Biden raps Romney over auto bailout comment

Vice President Joe Biden speaks at Staffilino Chevrolet, May 17, 2012 in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

/ AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Updated 4:30 p.m. ET

(CBS News) MARTINS FERRY, Ohio -- In what is likely to become a recurring theme for the Obama campaign, Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday ridiculed Mitt Romney's assertion that he deserves some credit for the auto industry's recovery.

"He said quote, 'I'll take a lot of credit for the fact that the industry has come back,'" Biden said jokingly, referring to an interview Romney gave to a local TV station earlier this month. "And by the way, I'll take a lot of credit for a man having land on the moon, because all the while in school, I rooted for it."

Romney has said that he pushed the idea of a managed bankruptcy for the car companies. But GM and Chrysler went into bankruptcy on the strength of a massive bailout that Romney opposed, and that neither Republican President George W. Bush nor President Obama believes the automakers would have survived without.

Biden spoke to a crowd of more than 400 at a Chevrolet dealership, marking his last speech of his two-day campaign tour in a region of eastern Ohio centered on mining and manufacturing. Biden grew up in a similar area in Scranton, Pa., and is using his upbringing as a tool to relate to blue-collar middle-class families.

Biden continues attack on Romney's time at Bain

During his speech, Biden referred to the American-made cars parked behind him that were manufactured locally. "There is a lot more than a great car in there; those three cars behind me represent pride." Biden said pointing to the vehicles.

Biden told the crowd that the he and Mr. Obama "are completely confident letting you judge who brought the auto industry back. How the president views restoring the economy and the example of the automobile industry and how Romney views restoring the economy and the example how he worked as an investor are two cautionary tales."

Republicans have responded to Biden's attacks by seizing on a remark by the vice president on Wednesday that some workers "got hurt" by the bailout, but that the Obama administration could not help them.

The Republican National Committee issued a news release on Thursday headlined: "The Vice President admits that the bailout hurt some auto workers, but shrugs it off as not the Obama administration's problem."

[stormerF69]

Can any of you liberal Democrats tell me of one job, Biden or Obama has created or saved with out the use of tax payers money? Just one?

[daffy64]

How could they? That's not the job of the Federal Government.

[ceciliagrant]

The Detroit News reports insurance premiums have declined 5 years in a row. I can't remember a cycle like this ever. Of course, not everybody has had a decline, mine actually went up high but found "Clearance Auto" that I could easily reduce it

[hhandyman]

If they had gone bankrupt where would the jobs be today you cant rewrite history with theories you can guess what Might of happened but that's all you can do one of two things and you MIGHT be right or Wrong regardless what your guess is on what Might of been.

[stormerF69]

They did go bankrupt and it was a structured bankruptcy just like Romney preposed,but they did it after Obama spent 86 Billion dollars saving the Unions pension fund with Tax Payers dollars,which we have yet to be paid back?

[smehl1506]

He deserves the political profit because he had the guts to do the right thing. Same holds with bin Laden. The Republicans talked about it. The President acted.

[nygurl1]

Which is why they hate him! They talk - he acts! Jealousy is a terrible thing!

[eran_rathan]

was this intentional, Mr. Hawkins?

Biden "is using his upbringing as a tool to relate to blue-collar middle-class families."

4th paragraph. Nice typo.

[MisterSquash]

Hey, Smokey....
cool story, bro....
try "Czar" with a 'C' next time. then maybe it will only be your comment that makes you look like an idiot.

[stormerF69]

SO what your saying Mastersquash and Googlemoron,.. is that you can point to a job Obama and or Biden has created or saved without using tax payer money??Maybe you better let the Democrats know they need a better talking point.

[Geminry]

"There is a lot more than a great car in there; those three cars behind me represent pride."

Biden is a Christian, right? Perhaps, someone should inform him that Pride is a sin.

[stormerF69]

Googlmoron,..when you quote any scripture don't forget what the christian bible says about queers and lesbians.

[nygurl1]

He isn't talking about his pride! Good try though!