Clintons put focus on Mich.

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070529/POLITICS/705290333/1022

Clintons put focus on Mich.

June speeches by both stoke talk senator will try to distance herself from rival Obama on auto issues.

Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau

June is shaping up as a key month in the race for Michigan's Democratic presidential delegates, with a crucial appearance by U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton before labor leaders in Detroit.

Clinton's June 9 engagement with national AFL-CIO officials in Detroit and two planned visits to the state by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, come amid speculation she may seek to distance herself from fellow Sen. Barak Obama on auto-related issues.

The Illinois senator's comments on the auto industry at a May speech to the Detroit Economic Club disappointed many Michigan Democrats, and Hillary Clinton may be able to capitalize on that.

"Many people believe that speech said he doesn't care about Michigan," said Debbie Dingell, a key player in state politics.

Her husband, U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, has been a stanch defender of the auto industry in Congress. Obama's criticism of Detroit automakers for failing to make more fuel-efficient cars touched some raw nerves just as automakers and unions gear up to fight tougher fuel economy standards in Washington.

"I called him the day after" the speech, said Mark Gaffney, director of Michigan's AFL-CIO. Gaffney said he spoke to an Obama campaign official, urging the candidate to re-examine the issue.

FULL story at link.

[MichiganVote]

1. Yeah, they're all hungry for Michigan but won't spend a dime on feeding the state

[Windy]

2. Too bad UAW and the Big Three.. and I'm from Michigan

Barack is right! We need more fuel efficient vehicles and higher fuel economy standards to compete.
Detroit has had its head in the sand for too long. GM is coming out with an entire line of big suvs this year. They canceled the small Buick Rendevous for the Buick Enclave which is an 8 passenger cross over. They are mass producing the hummer H2 and H3.

They haven't gotten the message yet, even with sky high gas prices. Detroit's big three and the auto unions have there heads in the clouds and are there own worst enemy. Want to save Michigan? Get universal health care so that the auto companies and all business in michigan dont have to pay sky high premiums and make more fuel efficient vehicles.