McCain-Palin 2008 Conference Call On John McCain's Support for the Auto Industry

Today, McCain-Palin 2008 held a press conference call with U.S Congresswoman Candice Miller and U.S. Congressman Pete Hoekstra, both Michigan Republicans, to discuss John McCain's support for the auto industry and his comments today at GM's plant in Lake Orion, Michigan:

U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller: "It absolutely is important for us -- in order for us to gain the support of many Republican members of Congress all over the country, we have to have the very strong support of Senator John McCain. He is the leader of our party, and you have so many people here in Congress on our side of the aisle that are looking to him for guidance.

"I think his statement was absolutely critical. It solidifies what we have all been saying as members of the delegation, as well as what the CEOs have been saying. It amplifies what all of us have been saying as well, and it really is pivotal, I believe, in making a reality these $25 billion in auto loans, which we absolutely must do to save the auto industry.

"He also condemned the greed on Wall Street at the same time he was putting Michigan workers first by of course offering his very strong support on the loans as we try to retool the industry so that they can produce the vehicles of the future.

"I think it sends a very strong signal to the White House, who has not said too much about this yet, that this is what we need to do. It's not a Republican issue, it's not a Democratic issue, it's an American issue."

U.S. Congressman Pete Hoekstra: "I think it's important that Senator McCain made the comments today over on the east side of the state, and now that he's over on the west side of the state, because when we are talking about helping the automotive industry, this is not just an issue that confronts the east side of the state of Michigan. This is a statewide issue. Over here on the west side of the state, we've got a lot of automotive suppliers that are going to be impacted as new models are introduced.

"This, again, I think, speaks to Senator McCain's extraordinary leadership abilities, because he is looking at each situation. He understands that whatever kind of issue might be facing the next president -- and who knows what, but we know there's going to be huge challenges, whether it's national security or on economics or whatever -- he knows that the big issues that are facing our nation have to be solved in a bipartisan way."

Listen to the Full Conference Call