auto manufacturing plants it all started when the united auto workers union targeted it to g.m. plants and workers showed up at work and sat down inside so that new workers can come in to replace them had nearly shut down the company and before long other plants followed suit and it did take a while but they got the attention finally of the big boys the heads of the automakers. now let's fast forward to today especially this year many of these same issues about working conditions and workers' rights will come up again as the subject is unions of course back up for debate of course and to union wisconsin governor scott walker faces a recall election a couple in a couple months because of his policies but as we said here many states across the country are working hard to dismantle the rights that so many fight for today and also fought for seventy five years ago take a look. it started in late december nineteenth thirty six workers that two general motors plants in flint michigan found their working conditions unbearable long hours no time for bathroom breaks and excessively cold

united auto worker president job king is here to talk about the jobs and a famous sit-com star wants to be your commander in chief. you are in the war room. come on inside. >>> its way too soon for them to start singing "let the good times roll" but new economic numbers are boosting president obama's re-election bid. a drop in the unemployment rate. it's now at 8.3% which is the lowest it has been in nearly three years. the u.s. economy added more than 2240,000 new jobs in january. that's nearly 100,000 more than many economists predicted. returning veterans got some good economic news. unemployment among their ranks stands at 9.1% and last year it was at 15.2%. huge drop. now, investors took the jobs news and ran with it. the dow jones industrial average if you haven't heard closed up 156 points at 12,862, a post-recession high. speaking of the jobs for veterans ent today, president obama warned the economy is still fragile. >> the economy is growing stronger. the recovery is speeding up. we have got to do everything in our power to keep it going. we can't go back to the policies th

on the issue of labor unions, president obama speaking before washington, united auto workers, conference in washington likely to be talking about auto bailout. what else does he need to say to the united auto workers? >> number one every worker must have the right to baai

the folks who were in trouble were united auto workers. and the economy's united auto workers refused to make changes in procedures and costs. and the management went along with them. i think that that was exactly the kind of problem that was best solved in a bankruptcy proceeding where the reality of the law forced them. they got less change this way. still have a highest cost structure. i think in that sense this was not as good of an approach. and it was a bad example of the obama administration intervening to pick winners and losers. they picked the united auto workers to win. they picked all of the bondholders to lose. i think that's very dangerous. i think you want the legal process to go forward, not a political process. >> the problem according to those that were involved in this very closely with this idea of a managed bankruptcy is that nobody was prepared to put any money up for this. there was no private equity money available. and in the end, if the government hadn't intervened, you could have easily seen chrysler, gm go under.

with the united auto workers president, bob king and michigan congressman gary peters. >> i deserve a second term but we're not done. >> new poll numbers show the american people agree with that statement. e.j. dionne and joan walsh. >>> racism rears its head in a republican super bowl ad. the candidate behind the ad isn't backing down. >> the economy get very weak. ours get very good. we take your jobs, thank you debbie spend it now. >>> good to have you with us. thanks for watching, we come to you from minnesota where the caucus is tomorrow, this is the big story tonight. it basically is the ad the entire country is talking about, for a good reason. the chrysler commercial with clint eastwood i think speaks for itself. >> it's halftime. both teams are in their locker room discussing what they can do to win the game in the second half. it's halftime in america, too. people are out of work and they are hurting, and all wondering what they will do to make a comeback. we're all scared because this isn't the game. >> the first 30 seconds of that ad so powerful, i mean did you notice it w

from arrest hard. >> bob: a lot of presidents adapt from the geography they're in. >> dana: united auto workers in washington, d.c.? >> bob: well, get in the auto workers and who they are. it's fair to say if you took a whole speech he gave, he was saying basically that he was complimenting america about people trying to see that everybody has a fair shake going up. he did say if you believe for a second that there aren't people, some people, small percentage to get to top who want people not to get to the top because they sell stuff to people on the bottom. >> greg: you can't paint an entire group of people because there are greedy jerks. speaking of, eric -- i'm kidding. >> eric: funny. >> greg: you analyze the speech and you saw something few people noticed. >> eric: yesterday i was listening to the speech, fox didn't take the speech. i was watching it on msnbc and my jaw is dropping. picked up the phone and called the producers and say we have to take the speech. there is some important things in this. they sent me a transcript, prerelease transcript copy of the speech. let me read what he

