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AS A GM RETRIREE WE DID NOT MAKE 75 DOLLARS A HOUR THAT IS A DAM LIE, I HAD TO RETIRE EARLY FROM MY JOB AT THE AGE OF 48 BECAUSE MY JOB WENT TO MEXICO, I EARNED MY PENSION AND I DON'T NEED THOSE IGNORANT SOUTHEREN REPUBLICANS SAYING LET THE CO. GO BANKRUPT, WHO DO THEY THINK WILL PAY MY PENSION, YOUR PRECIOUS GOVT, WILL HAVE TO PAY IT, PAY ME NOW OR PAY ME LATER, BY THE WAY THEY ARE ASKING FOR A LOAN I'M A TAXPAYER TOO, AND I WOULD BE PAYING FI\OR THE BAILOUT TOO, OUT OF MY PENSION, WE MADE 28 DOLLARS AN HOUR, AND LUCKILY, THEY DO PAY FOR OUR BENEFITS, RIGHTFULLY SO, ALOT OF PEOPLE WALK ED AWAY FROM THERE JOBS, WITH CANCER, ARTHRITIS, AND EVERY OTHER ILLNESS, SO I'M SICK OF PEOPLE SAYING WE WERE PAID TOO MUCH, WE WEREN'T PAID ENOUGH, AND THE PEOPLE WHO SAY GET RID OF THE UNION, ARE MAD BECAUSE THER JOB DON'T SUPPLY THEM WITH BENEFITS, TUFF

I happen tot hink that his comments were some of the best I have heard for a long time,,,, I would vote for him in 2012

Funny how the so-called 'public' opposes funding of the auto industry, as if they are expert in how to handle macro economic matters. lol

The so-called 'public' that is griping about the pay of union workers are dead to the fact that there are execs of the companies who are making as much in a minute what the union workers are making in a week!

If the auto companies created much wealth over the years, why shouldn't the union workers participate in the auto industry wealth? Are they little more than slaves to the auto company?

The so-called public should relax and allow people with greater economic expertise do their job.

Spiting the auto comapnies when they are down is revenge; but it is not right for the company.

Go after the companies when they are wealthy and were acting stupid.
Example? Go after the oil companies now when they are making record profits!

Where has this clown been for the last 8 years? Republicans have no credibility in any issues anymore. Go home, please. We are trying to clean up the mess you are leaving us with.

who is this clown and what shape does his ignorant azz think this country would be in if they didn't bail out, there wouldn't be a country left, IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID

Why do you think the republicans suffered so badly this election......your Ideas are old......the same old stuff that we've been doing for the last 8 years and look where it has gotten us......nowhere.......most of the economists say we need finanical help.........give up this no taxes crap.......I'm even willing to pay a little more in taxes if it will get us out of this mess.........Republicans are just not willing to make the changes needed to get this country back on it's feet........keep your idea's to yourself if you can't come up with something new and different........

Thousands of people will lose their job if nothing is done. I don't care about the CEO's, I care about the working man.

The Republicans and Bush got us into this mess. What is Bush doing?

conservative is a failure PERIOD

I'm pretty sure Republicans don't believe in conservatism anymore... if they did they wouldn't be losing elections..... Still, I'm surprised Sanford wasn't censored for being truly Republican. Maybe he should have run for President... well, there's always 2012. I'd much rather have Sanford than Palin.

This guy sounds just like Bush, and look where 8 years of that got us. The only thing I agree about what he said was the union portion. I think the unions, at least in the car industry, are too costly and their unreasonable demands have sent the auto industry into bankruptcy. I oppose an auto industry bailout because a lot of the money will go to finance the unions (past, present and future commitments)

Sanford in real English:

1.no taxes to fund any projects...
2.free trade with other nations to deplete our available jobs...
3.forget workers rights, they are lucky to have a job....
4.since we don't want to collect taxes forget spending, see #1.

Hey Sanford, been there done that....

I'm surprised he didn't throw in the old capital gains tax garbage.....

RepubTards have had 8 years to offer up "solutions". Now that the Dems are in power they are going to start shooting their mouths off? That's about right!

Yep! All of those "conservative solutions" have worked thus far; haven't they? NOT!

Where was Gov. Sanford the last eight years when G.W. Bush was leading this country into a deep hole?

Barack will be just fine making his own decisions thank you Gov. Sanford but no thanks. Its the Rethuglicans that got us into this mess in the first place.

He is another reason the Republicans are in trouble!

Plus, no more bailouts for the tobacco industry in S.C.!

I too want a bailout, or stimulas, whatever its called, and think we the people ( who voted Obama IN ) should be taken care of before the 3 giant auto makers..no one would help me avoid bankruptcy if I made a bad choice, neither should Government bail out the automakers !

