Ron Bloom, Obama's chief auto advisor to become manufacturing czar?
Ron Bloom's role in the bankruptcy and re-emergence of Chrysler and General Motors has proven that his experience driving negotiations with the United Steelworkers union is portable. Pushing the two automotive giants through restructuring in an impressively quick manner has given the Obama administration the impression that Mr. Bloom (far left) is a good choice to head up a manufacturing overlord position which will focus on building that sector of America's economy back up. An appointment announcement is scheduled today at an AFL-CIO picnic in Cincinatti, Ohio, where both President Obama and Bloom will appear.
Bloom's credentials in manufacturing go back further than just his recent automaker involvement. As special assistant to the president of the United Steelworkers union for ten years, Bloom looked out for union jobs during a deal between Wheeling-Pittsburgh Corporation and Esmark, compromising where necessary, and stringing profanity together when needed to meet his objective.
Bloom is going to need as many fancy swear words as he can muster to stanch the bleeding in manufacturing. Many believe the United States will never have as robust a manufacturing sector as it once did. Even with our shrinkage in manufacturing, Bloom indicates that the United States shouldn't forget how to make things just yet, and that the Obama Administration wants an "innovative, vibrant manufacturing sector." In that vein, monies from the stimulus package are going into environmentally-focused programs such as electric vehicles, as well as helping automakers to retool by giving low coast loans.
[Source: Detroit News | Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Avinash machado 10:35AM (9/07/2009)
Hope this won't mean the end of performance cars.
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Motor_Yakuza 10:48AM (9/07/2009)
For demorats performance cars are not "efficient", so get one before it's to late.
Dr. Greenthumb 1:09PM (9/07/2009)
I'm a PROUD democrat, and I love performance cars.
Why is it, none of you were scared, when that empty suit was in the White House? You should have been.
Now that you have a president that is PRESIDENTIAL, you're scared. I guess no one wants a president who is more than just a PUPPET.
We can have both performance cars and efficient cars. Traditionally, the big 2.1 has SUCKED at building fuel efficient cars. Why do you think the Japanese in particular was able to march in here and take their lunch money.
It took them 30 or so years, but they are finally figuring it out. Now that we are so heavily vested in this industry, I WANT someone looking over their shoulders. Leave GM, Chrysler and FORD too, to their own devices, they MAY, again drop the ball.
America cannot afford another go round of the CRAP storm that we are now starting to see our way out of, Thanks to president Barack Hussein Obama. Yeah I said it, Eat crow.
Derek Washington 1:13PM (9/07/2009)
Bravo Dr!
The mouthbreathers can't stand the fact that the economy is turning around and Detroit is learning how to do Muscle in a new way.
Ok, guys, you lost. Deal.
Jared 1:54PM (9/07/2009)
I just wish they picked a different name to call him. Why Czar...?
Farmboy 4:13PM (9/07/2009)
Czar sounds powerful. It is a right-wing word that has caught on really well. Well enough that the democrats even use. It has a more powerful ethos than "head" or "monitor." It invokes an almost absolute power.
RayJ 10:41AM (9/07/2009)
Sounds good. I don't think we will ever see the end of performance cars but I think it is time that they progressed. What I mean is today we are doing the same thing that was done in the 60. Bigger engine and firmer suspension mean performance. I think the future will mean that performance car will be at least partially electrified. So they will be faster and efficient. Suspensions will be more intelligent and adjustable.It is all just growing pains and we just have to learn to adjust is all.
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Bill P. 10:42AM (9/07/2009)
As long as this anti-American administration keeps shoving unelected "czars" down our throats, the 2010 mid-term elections will be the end of their effective reign. A "manufacturing czar"? Using the unions as a fulcrum, this heavy-handed government intervention will only further weaken the companies that provide manufacturing jobs.
Look what just happened at Mercury Marine (builder of the biggest 1991 Corvette engine)...the union almost destroyed 1,800 jobs in Fond du Lac, WI, a city of some 30,000 people.
What's bad for the unions, and for the Obama administration, is good for America. Boot 'em.
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TonyInMI 10:47AM (9/07/2009)
+1 all these Czars are unconstitutional and need to go.
ebleyes 11:03AM (9/07/2009)
I'm getting sick of this czar thing but everybody knows that American manufacturing is dying, this death spiral started in the 70s intensified in the 80s and 90s and all but dead now, so hopefully this guy could lit a spark he seems like a capable guy. This notion of anti-American administration is getting tired, nobody have done so much damage like the Reagan and the Bush administrations.
Jim 11:08AM (9/07/2009)
Boy, the republican party has turned into nothing more than a McCarthy-ist circle jerk. Sorry guys, but the GOP is not and never has been the arbiter of what is "American" or not. Waving flags and singing "God Bless America" while signing such abominations as the patriot act makes them hypocrites in the worst way.
mentallyretired 5:16PM (9/07/2009)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-04-3017068281_x.htm
HJC 2 7:26PM (9/07/2009)
Bill P.
your correct.... These liberal bloggers will end up eating their words.
We will find that this admistration is on it's way to bankrupting our
country..... Be scared be very scared if we don't dump these so called "changers" for OUR country in 2010 & 2012
Many of these political blogger get most of their news from MTV , the Comedy Channel, NBC,ABC,CBS etc.
ufgrat 11:32PM (9/07/2009)
Had someone made a post during Bush's administration calling them "un-american", it would have been ground public humiliation, death-threats, and offers for an indefinite vacation in Gitmo. Google for "Dixie Chicks" for an example.
Let's see... Bush refused to do anything to help the auto companies because he wanted it to be Obama's problem. He refused to do anything about the impending financial crises (which would almost certainly doom the automotive industry) and gave repeated, large tax breaks to any company that moved their manufacturing OUT OF THIS COUNTRY-- yet was somehow "good".
Obama has saved GM and Chrysler (for now), wants to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, wants to keep people from wanting to kill us, stabilized the economy (barely-- it's hanging on better than expected), strong-armed the union into the biggest round of concessions in recent memory, wants to rebuild American manufacturing, and yet is somehow "anti-American".
You people make no $@% sense at all.
I now retire my soapbox, and will refrain from further political commentary.
HotRodzNKustoms 10:46AM (9/07/2009)
So breaking countless securities and business laws while doing nothing to loosen the union's strangle hold on the automakers is a marketable skill? Where do I sign for that job!?
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Change 2010 10:55AM (9/07/2009)
Another unelected Czar for Obama's shadow government.
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mentallyretired 5:19PM (9/07/2009)
True story: Obama has 3 fewer czars than W had
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._executive_branch_czars
Carlos 10:58AM (9/07/2009)
Hurray for socialism! Here is to more change! (read sarcasm)
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My_SS_RX8 11:07AM (9/07/2009)
If that were a picture of republicans, they would all be wearing red silk "power" ties, with lapel pins.
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RayJ 11:22AM (9/07/2009)
Please stop bashing our President people you have to be a little more intelligent and honest about what he is doing and what other before him has done. These positions are to help certain industries in our country develop to the 21st century so that we are competitive. Stop the bashing and hate it is something more that the policies and that is obvious.
More on point I never understand why people think cars like say a Rolls is worth the money in this technological age because it is an old idea. Big inefficient engine and heavy car for a lot of money. If I could plug it in I would say yes it worth it. SO I say embrace the future and realize that performance doesn't have to go anywhere Telsa is proving that right now!!! You can do it without drinking a gallon of gas everything you touch the peddle. I think some that have issue with this are just a little too stuck in the past and are having issue with progressing. Kind of like those people that refuse to use a computer because they say they just hate it.
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