Obama & Clinton promise to help Detroit 3

[atlaw4u]

Obama also promised to encourage hybrids.

Motor Authority- April 15, 2008

During a speech at GM’s oldest running production plant, U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama made it clear that he will help the Detroit 3 and the economy in general. This is in contrast to his previous criticisms towards the domestic carmakers, especially in regards to low-mileage SUVs that the Detroit 3 is famous for. Obama’s plan is to increase spending in the construction and environmental industries, and help create millions of new jobs and a need for pickup trucks and SUVs. At the same time, Obama vowed to help the domestic auto industry to a more fuel-efficient future.

“I believe that if our government is there to support you, and give you the assistance you need to retool and make this transition, that this plant will be here for another hundred years,” Obama said in his speech. Some of his measures include spending $210 billion to create jobs in construction and environmental industries, $150 billion for 5 million “green-collar” jobs to develop more environmentally friendly energy, and $60 billion to rebuild highways, bridges, airports and other projects, reports The Detroit News.

Previously, Obama was critical of carmakers, stating that they had to change their current path. “For too long, we’ve been either too afraid to ask our automakers to meet higher fuel standards or unwilling to help them do it,” he said during a May speech.

As for hybrid vehicles, Obama talked of a “clean energy economy” and said that he believed if the government is there to support and give assistance to the Detroit 3 they could be around for the next one hundred years.

Clinton willing to back government bailout of Detroit 3.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has revealed she would back a government-bailout to protect the Detroit 3 automakers from going bankrupt if the need arose. Her words mirror similar comments from Democrat rival Barack Obama, who in February said he would also help the auto industry if elected as president.

Clinton is keen to see manufacturing jobs remain in the U.S. and according to her own statistics one in eight jobs are related to the auto industry. Speaking with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, she said she would not let any of the Detroit 3 go out of business but warned that there would need to be some return. “We don’t want to just keep investing in the car companies unless they change their direction,” she explained.

In response, Ford and GM said they don’t need a bailout but welcome Clinton’s support of the industry.

Her comments are in stark contrast to George Bush’s 2006 announcement that he would not support a government bailout of GM or Ford if they were to go bankrupt, claiming they need to “build a product that’s relevant.”

[Robert Lastick]

Obama is right on, as usual!

[Right Lane Cruiser]

The US operations of the 3 formerly known as "The Big" do not need to be bailed out. They should adapt or lose US business. I highly doubt the global companies will die out if their US sales/manufacturing languish.

I agree with the "build a product that's relevant" statement, personally.

[99HXCivic]

The Big 3 didn't make use of the 90's Gov help initiative to make a hybrid car! Maybe they just padded their bottom line!

[Aether glider]

Not to start a political thread but Obama would say anything to get elected. He is for everything and nothing at the same time. All he ever says is Change. Change what? I changed my underwear this morning. Maybe thats what he's talking about.


Ever time him or clinton speaks to a group they just say what that group wants to hear and nothing else. I'm glad we can review ever single speech and see how shallow and ill informed both of them are.

[Chuck]

Worth a look: What the 2008 Presidential Candidates Drive - in general, it does not match their rhetoric. The next President needs to find a way to gas guzzle less to set an example. Note I said guzzle less - security reasons are going to limit choices.

[Aether glider]

Interesting...I figured none of them had driven a car in 20 years. Just rode in the back and yelled at their minions.

[deezle]

Originally Posted by atlaw4u

Obama also promised to encourage hybrids.
Obama’s plan is to increase spending in the construction and environmental industries, and help create millions of new jobs and a need for pickup trucks and SUVs.

If creating "a need for pickups and SUV's" is his solution to saving jobs in the auto sector, I think he needs to give it just a little more thought. The not-so-big-three have been relying on high-profit-margin pickups and SUV's for too long, raking in the easy money instead of investing in R+D for modern fuel-efficient vehicles. The endless stream of single-occupant SUV's in today's traffic is obscene. I would have expected Obama to have a better vision for the future of the North American auto industry.

American industry was built on innovation and thrived on competition. I still see that in companies such as Apple, but in the auto industry I see lazy, stupid, government-coddled manufacturers that are slowly poisoning America.

[toastblows]

Originally Posted by Delta Flyer

Worth a look: What the 2008 Presidential Candidates Drive - in general, it does not match their rhetoric. The next President needs to find a way to gas guzzle less to set an example. Note I said guzzle less - security reasons are going to limit choices.

They get two 747's to go get haircuts in Malibu, and go hunting in Texas (bclinton/gwbush). Set an example...hah!

All the good japanese companies make cars in factories here now (though i purposely look for the VIN to start with J when shopping for them).....big 3 out of business means more honda and toyota jobs domestically.....yah!

[Earthling]

“I believe that if our government is there to support you, and give you the assistance you need to retool and make this transition, that this plant will be here for another hundred years,” Obama said in his speech as he thinks wistfully of the wads of money in his bank account generously donated by Big Three lobbyists.

Just had to correct that statement...

Harry