McCain Lauds Expertise of Michigan Workers
He cites experience, need for alternative fuels

By Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press
August 13, 2008

Article Excerpts:

Accompanied by Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Republican presidential candidate John McCain toured the Beaver Aerospace and Defense plant in Livonia today.

The plant, which employs about 125 people, makes ball screws and actuators, which are used in commercial and military aircraft.

McCain talked with employees and got a firsthand look at one of the large green machines that manufactures the actuators.

"Your work is so vital in maintaining the defense of this nation," he told employees gathered at the plant. "This equipment cannot fail and your record is spectacular."

McCain bashed the status quo in Washington and criticized leadership for taking a five-week vacation without approving a comprehensive energy plan.

"I'll get America's economy moving again," he said, adding that American business is having a difficult time competing in the global marketplace.

"Workers here can compete with any workers in the world, but not with one hand tied behind their back," he said. "This business is paying more in taxes than their foreign competitors."

Bob Phillips, marketing director for PSI, which is the parent company of Beaver Aerospace, gave McCain a replica of an actuator that could have been used on the planes that McCain piloted when he was in the Navy, before he got shot down in Vietnam.

"I wasn't flying very well that day," McCain quipped.

Earlier today, the crisis between Russia and Georgia dominated McCain's speech at a fund-raiser at the Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield, one of the other events McCain scheduled for Oakland County today.

The actions taken by President George W. Bush in light of the conflict -- sending humanitarian aid to Georgia and canceling training exercises with the Russians -- are good first steps, McCain said.

"But we need to stand as courageously as we can on behalf of this little country," he told about 140 people. . . .

Taking a swipe at Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, McCain said dealing with such unexpected and sudden conflicts "requires a steady and experienced hand on the tiller."

Closer to home, McCain reiterated his support for the expansion of nuclear power as a means to ensure that the United States becomes less dependent on foreign oil. He called for the development of 45 nuclear plants by 2030.

Developing a new generation of fuel-efficient automobiles also is part of the equation, he said.

"I have confidence that Detroit is very capable of developing this new kind of technology in automobiles. The most productive workers in the world live in Michigan," he said. "I believe this state can come back with new technology."

McCain acknowledged the pivotal role Michigan will play in the November election. . . .

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