Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Election 2008

Mitt and McCain Offer Differences on Car Culture

Cars in Your Blood? You May Want to Get That Checked Out

As the clock winds down on another primary contest for the Republicans, Senator John McCain and Governor Mitt Romney are offering two different visions of what they see as the future of the car industry in America.

Romney wants to bring back all the jobs Michigan has lost and blames their departure not on globalism, but on fuel efficiency standards. McCain, the only Republican candidate to recognize that global warming exists, is at least pushing legislation that would increase fuel efficiency.

Let's check in with the front runners to see what they have to say in their own words...

Mitt Romney: Just as Romney told Schieffer he is the only GOP candidate "that's got the automobile industry in my blood veins," he told the group in Southfield that he alone could remember the Motor City's glory days. "I grew up in this state," he said. "I remember when Michigan was the pride of America."

John McCain: It wasn't government's job to protect buggy factories and haberdashers when cars replaced carriages and men stopped wearing hats. But it is government's job to help workers get the education and training they need for the new jobs that will be created by new businesses in this new century.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Watch Nick Andert’s 2025 So Cal Transit Update Video

Get up to speed on what has been happening, and what transit riders can expect in the coming decades

December 22, 2025

SGV Connect 144: Annual AMA with Foothill Transit

It's the most wonderful podcast of the year

December 19, 2025

Friday Round-Up: Speed Cameras, River Path, Memorial Crosswalk, and More

Metro releases L.A. River path draft plan for comment, "large asphalt repair" video, crosswalk memorial, and speed camera programs coming soon to Glendale and Long Beach

December 19, 2025

Friday’s Headlines

L.A. River path, Santa Clarita Transit, Chevron fire, Caltrans, Metrolink, and more

December 19, 2025

They Came to Mourn. LAPD Came in Force. Now Two Men Could Face Serious Consequences Because LAPD Won’t Acknowledge They Were Wrong.

The July 7 vigil for Kenny Hall had been peaceful until LAPD arrived and began pushing people around. When peacemaker Shamond "Lil AD" Bennett tried to intervene and de-escalate LAPD, officer Evan Mott assaulted him. When Dontreal Washington protested, officers punched him in the face. Then LAPD arrested them both.

December 18, 2025
See all posts