. >> president obama addressing the united auto workers union in the district today. he addressed more than 1600 active and retired members of the labor union a short time ago. this comes on the heels of reports that car and truck sales are surging in the u.s. that has resulted in automaker is adding shifts and hiring thousands of workers around the country just three years after the u.s. auto industry was near collapse. >> coming up on abc 7 news -- >> i knew something right away that it's not right. >> emergency landing on the runway. audiotapes of show just how calm the pilot was under pressure. >> and a man stranded at sea. this sounds familiar for some cruise ship passengers the. >> back to the ballroom. who will you root for on the next round of dancing? >> we knew it could not last forever. talking about the warm temperatures and maybe sunshine. >> a landing that caused major delays at a busy airport last night. a commuter plane skidded to a stop on its belly at newark airport on a runway covered in salt. passengers and crew forced to scramble from emergency ch

united auto workers president responded saying in part "whether we were at our darkest hour, mitt romney turned his back on the industry. their workers and the people of michigan, and in other place where americans depend on the auto industry." romney is scheduled to speak in detroit on february 24th. >>> president obama is speaking out after reversing his stance on the use of super pac funds in the upcoming election. the president insists he's against the practice, but says he's not going to sit on the sidelines while opponents reap the rewards. >> the challenge we've got is we've got some of the super pacs pledged to spend up to half a billion dollars to try to buy this election and what i've said consistently is we're not going to unilaterally disarm, what we have said my strong preference would be to completely eliminate that super pac process, but we're not going to just let a whole bunch of folks who are not only self-interested but aren't always disclosing what their contributions are, to be able to simply purchase an election. >> we should learn the details later today of a compr

. >>> and president obama will talk to a group of united auto workers in washington, d.c.to his re-election. it is interesting with the timing of the big vote in michigan today. we have our deputy political editor here this morning, good morning. >> good morning. >> what do we expect to hear from the president? >> obviously, this is definitely going to highlight the fact that he supported the auto bailout. it will be one more time and just kouns accidentally happens to been to the same day as the michigan primary. mitt romney was against the auto bailout and santorum also would have been against the bailout. the president also will talk about steps to make the economic recovery last. economic equality in the economy and preserving the middle class is something you'll really hear the president touch on. because the unions are really key to his re-election. >> it's funny how this coincidence happened. and it is interesting talking to voters of the polling places how much this bailout situation and mitt romney, not only speaks so forcefully, but writing the campaign and defen

tonight's lead, president obama kicks it into high gear in a fiery speech to the united auto workers. the president slammed mitt romney on the auto bailout just as michigan voters headed to the polls in that state's critical gop primary. >> i've got to admit, it's been funny to watch some of these folks completely try to rewrite history now that you're back on your feet. [ cheers and applause ] the same folks who said if we went forward with our plan to rescue detroit, you can kiss the american automotive industry good-bye. now they're saying, we were right all along. [ laughter ] [ applause ] >> the president also reminded voters of what would have happened under romney's plan. >> the other option was to do absolutely nothing and let these companies fail. and you recall there were some politicians who said we should do that. [ crowd booing ] some even said we should let detroit go bankrupt. [ crowd booing ] you remember that? >> turns out president obama is the one who was right all along and who brought automakers from the brink of disaster to record-breaking success. >> three years

