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Sounding at times like he was on the campaign trail, an impassioned President Obama praised the 2009 federal bailout of the American auto industry -- and in the process implicitly criticized Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, an opponent of the measure.
The president’s speech, in front of 1,700 members of the United Auto Workers union, came right before the Republican primary in Michigan, an important general-election state where Romney is running neck-and-neck with Rick Santorum in tonight's primary.
Obama condemned the conservative pushback against the $80 billion auto industry bailout -- which begun during the Bush administration -- saying that had the government not intervened, another option would have been to “do absolutely nothing and let these companies fail.”
“And you will recall there were some politicians who said we should do that,” Obama said as the audience booed.
He quoted one specific course of action, which happened to also be the title of Romney’s 2008 op-ed in which he called for a “managed bankruptcy” of the auto industry.
“Some even said we should ‘let Detroit go bankrupt’” Obama said to continued boos. “You remember that?” he continued.
Obama seemed to make another indirect reference to Romney when he said that some politicians claim the unions wanted the bailout simply to line their own coffers.
“You've got folks saying, 'Well, the real problem is -- what we really disagreed with was the workers, they all made out like bandits -- that saving the auto industry was just about paying back the unions,'" Obama said.
“Really?” he continued as the audience laughed. “I mean, even by the standards of this town, that’s a load of you know what.”
While Romney has frequently criticized Obama for engaging in what he calls “crony capitalism,” charging Obama gives favorable treatment to “union bosses” in exchange for campaign donations, Romney has taken pains to clarify that he is not targeting individual union members.
“Look, unions play an important role. I have no problem with union members. I feel they make a real contribution. But union bosses, let me tell you, that's a different group,” Romney said at a Detroit-area event on Feb. 23.
While Obama’s speech did feel at times like a direct rebuke of some of Romney’s campaign lines, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney today denied that the references -- including the title of Romney’s op-ed -- should be interpreted as a reproach of the former Massachusetts governor.
“Others may have also certainly shared that sentiment if not the same sentence,” Carney said of “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt.”
Carney added that Obama’s remarks on the auto bailout reflected his desire to weigh in on a policy decision that happens to be a hot-button political issue as well.
“This is a matter of public debate right now and it is certainly appropriate for the president to make his policy positions known and to engage in that public debate.”
The auto bailout may be a topic in both political and policy discussions, but President Obama did overtly acknowledge his own political fortunes several times during his twenty-five minute speech.
He told the crowd that he had visited GM’s Hamtramck factory in Detroit, the home of the Chevy Volts, where he was allowed to sit in the car but not drive it, per Secret Service direction.
“Five years from now when I’m not president anymore, I’ll buy one and drive it myself,” Obama said, looking beyond this November’s election.
That off-the-cuff remark prompted the crowd to begin chanting, “Four more years! Four more years!”
*** UPDATE *** The political dimension to Obama’s speech was only underscored when, hours after the speech, Jim Messina, the Obama re-election campaign manager, tweeted, “POTUS was fired up at the UAW today” with a link to the campaign’s Tumblr site, at the top of which was a moving picture featuring portions of today’s speech.
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WAY TO GO Mr. President
Obama / Biden 2012
While Willard was perfectly content to let them go bankrupt!
Obama/Biden 2012
I highly doubt president Obama will be driving a 30,000 dollar vehicle when he ends his presidency, but at least he stands for something. To let something as important as the auto industry in this country go bankrupt, well, its just lunacy. My hat goes off to Obama and his continued work to set the standards for Presidents to come with his work in the manufacturing industry.
Romney placed his bet on American workers by destroying the companies they worked for and destroying their pensions to fatten his wallet. Here is your choice America, a president who believes in his country and its people, or the man who is willing to destroy the lives of others for personal gain.
Why doesn't Mittens like Michigan, didn't build a new estate there? But he insists on calling Michigan home.
Was he traumatized by the trees and lakes, little lakes, as a kid?
Way to go....hehehe, this POS is going alright......straight to hell, after we remove the idiot from MY White House.
What no story today on FR about the Lightsqured CEO having to abruptly resign to avoid corruption charges against the Obama administration.
Man o man once this primary is over poor little Obama is going to have to answer for a lot of incompetence and illegalities.
