MSNBC Interview - Transcript

Interview

MSNBC Interview With Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) (Via Telephone)

Subject: Domestic Auto Production Advocacy Interviewer: Andrea Mitchell

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MS. MITCHELL: Joining us now live on the phone, Michigan Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Governor, welcome. This is now welcome news, though, to anyone in Michigan. But how quickly and orderly do you think this bankruptcy filing will be, and what the immediate impact will be on the supply chain, you know, all those jobs in Michigan, the dealers, all the union people?

GOV. GRANHOLM: You know, it's certainly a heartbreaking end to an almost decade-long slide of manufacturing jobs from Michigan. Who would have thunk it -- as many of us are saying -- who would have thunk that our largest employer like this would be facing bankruptcy? So there is no doubt that it has an enormous impact across the state and in communities who have depended on not just GM, but the suppliers, as you say, and the dealers and the workers who are employed there.

But I can say, Andrea, that at least with the experience of Chrysler now having gone through a quick bankruptcy -- and we believe they will emerge very rapidly from that, and we're encouraged by the fact that you can see light at the end of the tunnel -- before, you know, we didn't know where this slide was going to end. It's clear now that it will not be ending in liquidation; that this will be a restructuring that will be painful, but at least we can see an end. And we know that the companies, both of them, will emerge stronger and more capable, frankly, of helping to lead the nation to energy independence. And really, that's a critical national need that the president has identified.

MS. MITCHELL: Now, in the middle of all of this, there is of course the rise of some protectionism and concerns about overseas production. We're hearing that the UAW is very concerned about GM plans to produce some subcompacts in China and bring them back into the United States. Where do you stand on that?

GOV. GRANHOLM: Yeah, you can -- I'm with them all the way. You can understand, and I think most taxpayers would understand, why they wouldn't want their taxpayers dollars to be essentially subsidizing the offshoring of jobs. And I think really, Andrea, this is the beginning -- a turning point in America for us to identify, what is it that we want to manufacture in this country?

Yes, we won't be able to manufacture everything at a price point that's competitive globally, but there are some things that we need to define that we have a critical national need to control the manufacture of. For example, if we're going to be energy independent, we should be able to control the production of the means to get us there, like the battery for the electric vehicle or other -- other products that are green products that will lead us to our national goal. Same thing that we've decided with defense. We've decided that we are not going to be driven just by price, but that we need to be manufacturing the means of our defense in this country in order to be strong nationally.

So there are some things that I think we've got ensure that we bring home or that we develop at home, even though we know we have to compete in a global economy.

MS. MITCHELL: Now, what is the counterargument, that these subcompacts can be produced now, and that eventually it will strengthen General Motors, and help all of the workers here as well as overseas?

GOV. GRANHOLM: Well, I think that there's no doubt that producing smaller vehicles, vehicles that are more energy efficient, wherever they are, is going to help General Motors. Clearly, there's going to be a -- there continues to be a rising middle class in Asia, and producing vehicles there for the use of the Asians there I think are -- is an important strategy.

But we also know that taking production from the Untied States and specifically sending it overseas, and then shipping back the cars that are going to be produced over there for our use here, that's not a strategy that's going to win not just political points, but it's not going to make us stronger as a nation if we decide that we need to have a manufacturing infrastructure.

MS. MITCHELL: Now, Governor, I do want to ask you as we leave you today about Judge Sotomayor's nomination. You were a finalist in the Supreme Court sweepstakes. Did you have a meeting with the president and talk about this, answer any questions that he had?

GOV. GRANHOLM: Well, no, I was not interviewed by the president for this -- for this position. Clearly, I know him well. But I think he has made an excellent choice. She is a phenomenal choice with tremendous intellect and incredible experience. And you know, he did the right thing. I think she is the perfect choice for this moment.

MS. MITCHELL: All right. Thank you so much, Jennifer Granholm, governor of Michigan. You've got a lot on your plate right now back home in Michigan. And we wish you and all the General Motors stakeholders the best in the coming days --

GOV. GRANHOLM: Appreciate it, Andrea.

MS. MITCHELL: -- and weeks.

END.

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