LAT: GOP's Engine Sputters in Michigan: Bush Scolded for Auto Woes

[DeepModem Mom]

GOP's Engine Sputters in Michigan
President Bush needs to meet with beleaguered automakers, frustrated officials in the state say.
By Richard Simon and Tom Hamburger, Times Staff Writers
August 26, 2006

WASHINGTON — Michigan has been shaping up as one of the few bright spots for Republicans in the coming elections, with the GOP hoping to strip Democrats of the governor's office and a U.S. Senate seat.

But in an unusual development, prominent Republicans there are complaining that President Bush needs to become more engaged in a top issue driving the election: the declining fortunes of the state's auto industry.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos lashed out at the White House this week for not having set up a long-promised meeting with executives of the Big Three automakers, which are being squeezed by high healthcare costs and shrinking market share.

"We're being ignored here in Michigan by the White House, and it has got to stop," DeVos, who is challenging Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, told reporters....

***

An aide to Rep. Joseph Knollenberg (R-Mich.) said her boss "strongly suggested" to Bush's chief political strategist, Karl Rove, that the White House meet with Detroit automakers as soon as possible. State GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis said Friday that he delivered a similar message to Rove....

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bushauto26aug26,0,3262198.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[rodeodance]

1. what a crybaby:

......."We're being ignored here in Michigan by the White House, and it has got to stop," DeVos, who is challenging Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, told reporters....

[notadmblnd]

3. Maybe if little dickie hadn't spent sooooo muchtime lobbying

for the offshoring of jobs... there'd be more people in Michigan working and buying new cars. Thanks Dick!

[gratuitous]

11. And note the subtexts

If you're not careful, you'll miss them. First, journalistically: The thrust of this story is that it's news because it's Republicans who are bitching about Bush's lack leadership. Democrats have been complaining about this for years, and those stories don't merit even passing notice in the L.A. Times. When a Republican whines (particularly since it hurts his election chances), there it is front and center.

The other subtext is political: Michigan had better get its act together, and that right soon, and elect some Republicans to statewide leadership. Otherwise, this corrupt president and his whole crooked cabal won't give a tin shit about the people and working families of a formerly great and robust American industry. Sink into Lake Michigan and Lake Superior for all the Bushistas are going to care, you Democrat-loving Blue Staters.

And you thought the president was supposed to be president of all the people. How quaint. This president does nothing not motivated first, last and only by political considerations.

[AX10]

2. Granholm will win a second term and Stabenow will win a second term too.

[maddogesq]

12. And don't count out Nancy Skinner either.

I noticed article mention Joe Knollenberg (unfortunately my current rep in Congrees), but Nancy is closing fast according to this Daily Kos bit:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/24/124018/800

Devos=Jr. Shambles=all hat and no cattle. :)

[tanyev]

4. You want more tax cuts for SUV buyers, Dick?

:cry::cry::cry::cry:

[skipos]

5. The DeVos family was HUGE HUGE HUGE contributer to Bush 2000/2004

nt

[VegasWolf]

6. Yes, and what exactly would Bush do if he does meet them? The retard

only knows how to do one thing, drop bombs.

[loves_dulcinea]

7. he doesn't do that either. his military handlers do that for him

he's not really a "decider", just a puppet.

[ben_thayer]

8. DeVos is

desperately trying to unhitch his wagon from an UNPOPULAR Presidents falling star. He's a phony and an opportunist.
GO JENNY!!

[MichiganVote]

9. When an entire major US city (NO) is decimated and continues

to languish in ruin w/o proper funding, organization or management,

what hope does DeVos think Michigan has with this incompetant bunch of useless turds?

[Sadie5]

10. If * meets with them

It will be to cut more benefits if there are any left. Amazing how in election year how they suddenly start thinking of the voters.

[calimary]

13. Maybe DeVos is working on a new "downline."

That's what they call the recruits you assemble in the pyramid you're expected to build - ie: your "organization" - in Amway lingo.