President Obama gave a rousing speech at the United Auto Workers Annual Conference touting the success of the auto bailout and the prospering auto industry. NBC's Kristen Welker reports.
Everyone's talking about today's Michigan/Arizona GOP primaries, but President Barack Obama was on fire today, accusing the Republicans of abandoning the American worker and taking credit for the auto industry's resurgence with a taxpayer-backed rescue of General Motors and Chrysler that he helped engineer.
Speaking to a raucous audience of 1,700 United Auto Workers in Washington, Obama drew a distinct contrast with Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, both of whom have said they would not have used government money to save GM and Chrysler.
"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 American auto industry was just about paying back unions,"' Obama said in what felt more like a revival meeting for American workers. "Really? Even by the standards of this town, that's a load of you-know-what."
He noted that under the agreement to use taxpayer money to save GM and Chrysler, union members had to agree to reduced wages and that thousands of retirees saw reductions in their health care benefits.
In a veiled shot at Romney, Obama also said some critics wanted to "let Detroit go bankrupt." The phrase was the headline on a November 2008 opinion piece Romney wrote for the New York Times. In that opinion piece, Romney called for a managed bankruptcy that would restructure the companies by letting them "shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs."
President Obama addresses the United Auto Workers legislative conference in Washington, D.C.
Obama's speech came as auto sales are surging, on a pace to exceed 14 million this year. Auto makers and parts companies added more than 38,000 jobs last year, with industry employment averaging 717,000 for 2011. And automakers have announced plans to add another 13,000 jobs this year.
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You GO Mr. PRESIDENT = SHOVE IT Down Their Throats !!!!!! OR Up Their A$$E$ !!!!! After All ; Both Are In The Very Same Area = Hey !!!!!!!
Oh goody! Barry is on the job and they hate it. I see despite the lack of a poll you all are gathering to give them hell, MD, Pilot, MsT, Pam, Nan, Steve, and not a troll in sight......yet.
Hope every one is ready to get busy, and that we do not get erased tonight.
Thankful, Got my waders on and ready for battle. LOL So far have not heard any thing I hope we do not get erased either.
our President was on FIRE yesterday!
Suzette, Amen !
Go get 'em Mr. President !
Outstanding Job!!!! President Obama and well We The People as well! as we backed this move and showed our commitment to bring AMERICA back for US!
what's this "we" stuff. I didn't back it. I had no desire to have my tax dollars go to pay for a failing corporation staffed by a thug entity. Bottom line, President Obama and his appointed officials violated the law, stole from the owners of GM and the taxpayers. GM has yet to pay back what was stolen from the taxpayers. Stock price is still way below the break even point...but the union thugs got their bonuses.
LOL at you very hard.
guess WE as in THE PEOPLE! minus a few sad sacks.
well guess WE, can be like the "some people say" or "most people say" but those are trade mark fox/saudi/propaganda entertainment news.
WOW = Mikey = Would Like To Have A Nice White Jacket That Fits REAL SNUG ??? And Perhaps Some "VITAMINS" ???
Right on Mikey. The only winner here was the Union. The taxpayers and the stock holders took it in the shorts.
Now THAT'S our president!! Obama all the way!!!
President Obama rocks he saved the auto industry and its working and now the auto industry is number 1. President Obama keep up the good work and show the 2 year old republicans that they are losers and total idiots.
I just love positive news. The come back kids are riding high. President Obama knew they were winners and he believed in there come back! When others would of closed the door, he took a gamble on a sure bet. They came back better than ever !
Can you say " tidal wave of hope in 2012 " ?
Mst, "TIDAL WAVE OF HOPE IN 2012" They can spend all there money and spin any lie. But America knows who is with them and those who would use them to get to Washington , and turn a deaf ear to them once they get there. The Republicans assault on women across this nation and unions and teachers and on will be there writing on the wall !!!
The bail out worked, it worked well and over a million jobs saved and now, today, GM is back and roaring back at those japanese makes. I say it was a GOOD thing Obama was at the helm, instead of the faker, Mitt Romney, who wanted GM dismantled in true vulture capitalist style!
