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Republican Leaders Criticize Obama's Take On Certain Mich. Issues

LANSING (WWJ) - Republican leaders in Michigan are thankful that our state is on the president's radar, but there are still a few issues they are critically judging.

Michigan GOP Chairman Bobby Schostak said the party is particularly still disappointed about the government's handling of GM and Chrysler.

"The auto bailout was welcomed dollars, nobody can argue that. However, a bankruptcy should be managed and handled in the capital markets, not through government intervention."

Schostak also criticized President Barack Obama for the South Korea Free Trade Agreement, saying it should have been in place two years ago.

"This should have been one of the first orders of business when he took office. It was there, ready to go and it's frustrating because instead, we spent nearly a trillion dollars on a stimulus plan which, you know, at best is languishing, at best has produced no jobs. And here is a trade agreement that could have immediately been a jump-start to the Michigan economy."

Citing a recent EPIC-MRA poll where 61 percent of Michigan voters gave the president a negative job rating, Schostak said Obama won't win re-election next year if he can't win over Michigan voters.

"That's a tough pill for Obama to swallow in a state that he absolutely must win. So, what he's really doing here is he's coming to Michigan, again on a campaign stop, to get reelected in a state that's going to be critical for not only him but for the U.S. Senate race."

Schostak and Republican National Committee Political Director Rick Wiley are predicting a U.S. Senate win over Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow next year. She was among those who publicly supported the government's auto loans.

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