Auto Bailout Foe Corker Visits Detroit Auto Show

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the lawmaker whose resistance to a bailout for automakers spearheaded the legislation’s failure in the Senate, made the gutsy move of showing up this week at the annual Detroit auto show.

Corker decided to go to the show after Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox (R), who is mulling a run for governor, invited lawmakers to the yearly showcase of the latest concept cars. The Tennessee Senator appeared despite having earned the enmity of some Detroiters through his opposition to bridge loans for the companies and support for wage concessions by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.

“I realize that I’m not popular here,” Corker said, reported by the Detroit Free Press, “but I’m proud of the effort I put forth.”

According to the Free Press, Corker visited with GM’s President, and spent time visiting exhibits by both foreign and domestic automakers.

Corker said he flew coach class on Northwest Airlines to the Motor City.