Corker fights for Tenn. auto plant

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) is fighting to save a Tennessee GM plant that could be closed during the company’s government-mandated restructuring.

The Spring Hill GM factory, which produces the Chevrolet Traverse, is in danger of closure because it’s located farther from suppliers than other plants that could perform the same duties.

The Detroit Free Press reported on Friday that Corker, a critic of government bailouts and President Obama’s plan to restructure the autos, is “fighting like a Michigan Democrat” to save the jobs in Spring Hill.

“Over the last few weeks, Corker–in a news release, in interviews and in a column in the Tennessean newspaper–has argued that in a fair fight, the GM Spring Hill plant, which makes the popular midsize Chevrolet Traverse SUV, would be a survivor,” the Free press reported.

Corker wrote a column in the Tennessean newspaper pledging to save the plant despite his general opposition to bailouts. “Regardless of what got us here, the members of the UAW across Tennessee are my constituents, and though they may have disagreed with my approach this fall, there should be no doubt that I want the very best for them, their families, and the many people throughout our state who depend on the auto industry,” Corker wrote.

When Obama originally announced the government’s intervention to help the auto industry, Corker publicly worried that plant closures might be decided on a political basis.

“It will be interesting to see if the administration makes these decisions based on a red state and blue state strategy, or based on efficiency and capable, skilled workers at each plant,” Corker said. “If they use the latter, our GM plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, should do very well.”