That's not nice to call President Bush names, because he has already gone home to Texas. Granted, he is not as smart as President Obama. Also, it's the peoples White House.
Raab,
MSNBC is carrying the story, dumbass...so tell me why it NEEDS to be in FR?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46559219
And while you're at it, Raab...please explain these "illegalities" Obama "is going to have to answer to" you have been privy to...
...dumbass...you never quit , do you...lie after lie after lie...or is it just ignorance?
Hi Mickey.
The Republican folks seem to be stuck on stupid.
Rob,
[having to abruptly resign to avoid corruption charges against the Obama administration]
If he is supposedly separating himself from the company then why did Sanjiv Ahuja resigned as CEO but stay on as Chairman of the Board?
Boy, the Obots are out today. ABO in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since you are taking credit for "Your" White House ... Bo left a little something in the bushes over there. When you get a free minute - could you - well you know. That will be so nice, Thanks in advance for taking care of that.
No hurry, but the President will be coming through in a few minutes - it might be good to start on that right away.
Thanks so much , you are a big help for us all, I'll mention your contribution to the President -- Buu Bye now.
[The Republican folks seem to be stuck on stupid.]
Job1, It's desperation...the desperation of NOT having a valid candidate to back. And they can't even own up to that fact...I mean, lookie here at MesaMax:
[Boy, the Obots are out today. ABO in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
ABO in 2012? Really? So...just who is ABO, and why haven't I seen him at any of the
freakshowsdebates?Point being, THE GOP HAS NO ONE TO RUN AGAINST OBAMA, AND WIN.
If the President believes that bailouts are the way to go, why is he not helping American Airlines who just entered bankruptcy? Is it because American is based in Texas, or are the companies that do business with American not as important
I know. I was one of those that were booing. I personally found the cristicism of the President quite muted. He could have drawn more blood than he did especially in a situation where his policies were so clearly vindicated and proved out as they were in the case of the auto loans (not bailouts)!!!
My God in heaven,...how could the President's decision (and Bush's) to rescue the auto companies have been more flagrantly vindicated as was in this case! Detroit is flying high again, and will save this country in the next war when called upon just as we did in 1941.
The President did take a victory lap! As well he should. My family and most of the Midwestern U.S. owes this President dearly!! The Union has an acute awareness of that. We won't forget who supported us. We also won't forget those who laughed while we were bleeding. Our turn to draw blood now......the battle is joined.
One Titanic announcement our President did make to us was that he intends to appoint a trade czar to police trade abuses commited by nations that don't observe rules. Good to hear from a state that exports durable goods.
The GOP is doomed in 2012. Effin' doomed. Trust me.
GOP,
Glad my tax dollars saved your job. I don't think "most" of the midwesterners owes anybody anything. Detroit area, yeah, maybe. That's awesome that Obama is going to appoint another czar, you know, a way to get around congress on who appoints. Yeah, Bush did it too and it was wrong then as it's wrong now.
all-in-all, I'm truly am happy you still have a job and a home.
Paul:
Your tax dollars are being paid back in full, no need to take full credit for singlehandedly saving the auto industry. The English, having decimated their own auto industry long ago, would likely have chosen an Obama type loan guarantee program to save it, if only they had thought a little harder about the consequences of letting their great auto making tradition fade away.
I hope you do appreciate how we really could have lost it all, selling off assets to Chinese bidders, likely.
As for appointing czars, I think the jury is still out. The ideal "czar" is interested in the economics of his or her particular issue, not politics, and from my point of view, marginalizing politicians, limiting their role in serious economic decisions would likely lead to smarter choices about a lot of things, the auto industry being just one of them.
Ultimately, there will be an "app" for economic recovery, and we won't let politics get in the way of making intelligent decisions. We will have to wait on that one.
Its obvious that you are not a parent... haven't been around kids very much or forget your own confusion when parental authority broke down.
Which means... If you put up with it then. You should be ecstatic to with Part deux. Case law is founded on precedents. As is Your right to enforce claims of trespass. If you don't enforce the law, then its no long valid.
You didn't complain when Bush crapped a big one in your face ... that set the precedent - you gave up the right to restrict it in the future.... you can't complain about it now.
I saw the entire "fired up, ready to go" speech. Excellent. While President Obama didn't say the name Mitt Romney, it was hardly an indirect swipe--it was a direct hit.
