How You Contributed $11.9 Billion To The Presidential Election

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

“Midwestern auto-industry towns that were hit hard in the recession are becoming an important backdrop for President Barack Obama and other Democrats hoping to use reinvigorated factories to paint a picture of the improving economy ahead of the 2012 elections.”

That’s how the Wall Street Journal starts off an article on how “Democrats hitch a ride on the auto-industry rebound.” As we had noted on Memorial Day, our beloved bail-out is becoming the battle cry of the 2012 presidential campaign. Says the Journal:

“The White House has even taken some credit for recent success at resurgent Ford, the only Detroit auto maker to avoid bankruptcy and a bailout, arguing that a collapse of GM and Chrysler would have crippled Ford as well.”

Meanwhile in the opposition camp …

Republican presidential contender Tim Pawlenty on Wednesday blasted the auto bailout as “sweetheart” deal that favored union workers at the expense of shareholders and creditors. “It was another example of crony capitalism,” the former Minnesota governor said. “If you’re a big business or bailout business and you’ve got buddies in big government, big unions, you get the special deal. But if you run the hardware store, run the butcher shop or run the bicycle-repair shop, then you’re out of luck.”

According to the Wall Street Journal,

“The U.S. Treasury has said it is unlikely to fully recover $1.9 billion still outstanding on the Chrysler rescue. The U.S. would lose around $10 billion if it were to sell its remaining stake in GM today.”

Write it off as campaign donations.

Before you write “this is getting old,” or “move on, nothing to see,” consider this: All presidential hopefuls think the bailout is very pertinent, and we’ll hear of it until November next year. Better get ready. Or earplugs.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Jellodyne Jellodyne on May 31, 2011

    I feel half dressed, showing up without a tinfoil hat.

    • See 6 previous
    • MikeAR MikeAR on May 31, 2011

      @Jellodyne Ok so many things to call you on nad so little time. First, did I make this between Republican and Democrat? No I didn't so you either can't comprehend or you deliberately chose to mischarcterize what I said. You are one of two things and neither one is good. Calling me incapable of thought was a great way to advance the discussion but hey, that's how you guys do things. You might try thinking for a change, your life would change completely. All those things you bring out in your last paragraph, just where were they introduced into this discussion? Hint, you brought them up, yoou nutty conspiracy theorist you. What about your sides theories; the CIA controls the world, 9/11 was an inside job, and a lot of other things. So I guess that your theories are all fact by your standards. One last thing, who wants speech codes in schools, who has improved upon the Patriot Act to give it more teeth, which administration wants to expand the TSA's authority over all mass transport, which President now claims he has the authority to order assasinations of anyone designated as an enemy of the state even US citizens in this country? I could go on but I don't have time and it's just too easy rebutting anything you can come up with in your vivid imagination.

  • VanillaDude VanillaDude on Jun 01, 2011
    I know some of the people in this thread would say that GM has more of a right to exist than the UAW, but why is that exactly? Because there would be no workers if there was not any work. This is not a zero sum game. Productivity expands the market. When there is no work, there is no expansion. When the cost of workers exceed the value of the product, the product dies and all productivity transfers towards another producer. The fact that you have to ask this question exposes you as someone who simply doesn't understand common truths, or one that has been led to believe that common truths have been replaced somehow. I was once similar to you, but discovered that my education degrees only led me to ignore reality. Open your eyes.
    • See 3 previous
    • MikeAR MikeAR on Jun 01, 2011

      @Jellodyne Brad, please explain more throughly what you mean by your post. I'd like to read just what your thoughts were when you wrote the post.

  • Ajla Those letters look like they are from AutoZone.
  • Analoggrotto Kia EV9 was voted the best vehicle in the world and this is the best TOYOTA can do? Nice try, next.
  • 3-On-The-Tree 4cyl as well.
  • Luke42 I want more information about Ford’s Project T3.The Silverado EV needs some competition beyond just the Rivian truck. The Cybertruck has missed the mark.The Cybertruck is special in that it’s the first time Tesla has introduced an uncompetitive EV. I hope the company learns from their mistakes. While Tesla is learning what they did wrong, I’ll be shopping to replace my GMC Sierra Hybrid with a Chevy, a Ford, or a Rivian — all while happily driving my Model Y.
  • 3-On-The-Tree I wished they wouldn’t go to the twin turbo V6. That’s why I bought a 2021 Tundra V8.
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