DETROIT — On the eve of what could be a make-or-break Michigan primary for his presidential hopes, Mitt Romney pledged today to help revive the beleaguered auto industry and save thousands of jobs.
If he wins the White House, “I will roll up my sleeves, and I will personally bring together industry, labor, congressional and state leaders to develop a plan to rebuild America’s automotive leadership,” he told the Detroit Economic Club, in a closely watched speech in a state with the nation’s highest unemployment rate.
Washington, he said, should give the auto companies flexibility on higher fuel efficiency standards for vehicle, as well as increase funding for research from $4 billion to $20 billion and provide new tax benefits for research and development.
Romney said that there is “no one silver bullet,” and that he is the only candidate with the business experience to follow through on a multifaceted solution.
“Washington politicians look at Michigan and see a rust belt,” he said in remarks prepared for delivery. “But the real rust is in Washington. The pessimist will point to an empty factory and a laid off worker and say they have no future. Instead, I see a vital infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and an innovative spirit all worthy of an optimistic vision and deserving of a leader who will work tirelessly to deliver the power and potential of Michigan and the American people.”
Rival John McCain’s campaign immediately responded by issuing a statement from Jane Swift, who was acting governor before Romney, then elbowed aside by Romney in the GOP primary.
“Michigan voters shouldn’t be fooled by Mitt Romney’s latest campaign promises of economic development and job growth,” Swift said, accusing Romney of raising fees and presiding over manufacturing job growth that was third worst in the country.
“Mitt Romney even advocated a new SUV tax that would have hurt the same American auto industry in Michigan that he now claims to champion,” Swift added in the statement. “Mitt Romney has a reputation of saying anything to win. A comparison of his record versus his rhetoric on the economy shows why.”
Yeah, because former Massachusetts Governor Swift is one to talk. This is the best part of the primaries: when the Grand Ole Torture Party begins to eat its own. Yummy.
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I got a robo-call from Candidate Shoulders today. It played the endorsement of some sheriff from Arizona who was talking about how tough Mittens is on border security.
I’m thinking, do they even know where Michigan is? It’s not like there’s a grave concern over illegal Canadians sneaking over, eh? I know in the urban areas they have some immigration issues, but one would think they would segment their calls and talk about more pertinent issues like moose security.
It’s not like there’s a grave concern over illegal Canadians sneaking over, eh?
As a taxpayer of America, I want all Canadians out of my country. Furthermore, they should not be educated here for free. No PhDs, no scholarships, etc.
Who does AG need to talk to?
Now THAT’s the kind of Swift-boating I like to see.
What is that I hear from AG? The sound of the entire USian academic system collapsing?
Mandos, she didn’t say China, she said Canadia.
Yeah, what Fish said.
Pfff, remove any country that isn’t al-Amreeka from the al-Amriki academy and it’s all over. Except maybe Burkina Faso.