I read alot of anti-republican comments here and that is ok, I understand why you are upset with the past 8 years. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue this is our country we are talking about. When are we going to realize or at least ask the question, Where is this bail out money coming from? It all sounds wonderful, but nothing is free – even "Free Healthcare" isn't free. Someone is going to foot the bill and whether you are Dem Or Rep guess who that someone is?
Well we could just print more money, that will only deepen the recession. Most people I've talked to Dem or Rep do not agree with the bail outs and it doesn't take a math wizz to figure out that the money they are throwing around could almost buy every American a car... Problem Solved- No, because the Auto industry will still be back, the banks will still be back with their greerdy little inefficient hands out.
Sounds like we are being sold a bill of goods, but waitm, we're not buying. That's OK – We're the government and we know what is best for you inignificant people. WAKE UP AMERICA!

Doesn't anyone see what is happening? He is trying to become the 2012 GOP Candidate! He is everywhere grabbing the mic at conventions, going on PBS and network news. Before this he was so quiet! Someone is gunning for 2012.

The Republican vision has not worked. Let the Dems provide new policies. By insisting on keeping business as usual we'll never get out of our economic crisis.

The United States of Welfare...thank you Barry

If we are going to bail them out do it right. You can say they are loans but what happens when they default? We all lose.

Just make the auto workers government employees and get it over with. Let the govenment produce cars if they are going to spend that much money in the auto industry.

I notice that Sandford 's plan did not include limited CEO compensation or Corporations off shore tax breaks. He only wanted limited union power or limited worker's rights or the use of poor work environment like in Colombia. He is just another Republican who cares about the rich and not the worker. Trickle down economics has never worked for the good of us all and never will.

And this is the guy who couldn't remember what John McCain's economic policies in a CNN interview?
It's amazing that he got elected governor, or does that say something about the people in SC!

Cutting taxes and increasing free trade DID work. GIVING houses away to people with no money is what didn't work!

The govt raises more money when taxes are cut and the public spends than they do by raising taxes. THIS IS A FACT. Why give a stimulis when you can just cut taxes instead? Oh, because Congress gets to give it to those THAT DON'T PAY TAXES. (AKA buying votes)

Bush screwed up the other half of the equation with out of control spending. The democrats allowed it to happen because they'll give into any bill that has enough pork in it. The only thing the dems threatened to filibuster before 2006 were SCOTUS judges.

Sanford is right. I guarantee you that chapter 11 will not kill the auto industry. People will still need cars and who in their right mind would not build them where there is billions in equipment and workers ready to go.

What chapter 11 WILL DO is kill that parasitic UAW union contract and that is the reason why BO and Congress are going to cough up the money.

I love how all these Republicans are suddenly experts on how to fix things! Makes me laugh!

The Republicans got us into this whole mess! so what clout does this guy think he has? His warnings mean nothing. When an economy is in as bad a shape as ours is right now...the govt. has to spend money to get the economy rolling. Any Econ 101 student knows that. But then, it seems all the Republicans never took Economics in college or remembered it anyway.

We BAILED out Wall Street....so there should be no question about giving the automakers a LOAN.

It's going to be along time before most of us Americans listen to what a Republican thinks.

I have been reading alot of the post that the american people have been writing but i have a question for all of you. What if is was your company that needed a bailout to ensure that you still had a job, would you be against the bailout then. The millions of workers and suppliers that are connected to these business will suffer more than the people that ran the companies. No one wants to bailout them out for poor management, but they should be helped to save millions of families that may lose their jobs if help is not extended to these companies. Alot of people that have been on some of those jobs have been there for so many years, how would you retrain all of the older workers for up to date jobs now. There are so many other problems that will add to the nation crisis if these companies are not bailed out. This is a great nation in which we live in and with alot of sacrifice this country can recover and be the leader that is should be for the whole world. The question is what are we as a nation willing to do to help someone else other than just me, myself, and i, or us four and no more.

Obama really needs advice on the economy from Republicans. ROFLMAO Mark Sanford must be smoking some bad crack. The election is over, and you guys LOST. America has rejected your GOP financial playbook. You claim to be all about helping "Joe the plumber" but when "Joe the autoworker" who actually MAKES something - which America does far too little of - and works for a living and pays his taxes needs help, you're all against it. Republicans were eager to give the $10 billion bailout to Goldman Sachs, which immediately gave $6.5 billion in bonuses to their staffers. But to people who work for a living they say we should give nothing.

Does the state of South Carolina have sufficient income to survine this down fall in our economy? The state of Kentucky is looking at a 4B deficit-the city of Louisville has two large Ford plants that will probably close if their is no bailout – What auto companies are in South Carolina?

Obama was a tool used by Bill and Hillary Clinton to get them back into the W.H.

Right, no bailouts...except for the S.C. tobacco industry. I hear its sales are down as people die off...

Thanks for the advice Mark, but if you want to lend your advice, try giving it to GWB while he's still in office. You must have not got the memo either, we will take republican suggestions, but we won't consider them. Save that conservative mumbo-jumbo for when Mr. 666 arrives.

shut up Mark! You make me disgusted to be a South Carolinian.

