Harry Reid: Auto Bailout Probably Saved Ford (Imbecile Alert! Ford Didn't Receive Bailout $$)

Real Clear Politics ^ | 07/22/10

[Gaffer]

Yes, he’s probably correct, although for reasons different than he thinks. Of course it helped Ford! It prompted me to examine Ford for my new truck [lovin my new F-150, btw]. Because it would be a cold day in cowboy hell before I EVER by a GM or Chysler product AGAIN!.....Thanks Harry!

[mrmeyer]

Ford should use the not taking bailout money and Reid’s comments in a marketing campaign. Then again, if they did I’m sure the .gov would go after them like they did with Toyota.

[taildragger]

I know what he means, i.e. the supplier based would have totally collasped.

However, their are many a Ford buyer who refuse to buy GM and many a FORD employees working their tails off to bring it back (yes and some conservatives I know within GM too) that might be pissed at this since it is not the sweat of Harry Reid that will bring thing any of them back via outstanding product...

[Cheetahcat]

Does not matter, the bottom matter that Rat party is composed of believe him.

[sickoflibs]

RE :” Someone ought to inform Dumbo Reid that without the illegal conversion of TARP funds into an auto bailout done by the Obama cabal ...”

Correction, Try :”Someone ought to inform Dumbo Reid that without the illegal conversion of TARP funds into an auto bailout done by the Obama/Bush cabal ...”

[Howie66]

Reid is dumber than a bag of hammers.

The only creature that is dumber than Reid is the moron that keeps voting to keep this twit in office.

[kbennkc]

When Ford is the last American auto maker, it will be counted as one saved. The Fascists will get them too, if this administration is not stopped.

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

Give the guy a break.

It’s hard to keep the companies you’ve nationalized straight when you’re so busy transforming America into a socialist state.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Arguably, the bail out hurt Ford by subsidizing competition and making it harder to raise money by the example of riding roughshod over bankruptcy laws.

Besides disregarding the legal position of GM and Chysler’s creditors, the government intervened to prop up the warrantees issued on GM and Chysler cars, which would have been worthless otherwise. Imagine trying to sell a GM product with no meaningful warantee?

[equalitybeforethelaw]

Saved Ford, huh? How about Ford was able to manage itself without the tender mercies of a genius like Reid helping them. The fun part comes when Ford files an anti trust lawsuit against the UAW for its monopolistic position of owning auto manufacturing and representing auto workers. What happens when Ford goes non-union Harry?

[MissesBush]

Bush didn’t push an auto bailout using TARP funds. That was entirely the Obama team’s mendacity. Yes Bush got TARP. It never included an auto bailout.

[alecqss]

And results of the surge in Iraq in 2008 are obviously to Obama’s credit...

[Vaquero]

[ArrogantBustard]

Ford should use the not taking bailout money and Reid’s comments in a marketing campaign.

Have you noticed that Ford's television advertising targets Honda and Toyota (I think) as competitors, and completely ignores GM and Chrysler?

[MissesBush]

I know what he means, i.e. the supplier based would have totally collasped.

I think that's unlikely. The supply network would have still functioned, but would have been downsized to some extent. Chapter 11 wouldn't necessarily have meant they were stiffed on being paid outstanding debts. Debts would have just been reorganized. In fact, the bailout probably did more harm to suppliers than chapter 11 because priority creditors were stiffed under the bailout plan while the UAW was given premier debter status.

[mrmeyer]

Yes I have. Perhaps the management at Ford doesn’t want to rock the boat with the UAW since they pretty much were given majority stake in GM by the marxist in chief & co.

[FrankR]

After buying GM products for years (last in 2001), I'm done with them, and Chrysler. I really hate that Chrysler got caught up in this government crap, as the past few years they're the only one with any really innovative designs in cars...but, what the hey...I'm no teenager anymore, and cars are now about safety, economy, independence, convenience, and transportation....PRIVATE transportation.

As another poster said, the reason Ford is thriving has nothing to do with the TARP money, except they regime managed to totally alienate the public from GM/Chrysler products. They shot off their own foot.

Many people I know are taking it a step further and vowing to buy vehicles only from companies that are non-union. I can see their point too...especially since unions are obama's Chia Pets.

You cannot PUSH a rope...obama has yet to learn that simple fact of life. Dealing with, and trying to organize America is quite different than organizing a community where all of the residents already agree with BEFORE the meeting starts, and even moreso as the candy is passed out.

[a fool in paradise]

When life gives you Edsels, make lemonade.

[freekitty]

Is he crazy or what? Ford didn’t receive a bailout that we know of.