens to lead the country. We have a permanent unelected mandarinate for details……we elect leaders.
Both McCain and Obama have said the same BS about helping auto workers. Let’s face it, whoever wins Ohio and Michigan wins the general election, so they can’t be honest, just as they couldn’t be honest about ethanol during Iowa primaries.
Leaving politics aside, I’m with golden2husky. Detroit’s problems were made in Detroit, not D.C.
Bloomberg reran an interview with Carl Icahn a few minutes ago. He said the cause of this disaster is lack of accountability on the part of the boards. Bingo.
Until the end of this election, the first three post should be a permanent fixture on TTAC. I am Michael, and I approve those messages.
Why is this industry worth saving any more than any other industry? If they fail, it is because of poor products, do-nothing boards of directors, horrible management and unions that outlived their usefulness about 50 years ago. Chrysler is back where it was when we saved it the last time.
Is this the same John McCain who is proud of getting Boeing pushed aside in favor of Airbus for the next generation military tanker plane?
How about this, right from McCain’s website:
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/read.aspx?guid=0109eb5b-68d1-42c3-a280-f601ac417daf
“John McCain Will Veto Any Bill That Serves Only The Special Interests And Corporate Welfare. On his watch, there will be no more subsidies for special pleaders, no more corporate welfare and no more throwing around billions of the people’s money on pet projects.”
How exactly does that square with his recent reversal of first being against the auto industry loans and now being for them? It was less than a month ago that McCain “declined to support” loans to the industry.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/john-mccain-no-federal-loan-guarantees-for-detroit/
>>”Words are cheap. McCain has done nothing to help the domestic auto industry.”
Why should he? Or why should any public official? And in any event, how can they?
I can think of only one way they can help business and foster jobs: cut taxes.
Otherwise, let the industry help itself. That’s why they call it free enterprise. You succeed you get rich. You lose you move on.
Except in America. The auto companies lose, we have to give them free money.
What he (McCain) said is pure absurdity. Why does he use the same nonsensical explanation for every problem befalling our nation?
Corruption in Washington and “Wall Street greed” (whatever that means), have nothing to do with the meltdown of the Detroit auto industry, and it is a ridiculous insult to the American people for him to say that was the cause. It was not the real cause of the housing bubble and the subsequent credit crunch either, although McCain says it was.
The longer McCain continues to “explain” these crises in the manner that he does, and not offer REAL and accountable explanations the longer he will loose traction in this campaign.
I think they both are trying to find causes for and explain the situation so each can say he has the answer and this is why you should vote for him. If they don’t explain and offer solutions, people will accuse them of being wimpy. They want to be perceived as being strong and in charge. And of course, at this point in the race, they’re feverishly saying what people want to hear as politicians always do.
Throwing taxpayer money at the Detroit-3 is unlikely to overcome their negative image for quality and integrity.
Like many others, I have been closely following the B.S. trail, and thank you TTAC for keeping us informed. I’ve read the arguments about how saving the domestic auto industry is vital for national security. I’d say that’s all bull. I have 2 hobbies: cars and computers, so I follow the IT industry. Probably many of you have heard of AMD, the only competitor that Intel currently has. In 2006, AMD purchased ATI, a graphics chip manufacturing company. Of course, they over extended themselves by doing that, and enough money wasn’t around anymore to continue R&D and updating their fabs. It takes around $2 Billion every two years to upgrade a fab, and a little more to build one from the ground up. AMD’s latest plan was to build one in New York state, and create U.S. jobs. Like I’ve said, they did not have enough cash to do all that. Of course they did not run to the government to ask for money, plus Uncle SAM is Intel’s customer, so go figure. In the meantime, Intel is moving fabs and labs over seas, and laying off american researchers and workers. To survive, AMD split itself into two distinct entities: one is the old AMD (and ATI) and the other one is “The Foundry Company”. Of course, this all may sound routine, how ever, as soon AMD announced the spin off, Abu Dhabi (the capital of the United Arab Emirates) jumped at investing (and they did) money into the Foundry Company. The Foundry Company will manufacture CPUs, GPUs and Chip Sets for a couple of other companies, with their main customer of course being AMD & ATI. I couldn’t have seen anything more important for our national security than investing (and I repeat, this would have been an investment, not a bail out) money into a High Tech company like AMD. The Fab will still be built in New York state, how ever now a middle eastern country has controlling interest in the Foundry Company. Of course, future plans include building Fabs (this are silicone manufacturing plants) in Abu Dhabi. So I guess so much for common sense. I am bringing this up simply because as you may know, anyone can build cars this days, the know how and technology is there. How ever, how many countries or companies for that matter posses the high technology and knowledge to engineer and manufacture high tech chips that can be used in anything ranging from a computer, server to high tech weapons…
Why is this posted in the Chapter 11 file? Just wondering.
