Corker defends positions on GM and the bailout ('I don't see any contradiction at all')

'I don't see any contradiction at all'

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., says he doesn't see a contradiction between his past support of General Motors and his recent opposition in Congress to federal loans for the troubled Detroit 3 automakers.

Corker emerged as a harsh critic of GM and the UAW during Congressional debate over the bailout last year.

"GM is spiraling downward," said the freshman senator in November.

But Corker was once an enthusiastic proponent of GM -- or sure sounded like it. A video circulating on YouTube shows just how enthusiastic he was.

Corker visited GM's engine plant in Spring Hill, Tenn., on April 27, 2007. Afterward, Corker said he saw "a tremendous amount of excitement here about the investments in the future, about being part of helping make our country energy secure."

During the bailout debate, Corker tried to fashion a compromise that would have approved initial loans for the Detroit 3 through the Senate on the night of Dec. 11. That proposal called for the UAW, at some point in 2009, to accept wages and benefits competitive with the transplants. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger would not agree to let the concessions take effect in 2009.

Corker, in an interview with Automotive News on Wednesday, defended his positions on GM and the bailout.

"I don't see any contradiction at all. I've said before that we have a very modern GM plant in Tennessee. But it doesn't matter how efficient the Spring Hill plant is if GM has $62 billion in debt that they can't service, even in good times."

"My solution was to give them a way to become more competitive and make the kind of changes you can make through a bankruptcy, but without suffering the stigma and fallout of an actual bankruptcy."

"I've been somewhat perplexed that the local UAW members don't see it that way. I believe what I've been saying has been totally consistent. I want the U.S. auto companies to have long-term success, and for Spring Hill to increase its employment."

Fair or not, Corker became a symbol of Southern Republicans who seemed to want to punish Detroit and unionized workers. But that's not how he sounded in Spring Hill in 2007. Speaking on the plant floor at Saturn, he said: "It is great to be in a company that is really focused on making efficient products that are going to help us move us away from such dependence on petroleum. I'm here to learn about GM."

Corker added: "Today has been most uplifting to me and it really will affect me as to how I approach some of the issues into the future -- knowing that this company is investing what it is, not only in plant but also in employees, to make sure it leads the way into the future."

He said being in Spring Hill "makes you want to … make sure that you work on putting in place policies that cause companies like this to thrive."

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noun: Short, sleazy, corrupt whore
Usage: Hey, that guy constantly supporting foreign car companies and busting unions is a Bob Corker!

But in all seriousness, I have have ZERO tolerance for him and his kind of scum.

Just watch and see.

He has shown the world what a complete ass he is.

Don

You can't see anything with your head stuck up your ass.

Regards