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Obama Running On Empty

"Today, Senator Barack Obama will roll into Los Angeles to discuss carbon fuel standards.  With a record of virtually no accomplishment, Senator Obama seems poised to take his criticism of U.S. Automakers for another spin. 

"In Detroit, Senator Obama demonstrated his lack of knowledge about the auto industry.  After stating that Japanese cars averaged 45 miles per gallon, a Toyota spokesperson refuted that claim and noted, ‘I am not sure where he got that figure.  No carmaker gets 45 Mpg.  Ours is closer to 30 Mpg.' 

"Senator Obama's tissue-thin experience seems to have the Obama campaign running on empty." 

Hector M. Barajas, Communications Director, California Republican Party

Obama Rolls Into Los Angeles Today To Discuss Fuel Standards. "Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, second in the Democratic field, will visit a Brentwood gas station late this morning to call for national low-carbon fuel standards." ("Fred Thompson To Appear On 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno'," Los Angeles Daily News, 6/12/07)            

The Last Time Obama Talked About Fuel Standards, He Cruised Into Detroit To Blast The U.S. Auto Industry:

Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Was "Very Disappointed" By Obama's Criticism Of The U.S. Auto Industry. "Ford Motor Co. executive chairman Bill Ford said he was ‘very disappointed' in the criticism U.S. Sen. Barack Obama dished out at the domestic auto industry during a recent visit to Detroit." (David Shepardson, "Bill Ford Disappointed With Obama's Comments, Criticizes Fuel Economy Efforts," The Detroit News, 5/31/07)

• Ford Said He'd "Love To Invite" Obama To A Chicago Assembly Plant To See Where Ford Makes Vehicles More Efficient Than The Vehicle Obama Used To Drive. "‘I would love to invite him to our Chicago assembly plant in his state and see where we make a vehicle that's more efficient than the one he's currently driving,' Ford said to applause during a speech this afternoon at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference." (David Shepardson, "Bill Ford Disappointed With Obama's Comments, Criticizes Fuel Economy Efforts," The Detroit News, 5/31/07)

Obama "Embarrassed Himself In Detroit" With His "Lack Of Understanding" Of The U.S. Auto Industry's Problems:

The Detroit News Lambasted Obama For His "Lack Of Understanding Of The Problems Facing The Automobile Industry." "Michigan Democrats should keep his words in mind as they sort out the presidential field. Sen. Obama embarrassed himself in Detroit with his lack of understanding of the problems facing the automobile industry, and what it will really take to fix them. On this issue, he lacks substance." (Editorial, "Obama's Auto 'Solutions' Won't Help The Industry,"The Detroit News, 5/8/07)

• The Detroit News: "Maybe Obama hasn't noticed that General Motors Corp has 23 models that get more than 30 miles per gallon. And what exactly is he seeing in Toyota, with its aggressive push into large trucks and SUVs? Obama seems to be more schooled in myths than in reality when it comes to auto making. Obama says he's not singling out Detroit's automakers, but wants them to understand that their bad business decisions have gotten them into this mess. But for their interest in satisfying consumer demand, they'd be better off financially, apparently." (Editorial, "Obama's Auto 'Solutions' Won't Help The Industry," The Detroit News, 5/8/07)

Obama's Lack Of Knowledge About Fuel Standards Didn't Stop Him From Criticizing The U.S. Auto Industry:

Obama Demonstrated His Lack Of Knowledge About The Auto Industry By Stating That Japanese Cars Averaged 45 Miles Per Gallon. "‘While our fuel standards haven't moved from 27.5 miles per gallon in two decades, both China and Japan have surpassed us, with Japanese cars now getting an average of 45 miles to the gallon,' Obama said." (Jim Mateja, "Obama Finds Easy Target In U.S. Auto Firms," Chicago Tribune, 5/11/07)

• Toyota Spokesman Refuted Obama's Mistake: "I'm Not Sure Where He Got That Figure. No Carmaker Gets 45 Mpg. Ours Is Closer To 30 Mpg." "‘I'm not sure where he got that figure,' Toyota spokesman Mike Michels said. ‘No carmaker gets 45 mpg. Ours is closer to 30 mpg.' (Jim Mateja, "Obama Finds Easy Target In U.S. Auto Firms," Chicago Tribune, 5/11/07)

• "If Elected President, Perhaps Obama's First Appointment Should Be A Fact-Checker." (Jim Mateja, "Obama Finds Easy Target In U.S. Auto Firms," Chicago Tribune, 5/11/07)