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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Meet the GOP's Auto Bailout Busters

A union-busting, foreign-car loving crew is holding up Detroit's rescue

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(Newser) – With Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and other foreign factories dotting the I-65 corridor stretching from Kentucky to Alabama, southern Republican senators relished this week's chance to take a swing at Detroit and the UAW simultaneously. The "bailout fell victim to a nasty confluence of home-state economic interests and anti-union sentiment," write Alex Koppelman and Mike Madden in Salon. Here are some of the big players:

  • Bob Corker, Tenn: He's got two Nissan plants, along with the company's US headquarters. Volkswagen is coming, with at least 2,000 jobs.
  • Mitch McConnell, Ky: A weaker UAW makes organizing labor at his state’s Toyota plant tougher. (Kentucky is one of the few states without a right-to-work law.)
  • Richard Shelby, Ala: He's got Mercedes, Hyundai, and Honda plants, making his opposition to Detroit easy.
  • Jim DeMint, SC: He's an outspoken union critic, and he's also got a BMW plant.
  • Saxby Chambliss, Johnny Isaakson, Ga: A Kia factory is opening soon.
For the rest, click on the Salon link below:

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell talks with supporters at a campaign stop. McConnell signaled the bailout's demise by announcing he wouldn't support the House version of the bill.
Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell talks with supporters at a campaign stop. McConnell signaled the bailout's demise by announcing he wouldn't support the House version of the bill.   (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., emerges from a Capitol Hill meeting. Corker led the pack in receiving auto industry contributions in 2006. His state is home for 2 Nissan plants and its corporate HQ.
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., emerges from a Capitol Hill meeting. Corker led the pack in receiving auto industry contributions in 2006. His state is home for 2 Nissan plants and its corporate HQ.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
In this April 13, 2006, file photo, a Nissan Xterra comes down the final inspection line at the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tenn.
In this April 13, 2006, file photo, a Nissan Xterra comes down the final inspection line at the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tenn.   (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, file)
In this Nov. 10, 2008, file photo, quality control team member Bengie Marks inspects a Toyota Venza on the assembly line at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant in Georgetown, Ky.
In this Nov. 10, 2008, file photo, quality control team member Bengie Marks inspects a Toyota Venza on the assembly line at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant in Georgetown, Ky.   (AP Photo/James Crisp)
The enterprise South economic development
The enterprise South economic development "megasite" at Chattanooga that Volkswagen picked in July, for a $1 billion auto assembly plant. Nationwide, Tennessee ranks fifth in auto jobs.   (AP Photo/TVA)
Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., center, accompanied by other Republican senators, speaks to reporters in Washington to discuss the auto bailout. Alabama is home to Hyundai, Honda and Mercedes plants.
Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., center, accompanied by other Republican senators, speaks to reporters in Washington to discuss the auto bailout. Alabama is home to Hyundai, Honda and Mercedes plants.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
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If I had five G.M. or Ford plants in my state, I would oppose this bailout. - Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., whose state does not have a single domestic auto plant

The Detroit bailout fell victim to a nasty confluence of home-state economic interests and anti-union sentiment among Republicans. - Salon

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3 comments
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Mr.C
Dec 13, 08 6:48 PM CST
this article opposes the other one on newser which stated that the forign auto makers support the bail-out. It is very hard to predict someone's reason behind a decision. Reply
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bacimom
Dec 15, 08 9:04 AM CST
The reason is stupidity and arrogance. They hate unions and have their knickers in a twist about Smithfield getting one. They knew that the president would do the right thing so they stuck it to the unions ignoring the truth of it's effect on the non-union auto makers. Reply
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John
Dec 15, 08 1:45 PM CST
I would like to see these folks give up just as much as they are asking the UAW to give up!! Reply
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