The U.S. automakers are again asking Congress for money, and public opinion thus far has been surprisingly negative about the prospect of more loans. So it really caught my ear when I heard Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm talk about the need for the loans on the NPR program Day to Day.
Granholm put on a clinic on how to handle the spokesperson role. If you’ve ever done it, you know how hard it is. Of course she was articulate and empathetic. But more than that, she framed the issue in a way that puts Americans – not the car companies – first. I suggest you click, listen and follow along. And learn. The interview runs just under eight minutes.
Here are Granholm’s main points:
Frame it as an investment – the loan helps our economy, keeps people working, and helps the auto makers transition to a new economic environment with new (green) products.
Energy independence – the loan will help create American energy independence.
There will be blood – Granholm acknowledges that the auto industry is prepared to accept some downsizing, some loss of jobs. That takeway? The industry is sacrificing, just as all Americans are also sacrificing in this down economy.
Empathy – she shows acknowledges the pain caused by the transition in the auto industry. Many of the soon-to-be unemployed are Michigan residents.
Hang the problem on someone else – in this case, the financial industry, whose careless investments in housing have crashed, taking down the entire American economy. “We’re victims, too.”
Acknowledge past mistakes – shows humility, that the industry is capable of recognizing and learning from past mistakes.
Dire consequences – without the loan, it’s “game over” for Detroit, says Granholm. It will also bring up to three million lost jobs on the industry. Again, mostly in Michigan.
Reiterate the key point – It’s a loan, not a giveaway. Again, in contrast with the financial industry. She also brought up the case of Chrysler in the 1980s, which repaid its loan in full and with $300 million in interest to U.S. taxpayers.
Granholm is better suited to taking the case of the auto industry to the hill because:
- she’s smart, well informed and articulate
- she’s not from within the auto industry (for example, doesn’t go to meetings by private jet)
- is able to tell the bigger story
There are many reasons to take issue with loaning more than $35 billion to the U.S. auto industry. Kudos to Jennifer Granholm for effectively representing why the loans would be good for America.
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