OBAMA UPDATE 7: President stresses need to keep automakers viable

LORDSTOWN — President Barack Obama, in opening remarks at General Motors Lordstown, says he had a productive discussion with a hand-picked group of local autoworkers.

The president said Ohio’s unemployment rate is unacceptably high, and that the batte for America’s future will be fought in places like Warren and Youngstown.

“Every day that I step into the oval office I am thinking about you and your families, I am fighting for you and your families, and I’m gonna keep on doing it as long as I am president of the United States,” he said.

He stressed that he didn’t run for president to manage auto companies. “It was not on my to-do list,” he said.

But for him to have just let the auto industry collapse would have caused “unbelievable damage” to America’s economy.

Obama is expected to note that Lordstown is calling back a second shift of workers Oct. 5 to boost production of the Chevrolet Cobalt and prepare for the launch of GM’s next small car, the Chevrolet Cruze, in April.

GM officials hope that the Cruze, which is expected to get around 40 mpg, will be one of the vehicles that will help it win back market share it has lost to foreign automakers.

Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 in Lordstown, had previously noted that the president’s stop at the plant follows visits last year by presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and John McCain.

“We are that important, and I’m very proud of that,” Graham said.

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