According to the Detroit Free Press, opposition to the Presidential-Task-Force-on-Automobiles-administered Motown meltdown mishegos is “growing.” Who’d a thunk it? But wait! “They” are not voters fed up with dozens of bailout billions shoveled down a Chrysler and GM-shaped rathole. Nor are “they” free marketeers objecting to a sitting president telling a CEO to take a hike. Nope, the Freep is referring to Congress critters representing the Chrysler and GM dealers terminated with extreme prejudice. “Dealers were the focal point of a hearing by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday under Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., where industry critic Ralph Nader said the rescue plans were ‘a conclusive death star to tens of thousands of jobs.'” When asked by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, whether Obama’s auto task force was “unsafe at any speed,” Nader, author of a 1960s exposé by the same moniker on the dangers of the Chevy Corvair, replied: “Can we please stick with my metaphor?” No, seriously, he said, “Yes—worse than that.” Which is almost as nonsensical. [NB: Is there such a thing as a non-conclusive Death Star?] Anyway, here’s what makes this particular special interest group so special . . .
The concern reflects the deep political connections of auto dealers. In the 2007-08 cycle, domestic car dealers and their lobbying arm — the National Automobile Dealers Association — accounted for more than $9 million of the $18 million in federal campaign contributions overall from the automotive sector, according to figures compiled on OpenSecrets.org, the Web site run by the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics.
No question: this is going to get ugly—and stay ugly. For a very long time.
Nader is a shameless publicity whore – but anything that shines some light on the PFTOA quagmire right now is probably a good thing…
I didn’t vote for our president and frankly, wouldn’t defend him unless it was warranted, but….
How can the automakers complain about what the PFTOA is doing? They’ve spent the last 20 years mismanaging themselves into the hole they are in. How much worse damage could the PFTOA do?
Last year, I googled “GM Bankruptcy” (before the current mess) and found an article from late 2006 where GM’s status was discussed. At that point they had $30 billion in the bank, and Chapter 11 was something that was never going to happen.
Fast forward to today, and they’ve burned through all their bank and all the money given to them by the government. I’m a total patriot, but I don’t think that GM is ever going to get better on its own. It shouldn’t have taken 20 years to get great cars like the CTS, Malibu, G8 to market.
Nadar has lost any remaining credibility he had since uttering his “uncle sam or uncle tom” words. Anybody who invites him is just desperate.
They’ve spent the last 20 years mismanaging themselves into the hole they are in. How much worse damage could the PFTOA do?
The PFTOA could stop throwing money into that giant hole that you mention.
One more example that this is not your father’s bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a legal process with fixed rules that are applied with relative uniformity. The problem here is that the government is casting such a shadow on this deal that a normal bankruptcy will be impossible.
The second example is a badly injured guy from Indiana who was days away from resolving his products liability claim with Chrysler when it filed BK. He is lobbying his senator to get New Chrysler to take up liability for Old Chrysler’s products liability claims.
The fact that dealers and injured plaintiffs are pursuing their agendas in the political arena and not in front of the bankruptcy judge should tell us how politicized this process has become. Also, we know that the plaintiffs bar is a huge democratic fundraising source. I doubt that the dealers are as uniform in their alliances, so who is to say if this will hurt them or help them. We are in uncharted territory here, folks.
jpcavanaugh, your mention of the plaintiffs’ bar brings us right back to Ralph Nader, who was their boy until they decided to give their money to the Democratic Party instead.
Hmm, too bad Obama didn’t pick him for vice-president, then it would have been the Obaminator ticket. And, he’d have been as good insurance as blithering Biden.
OK, if Ralph really believes this is the wrong way to go, it’s obviously the best solution. And should be continued, full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes.
Thank you, Ralph.
As one of the few lefties on a site overwhelmingly dominated by the right wing and the libertarians, I gots to admit, I can’t stand Nader. Whatever credibility he had vanished at least a decade ago.
He most definitely does not speak for “us”. The only reason he gets called for stuff like this is because he’ll generate good copy. That and reporters/politicians are too lazy to actually find people to testify before Congress who haven’t been co-opted in one form or another by *any* interest group.
Actually, Nader’s interest group is himself.
What does anyone know about the Corvair? Was Nader wrong about it?
That was what I heard anyway. I always like the Corvair it was a neat looking car.
Ralph Nader does not have, and never has had, any redeeming qualities.
>What does anyone know about the Corvair? Was Nader wrong about it?
A fair amount, and yes, but that is just on par, he has been wrong about just about everything he has done publicly since he showed up. A walking disaster zone.
pax, smn
GM was going to crush VW early 60’s and Corvair was the direct response. Took some time, but the crushing is done.