AS a christian I don't recall Jesus giving us a blank check for an easy life. My grand-parents survived the depression, my parents survived the second world and we can survive this recession. Unless these people are being watched 24-7 with the money their asking for (which we won't do) then maybe chapter eleven's are going to have to teacch them that americans are tired of being ripped off. They have had eight years to take care of their mess. If they didn't do it then I don't see it happening now. As long as the employees that work for these auto companies get full unemployment benefits and they are allowed to take part of their retirement with them without being penalized then maybe the auto industry should really clean their house. I do believe in PE Obama. We need to swear him in so he can get to work instead of waiting for when its to little , to late.

No Bailouts in the private sector!
And for those who think the republicans are to blame for everything, you have been brainwashed my friends. It all started years ago and it can all be traced to the NEW DEAL THE GREAT SOCIETY and a few other democratic failures at socialism.

Carl Marx said, "Democracy is the beginning of socialism." We are supposed to be a Republic, but everyone is preaching democracy so let's see how far in the mud we can sink before we realize what's happened.

Some of you people have no memories or were not paying attention.
Conservative Republicans were unhappy with Bush and his spending ways. I"m sure this guy said the same thing when Bush was president but Bush didn't listen.
But he is misguided if he thinks Obama won't support bailouts. He already supports the auto bailout. Remember, the Democratic party relies on support from unions. The unions want to keep jobs so Obama will support bailouts.
The people may say no to bailouts but you haven't heard Obama say that, have you?

1 in 10 jobs tied to the Domestic Auto Industry. Is the Governor ready for a depression. That's millions of jobs lost, those people would be in need of some kind of social service. You can't just let them starve and go homeless. Sounds like he's just posturing for 2012. What a total empty suit this guy is, sure glad he's not in charge and in no position of influence over the national economy.

Gov. Sanford is obviously an economic lightweight. He hasn't the slightest idea what he is talking about. You don't take a bludgeon to spending and let core industries fail during a recession.

Silence Dogood, GWB will be making this decision on the car industry. Why don't you ask him.

WOW............ did Sanford actually use the word "MORAL"?????? Where was Sanford when the Republican president launched an illegal....... immoral war on Iraq?

Where was Sanford when AIG and other Wall Street rich were bailed out?

But......... now that the auto workers will lose their jobs...... he doesn't want to help? Hypocrite.

I'm curious... Where was the Govenor's advice when GWB was driving in the wrong direction for the past 8 years. What's with these people that watched or steered this economy down the drain, and wanted no complaints, now they have all the answers. By the way, if the govenor's know so much ,why were they already seeking govt. monies for their states at this meeting? Go home and shutup. Hey Alaska, no big oil taxes this year....

Sanford better worry about South Carolina, we rank worst in every catagory. Education, crime, health. Do your job at home first

What is with the Republican obsession with "free trade" with Columbia??
How many Columbian lobbyists are working with the Republicans and why does McCain/Graham spend so much time there?

I am not a believer that every mis-managed business deserves free-money and or a bail-out. However, if you look at the last eight years and the lack of accountability that has taken place on the part of our government and the auto-industry; its time to grow up and start making the same sacriffices we americans are expected to make. Unless PE Obama can come up with a plan and a group of people that can be tursted (trust is a word that americans no longer believe in) to insure that the moany will be spent properly then maybe it is going to take Chapter eleven's for the auto-maklers to make them understand that we have had enought of our tax dollars being blown on CEO's and private jets. As a christian I think it is foolish to believe that Jesus gave us a blank check for an easy life in this case a bail-out. I do believe in PE Obama and he will and is trying to do the best he can to help get us out of this mess. What we really need to happen is PE Obama needs to be sworn in as President so he can get to work and begin the healing process that has to take place. By the time we get the Bush Administration out of office it will be too little to late.

Same old threadbare republican answers to new and more complex economic questions. Why is it almost every republican administration since Nixon has driven our economy into the ditch with these philosophies and then they turn right around and swear they have the answers.

Of course, the republicans hate unions because they can't stand workers having any power. Why do you think Bush and the Republicans have pretended to care about illegal immigration but done nothing realistic to solve it? Why of course...because they like all their big business buddies to make more money by hiring illegals.

Why didnt this guy speak up in the last 8 years???Where was he??? Did he mention these ideas to his boss , Bush????

So republicans create the problem and then "warn" Obama about fixing it?? Nice try.

Let's see.

1) $77 /hour UAW employees.
2) having to pay UAW employees even if they refuse to work.
3) paying healthcare for UAW employees that retired 10 years ago.
4) CAFTA standards.

No wonder they are not competative!!!!

I say, let the Big 3 FAIL and file Chapter 11 so that they can undo this mess.

@ Danny, OH

Where was he? Drinking GOP koolaid and mindlessly supporting the neocon agenda no doubt. They thought they were invincible. Now that they've been shot down, they're scrambling for a toehold and GA just gave them one last night. Even if Franken ends up winning, we'll have to find 1 reasonable Republican to prevent them from trying to filibuster EVERYTHING so they can say "see? the Dems got nothing done!"

they got too big for their breches, oh i mean cars.