This is also proof that Labor and Corporations can get it done! if they want to.
so excuses just keeps getting knocked down!
United We Will Bring America Back!!
Thats very true 'ol friend. It just shows that if both can compromise, everybody wins.
Pilot / John == These GOMERS Just Cannot Phathom That Concept = Hey !!!!!! Now The Question IS - Is It Intentionally Ignorant - OR Just Plain And Simple Ignorance ???
BitoBoth pick yo candy! Mr. Prezident!
Job well done Mr. President! Thank you
http://bp3.blogger.com/_sYYHLiU0WGU/SDio52uSsNI/AAAAAAAAABE/MVltwJica00/s1600-h/multimitt.JPG
Leader or just a wanna-be?
I would like to see him give his speech to the millions of stockholders that had their investments stolen by his Administration and given to the Unions.
You just opened your mouth and told us how stupid you are,
You should have shut up and we never would have known!
And what if the speech he made to the stockholders was sorry, I tried to save your investment but was filibustered by the republicans and now your stocks are worthless.
Apparently you didn't own any stock in GM or Chrysler? If you did you would know what I am talking about.
making a swag but bet you had stock right? or did you hear that from a friend who had a uncle who knew of a ex GM worker?
2EZ4U2C2 . . . why is it that all of the trillions of dollars that have been ripped off through American Tax Dollars, Wall Street, The Military, Banking, Pharmaceuticals, and so much more . . . NEVER seems to bother you ? Why do you people NEVER bring this up ? President Obama, the middle class, the poor . . . all had NOTHING to do with these rip offs over the decades . . .
Oh wait . . . I get it . . . Republicons and their Robber Baron benefactors are smack dab in the middle of all of these trillions of dollars being criminally sucked out of our system . . . and THAT is why you never mention it . . . how very spineless . . . not to mention felonious and immoral.
2ez, you can't see the trees because of the forrest. Hell, Mitt can!
All, Obama took money in the form of investments from millions of Americans and gave it to the Unions. It appears you believe this was a good thing. There are millions that have lost their homes to foreclosure and 10s of millions that did not. Would you support Obama taking the equity in the homes from the individual home owners and giving it to those in foreclosure? I see the Auto bailout in the same light. The wealth of one citizen transferred to another at the hands of the Federal Government.
And not ONE WORD from you about the trillions ripped off from this country by Robber Baron Republicons . . .
When you are ready to speak and hear the truth . . . maybe someone might listen to you.
Ms T, When Ed asks the question concerning Robber Barons, I will comment. Right now the discussion is the Auto Bailout.
2ez, how much stock does the uaw own in GM?...You do know the reason they have that stock is because of an agreement GM made with the UAW back in '07. They couldn't pay off because they were cash strapped after the recession hit so they recieved it in stock....AFTER the UAW took massive pay cuts and healthcare cuts for retirees.
Wow 2ez = Would You Also Like To Have A Nice White Jacket That Fits Really Snug ??? And Perhaps You To Would Like Some " VITAMINS " With That !!!!!!!! There Is Also A Room Waiting For You And Your Partners = It Is Very Nice And Clean = Its A Deluxe Room - Complete With No Windows Butt Plenty Of Lighting - And Special Wall Padding And Its Sound Proof Too !!!!!! MmHhhaaaahaaaahaaahhaaa Muhuhoohahahahahahahah !!!!!!
Evil lurks!!!!!! Fox News fair&balanced Ha!
Where? What ?? HUH ? = Hey I'M Just Trying To Help These Demented Goofballs Out = Man !!!!!!
Rush Limb-ugh dead! From the neck up! Blind lead the blind!
Oh NO Rush Limp-Di(k = Dead !!! Weeep !!!!! Sob !!! I Know = From The Neck UP !!! He Is Just A Limp Body Sitting In That Chair And Someone Is Manipulating Him With Fine Wires And A Voice Over !!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps Rush Limpgoose Could Use Some "Vitamins" Too !!!?????? And A Nice Clean White Jacket That Fits Very Snug !!!!!!!