states, president obama being cheered on today during a barn burner of a speech before the united auto worker ins washington. that was earlier today. while romney and santorum pointed out for michigan, the president was reminding everyone, including the workers out there, that he rescued the car industry. can this fiery, populous message fuel obama's chances in the 2012 race? well, that answers itself. i think msnbc political analysts are still with us. howard, being a student of musical theater, as you are, you must remember that that was the great line from how to succeed in business. i believe in you. i can't believe that that wasn't from that play. this i believe in you, he was smart enough to give the workers out there the credit for the comeback of that industry and not brag on it having done it himself. >> well, one level, chris, that was the beginning of the fall campaign where you had the president really, although he was speaking to the united auto workers in washington, really aiming at michigan, aiming to play to get in the mix there. they had advertising on in michigan. so they w

while santorum and romney slugged it out in michigan, president obama addressed the united auto workersn d.c., arrogant, down right cocky, we report, you decides. >> i got to get in a brand new chevy volt fresh off the line even though secret service wouldn't let me drive it. i liked sitting in it. it was nice. i bet it drives real good. and five years from now when i'm not president anymore, i'll buy one and drive it myself. [applause] >> well, that's not true. and the president, he will always be driven around in a secret service limo. >> and driving around like-- >> well, he doesn't own like a ranch and somewhere he can drive it around. -- >> let's see, dana, when he loses reelection if he purchases one, something tells me-- >> he's good though. >> the point, he's saying the truth. nobody buys a volt as their primary car. it's their second car, third car, or fourth car. which means, it only adds another piece of ugly machinery to the streets. no one makes it their primary car, it's a joke car, a clown car to keep in the back yard for your kids. >> or a golf car. >> and maybe a golf c

at the united auto worker's conference, the president took time to speak about the success of an auto industry who was once on the verge of bankruptcy. >> it's been funny to watch some of these folks completely try to rewrite history now that you are back on your feet. [ cheers and applause ] >> the same folks who said if we went forward with our plan to rescue detroit you can kiss the american automotive industry good-bye. now they are saying we are were right all along. >> 43% of michigan voters said they supported the rescue and only 51% were opposed, the republicans. >> manufacturing is coming back for the first time since the 1990s. companies are bringing jobs back from overseas. the economy is getting stronger. the recovery is speeding up. now it's time to keep our foot on the gas, not foot on the breaks, and i'm not going to settle with a country where just a few do really well and everybody else is struggling to get by! [ cheers and applause ] >> but others are not so positive. in a piece titled housing is the core of the recovery,: and joining me now is robert ryshe, the form

. >> the united auto workers will be holding a two-day conference in washington today and tomorrow. president obama speaks before that union today. go to c-span.org for more details on our coverage. let's go to jeff next will he's a republican in michigan. jeff, how are you going to vote today? >> caller: i'm going to probably vote republican for mitt romney. >> okay. why is that? >> caller: well, the obama administration is clearly not working. i was watching this program where they say the economy is strong. it's fa ar from strong. he seems to have pretty much the same ideas on bailouts as i do. that's where i'm going. >> congressman? >> the economy is improving. people are going back to work. most importantly people are seeing a way to manage their debt, be able to stay in their homs. the president has also taken on student loan debt, which i think is the worst type of debt because it robs people of the ability to get the education that we need in order to compete for these jobs globally. and finally, by taking the leadership to provide health insurance to over a million michigan

story today writing about the president's appearance here in washington before the uaw, the united auto workers with its national community action program. the conference is here in our nation's capital. the detroit free press says the president delivered a rousing, combative speech today for a government intervention that he said helped save the american auto industry and promises to battle on to protect the rights of workers. the timing and mood of this speech was notable writes the detroit free press as the president delivered it to 1600 members here in the nation's capital. a moment ago voters in michigan helping to decide the republican nominee. here's more from the president earlier today here in washington. >> maybe the naysayers finally come around. goit to admit, it's been funny to watch some of these folks completely try to rewrite history now that you're back on your feet. the same folks who said if we went forward with our plan to rescue detroit, you can kiss the american automotive sfri good-bye. they say we were right all along. or you have followings saying the real problem is th