Godluvr:
It's clear that you're a UAW stooge. Have you ever traveled to South Carolina?What racism do you refer/ "Midnight sneaky Laws?" There is a Big Three, but only one GM. And how was Gov. Palin a digrace to the Republican party when the Democrats have Barney Frank's BOYFREIND operating a MALE ESCORT service out of Frank's basement?

When you can answer these questions, you can comment on world events.

What nerve! I think the voters spoke rather loudly that they were tired of these so-called conservative approaches to economic mismanagement that have about bankrupted the nation! Sheesh. Go figure!

Why would Obama go with a Conservative solution? McCain and Bush were the Conservatives, and the people rejected that. They elected a liberal. So Obama should listen to the people and do what he told the people he would do.

After they all got on board to help the financial sector (i.e., to save all their own investments) the issue of whether to bailout the Big 3 will now be GOP's first chance to try to draw a line in the sand and put up a pretend fight against "socialism" by trying to filibuster it (now that the racist Chambliss got elected). It's fairly predictable. One of their core principles is hypocrisy.

Some one remind the governor that his partys failed policys is what has got us into this mess. Maybe he should be part of the unemployed wondering where he may sleep tonight or if there may be a meal on tonights table.

Am I the only one wondering if Governor Sanford wrote to President Bush and Treasury Secretary Paulson to NOT bail out Wall Street? Oh wait... Wall Street leans Republican.

Never mind...

48 days till the end of the Bush administration.

Is he against bailing out states though? No? Handout for me good. Handout for anyone else BADDDDDDDD.

I read these posts everyday because I always get a good laugh when people who have no idea what they are talking about try to show wisdom.
P1tey1, Godluvr, Dave in NY
You guys crack me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me get this right: didn't they loose. So why are they acting like they know how to fix anything? They only know how to break it.

CD from CO – I agree with your points on unions (to some extent), especially about the unions being willing to cut off their noses to spite their face. However, you say "They would have to pay it back". If we give them money now, and then decide to stop next month or next June or whenever, they will still go bankrupt. It is pretty hard for a bankrupt company to pay anything back.

If we are going to give them a loan, why not let them file for bankruptcy and then provide the Debtor in Possession (DIP) financing? At least then we (the public) are first in line to get paid back, and the unions will have to renegotiate a much more reasonable deal.

Sanford is just a mouthpiece for the right wingers like him. Since BMW is in South Carolina, he may not be so impartial.

Ken in Dallas @ 3:16--Right again. This is not about a company like Enron collapsing on itself. This collapse would reverberate around the country.

I agree with cutting taxes and eliminating government spending. Think about how much more money we'd all have if there wasn't an income tax. There wouldn't be a need to bail out main street.

Yes, there is a problem with using public funds to support private institutions that drove themselves into the ground. A huge problem. It all boils down to influence and corruption in Washington.

"Foreign" auto manufactures build cars right here in America and pay American workers equal or better salaries than their union counterparts. Even with union salaries, it is not impossible to build a profitable car.

Toyota has a "no layoff" policy and is literally paying Americans not to work at the same time as Ford is asking Americans for another payout. Remember, the big 3 got 25 billion earlier this year. "Foreign" auto manufacturers are INCREASING jobs in the US, while domestic auto manufacturers are offshoring to India, South Korea, and Mexico.

And the dems want to give these people another 50 or so billion taxpayer dollars. This little farce of a vetting process is laughable. Carpooling and $1 salaries for CEOs? Please. CEO salaries come from bonuses, most publicly traded company heads have less than 100K "salary" but take home millions. The dems already decided to give them the money. According the Pelosi bankruptcy isn't even on the table.

"...moral hazard..."

This from a guy who just resigned from a bigoted country club...

The Republicans have had their shot at the economy. Time to shut-up and stand aside!!!

When will you libs learn that 8 years does not make or break an economy. I'm not saying that there weren't failed policies, because it's evident there were. However, the Clinton Administration bears much of this burden as well. It is not a birth right to own a home. It is a privilege earned through hard work, earning and saving. The seed for today's economic slump was planted in the 90s when it was decided that everyone should own a home and the sub-prime lending market reared its ugly head.

As for Gov. Sanford, he's a smart down-to-earth conservative with good ideas. You may not agree with his ideology, but as a Governor of a State of the Union, he has a right to express his concerns and opinions to the President-elect. Remember, the US is still a representative democracy in which the states themselves are meant to retain most of the power.

President Obama please don't listen to Mr. Sanford. With this economy and after 8 years of republican presidency and what they did to the American people we should not listen to them. We are Democrats!!!

Fortunately, Barack Obama is much too smart to listen to these do-nothing Republicans. He knows that government stimulus is required to avert a deep and long recession.

You know we can't allow these bailouts to get too out of hand, but some of these companies need to have help from the government, because if they go under then the financial well being of this country will just get worse and worse than it already is. It really irritates when people like this say "ah, just let them go bankrupt." Bankruptcy especially when you're talking about the auto makers is not an option.

Forget Sarah Palin. This is the man who should be running for president in 2012.

Isn't his recommendation the same plan as George Bush's???

He should have given his two cents years ago!!!!

