Obama reaches out to autoworkers
The auto industry is "taking steps in the right direction, but we have to do more. And they need a partner in the White House, and they will have one when I become president," said the Illinois senator, who is closing in on the Democratic presidential nomination.
He singled out General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC for progress in building better vehicles.
His comments marked a sharp departure from last May, when he chided the domestic auto industry for failing to effectively compete with foreign automakers during a speech to the Detroit Economic Club. Since then, he has often reminded voters of that speech and recently called the car he learned to drive in, a Ford Grenada, a "tin can" and one of the worst cars made by the Detroit Three.
Obama's visits to Macomb County and Grand Rapids, Mich., brought him several bits of good news as he worked to lock up the nomination. In Grand Rapids on Wednesday evening, former Sen. John Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential candidate and a candidate in this year's race until late January, endorsed Obama.
"Sen. Obama listened attentively and pledged to fight for the domestic auto industry and jobs," Ficano said.
Lauren Wolfe, a Royal Oak resident and president of the College Democrats of America, also said Wednesday she is endorsing Obama. So did Oakland County Commissioner Eric Coleman, president of the National Association of Counties.
In Grand Rapids, Obama spoke to a raucous rally at the DeVos Center where he introduced Edwards to wild cheers.
"There is one man who understands the need to create one America, not two Americas, and that man is Barack Obama," Edwards said.
Edwards praised the other Democratic candidate in the race, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, before encouraging Democrats to come together.
In an interview Wednesday, Obama disputed characterizations of his Economic Club speech, saying it showed his support for the auto industry.
"We want the strongest possible auto industry," he said. "But unless we change some of how we do business, we won't be competitive in the global marketplace."
His Economic Club speech said Detroit automakers were too focused on building light trucks and SUVs, instead of more fuel-efficient cars.
On Wednesday, he said: "I was honest with people. But Detroit won't find a better partner than me in the White House."
Obama's first Michigan stop was at Chrysler's Sterling Stamping Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., before his town hall meeting in Warren, Mich.
Recent comments
That was a fine gesture by the future president of the United States...
Fred | May 15, 2008 at 11:03 p.m.
have both played fast and loose with party rules and agreements...
Obama and Clinton | May 15, 2008 at 11:53 a.m.
the wrong tree if he thinks he will get any votes from these guys...
Obama is barking up | May 15, 2008 at 11:49 a.m.
