Romney ‘Delighted’ GM is Profitable, Credits Managed Bankruptcy

(Image Credit: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Hours after General Motors announced that it earned its highest profit in its storied history last year, Mitt Romney said he is “delighted” at its success and took credit for the managed bankruptcy that helped to rescue the struggling corporation, saying he “recommended [it] from the very beginning.”
“I love the businesses of this state, I love the auto industry. I want to see it thrive and grow,” said Romney, speaking at a luncheon at the Greater Farmington-Livonia Chamber of Commerce. “I’m glad it went through a managed bankruptcy process, which I recommended from the very beginning, to shed unnecessary costs and get its footing again. I’m delighted it’s profitable.”
“In my view, this auto industry can continue to lead the world and must continue to lead the world to keep Detroit with a vibrant and prosperous future,” said Romney.
GM reported today earning $7.6 billion in 2011, a 62 percent increase from 2010. GM and Chrysler received approximately $80 billion in bailout money from the Bush and Obama administrations; each filed for bankruptcy in 2009.
Romney, long an opponent of the auto bailout, has said the program was an example of “crony capitalism” by the Obama administration, which sought to reward union bosses.
Romney also officially received the endorsement of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder during the luncheon, which took place just 17 miles from Bloomfield Hills, the suburb where Romney was raised.
“This governor has put together a strong plan, a jobs and economic growth plan that I strongly support,” said Snyder in his endorsement. “Another great thing though that is just icing on the cake. We have the right man here to help lead our country, but there’s a special bonus. He was born and raised a Michigander. He understands our state. He’s one of us. And that’s another area of particular pride.”

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Here go with Mitt again; he was definitely against the bailout, now he’s for managed bankruptcy (that was included in the bailout).
Mitts just sorry GM didn’t go broke so he and Bain could strip the assets, lay off thousands of employees and sell GM to the Chinese.
Posted by: tmferretti | February 16, 2012, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Nice try Willard. FYI, if you get picked as president, ‘managed bankruptcy’ isn’t an option. Your corporate raider experience wouldn’t serve you in the White House…..
Posted by: Disgusted with gop | February 16, 2012, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
HUH??? He was against the “bailout” and now he says he was in favor of it? As for the Governor of Michigan, I have not read too much good about him – especially his “Emergency manager” appointments. It seems mostly minority cities with Democratic councils, etc are being taken over. He is single-handedly doing away with the entire Democratic process with these appointments because the managers take total control of the cities/towns.
Posted by: PKSK531 | February 16, 2012, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
Sorry MITT, we have you on record. You are worse than my daughters kite twisting and turning in the air currents.
Posted by: MiketheElectrician | February 16, 2012, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
Corporations who file for bankruptcy unload their debt…this means that thousands of small companies GM owed money to won’t get paid or will get 10 cents on the Dollar (if they’re lucky). In effect, a company who files for bankruptcy effectively screws everyone out of the money they are owed and it is never paid. The next day, the company comes back with 0 debt and holds a press conference saying they are a “New” company. Companies should NOT be allowed to file for bankruptcy, if they can’t survive then they should close their doors and use the selling off of assets to pay those they owe money to. Incredible that Romney actually admits he helped GM manage their bankruptcy! He’s proud that he helped GM stiff thousands of people out of the money they needed to be paid and now they never will see a dime of it.
Posted by: RalphF | February 16, 2012, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
What a LYING bag of hot air MITT has become. So, after he WANTS GM to FAIL completely by NOT getting ANY money from the Government and his voice is on record saying just that, HIS idea WOULD have seen GM totally go under and he’d have been just fine with that. BUT, now that we SEE what a success came from what President Obama did, he tries to SPIN things so that HE can try to take credit for it. Now, I’m SURE I don’t even want to see this LIAR run in November. He can’t keep HIS set in mercury style CEMENT ideas from changing from one STUPID line to the next. See you later Mitt, you’re DONE!!!
Posted by: demNme5 | February 16, 2012, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
TM….. GM only shows a profit in the US, has losses in south America and Europe, the only thing that helped GM is the Tsunami which interrupted Honda and Toyotas supply line. Now GM is planning to give bonuses of $7000 to every UNION worker, but not pay back a DIME to the US taxpayer. What will happen to GM when Honda and Toyota are back at full speed.
Posted by: Lizzie | February 16, 2012, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
I credit free taxpayer money. Time to pony up GM! And no welching for Obama campaign donations.
Posted by: newcountryman | February 16, 2012, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
Mitt Romney is one of the biggest sleaze bags on the planet, he runs almost neck to neck with Newt, as far as him driving a Canadian built Chrysler in his BULL CRAP political ads, what else would you expect from such a huge hypocrite.
I thought GW Bush was the worst President we have ever had, but if Mitt was to be elected, Gdub would end up looking like a saint, Mitt Romney is the most wishy washy person I have ever seen, he is nothing but a yes man. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were to change political parties just because he thinks it’s the only way he could win an election. The best thing for ol Mitt to do after he loses is to go away and never show his face in a political arena again.
Posted by: mikeinReddingCa | February 16, 2012, 8:10 pm 8:10 pm
I find it amazing how Mitt Romney thinks he can lie and think we are too stupid to not know better. With his lies, he’s just digging his hole deeper and will not win the state of Michigan. After he loses the state of Michigan, his home state, he will no chance of winning the presidency.
Posted by: jack9877 | February 17, 2012, 9:04 am 9:04 am
MI GOP voters are intelligent. They know how Romney did and what he said. In a state where 4 out of every 5 households are dependent upon the health of the auto industry in some way or another, Romney has as much chance of winning in 18 days as I do – none.
In accordance with the insane GOP policy of opposing everything Obama proposes, Romney opposed the auto bailouts which workked. Now these bailouts are largely repaid, payroll taxes are flowing in and MI economy has improved. All Romney and Santorum can do is to pay this picture as negative as possible.
Posted by: Bob Ramos | February 17, 2012, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
The anger I felt last night when I saw your broadcast all but levitated me out of my chair. I feel as if this company, General Motors, screwed me twice. Professionally, this company, along with the other automakers, make their suppliers bend over daily to cut prices to the point where we can’t even pay our employees a fair wage, offer benefits, let alone pay a bonus. Personally, this company, General Motors, took my personal income to stay afloat and out of bankruptcy without my permission. Now they have the audacity to pay bonuses to their employees BEFORE paying me back?? I will NEVER, EVER purchase a GM vehicle — NEVER, EVER. They get my money from both ends AND I have to pay for the vaseline!!
Posted by: Beth | February 17, 2012, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
what a wonderful example of the corp spin machine – I’m glad to see the above comments showing the wool will not be pulled over all eyes. Shame on you ABC Non news!! Mitt is a lier – the one year of income we do know about was, I believe $57,000 per day without even getting out of bed. Only paying 15 % tax – if that!! The one per-centers have been taking advantage too long!!
Posted by: Tom P | February 19, 2012, 10:54 pm 10:54 pm