And wasn’t McSame against the bailout before he decided that he needs Michigan to win? And didn’t the McSame campaign pull out of Michigan recently, or was that some other state?
Coming from a “maverick,” a Washington insider with 26 years in the House, this is a bit strange. But then again, unless Obama really seriously screws up, McCain isn’t going to win the election. He is getting desperate now and will promise anything to anybody. And besides, corporate welfare has always been the GOP way. Wagoner and Lutz couldn’t live without the multi-million dollar bonuses they get every quarter for running the company into the ground. If Lutz can’t afford the JP4 for his jet(s), it is up to American taxpayers to provide it.
But seriously, I am not a young man and I actually used to work for GM. If there ever was a corporation that was totally centred on the pay of executives, this is it. GM doesn’t give a fig about customer satisfaction or quality product. The emphasis was always to make fast profits to the high ups would get fat bonuses. If we in dealers ever saw an obvious problem in a GM product, GM did NOT want to hear about it. Training staff? Nope? Actually teaching mechanics to wrench on anything more complicated than a stovebolt 6? Nein, that would cost too much. Better to fob the customer off until the warranty is up. Even better, when the customer figures out his Silverado is a disposable POS that was designed to fall apart the day the warranty is up, instead of making better product, get him to buy an “extended warranty” or even better con him into payments on a new one.
I have been watching GM “reinvent itself” for thirty years. They last decent products they made were the 1977 Impala and 1978 Malibu. These were designed when the old guard of Knudsen fame were still in house. The paper hangers like Lutz and Wagoner took over and wonderful products like the Citation and Cavalier came along. Know why the Cavalier got a pushrod coffee grinder for a motor? Because it was EIGHTEEN DOLLARS cheaper than the Opel motor Chevrolet wanted. Then when the car was launched it was so awful it didn’t sell without huge discounting. But of course, the execs got their bonuses.
But when Billy-Bob Beerbelly starts driving a Toyota pickup, you know there is something wrong. The only reason GM has made any money in the last 20 years is easy financing and even that has dried up now. An inside GM secret: Their major advertising campaigns are always targeted at the places with the lowest levels of education. This is why the sell so well in the mid west. But as these people get squeezed out of America to enrich the the ilk of Lutz, they cannot afford the payments anymore. You can dress up a GM POS in a Star Spangled Banner only for so long and when Billy Bob can’t make the payments the game is up. Let’s face it; not too many college grads are driving a Chevy.
GM deserves to die but it won’t. It is too much a national icon. We can only hope that Obama will demand that the government welfare come with government supervision that the taxpayers’ money will actually be used to do something other than buy Lutz another jet. But don’t count on it. If I were an American taxpayer, I would be mighty pissed. But oddly, I don’t see that.
ferrarimanf355 said:
And wasn’t McSame against the bailout before he decided that he needs Michigan to win? And didn’t the McSame campaign pull out of Michigan recently, or was that some other state?
I stopped paying attention to your post when I noted your childish “McSame” namecalling. Grow up. This isn’t DailyKos. It’s no better than the idiots who call Obama “Nobama” or “Hussein”. Stick to the issues. You sound like a mindless drone.
Carry on.
I stopped paying attention to your post when I noted your childish “McSame” namecalling. Grow up. This isn’t DailyKos. It’s no better than the idiots who call Obama “Nobama” or “Hussein”. Stick to the issues. You sound like a mindless drone.
It’s been a gag reflex for the past few months, like how he always says “my friends” a gazillion times in every speech, even though I’m not his friend…
This is all desperation and pandering and follows the poorly run campaign he has. So one week his campaign states they are pulling out of Michigan and the next week he is in Janesville saying how he is for the auto loans? That should win Michigan’s vote.
The McCain campaign lacks consistency and a clear message. At this point in time, it also lacks credibility. His website and adds say little as to his ideas and views. He seems to always be two steps behind and he allows the Obama campaign to keep him on the defensive which is where they want him.
He preaches less pork barrel spending yet signs the bail out bill. This would have been an ideal opportunity to stand up and talk against using additional tax payer money to fund useless spending projects while the financial system is in crisis. This would have also given him credibility he needs in the financial arena.
He preaches “Country first”, yet picks a VP candidate with little experience or ideas. No one can tell me Palin was the most qualified on that list of candidates but she probably was the most electable with his base. McCain needed the independents and undecideds. He needs his base also but my guess is most would have voted for him anyway.
Im just curious so dont take this in a personal way. How would you all react if Obama had said this?
Lets stop blaming the politicians and start blaming ourselves for electing these idiots – on both sides of the aisle.
Well, cheezewedgie, countries get the governments they deserve.
Actions speak louder than words.
John McCain: Owns a 2004 Cadillac CTS now and owned Corvettes in the past. Good GM cars. Cindy McCain and her beer distribution company own a bunch of cars and trucks from foreign and domestic manufacturers. If the Janesville plant makes a vehicle that meets the McCain family or business needs, they would likely buy it. They seem to like cars.
