Bob Corker, who told the Detroit 3 to drop dead, visits Detroit Auto Show.

[muntrv]

Corker gets celebrity treatment during Detroit auto show visit
Bu JUSTIN HYDE and JEWEL GOPWANI • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITERS • January 13, 2009

Sen. Bob Corker, one of the most vocal critics of Detroit's auto industry, got the celebrity treatment today at the Detroit auto show.

A swarm of some 40 reporters, videographers and photographers followed him to each display. They shuffled along the show floor pushing against each other to get their shot or get their recorder close enough to catch what Corker was saying.

In journalism, it's called a scrum.

In rugby, that’s when both teams restart play as players from both teams mass together, with their heads down and fight for possession of the ball.
Some reporters were tall enough to get an ear and arm on the action, and get their shot. But those who are short – or were in heels – jostled for the best spot, ducking under cameras, or standing on tiptoes to hear.

"I'm glad to be here. Never been to the Detroit show," he said this afternoon.


Corker met with GM officials at the North American International Auto Show, where he looked at the models the automaker says are key to its future health now that the Treasury Department has allocated $13.4 billion in loans to keep the company alive.


The Tennessee Republican said he was “impressed” with the Chevrolet Volt electric car, which is due in showrooms next year.


“Being here makes me even more committed to working to make sure these companies change their capital structure to get these products to market,” he said.


Corker said it’s too early to tell whether the aid granted to GM, along with $4 billion to Chrysler, is enough to keep the companies from failing later.


Many analysts say that because Chrysler’s sales have dropped so precipitously and it has no new models coming this year, the company will be forced to be acquired by another automaker or be sold off in pieces.


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http://www.freep.com/article/20090113/BUSINESS01/90113088/Corker+gets+celebrity+treatment

[stevedeshazer]

1. Irony lives

Corker has exceeded my expectations.

What an asshole.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. Where are all the protesters? DAMNIT! n/t

[marmar]

3. He's certainly got a pair.....

I hope they disinfect Cobo Center after he leaves.

[FarLeftRage]

4. sheeple forget...

it's too bad that no one there had the balls to beat the shit out of this asshole!

[cloudbase]

5. Amazing how Volkswagen

just announced that they're going to invest $1bn in a plant in TN.