Robert Ficano to Richard Shelby: Suck. On. This.
Unless you’re from MI, you probably don’t know who Robert Ficano is. But as the Wayne County Executive, he’s one of the senior-most elected officials in the state (and a potential Democratic candidate for Governor in 2010). I guess he’s about had it with Richard Shelby’s bad-mouthing of American-brand SUVs, because Ficano has taken out radio ads in AL pressuring Shelby for being un-American in his opposition to the Big Two and a Half.
Congress wouldn’t turn its back on American veterans in need, yet that’s exactly what some Senators are about to do. In World War II, America faced its greatest challenge, three true blue American car companies stood up for our country in her hour of need: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were the arsenal of democracy that built the tanks, vehicles, and planes that helped our soldiers win.
We face a devastating economic crisis that threatens to destroy our American auto industry as Congress considers a loan package that will allow the car companies to stay in business, let us not forget the invaluable service they gave our nation.
One of every ten jobs in America is related to the US auto industry including thousands in Alabama. If GM, Ford, and Chrysler go out of business, millions of jobs would be lost. Southern suppliers that sell billions of dollars in parts to the auto companies would close. Call Senator Richard Shelby at 205-731-1384 and tell him to stand up for the car companies that still secure our freedom today. (Paid for by the Robert E. Ficano Committee, Wayne County, MI)
Apparently, Ficano started these ads during the first go-around with Congress; with the help of the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Wayne County, Ficano has expanded the ads to other states whose anti-union foreign automaker loving members of Congress want to bankrupt the American competition: in addition to Alabama, Tennesee and Kentucky (and DC).
Sure, it’s probably not going to change many minds. But its time someone really started hitting Richard Shelby hard for his posturing on this–particularly since his beloved Japanese car companies’ sales slipped even more last month than Ford’s did (GM and Chrysler’s sales absolutely tanked, though).
It’s about time.
He should run the ad with Boehner’s name asking for calls.
It’s not in OH right now.
But then, the Senate will be much closer than the House. We don’t need Boehner (particularly not since all of MI’s R’s are voting for the car companies).
I like this dude!
“Why are you Anti-American Senator Shelby?”
Judging from his courage and no-bullshit approach, it would appear that Ficano comes from the Howard Dean wing of the Dem/Progressives. To see that his local Chamber of Commerce is now helping him surely does warm my heart.
Shelby’s a national embarrassment.
It’s about time someone did this. Shelby needs to be put in his place.
Good on him – thank goodness someone is standing up the American car companies, and by extension, union workers, since the UAW has done a p**s-poor job of presenting themselves, controlling the message and making their case. I hope they are digging down to send Ficano a little ‘love’ on this.
Yeah, Senator Shelby, all those tax breaks Alabama gave to non-union foreign auto-makers won’t go very far when there are no parts supplier available nearby to build the needed parts. The foreign manufacturer loses a big edge when they have to ship everything from the Pacific or Europe.
bailouts for banks and insurance companies but not for auto companies.. things ass backwards….
Probbably ought to run it in GA also, since there seems to be a plant there whose people aren’t much interested in bailing out Detroit. I don’t know how much of a subsidy they got to locate there, though – I think it’s either Kia or Hyundai.