Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Congress / Kotz / Politics / The Economy Bob Corker's Ego Is Getting in the Way of Spring Hill's Survival
Posted by Pete Kotz on Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 5:38 AM
click to enlarge
Forgive Senator Bob Corker for his vitriol on the auto bailout. He may have attempted to gut to United Autoworkers Union, defended a failed executive, and come off as a flaming hypocrite, but he has scored points among Republicans as a loud voice of dissent. 
The more important question: Is he screwing Tennessee workers for his own momentary day in the sun?
Corker believes the Obama administration will soon begin dictating which plants GM will close. It's a rather conspiratorial assertion, but not without merit. The final decision will rest on a host of factors, such has what models survive restructuring, the capabilities and costs of retooling individual plants, and what state and local welfare might be available for said retooling. But since Washington's involved, there's bound to be political influence.
Labor state legislators understand this. Which is why you heard them speaking cautiously Monday when Obama rejected the bailout plans of GM and Chrysler. Their words were supportive, making special note that the UAW will have to make further concessions. This isn't popular in Rust Belt states, but it's what reasonable people do in times of crisis. Everybody takes a hit.
Yet Corker went for shrill denunciation. If you're rooting for the survival of Spring Hill, it's the worst move possible.
The automakers are in such bad shape that Obama won't dare force GM to kill a healthy plant while preserving a dying one. It's a move that would come back to slit his own throat.
But what if two plants were close? What if Spring Hill and a plant in, say, Ohio presented the same possibilities and costs? Would you preserve the one were politicians are supportive of your efforts? Or would you save the one backed by the senator who's yipping about your every move?
If Spring Hill closes, it may be for legitimate reasons, or it may be partially political. Either way, Corker will blame it on Obama. But the blood will be on his hands as well, all because he wanted to shine for a moment on cable, and refused to do the difficult, anonymous work of trying to save fellow Tennesseans' jobs.
Comments (2)
Showing 1-2 of 2
Your making unfounded assertions too. Obama isn't going to make the best "business" decision. He is going to make the decision that best serves his party and himself. Which politician doesn't, regardless of party?
Spring Hill *will* survive if the plant closes down. That's an exaggeration.
So, GM's management has nothing to do with the possibility of the plant closing? The fact that their sales are down is Corker's fault? It's not even Obama's fault.
Read the news buddy - ALL automakers are down in sales, which means less revenue, which means they are having to cut back.
How in the heck did you make in into an office?
like
dislike
Posted by
Spring Hill Resident
on April 3, 2009 at 10:44 AM
