McCain calls for probe of company he once aided
Aug 7, 6:39 PM (ET)
By BETH FOUHY
WILMINGTON, Ohio (AP) - Republican John McCain called Thursday for a federal investigation into plans by the DHL shipping company that could cost 10,000 jobs here, as he and his campaign manager took criticism for helping DHL complete a merger in 2003 that led to its current plans.
With Democrats and labor groups blaming McCain and his campaign manager Rick Davis for helping to set in motion the threat to local jobs, McCain moved to demonstrate his concern over the possible job losses in this critical swing state that gave President Bush the electoral votes needed for re-election in 2004.
The Republican presidential candidate called on the Justice Department to begin an antitrust investigation into DHL's plans to puts its packages aboard the planes of a rival, United Parcel Service, before delivering them in DHL trucks. Because UPS flies out of Louisville, Ky., the plans call for shutting the DHL shipping hub here that uses the Wilmington airport and eliminating up to 10,000 jobs.
McCain met with elected officials and residents of Wilmington to discuss the DHL plans. "I cant assure you that this train wreck isnt going to happen, but I will do everything in my power to see that we avert it, McCain told the group.
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Since the Cleveland Plain-Dealer broke the story, Democrats and labor groups have been eagerly pointing out that five years ago German-owned DHL was aided by McCain and Davis in completing its purchase of U.S.-owned competitor Airborne Express, which had long operated the Wilmington shipping hub.
During a campaign visit last month, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama met with Wilmington Mayor David Raizk to pledge his help if elected.
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http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080807/D92DNL0O1.html