Generally speaking, politicians need to possess many skills when running for public office; a velvet tongue is chief among them. But in a puzzling and blatant example of what not to say, Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich took aim at General Motors, and the Obama administration, when he claimed to supporters at a rally in his home state of Georgia that ‘”You cannot put a gun rack in a [Chevy] Volt” [which you can view here via Fox News].
Gingrich’s comments come in the wake of fellow republican and presidential hopeful, Rick Santorum who recently stated that President Obama placed “Earth above man.” The former speaker of the house also went on to say “there’s no reason we couldn’t have a stable price around $2 or $2.50,” for a gallon of gasoline by simply “drowning demand in supply.’”
Speaking from an automotive perspective, Gingrich’s comments have us a bit baffled. Not only can you put a gun rack on a Chevy Volt – although why you would want to currently escapes us – Gingrich’s perceived attack on GM’s fuel efficient auto doesn’t seem to make much political sense either.
The American auto industry is finally getting back on its feet – GM recently announced a record $7.6 billion profit last year, the highest in the company’s 103-year history –- and Newt Gingrich is trailing behind both Romney and Santorum in many state polls. Will his recent gun-rack gaff set the trailing Republican further back?
Regardless of what your personal feelings towards Chevy’s Volt are, the reality is that success and support of American companies like General Motors is good for the country.
For a right-leaning conservative candidate like Gingrich, it seems odd he would take aim at GM. The American automotive company is the largest in the country, with Chevy Volts being assembled domestically at GM plants by Americans, for Americans.
Following the rally in Georgia, Gingrich was by no means in a conciliatory mood when he appeared on CBS’s “This Morning” with Charlie Rose. Gingrich went so far as to accuse the Obama administration of wanting higher gas costs, referring to previous statements made by the current administration that suggested American gas prices should elevate to European levels.
When questioned by host Charlie Rose whether he actually believed President Obama wanted higher gas prices, Gingrich responded by saying that back in 2008, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, wanted gas prices to equal that of Europe. Gingrich further went on to attack the President’s policies toward energy as “outrageously anti-American.”
With Gingrich labeling President Obama for his “outrageously anti-American” policy toward energy, we continue to scratch our heads at what Gingrich actually considers “American.” The Republican candidate has long been a proponent of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline citing it as a solution to country’s energy demands – in reality at full effect the pipeline would only contribute about 5-percent of the nation’s energy demands — and a creator of thousands of jobs for Americans (Bloomberg later reported that number to be in the region of 20 – yes, only 20).
For those that may be unaware, the Keystone XL pipeline would stretch from western Canada all the way down along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Not surprisingly, it has been met with a great deal of opposition on Capitol Hill as well as notable environmental agencies such as the Sierra Club.
As is the case in many election campaigns the slightest misstep can cause irreparable damage. Up until now, Gingrich’s outrageous comments may have fallen like flakes of snow on an otherwise lost campaign, but his latest could be the avalanche needed to bring the whole thing down.
3 cheers from the farming community to Newt. There are plenty of us that rely on a pickup truck to haul produce and ride down the rows to be sure there is food available. Not every form of produce can be picked with a combine… There are plenty of needs for gasoline engines in America and some individuals in washington whom have a financial stake in GM are crying foul. To drive gas prices up and ram electric cars down out throats will stifle the economy. btw what if a power grid failed… How would you charge your volt??? There are too many factors that rely on gasoline and until I see a mud boggin, tractor pulling electric pickup, I think the govt. is jumping the gun. And if you are a farmer chances are there is a gun rack in your truck. Us good ol boys like things that work.
The Keystone XL pipeline will create 1000’s of Canadian job, and don’t you want us good old northern neighbors to have enough money to buy Gm Volts? In fact lets do this as a straight up barter, 10,000 gallons of the good stuff for a GM volt… don’t forget the gun options and we will take as many as you got. Just toss in some old tech GMC pickup trucks for a few of our good old boys who are slow learners…
“For those that may be unaware, the Keystone XL pipeline would stretch from northeastern Canada all the way down along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Not surprisingly, it has been met with a great deal of opposition on Capitol Hill as well as notable environmental agencies such as the Sierra Club.”
To the originator….Keystone is coming from Alberta! which is a LONG ways from anything remotely tagged as “northeastern Canada”
Fixed, thanks for the catch! My brain must not have been in sync with my fingers!
This guy is a goof.
What is so shocking? Democrats like Pelosi, Reid, and a host of others are on record directly blaming Bush for high gas prices and saying he wanted it. The difference? Gingrich is a conservative.
Yes, GM made $7 billion but still owes the government (aka taxpayers) $14 billion and GM had another $13B in stock losses. Perspective is your friend.