MSNBC Interview - Transcript
Interview
MSNBC Interview - Transcript
MSNBC INTERVIEW WITH MICHIGAN GOVERNOR JENNIFER GRANHOLM (D)
SUBJECT: UPCOMING SUPREME COURT VACANCY; THE AUTO INDUSTRY
INTERVIEWER: ANDREA MITCHELL
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MS. MITCHELL: And amongst a host of names being floated right now, Michigan's Democratic governor. Governor Jennifer Granholm now joins me from Detroit.
And so you didn't have enough on your plate with the auto industry, Governor, now everyone's talking about you as a possible nominee for the Supreme Court. It's well known that presidents have talked -- this president has talked during the campaign about having someone who has real-life experience. That fits you to a tee. You're an elected official. You're not on some ivory tower. Would you consider it?
GOV. GRANHOLM: Well, let me just say this, Andrea. When you and I, our offices talked about me being on, this David Souter's story did not break. So I really am not -- (laughs) --
MS. MITCHELL: (Laughs.) No, I know, I know.
GOV. GRANHOLM: I am so not prepared to be talking about that story. I'm really focused on Chrysler and what's happening with the auto industry and what it means for Michigan.
MS. MITCHELL: And we will talk about that, but let me just --
GOV. GRANHOLM: And that's what I intend to go forward.
MS. MITCHELL: I understand completely, and it's the nature of the news business. But I know you're aware of these developments and how important it is nationally. And just whether or not the Supreme Court is something that you would consider, rule out, or just put on the side until the president makes his choice?
GOV. GRANHOLM: Well, I can just tell you this, Andrea. I've said repeatedly, you know, there's been a lot of speculation over the -- you know, since the president was elected about, you know, my future, at least in Michigan, from the people who care about it -- there very few people who care about it -- (chuckles) -- and I always say that I'm really focused on being governor of Michigan because we are going through such a crisis at this moment. And I really intend to serve out the rest of my term.
MS. MITCHELL: Well, let's get to what we initially invited you on to talk about, and, of course, that's Chrysler. What is a surgical bankruptcy? What if the bankruptcy judge doesn't go along with the program? I mean, this could stretch out. This is not a done deal by any means.
GOV. GRANHOLM: Right. No, and I don't think anyone would suggest that it's a done deal. But certainly for us as a state, the fact that many of the parties have already agreed and that it's an opportunity for a judge to ratify those agreements -- of course, we know the holdouts were those hedge-fund operators, and they will be dealt with in bankruptcy court. But for us, what the president gave us yesterday, Andrea, is certainty. And believe me, that is a great gift. We know that Chrysler will survive, that jobs will be saved, that pensioners' pensions will be protected. That all for us is very good. And now it allows us to move forward.
General Motors, obviously, we've got another little bit of time before that shoe drops. But while this is tough certainly for the families of those who are affected in those plants that are hibernating for the next couple of months -- but as we go through bankruptcy, the knowledge that the jobs will be there on the backside of that bankruptcy is very significant for us.
MS. MITCHELL: What will be the impact on consumers, though? How do you expect people to go in -- whether it takes a month, two months or longer -- to go in, buy the products, and be told that their warranties will work? I mean, this has a terrible impact on sales of these --
GOV. GRANHOLM: Well --
MS. MITCHELL: -- vehicles at the very worst possible time.
GOV. GRANHOLM: The concern that we've always had is, how do you ensure that you create demand in particular for an automobile when that company may have gone into bankruptcy? But the president went a long way in assuring people in the past two times that he's spoken about this, that the warranties will be guaranteed, that people do not have to worry about whether they can get their parts serviced, et cetera. They will be serviced. And that is a very important step.
But also, he said, buy American. I mean, folks, this is our taxpayer dollar that's going into shoring up the manufacturing industry, and really, these are your neighbors. These are your family members who will be building these cars and building the cars of the future and making us energy independent. Let's buy and support those American automakers and those cars, particularly Chrysler, as the president said yesterday.
And of course the Congress is considering his cash for clunkers bill, which will allow people to turn in their older vehicle and buy a new, more fuel efficient vehicle, one that we believe will be made in America. All of that, I think, will be very helpful.
MS. MITCHELL: All right. Jennifer Granholm, thank you very much, Michigan governor --
GOV. GRANHOLM: Thanks, Andrea.
MS. MITCHELL: -- as we look at the Chrysler bankruptcy and what's coming forward for all of those workers and suppliers in the next couple of months.
END.
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