Romney, McCain Tussle Over Michigan Jobs

By: Scott Conroy
Topics: Mitt Romney

(CBS)

From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

YPSILANTI, MICH. -- At an unscheduled press conference in front of a General Motors factory where 200 employees were recently laid off, Romney said that he wasn't there to criticize GM for making a necessary business decision but that he was tired of Washington not doing enough for the domestic automobile industry.

"You hear some say that these are jobs that are just going away and we better get used to it, but where does it stop?" Romney asked. "Is there a point at which someone says you know that's enough? Or are we gonna let the entire automobile industry — domestic manufacturer automotive industry — disappear and just say, 'Well that was tough, that's just the way it is.' That's not what I believe."

As he has stumped around Michigan, Romney has been criticizing John McCain for saying that some lost automobile industry jobs are not going to come back to Michigan.

Today the Arizona senator's campaign fired back at Romney.

"Gov. Romney's attacks are cynical, pandering and misleading," Crystal Benton, a McCain spokesperson, told CBS News. "No Michigan worker believes that all of the lost jobs are coming back to the state. John McCain will tell Michigan voters the truth and offer real solutions to the state's economic problems."

Scott Conroy
Scott Conroy is a National Political Reporter for RealClearPolitics and a contributor for CBS News.
Follow on Twitter »

7 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment


by ehjane January 13, 2008 4:34 AM EST: They all contradict. No one seems to mention that Huckabee promised to not run a negative campaign Dec. 31st and then proceeded to make repeated direct and indirect criticisms of Romney and others. The reality is that we are not picking a perfect candidate - imagine having all of your faults projected to the public. Then no one could be president. I think we are supposed to use an open mind and careful, thoughtful consideration to make the best choice we can. You can''t say it''s all talk because he has tangible experiences where he really has turned around major problems. Whatever his apparent contradictions, he has proof of a lot of important consistency as well that we tend to ignore. I can understand the hesitations, but he does have substance.; Reply to this comment


by gumbystretch January 12, 2008 11:08 PM EST: Just the usual in this race: Romney panders and tells people what his analysts are saying they want to hear, and McCain just tells people the truth. He''s going to save as many jobs as he can, but also focus on training those who need a second chance. That''s not negative, that''s realistic.; Reply to this comment


by aburns8 January 12, 2008 9:00 PM EST: Listen, they are both right - here''s how.

If Romney is elected, the jobs will certainly return. Romney has a proven track record where economics are concerned. He has done it before.

If McCain is elected, the jobs will certainly NOT return to Michigan - or anywhere else for that matter. McCain knows NOTHING about the economy. He has not had to work in the real world. He did not have to earn his own fortune, because he was born into it and married into it. (Mitt, take note, earned his fortune)

So Michigan gets to decide who is right. Just vote, and that candidate will prove they are right.; Reply to this comment


by wendy731 January 12, 2008 7:55 PM EST: Why can''t the automobile jobs return to Michigan?; Reply to this comment


by ehjane January 12, 2008 7:55 PM EST: Consider this - at best you can call it honesty, but at worst, you can call it pessimism and early defeat. While it is good to be realistic, I think Romney''s point is that by saying the jobs are gone, you have given up looking at further possibilities. When you keep asking the question, how can we get the jobs back, you may find some good ideas that a weak will wouldn''t. Romney has a point and I think this should be taken into consideration.; Reply to this comment


by ehjane January 12, 2008 7:54 PM EST: Consider this - at best you can call it honesty, but at worst, you can call it pessimism and early defeat. While it is good to be realistic, I think Romney''s point is that by saying the jobs are gone, you have given up looking at further possibilities. When you keep asking the question, how can we get the jobs back, you may find some good ideas that a weak will wouldn''t. Romney has a point and I think this should be taken into consideration.; Reply to this comment


by michaelj90 January 12, 2008 7:50 PM EST: Romney''s record and contradictions are not honorable and suggests there are integrity issues... the leader of the free world wont "change" a thing if he/she does not have the said, which are minimum prerequisites of strong leaders

AFL-CIO: note economic stats on 2nd page (not what Romney sells)

http://www.massaflcio.org/mitt_watch; Reply to this comment