1. It doesn’t take much to PO the unions, I think they’re in perpetual PO’d state to begin with.
2. To say that someone can’t say something horribly true about Detroit’s and Michigan’s government because there are some negotiations between some [rapidly shrinking] employers in Detroit and some [rapidly shrinking] unions in Detroit would mean picking the subject based on some strange exogenous calendar and is not at all realistic. It’s simply a diversion from real issues facing auto industry in Detroit. As a matter of fact it might turn the spotlight on and show Detroit’s denizens what the real problems are with the city, and it’s not their “greedy” employers, it’s their greedy and corrupt government.
Though I appreciate your personal sensitivity to the matter, because (I assume) you are in the thick of it, let me assure you that what Newt has said about Detroit’s failed governance (which, of course, in large part depends on union’s fundraising and voters) will have absolutely no bearing on the labor negotiations and their outcome... however I expect it could be one more thing to lay at Newt’s feet and blame him for, one more inane excuse if union doesn’t get all the concessions that they want - which make Detroit auto industry so uncompetitive even relative to foreign manufacturers producing cars in US.
Yes, the bonehead management of major US auto makers does its part as well, but Chrysler couldn’t shed red ink even with German management and engineering contributions, though that might change now.
First, it isn’t some “strange exogenous” calander. The labor negotiations occur every three years and the contracts are always due in september of the negotiation year. Second, the union folks that I know and the reports that I had been reading had every indication that the union was resigned to making several concessions back to the manufacturers. Third, Newt directly called the UAW out, during the negotiation, which has resulted in a total turn of the reports and the attitudes of the folks that I know.
The fact is that Newt is a very polarizing figure and is very hated by the left. I respect him for that. However, I would have preferred that he kept his mouth shut during such an important negotiation. This contract could be the last piece of the puzzle in a very long road to recovery for the US auto makers, or it could be the final nail in their coffin.
Would you want Newt to come to MI in an election year pushing the GOP candidate? I wouldn’t. It could very well fire up the socialists to turn out in higher numbers. Newt is to the left what Hillary is to the right.