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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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 OPINION 
14

Make Romney the Head of GM

Former Mass. governor could turn around automaker, says Bennet

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(Newser) – Barack Obama wants to "take a hands-off approach" with General Motors, but as James Bennet writes in the Atlantic, there's no way to get the bankrupt automaker back into shape "without getting under the hood." GM needs someone who can "bring the hammer down" on its admittedly "able" CEO. It's time to appoint someone who brings an auto legacy and outsider's skepticism to the table: Mitt Romney.

Appointing Romney as chairman of GM would give Obama a "political firewall" that would allow him "to move briskly to shrink the company." Romney is a self-proclaimed "son of Detroit"—his father, George Romney, helped turn around American Motors—and the former Massachusetts governor would relish the chance to give the Republican Party new credibility. Romney said that his "heart bleeds" for GM workers; as Bennet writes, "Obama should help ease his pain."

Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney arrives at federal court, in Boston, Thursday, April 23, 2009.
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney arrives at federal court, in Boston, Thursday, April 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Greg Cooper)
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney acknowledges the crowd as he prepares to address the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept 3, 2008.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney acknowledges the crowd as he prepares to address the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is shown in this 2008 file photo in Louisville, Ky.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is shown in this 2008 file photo in Louisville, Ky.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, FILE)
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Why would Romney do it? Maybe because, along the way, it would allow him to save the Republican Party by proving that it stands for something besides…whatever it is that it stands for right now. - James Bennet, Atlantic editor

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14 comments
VIEWING:
 
mindgammon
Jun 3, 09 7:54 AM CDT
That is a GREAT idea!! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
IN RESPONSE:
Zorro
Jun 3, 09 8:50 AM CDT
I agree - sounds like a good idea to me.
Vote up! Vote down!
-3
IN RESPONSE:
Newser001
Jun 3, 09 10:56 AM CDT
Lets not.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
nick
Jun 3, 09 3:51 PM CDT
Bad idea. Mitt looks like the proverbial slick car salesman to me. Beneath his picture-- on a giant billboard-- should be the warning question,"Would you buy a car from this man?". Well, I just don't trust the guy. Think of the movie Tin Man: No doubt Mitt could sell siding.
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0
sailor86
Jun 3, 09 8:26 AM CDT
American Motors? Now that's a legacy. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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