"Conservative Solutions" is an oxymoron. Whatever their strengths, new ideas are not their stong point. Conservative ideology is the PROBLEM, not the "solution".

The Reps remind my of someone whose only tool is a hammer: everything to them looks like a nail. Their only solution to any economic issue is cut taxes. Taxes have been at their lowest since the advent of the income tax for the last 8 years and it's brought us nothing but recession (nay, depression?) and an increase in the gap between the top 5% and the bottom 95%. It's literally a bankrupt ideology.

Rings pretty hollow given that idiots in his own party got us into this mess.

Go Away!!

It seems as though Stanford did not get the memo that the old republican concept of just being against anything that democrats are for, and having no viable solutions themselves, along with the smoke and mirrors politics of saying one thing(less spending/smaller government/family values/ethics), and doing another($10 trillion deficit/lies/deceptions/moral and criminal crimes against humanity), is why Americans are kicking them out of OUR government, state after sate after state, along with being rejected by the rest of our WORLD.

i don't understand how the same people who played a heavy roll in getting us into this mess would have the AUDACITY to try and threaten an administration that hasn't even come into effect. If P-E Obama caves to these dudes, I will be very disappointed. i am all for bipartisanship, but please P-E Obama hold to your promises and beliefs. Sanford has some bigger fish to fry in SC. He should be dealing with his crashing economy and social and moral problems there first. And....Mr Perry of TEXAS should realize that this is the end of Rethuglican rule in our state. He should be crafting some type of plan for keeping reigns of power for the Rethugs instead of try to box in the incoming Prez!!!

Danny, OH December 3rd, 2008 3:19 pm ET

Where was this guy the last 8 years?

100% Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taking money out of the economy through higher taxes and trade barriers just doesn't make sense even though the Obamanation somehow thinks they can do more with less. The problems the past 8 years is that Bush did not follow conservatism but became a Democrat Lite. The Democrats have been in charge of the Congress the past two years...where were their economy changing bills?

Where have all these " fiscally conservatives" been the last several years ??? Now that Bush is "beyond" unpopular, they are everywhere.

Gov Sanford
Enough is enough, you cannot eat your cake and have it. You and G Bush, the Repub right wingers distroyed this economy for the past eight years and yet you have the audacity to issue stupid instruction/advise to people's PE Obama. Do you have any shame at all for what you and your repubs have done to this economy for the past eight years. I will advise you remove the big log in your eyes first and worry not about the infinitecimal size of sand in another's eye. The best way to start off for 2012 is still not being an old chip of the stupid policies that is only good enough to distroy our economy.
I know you are one of those islanders of true Americans and unpatriotic Americans, your believe any way, we want to be one Americans built in oneness, strenght and power to achieve a common goal

Don't listen Barack. They're setting you up!!!

"conservative solutions" – is this guy INSANE??????? that's what got us into this mess. This guy needs to crawl back under his own little rock and work on state issues. He's NOT ready for primetime!

Where has Sanford been these last 8 years, meditating in a cave like a monk in the dark ages? Economists and financial experts from both sides of the political spectrum agree that the econony needs an immediate jolt. Sanford should join the bipartisan effort to prevent a financial disaster and not start a premature GOP mid-term or presidential campaign.

The same 4 talking points of the right....how about some new ideas because doing things the republicans way for the last 8 years is what got us in this mess.

Dave in NYC

Good comment about taxes, however your messiah, the all knowing all wonderful Obama is now having "second thoughts" on the windfall profits tax for big oil and gas. Hahahahaha...what else is this guy going to lie about-He sounds like Bush. Of course they didn't have a press conference to notify the voting puplic about it. This gem was noticed when the wording just disappeared from the transition teams website. I guess this is more openness.

So let's get this straight. He approves of giving billions to large corporations and then, without telling anyone, decides to cancel his campaign promise of taxing big oil. Yeah...this is "Change" we just had eight years of. Once again, more proof that the Dems and Repubs are the same.

Time for this Gov to move to Alaska with Palin. I guess we can build our roads and infrastructure with no tax money. What happens when there are no more taxes to cut anymore?

As for preventing unions...I guess he is still upset that the South Lost the war and slaves are free because all the cheap labor is gone.

The poor decisions were mostly by all the polictians that work for the lobbylists. Maybe instead of reducing the size of our government...we should reduce the size of these power hungry mega corps....it's better to have small and medium companies than these hugh corporations. Small companies will not theathen to move out of state or country compared to the big boys.

The bigger the banks got the worst our financial issues continue to grow. Bring back the community banks who care about their area that they do business in and live and then have only one central bank....The US Treasury.

Just keep in mind without the bail or some kind of a plan the auto companies will lose millions of jobs. The auto worker, car dealerships and the suppliers. Also there will be benefits cuts that would hurt the retirees. No matter what decison they make people are hurting. President Obama will have to take a long hard look into this problem. And the Ceo's will have to come up a realistic plan.

The only solution you Republicans seem to have is lower government, lower taxes, lower capital gains. I don' t hear nothing new.