Obama/Biden 2012!!!
Made me want to lace up my running shoes and get out there right NOW!
With a 2 X 4...
Obama/Biden 2012
I suppose that coming from the great communist state of illinois, you would be an odumba supporter. Sadly for you, your messiah will be escorted from MY White House shortly.
March 1st. Our GO team is activating March 1st. You're a member of your own local team, yes?
Of course this POS would praise the auto bailouts........he`s a marxist/socialist, so socialized industries are a good thing in his twisted, perverted thinking. Americans don`t want government owned banking, auto, and healthcare industries, and this moron is gone after November.
Wow.
You've never been unemployed, eh? Not even a single unemployment check?
Or never had a wife, etc who went to WIC? Not even once?
Or never went to college and gotten off-set some by the Pell Grants?
You're a remarkably lucky, or sad, fellow.
My hat is off to you, or my condolences are sent to you.
Looks like the ignorants over that FoxNation and The Blaze got out of Kindergarten early today.
Whatsamatter hunter, sad that the auto bailouts worked? I was skeptical at first, but it's hard to argue with success .
Hunter,
I hate to say this, but you are a loud mouth dumb a$$. Also, President Obama will be your President for five more years.
Hunter480:
Americans don`t want government owned banking, auto, and healthcare industries, and this moron is gone after November.
No, but i'm guessing they demand greater regulations on the banking industry, prefer the auto industry doesn't collapse in on itself, and it might just be one or two of us would like some type of health care provided than none at all.
Those big fancy words you describe our president with mean nothing when used in a negative, bantering and unequivocally harmful way. We're all adults here, lets act like one.
@ Hunter 480....what exactly do you think about that FDIC banking thingy?
I agree with Chucky it is hard to argue with success, GM is turning big profits American union workers are on the job earning and paying taxes instead collecting unemployment, GM is investing in more plant infrastructure in the US, hiring more US workers, and all the companies that supply GM are still in business and expanding with them, it's lunacy to try and portray all this good as a bad thing. I'll bet the people who's jobs were saved will vote for Obama, it is kind of hard to turn your back on somebody that did not turn their back to you, lots of white collar workers are damn grateful to still have their jobs, it is not just the unionized work force, actually the unionized workers are the smallest percentage of jobs saved overall. The president took plenty of heat for the auto industry bailout, now that it worked out so well he deserves some credit. The republicans have made it clear how they feel about workers, whether you are in the car industry directly or depend on it indirectly, or if you just work for a living you should thank President Obama with a vote in November.
Forrest,
How do you feel about the employees of GM receiving $500m in bonuses while the taxpayers are owed billions?
I'm fine with it, how do feel about wall street bankers paying each other hundreds of millions in bonuses after the tax payers picked up their tab. No individual GM employee got the kind of multi million dollar bonuses the wall street boys got.
I saw the Presidents of the UAW, SEIU, United Steel Workers and Communication Workers of America on the same stage this morning.
Unions are now of one accord. We are girding for battle with the realization that the old ways of doing business have decimated our ranks since 1971. We know changes are due. Old ways won't work anymore. We know we have to fight smarter. We know the impact of Citizen's United, and that the unholy Republicans have access to 10 times the money we do.
Still......
Through it all it is just one (wo)man and one vote when you draw that curtain behind you in the voting booth. Citizen's United can't reach in there. Only Republicans know why they subordinate their own interests to vote Republican. To win a vote you must win a heart, and the pain people see around them is more sourced to Republican machinations than Democratic ones.
People know who did this, and all the exculpatory Bullschtein puked out by the party of "personal responsibility" won't save them from the people's wrath. Particularly in Michigan, and the Midwest, where people want to know why the Republicans thought Michiganians would have been better off eating out of trash dumpsters than living in their homes. People want to know why Republicans tried to kill off our regional industry and impoverish us. Why?
People remember who was driving the last time the economy crashed, and they are unwilling to revisit those days so soon after being pulled from the grave and rescusitated by a compassionate, young Illinois Senator. So explain it to us GOP.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Well GOP you said it much better than I did.
And Wall Street bonus - to one person are even higher. Did you complain about that?
