McCain holds campaign event in Detroit area factory


By Tom Troy, Toledo Blade
July 11, 2008

BELLEVILLE, Mich. – Amid giant metal stamp machines that produce metal car parts, Republican presidential candidate John McCain sought to convince undecided voters that he’s their candidate.

Mr. McCain attacked his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, repeatedly as "Dr. No," calling him an opponent of off-shore drilling and expanded nuclear power who will raise taxes and make government bigger.

The Arizona senator said he disagreed with Sen. Phil Gramm, one of his top economic advisors, who was quoted in a published report Thursday that as saying the United States is in a "mental recession" and that the U.S. has become "a nation of whiners."

Asked if Mr. Gramm is likely to be appointed to a top economic post, such as treasury secretary if he is elected, Mr. McCain said, "Senator Gramm would be in serious consideration for ambassador to Belarus, although I’m not sure the residents of Minsk would welcome that."

The event was held in a suburban Detroit manufacturing facility, Bayloff Stamped Products. Many of the approximately 200 participants were employees of Bayloff. In addition, there was a contingent of parts manufacturers from around the state who expressed concern about enforcing international trade pacts that allow economic competitors like China to manipulate their currencies.

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