He should have been writing letters eight years ago.

Good! Someone with some sanity. No one should ever vote for anyone in Congress that voted for the bailout bill. The robbery of America has begun and there is no stopping. Think the new Treasury Secretary will reign it in? Not a chance. Geithner is licking his chops.

So giving the Big 3 a LOAN is wrong while we "GIVE" the banks and other financial institutions free money who don't have a plan and still pay high salaries to the officers who put them in trouble. This is the GOP's solution? Talk about being out of touch! These people have no idea what a loss of the Big 3 would be to country, not only the 3 million plus jobs, but a strong financial country Must manufacture it's own cars! These people need to learn the reality of this situation. The foreign car companies are experiencing the same downturn is sales as the Big 3, so it's not the product, it's the economy stupid. Japan has been helping their auto companies to the tune of $56B, why, because a strong financial country Must produce it's own cars. this isn't rocket science and it isn't a bailout, it's a LOAN. Get with the program or be prepared to watch the GOP get smaller and smaller to match their small minds.

I'm from South Carolina and Gov. Sanford is a failure in the area of public administration. He was voted twice one of the worst Governors in the US. He's a hypocrite when it comes to public education and his only answer to any problem is lower taxes for the wealthy. The low tax thing hasn’t worked for quite sometime now, but that does stop the GOP from that tired old chant. Hey, they thought that drill baby drill was a real energy policy. The Universities and Colleges in South Carolina are counting the days when Gov. Sanford leaves office. Our State (SC) has been devastated economically by the loopholes in free trade and Sanford sets quietly.

Where the heck does he get off giving someone else a warning on how to manage? It’s almost like George Bush telling Obama how to be President. The humor in that is over the top.

Bailouts are a bad idea. Let the market fix itself. In the long run it will do more good. Help those below the poverty line only.

The bailout will not be a blank check. It comes with conditions. And with that said, the US auto industry better get it's act together and start making better cars.

The US cannot afford to have all industries closed in the US. Especially not the car industry. So some Japanese companies have plants here... they're still Japanese companies. They have no allegience to stay here. It's time we got serious about our heavy industries. And keeping the US car industry from going belly up is a logical step.

People may have short memories, but not that short, for crying out loud.

@CD from CO - You do know that the $75/hour figure for the UAW employees is not accurate, don't you? It's actually closer to $25-30.

Godluvr

Good comment. I guess no one should dare question the idiot Bush or your messiahs disgusting bailout of large corporations. You lefties and repubs are all the same. Nothing is changing and nothing is going to change. The government is taxing the hell out of us, giving billions to large corporations and then that same government doesn't pay its own bills. I guess no one should question the all knowing, all powerful government. Keep drinking the kool-aid.

Sincerely,
A Proud supporter of THE US Constitution, the real law of the land.

Aren't we in this mess because of Republican ideology??? Did this guy not get the message NOVEMBER 4th!!!???

If we bailout with a loan that they have to pay back then they are further in debt and people still won't be buying new cars because the economy is fragile so they ask for more later.

If we don't bailout then thousands of jobs will be lost and the economy will be further damaged.

So, what we gonna do?

Apparently the republican governers would rather pay several hundred thousand people unemployment rather than extend a loan.

Dave in NYC, you hit the nail on the head. We have tried the tired and worn out way of the Republicans. There way is not the magic bullet to come out of this mess. It will take many ideas, new and different approaches. We must open our minds up to the new. We as a country have to be willing to sacrifice NOW, because the word never entered into our vocabulary in times past. It is going to be painful to come out, but nothing that is worth having is ever painless. We all desire a viable, strong economy and prosperity. Let's do what we have to do now and enjoy the fruits later.

That is fine, but we need some types of regulations. Like I said, under Clinton, only X number of IT jobs can be offshored. Under W, anything goes. We should only offshore jobs after there's no American left to do the JOB.

The bail out of the Auto industry would be a big mistake. Gov. needs to stay out of it and let them reorganize. Throwing money at a problem won't make it go away. Look at our welfare system, it only holds people back. Perfect example.

I don't know a lot about Gov. Sanford's background although he does have an MBA which under normal circumstances would give him some latitude to comment on how to handle the economy. However, these are drastic times, look where some of the "best and brightest" MBA holders have gotten us. It's really hard at this point to listen to anyone about the best ways to fix the economy, particularly a republican, who does not have a Ph.D. in the subject. Furthermore what is Gov. Sanford's objective with this statement? I don't think the American people are stupid enough to fall for this thinly veiled attempt at the old switcheroo. Gov. Sanford it was your parties policies and governance that got us into this situation. You have to be absolutely bereft of any intellect if you believe the best way to deal with this problem is to attempt to shift the blame using pithy rhetoric towards our future administration while the very appointee's of your current administration show such ineptitude at using the tools available to them to restore economic security to the American people.

The governor is all talk. He should spell out in clear detail how he would fix the economy. Saying he was speaking as Governor and not the RGA shows that there is not consensus or leadership from the Republicans.

