John McCain: Town Hall Meeting 07/18/08

John McCain
Town Hall Meeting
Warren, MI 07/18/08

TRANSCRIPT:
AUDIENCE MEMBER: "After 9/11, the United States and the economy took a tragic fall. [...] The American automotive industry was the first to stand up and do something for our country. We provided rebates to get the economy going again. And since then, we've continued giving rebates and giving our products away for next to nothing to a point that our companies are now on a very uneven path and our future is uncertain. I understand technology will advance us, but when is the government going to stick up for the people that first stepped up to put this country back on track after 9/11?"

JOHN MCCAIN: "Well first of all as I have said I would support tax credits for Americans who choose to buy the Volt and other, and other automobiles that put us on the path to energy independence. I believe that the Federal government should invest in pure research and development. I think as you know one of the hurdles to development of any electric automobile is of course the battery issue. [...] I'd be glad and would strongly support pure research and development in the development of this battery with greater capacity, less weight, and is more disposable. So, there are many ways that I would be glad to support this industry.

"But at the end of the day, there are problems, some of which have been addressed, between labor and management. I have to give you some straight talk. You can't compete with other automobile manufacturers if you lay somebody off and pay them full salary for the rest of their life. Can't do it. It's not going to be competitive. So, I will do everything that I can to support this industry."

LABEL: JM MI 07-18 (JR#63) AKG-ClipA

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Category:

News & Politics

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