GOP Rep. John James’ Democratic challenger called auto ‘a dying industry,’ Michigan ad campaign reveals

New York Post ^ | Sep. 10, 2024 | James Dickson

[T Ruth]

DETROIT — A Democrat running for Congress in one of America’s top manufacturing districts once called auto “a dying industry,” a comment sure to tick off his Motown-area voters — and they’ll be reminded of it over and over again in a 30-second ad his Republican opponent launched Tuesday, which The Post viewed exclusively.

GOP incumbent Rep. John James is facing a rematch in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District against Democrat Carl Marlinga, whom he defeated in 2022 by just 1,601 votes.

The race is expected to be just as close this year — and James is determined to hold onto his seat, a win he eked out after two unsuccessful Senate runs.

The ad targets Marlinga, a former Macomb County prosecutor and judge, as an “environmental extremist” out to exterminate the auto industry that Michigan workers rely on.

“Extremists like Kamala Harris would kill the auto industry, with mandates and banning gas-powered cars,” the spot says, before training its fire on the congressional candidate.

“Then there’s Carl Marlinga. Marlinga called the auto industry ‘a dying industry’ — and Marlinga is right. If extremists like them get elected, the auto industry would die. Their policies would cost thousands of Michigan workers to be laid off — and those jobs would never return.”

“Marlinga and Harris must be stopped,” the ad concludes.

‘Dying industry’ comes from an August 2022 Detroit News story. James gave a fundraiser speech about the need to protect the American auto industry rather than subsidize electric vehicles that are built abroad. Columnist Chad Livengood called Marlinga to respond — and the remarks he gave then is being used against him now.

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[Leaning Right]

> Marlinga called the auto industry ‘a dying industry’ … <

Well, he’s right about that. But not for the reasons he thinks.

Corporate mismanagement + union greed = a dying industry

[EC Washington]

GM and Ford are dying because they cave into every demand from the Communist UAW.

Why would anyone buy a Car made by the “Hate America” Union after the speech made by Shawn Fain at the DNC?

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

The Party plan is for everyone to drive a Chinese electric car. Get over it.

[clearcarbon]

"GOP Rep. John James’ Democratic challenger called auto ‘a dying industry,’ Michigan ad campaign reveals"

DemRATs have been trying to kill the industry for years. The trick has been to force manufacturers to make cars the average person cannot afford. That process has accelerated.

[equaviator]

Where did these “managerial class” whiz-kids learn how to mismanage so well that they leave a trail of destruction behind them as they go without burning any bridges? It’s a real neat trick if you’re one of them. Failing up is in the curriculum and it’s mostly involuntary once they get acclimated to the industrial swamp-dwelling powers that be, and it’s not limited to government and major corporations with publicly traded stock. Failing up is a model of the new nepotism with HR and legal teams there to help facilitate it. Failing up probably has it’s beginnings in traditionally nepotistic Mom & Pop shops but now it happens elsewhere, and the new nepotism is not unbiased toward assigning otherwise unqualified DEI candidates and illegal foreigners, especially when it’s in the best interest of the swamp. When Quality is allowed to suffer, everyone suffers.