They run a air hose up his butt and let him go...............
Butt to much pressure and....$h!t every where!
Oh, I See = Self Propulsion For His Moon Shot = That Way He Does NOT Need The Space Shuttle !!! Hmmmmmm !!!! And Here I Thought That He Just Did That For FUN !!!!?????
Newt's looking for free ride so, Climb onboard!
They say that Michigan will vote Democrat! Well Duh!
Oh Yeah I Have Heard About That Guy { The Newtster } = It Is In ALL Of The Newspapers !!!!! And Science Magazines !!!!! YYEP !!!!!!
EAZON?
Only With Lubrication Of Coarse !!!! From What I Have Heard - The Newtster Is Going To Be Science Magazines President Of The Month !!! YUP !!!!
Should be at least 3 to 1 in the next election. Or its a sham!
Yeah; Its A Sham Shame; The Newtster Wants That Frakin' Pipeline Built So He Can Promote His 3 in 1 Oil Product = Non-Nuetered Newtsters Sex Oil Products !!!!! Its In The Papers And Science Magazines = IM Tellin' Ya !!!!!! I Heard It On Fuxxx News !!!!
K/Y? Got dem eARZ ON?
K-O !!!!
Thank you Candidate MD/MI!
Right on 2ez,
The only winner here was the Union. The stock holders and the taxpayers took it in the shorts. Nobody here cares though because the majority that post here are now the 49% that don't pay any Federal Income Taxes.
Paid troll
And the trolls just keep on coming! I guess fair wages and basic healthcare is just too much to ask... why give anybody that when you can give the billionaire 10 more bucks, what a difference it makes...
The points the GOP fan club always tries to make here is as absurd as their trickle down economics, a fraud to exploit people, that's what it is.
Exactly Open Range . . . the way you know for sure that people who support and vote for Republicons are not very intelligent is precisely because in doing so they are selecting against their own survival . . . and after all . . . Voting Republicon IS easier than thinking !!
You got that right MsT.... Indoctrination and hatred do the trick for them!
I love to hear President Obama speak ! He did the right thing by the auto workers. He has done the right thing for America and he is the right person for President now and the next 4 years.
Obama/Biden 2012
But, but.. he doesn't hate people! How can you have a President who doesn't hate people? See now? that's the GOP logic, and by God they sure do a good job at showing that's exactly what they believe in.
The GOP NEEDS TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO EXPLOIT, that's their thing, if they don't have that, no scape goat, then they can't live with themselves.
they are trying to do the same thing to President Obama that they did to Speaker Pelosi.
they hate women who don't "know their place".
and they hate african americans who are "uppity".
Loved the speech. Obama hit on all key points including the ones who were against the auto bailout and now they are saying that they were right all along. I'm very proud on the men and women in the auto industry and keep up the good job. We all need to continue to call out those nay sayers who were against the working people and show them that when we all pull together we can get through anything. GO OBAMA 2012!!
So John and Mrs T, Would you support the government seizing the equity in peoples homes to bailout those in foreclosure? I see it in the same light as the Auot Bailout; the government taking from one group of citizens to benefit another.
Thats a pretty lame compairison 2ez, So, is taxing from people to pay for police, teacher, firefighters and hospitals service giving from one group to another also?
John, There is a big difference between my comparison and public sector employees. We pay taxes in part to support such services. Employees providing those services have earned reasonable compensation.
In my comparison the stockholder equates to the home owner, and the UAW worker to the individual in foreclosure. The stockholders investment is equal to the home owner's equity. You celebrate the government's involvement with GM and Chrysler that transferred the wealth from the stockholder to the UAW. Would you support the government doing the same for home owners, that is seize their equity and giving it to individuals in foreclosure?
Afterall isn't the housing industry too big to fail? If the government can take money, in this case stock investment why not continue the policy? How about the government making a deal with the banks to add the amount of built up equity to the initial homes loans and then transferring that money to the homes in foreclosure.