John McCain Thinks Chrysler Will Go Bankrupt, Goes Back On His Word

Incumbent U.S. Senator from Arizona, and of course former presidential candidate, John McCain has harsh words for the USD 80 billion (RM 269 billion) auto industry bailout, singling out Chrysler. “I don't think we ever should have bailed out Chrysler and General Motors”, he said to The Detroit News. “We should have let them go into bankruptcy, emerge and become viable corporations again”.

He piled the blame on the unions, saying “The unions didn't want to have their very generous contracts renegotiated so we put $80 billion into both General Motors and Chrysler, and anybody believes that Chrysler is going to survive, I'd like to meet them”.

This is not the first time McCain voiced his criticism: In April, he mentioned how “Lenin would be smiling” had the Russian socialist leader known of the bailout.

As we see it, everyone is entitled opinions. Politicians, in particular, should form informed opinions, and be able to put them across convincingly—which McCain does. One tiny thing, however: the 73-year-old supported the bailout of auto workers and industry during 2008's U.S. presidential campaign. Now, a year later, he stands at the complete opposite side. To us, either he is suffering from amnesia (which is likely given his age) or he is just playing politician—pandering to public opinion without any of his own.