I’m not using the poker definition of the word “hit” here—despite the obvious metaphor of GM drawing on 20 in a game of 21. (Three decades ago.) I’m speaking here in the Britney Spears sense of the phrase. Well, actually, it’s not me. It’s none other than House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi. According to The Detroit News, Nance told reporters today that she supports a strong manufacturing sector. “But this isn’t endless,” she said. “And there has to be a sign of viability and it has to come soon.” Spears fans will recognize Ms. Pelosi’s cry for a pistonhead portent as an echo of Ms. Spears lachrymose lament. So, what sign of viability does the D.C. politician want; you know, as GM has already submitted its official viability Powerpoint presentation? If she’s looking for some kind of sales turnaround, well, uh, anyway . . . “The White House’s top auto advisers will travel to Detroit next week to meet with all three domestic carmakers, Obama administration and auto industry sources said Thursday.” Huh?
The sources, who discussed the meetings on condition of anonymity, said [Presidential Task Force Members] Steve Rattner and Ronald Bloom will be in Detroit on Monday. Though their schedule remains unclear, they likely will meet with top executives of Ford Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corp. The companies are also expected to show off some of the advanced technology that is part of their restructuring plans.
Ha! A cart and pony show starring the Chevy Volt, Chrysler Envi vapor vehicles and some small Euro-Ford or limited edition hybrid somethingorother.
Actually, substitute “oy” for “ha.” For those who wish to see the end of Bailout Nation’s support for Zombie Detroit, it’s clear that the pols’ pandering is a set-up for more bailout bucks. In case you missed it (some of you people just about missed it):
“I don’t think it comes as a surprise to many that the auto industry is in crisis,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Thursday, noting that sales figures released this week showed a severe downturn not just for GM and Chrysler, but for foreign companies as well.
Reiterating a commitment President Barack Obama has made several times, Gibbs said, “I don’t think there’s any doubt we need a strong auto industry in this country.”
Add “vey” to “oy” and we’re done. As if.
The President is an international figure and the Commander in Chief. The Speaker of the House is a domestic politician. There shouldn’t even be a security detail, much less an armored car. If someone should unfortunately get a shot in, well, we have courts to deal with that.
The trip to Detroit is not clearly indicative that the pre-bankruptcy bailouts would continue; the administration would have to show that they “fully considered the situation” either way. But my hopes aren’t very high that the correct decision will be made. Obama knows that bankruptcy is right, but he is a politician.
Well, she is 3rd in chain of command. Let’s hope that chain does not get shortened. I really don’t want to see Village People becoming admirals.
Dude, she’s third in line to the Presidency and a Constitutional officer.
Plus if she, the President, and Vice President get taken out by a terrorist strike, the most senior member of the majority Party in the Senate becomes President. The three most recent holders of that title have been Robert Byrd, Ted Stevens, and Strom Thurmon.
‘Nuff Said. Money well spent!
Iknow the argument, who will build the tanks and jeeps when we go to war? Well, we might as well give these domestic builders to the defense department right now. They can build tanks and much more. How about army green staff cars for the entire federal work force. Everyone who works for uncle sam get’s a detroit built military spec car out of the motor pool complete with a white star.
I wasn’t really thinking of the line of succession; although what the line of succession really demonstrates is the importance of protecting Obama and Biden.
While I voted Obama, Pelosi only reminds me of why I worked so hard to graduate from Cal in three years so that I could escape the Bay Area.
I’m almost positive that she is a connoisseur of farting into wine glasses and then sniffing it.
I don’t like Pelosi so much, either. House leaders in general seem to be Jerk-offs. See: Eric Cantor, Barney Frank, etc.
I voted for Obama pretty much because of line of succession.
I was split until McCain picked Palin. An old man who has had cancer with a really, really underqualified VP who is totally out of her league? No thanks!
So now we have a slightly younger chain smoker who has cancer but doesn’t know it yet, and a #2 who is almost as old as McCain and makes Bush look like a great orator. Followed by Pelosi. Geez.
Pelosi wanted to replace hydrocarbons with natural gas. Can you take her serious?
“So now we have a slightly younger”
I don’t think twenty-five years younger is “slightly” younger! McCain is old enough to be Obama’s father.
I think it’s safe to say we can consider GM done. The auditors came, saw, read, interpreted and laughed and laughed. . . Between garbage cars, mental midget managers, too broad a product line, redneck trucks, parasites called the UAW, and the fact Americans have woke to to the fact American cars suck, pretty well puts an end to the fiasco.
Pelosi is the type of politician we in CA get because the electorate is incredibly ignorant and the Democrats in CA have become adept at appealing to the lowest common denominator.
“Though their schedule remains unclear,”
Yet more vagaries, lipstick on a pig, smoke and mirrors, etc… whatever necessary to reward labor’s support of the political left.
Good times.
Where did all of this Pilosi stuff come from? Let’s at least be objective here. In over 200 years, the Presidency has never once slid beyond the sitting Vice President. We have a 40 something Pres and a mid 60’s VP, hardly double death awaiting here. I would think we were less secure then when we had 70 something Presidents, who recently all completed their terms.
People! Focus on what’s important here!
I just hope they all drive since even MORE of my tax money goes into paying for their travel costs than the Detroit gang………….
“Between garbage cars, mental midget managers, too broad a product line, redneck trucks, parasites called the UAW, and the fact Americans have woke to to the fact American cars suck, pretty well puts an end to the fiasco.”
Gee whiz, do I feel silly. All this time I thought the economy had a little something do do with it.
“Gee whiz, do I feel silly. All this time I thought the economy had a little something do do with it.”
All auto companies are feeling the pinch (or crush if it’s GM), but the other manufacturers are not bloated, outdated and cash strapped as good ole’ GM. You are seeing Darwinism is action here, and GM is not fit to survive.