Schwarzenegger as campaign ad in Mich. |
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Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:17
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WASHINGTON (AP) - A Michigan congressman is defending the U.S. auto industry against calls for increased fuel efficiency by criticizing a famous foe of global warming: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.Republican Rep. Joe Knollenberg's re-election campaign placed a billboard along a busy interstate in Detroit that reads, 'Arnold to Michigan: Drop Dead!' It shows a grim-looking picture of the actor-turned-politician and draws attention to a Knollenberg's Web site.'Michigan and the Big Three are being unfairly bullied by politicians who have no understanding of auto manufacturing,' Knollenberg said Thursday in a statement.Knollenberg said he 'picked on Schwarzenegger because he's a perfect symbol of a bully and because he has become the Republican Al Gore.'A spokeswoman for the Republican governor said, 'it's unfortunate that this congressman doesn't understand the serious threat that our country faces because of greenhouse gas emissions.'Schwarzenegger's work was 'allowing the auto industry to move into the future instead of this kind of backward thinking that will negatively impact job growth and the economy,' spokesman Aaron McLear said.The congressman, whose district includes the headquarters of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group and several major auto suppliers, has criticized President Bush's proposal to raise federal fuel economy standards for new passenger vehicles.Knollenberg contends it would lead to massive job losses in the domestic auto industry.Schwarzenegger signed the nation's first statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions last year and has supported a California law passed in 2002 regulating tailpipe standards for automobiles. Automakers have sued the state, asserting the rule is a de facto mandate on fuel economy standards, which can be set only by the federal government.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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