Selfish bum ... both South Carolina and Alabama ... two states with Republican governors I'll bet .... have car plants in them by non-US based companies.

These guys are simply hoping for more sales of these foreign autos which will translate into more jobs / taxes in there own states....

Not everyone in the public is stupid you know ...

I wonder what this Mr. Sanford (R-SC) thinks about the nearly 1,000,000 people in South Carolina without any type of health care insurance or coverage. This is not a bailout, it's a loan and it's going to be paid back. Sanford was one of three governors (out of 50 ) who are opposed to loaning the auto industry any money. Sanford is also opposed to any sort of stimulus. By the way, where's Bush these days??

Sounds like the 2012 Presidential campaign has already started...

Was the money for Wall Street a bailout or a loan? If the auto industry wants a loan, doesn't that mean it will be paid back?.

1 in 10 jobs are tie to the Auto industry but it don't stop there most shops that produce parts services the auto industry now we're talking not only jobs but business failing so RGA need to think this through thiscould effect their states. I wish we didn't have to bail anyone out but just look at what's going on around the world the other countries are bailing out their business and we must do the same to compete.

One more time... where was this guy the last 8 years..

Right, because Obama was elected with a mandate to pursue "conservative solutions" to the economy. Since they've worked so well the last 8 years.

Are you a serious person, Mark Sanford?

The last thing this country needs is more pointless ideology. Pursue solutions that work. And in the cast of the auto industry, if we lose another 3 million jobs and the failure of 2 of America's biggest companies signals another chain effect of bankruptcies (remember what happened when Lehman was allowed to fail?), this is going to be worse than the Great Depression.

I don't care about your conservatism or some ridiculous principle. I care about living in a prosperous society that will allow my children to secure the best futures they can. Mark Sanford, you are part of the problem.

Oh yea...BRILLIANT solution. Conservative solutions got us INTO this mess..... STFU you neo-con scum!

PS: I do not endorse the bail out of the big 3. But the last thing I want to hear ANYONE advise is to use "Conservative Solutions". Those crack heads screwed it up for 6 years with their 'conservative' BS! We need PROGRESSIVE solutions, something the current GOP party hasn't a clue of!

How about them republicans that voted in line with Bush 75% of the time or more, serve life sentences for thier treason against the american people!

The Republicans have screwed up this economy so badly that their so called "conservative solutions" won't do the trick.

Looks like they still don't get it.

Maybe Sanford should direct his comments to GW Bush, since they've already committed 7.5 trillion with no oversite.

He should also consider that "Those conservative values" he cherishes so much is what put the country in the ditch.

Go back under your rock, Sanford.

Where was this guy the last 8 years?

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford represents the same old policies that got us into this mess in the first place. He and George W. are two peas in a pod! The G.O.P.=Greedy Old Party!

This [R] pinhead can take a seat. We've had enough of [R] rule. But apparently SC hasn't, and that's OK; as Sanford said the other day, SC can make it on it own. The president and congress should remember that when Sanford comes running on his furry little legs to DC for help, as his state slips into the Dark Ages because of the larger economic mess brought on by the incompetence of his own party.

Sanford's oblivious. If we hadn't allowed the whole auto industry to consolidate into just three companies, we'd have been able to let one or two go without wrecking the economy. For better or worse, the Big Three are a de facto public trust, because we neglected to pursue a proper anti-trust policy.

This is what it costs to permit competition to become a sham.

Yes, NO MORE BAILOUTS!!!!!!! If their business model is broken, they (Auto) need to fix it. The problem they have is the unions are srangling the life out of them. Toyoto and Honda do not have this problem with their operations here in the U.S. BREAK THE UNIONS!

And yet with the four things he's outlined, he offered no real solutions. Can we have a plan? Enough with political ideology Gov. Sanford, we want answers, we want solutions.

I would like to know what, if any, letters the governor wrote to GWB regarding not bailing out companies. Did he advise Bush not to do this? If not, he needs to shut the hell up. Where do republicans think they get off advising liberals that they have to govern conservatively? A liberal will govern as a liberal will. that's what he was elected for. Would mr. sanford like it if I wrote him a letter saying he should govern with liberal principles?

ridiculous. republicans never cease to amaze me with their chutzpah.

Look, we ALL have "moral" concerns about bailing out these companies, but when will Republicans learn: 9 out of 10 economists say that the conservative "solution" of expanding trade and cutting taxes WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

Not to mention, how dumb to we have to be before we admit that we've tried the conservative "solution" of cutting taxes and increasing free trade for the last 8 years.... and guess what, folks? It has NOT worked!

We don't need economists to tell us what we've seen with our own eyes these last 8 years!

South Carolina has one of the lowest graduation rates, one of the lowest literacy rates and one of the highest obesity rates, AND one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Yup, conservative "solutions" have worked well. We should follow this man's advice. The whole country could be doing as well as South Carolina!

Of course Mark is against a bailout. He's in South Carolina, there's a BMW plant there, and it's non-union, just like the auto plant in Alabama, which is also against a bailout. A bailout doesn't benefit their states.