Unlike Bush, a President McCain would likely sign legislation imposing unfunded mandates on auto manufacturers. Expect a flex-fuel mandate and fairly tough CAFE type fuel economy requirements. However, I doubt that he would attempt to regulate the internal combustion engine to death.
Barack Obama: Owns one Ford Escape Hybrid. Used to own a Chrysler 300C. Affluent urban household with one car for the entire family. Seems weird to me. Does not appear likely to buy a SUV made at Janesville.
With a President Obama I would expect at least the same regulations as McCain. In addition, I would expect some type of tax increase that would raise the cost of gasoline. In my opinion, fuel economy regulations passed under a President Obama would be more likely to include “outlaw the SUV” provisions targeting politically incorrect vehicle types. Think 1994 Federal Assault Weapon Ban thinking applied to trucks, outlawing or taxing certain truck features like large engines or high ground clearance in addition to tough fuel economy requirements.
Ronin stop and think just for one minute. Tax cuts are not a magic panacea, in spite of what you may hear on Reichwing radio. McCain in this article said he now supports loan guarantees. How about attaching some strings to them, like insisting on a change of management to get that aid? McCain has watched Rome burn and now says “Now is not a time for words and platitudes”. This is the same senile dolt who could not tell a Shiite from a Sunni – Joe Lieberman had to pull him aside and tell him why Iran would not be training Al Qaeda. We need an ECONOMY of which John McCain is totally clueless as to what makes it work. Yes Obama will save the domestic auto industry. If you bail out banks, why not Detroit? Republicans want to burn our cash on insurance companies and banks, Democrats want to save Detroit too. So you can vote however you want, but Obama has a lock on the election, go cry in your beer.
Let the companies that cannot survive economically die. Survival of the fittest. Screw these continual bailouts. What is wrong with these idiots regarding these bailouts?
John McCain: Preparation H and Beef Jerky. ‘Nuff said!
“Hardworking people are paying the price because our country’s leaders have put Washington corruption and Wall Street greed before Main Street’s interests for too long”
wouldnt you consider him one of the nations leaders? at least he wants to be when it suits the situation.
“Affluent urban household with one car for the entire family”
– so you DONT like the fact that he isnt wasteful? would you rather he had 8 or 9 cars like McCain? i mean honestly how often do you think either of them drive themselves anywhere?
Let the companies that cannot survive economically die. Survival of the fittest. Screw these continual bailouts. What is wrong with these idiots regarding these bailouts?
In better times we could let GM go bankrupt. The reorganization would ultimately be a good thing for both GM and the country. Right now we are staring into the abyss. The downturn in the economy is only beginning to be felt by Main Street. Consumer spending will continue to shrink, and that will cause companies to RIF a lot of people. There is the potential for a vicious feedback loop where higher unemployment leads to less consumption which leads to even higher unemployment which leads to… That needs to be avoided at all cost or we will end up with the government hiring people for make work jobs like it did during the Great Depression.
What the taxpayers should be asking is why we are not getting anything in return for our money. If we are going to provide low interest rate loans then we should get something in return for those below market rate terms, like a large equity stake that can be sold off later when if GM survives.
“Affluent urban household with one car for the entire family”
The key word is urban. If you live in a thriving city you really don’t have much need for a car. The car can be for weekend fun and that sort of thing.
How would you all react if Obama had said this?
Obama has advocated the same bailouts and he was taken to task for it here. But I think it is a little different with McCain. Obama has never really been thought of as a defender of free market principles; McCain has. So when McCain says that he wants to bailout Wall Street, bad mortgages, auto makers, etc, it adds in the element of disappointment and other emotions. Or more simply; you expected it from Obama, not McCain. I personally know quite a few people who have decided to vote for the Libertarian candidate Bob Barr because of this.
+1 for Happy_Endings. I fall in the category you so eloquently describe.
Neither McCain nor Obama are looking out for taxpayer best interests, regardless of the garbage both spew.
You can buy a kit to brew your own beer, wouldn’t it be fun if you can get a kit to start your own car company?
I know the facts can be inconvenient at times, but the loans we’re talking about were made available with the energy bill passed last year to help the automakers get the capital required to take steps toward meeting the new CAFE regs. While the gov’t is still working out how companies can apply and receive the loans, there are not provisions that only “domestic” carmakers can apply. In fact, even suppliers can apply if they’re investing in ways that meet the criteria, which people who watch this stuff with an unbiased eye are assuming will be a) the money must be invested in the development or manufacture of fuel saving technology and b) the money must be invested in the US.
Even though the domestics desperately need cash, and will likely use the loans to aid in that area, this was never meant to be bailout money. If (when) Toyota/Honda decide to retool or build their next plant in the US that will make anything that can be argued to be fuel saving technology, they’ll be coming forward with their loan application too.