Greed is good! ~ Michael Douglas - who famously portrayed the oily corporate swindler Gordon Gekko in the Wall Street movies
I've watched the dogs of war enjoying their feast
I've seen the western world go down in the east
The food of love became the greed of our time
And now they're living on the profits of crime
Thank god we have a democrat for president.Now people we have to come together to give them the house and Senate
Who is odumba?
"Who is odumba?"
Maybe he's one of the politicians that's in a group of names you call other politicians, you think?
So odumba is W.Bush.
Obama bailed out the unions, not GM. Obama made sure GM wouldn't go bankrupt, because that would have paid the bondholders first. So he intervened and made sure the unions got their payoff at the expense of the bondholders, and the tax payers. The taxpayers lost about $500M in the bailout which will never be repaid. Obama forgot to mention that in his little speech.
max - doesnt it amaze you how many people dont have a clue about obamas union bailout? Its frightening that those who support this turd in the WH are the ones who pay the least attention to what he does
Yet another lesson in Comparitive History (vs. Selective memory)..
Yeah 'a! ... right.
I use to think that patriotism is rooting for our country come hell, come high tide, Now the GOP, the conservative leaning Republicans and the Tea party love to celebrate bad news about our economy, they cheer and high five each other about any hiccup and spin all good news about us as not enough or ignore them altogether. What is wrong with these people?
No, they cheer for the fall of a failed adminstration. We shall overcome!
Hunter,,,,,,First off, Marx was a Republican born and raised in the Wiemar Republic, Secondly, I am pretty sure EVERY Communist Country on Earth is a Republic making basically ALL Communist,,,,,Republicans
Remember,,,,Breath in, Breath out, Breath in, Breath out,,,Repeat
You're just as dumb as Hunter, he's a nut ball from the right and you from the left. Get a hair cut too!! hahaha
Paul:
You reak of a party in permanent decline. Go back to watching tv, making ships in a bottle or some other activity that doesn't raise your blood pressure to the point where we will have to subsidize your prescriptions.
Hunter:
Continue with the "calm down everyone" approach. It wasn't the end of the world when Obama was elected, and we are lucky to have him - just look at the lunatic alternatives that pose as candidates. Who would have wanted the job, mopping up after "W?"
Should Obama decide to continue to lead us schlubs for another 4 years, America will be better off.
It is good to keep it indirect as he might be facing a different idiot in November like Santorum, for example.
Or maybe he knows that Willard is going to be his opponent but doesn't want to attack yet out of courtesy to the fine folks who live in Michigan and may want to vote for Willard in the primaries and he doesn't want to totally embarrass them.
So if Obama is a Socialist/Marxist than Bush must have been a Fascist/Industrial Socialist. Now that must make you feel better that the name calling can balance out . Talk with some intellegance. I know the far right hates educated people but that is typical of those who hate democracy. Totalitarian governments usually purge intelectuals as those inlectuals are too smart to fall for the lies and propaganda that the Fascists spew.
Have a great day.
bald is making my head hurt with his large complicated words like fascist and socialist, makes me grip my gun and bible a little bit tighter. Dont know nuthin bout no fascism , just dont like obama cause he 's a weak incompetant boob who lies alot. Please blad - in the future keep your smears simple so's us plain folk can understand ya
PC:
Americans "toyed" with Half Gov, "plain talk Sarah," but they wasted so much nervous energy doubting everything from science and the President's birth. Ignorance, or trying to help us all forget about W's lost decade, just won't work this time around.
Let's bring the troops home and start working on today's real problems.
Too bad the people of maine couldn't do there job and voted this libtard b1tc# out.
obama uses taxpayer money to prop up fat fat fat uaw pensions, f&cks over GM bond holders and instead of curtailing the uaw , obama gives the very union that bankrupted GM in the first place - a 51% controling interest. In pandering to his union cronies - obama insures that the taxpayers will be bailing out GM again in a few years
PC:
You are suggesting that after not just 1, but after several bailouts of the auto industry over the last several decades, they will be back for more help later on down the road? How about if we try the Romney Plan next time out, and sell off the assets to the Chinese for 25 cents on the $1? Are you okay with that?
The English did this, and so went their industry. Their famous "Bluebird," a great sedan with a 30 year racing tradition is now the "Nissan Bluebird."
Is this is what you would describe as "tough love?" Not so sure a lot of Americans who love "American Cars" would agree with you. Why are you so ready to give up on us?