The CEOs are pleading for billions of dollars to preserve jobs.
Theirs.

we can't even afford to buy their OVER-PRICED cars, why should we bail them out. NO BAILOUTS.

What's the matter with loan? They would HAVE to pay it back. The auto industries have to come up with a plan..... and getting rid of $75 dollars an hour should go. I am a Democrat and believer in unions, but these unions are hurting the companies more than they are helping. Some of your people might just have to take cuts in pay AND lose some benefits in order to keep the auto companies afloat....otherwise, you will all be looking for jobs at minimum wage.......Better get your priorities straight.

Gov. Sanford:

Have you worked on the racism that tarnishes your state? Did you write and ask President Bush to not endanger our natural resources by his midnight sneaky Laws? Did you ask President Bush to please attempt to bring a resolution to the 3GM Bailouts before leaving office? Did you write Sen. McCain, and ask him to reconsider disgracing your party's reputation, by his putting Palin on the ticket?

If you have answered no to these questions, you are not qualified to request anything from PE Obama! Will you please be quiet, be still, and let our new Democratic President do his job?

It's time to step aside and observe how government is supposed to function!

PUMA: I pray the LIGHT of the world shines some love in you!

Sincerely,

A Proud Supporter of P-E Barack Obama and TEAM!

I'm sure that Barack doesn't need any "warning" from anyone on what's at stake...

I agree! These auto guys just don't get it, just like McCain didn't get it. Taking private planes to meetings was the first example. And The $1 salary doesn't count when you made over $12M last year as you were driving your co. into disaster. They all need to be replaced, and GM should probably go under. Let's take the autoworkers and have them build an environmentally safe and fast railroad system.

Here we go.
How can a Republican who encouraged us to vote for Bush have the gall to ask now for fiscal responsibility? How can a spokesman of the poisonous Conservatism that has almost destroyed the nation even show his face in public?
American Conservatism started its career in crime by defending slavery and trying to rend this nation apart. For 150 years, Conservatism has been on the wrong side of every argument. Conservatism opposed giving minorities and women the vote, giving women and minorities equal rights, and abolishing child labor. Conservatism was against food health inspections, workplace safety laws, the 8 hour day, the 40 hour week, overtime pay, allowing women to wear pants (!!!), medicare, medicaid, child health programs (!!!!!!), allowing minorities to attend college, and desegregation of public facilities like restaurants.

Now this Conservative has the nerve to warn Democrats that they should not try to mop up the messes that Conservatives have caused.

I need to go take a pill.

Hilarious!!! so we're just supposed to sit idle while 2.5 million WORKING americans go under but it was ok to bail out wall street?!?

Good God these guys are gonna loose for another 12 – 16 years. GOP leadership doesn't get it we are tired of getting the short end of the.
stick. Have unions gotten to big for their own good you're darn right.

That still pales in comparison to Multi million dollar bonus CEO checks. I want CEO pay cut to 400K before and the UAW job pool gone before any of these dopes recieve 1 more drop of my tax money.

conservative.........liberal.........blah,blah,blah. How about something that just works........or at the very least, keeps us from falling into a depression.

why on earth would obama listen to REPUBLICANS, the same group of people who allowed the financial industry to get to where it is now, for advice on how to save the industry?

Yea, Obama listen to the Republicans, they really know how to be fiscaly responsible. Give me a break, these guys don't have a clue and sure as heck do not want to look at the statistics for defidit concerning GOP Presidents.

Yeah, that's right, listen to the GOP, the very people who got us in this mess in the first place. Thank God, PE Obama is a lot smarter than that.

Hey Republicans, take your failed supply side, trickle down, voodoo (to quote a Republican President) economics and just go away. History has shown that the economy overall (not just Wall Street, which is NOT the sum total of the economy or even a good indication of how the overall economy is doing) has done better when the Democrats were in charge.

Desperate times call for desperate measures–GREED has been the cause of this- and people who were the greediest need to compensate for that. The CEO's from the big three all need to work for $1.00 a year until they get their companies into the 21st century.
At least we will have a man of Intelligence and courage in the Oval Office!

Obama should listen to him

The People oppose the automakers bailout. But Obama is in the pockets of the corporations.

Will Obama listen to the people or to his big corporate donors?

You tell him, Mark! (I doubt he'll listen.)

Sad to say.This is all the Republicans can do--talk,talk,talk.

I don't think they should be bailed out, either...and I'm not even a Republican!
$20k private flights? Yeah, I don't think so.

Right, Gov. Sanford, let's just keep doing the same thing we've been doing.

No wonder this guy couldn't tell us one difference between the economic policies of George Bush and John McCain. It looks like he can't think of an economic policy besides those of George Bush.

Governor Slick isn't fooling anybody.

Slick.

Someone called this guy a slick salesperson today. I think they were right on the money. He's a slickster and his lines are all so gimmicky. He really started sweating when the caller asked him which programs he had cut. He said it was across the board, but I noticed he was really squirming when he mentioned Health and Education.

He admitted he was a businessman, and there's nothing wrong with that, but a public office is for the public, not business people.