about a member of the automotive task force telling general motors to coordinate with the uaw, united auto workers, about the pending termination of pension plans of which gm is responsible. at a minimum, this could get messy and the uaw should probably be brought into the loop. now, having served on a lot of dealer councils and being part of ad groups where we try to get the message out about how great our cars were and how good our deals were and how you could trust the general motors dealer and the general motors product. walk me through some of that stuff because it is, again, perception is reality. this hearing today is not about the chevy volt. this hearing is about nhtsa. what did they know, when did they know it, when did they let you know it? as i believe we've always had a great partnership, my dad started in '53 after being a parts picker in the warehouse. my relationship with general motors has never been cloudy. it's always been clear and transparent. i know which side of the table i sit. i am not a manufacturer or distributor, i actually sell these cars. but when you look at these th

president obama couldn't help himself went after both romney and santorum today fiery speech at the united auto workers going to. folks who say if we went forward with our plan to rescue detroit you can kiss the american automotive industry goodbye. now they're saying we were going out i. know you got folks saying well the real problem is what we really disagreed with was the worst they all made out like bandits. just the same the going to sue is just not paying back to you it's. really exciting even by the standards of this town that's a load of you know what and we'll see which candidate is low to you know what pushes them to victory tonight and should romney prevail and he has one special person to thank this guy. that's think progress uncovered ron paul has never once attacked mitt romney in any of the twenty republican debates the guy hasn't said a one cross word about romney at all but paul has routinely attacked romney's rival candidates thirty nine times in fact prompting the santorum campaign to accuse paul and romney of working together so does that mean that the libertarian rabble has actual

february eleventh one thousand nine hundred thirty seven a deal was struck recognizing the united auto workers which had only been formed the year before as the exclusive bargaining representatives to g.m.'s employees they. shortly after a local business weekly declared the revolution is here. christine freeze out here are tea. well switching gears a major announcement by fox business network they are dropping three of their primetime shows including the show freedom watch hosted by judge an apology for to watch was one of the top rated shows on fox business channel and so far there hasn't really been a reason given for the cancellation and according to a fox press release freedom watch will be replaced by re airings of shows run earlier in the day. i want to talk more about this but first let's take a look at a few clips of judgment that will give you a peak of his show and his you point in what he has done and in what he willed become the thomas jefferson of our day ron paul is one of us. but senators mccain and eleven of the added this legislation which would authorize the president to decl

interesting because he has so many ties to the flint sit down strike and he today is a number of the united auto workers union works you know long days on the assembly line and he said that. one of the problems that he sees is he doesn't see that kind of solidarity happening today because of what you call you know the desperation that we see and you know what's it going to take for that kind of same cohesiveness to happen again with the large numbers that we saw seventy five years ago why he gets already starting to happen i think that's the great thing about occupy is that you know it's it's sort of like a training camp and people sort of come together and they've learned that you know people collectively can take action and you can really start changing the dialogue but in the last couple weeks there's been a number of organizing victories a cablevision in new york jean kansas city and the big common to nomination seems that folks are just at a point where they've had enough where they can't cut their budgets and where they can't cut their wages anymore they can't do that and folks i think are startin

will address more than 1600 active and retired members of the united auto workers union. the event comes on the heels of her report that sales of cars and trucks are surging. that has resulted in automakers adding shifts and hiring thousands of workers around the country. this is three years after the u.s. auto industry nearly collapsed. >> a bill that would require identification to vote in virginia has won passage in the state senate. the republican lieutenant governor cast the tie-breaking vote. a build generated opposition from democrats. they say it would put new obstacles before four people, elderly, and disabled. in virginia a bill requiring women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound is up for votes today in the virginia senate. if the bill was amended to delete a provision that mandated an invasive procedure. now the measure requires an external ultrasound, but the changes did little to stem opposition from pro-choice advocates. >> later this morning you can expect a slower than usual drive through dupont circle. >> the traffic signals will be turned off sev

. >> outside the event, dozens of united auto workers protested romney, who famously wrote column saysetroit should be allowed to go bankrupt. the workers say thanks to president obama's bailout, thousands were able to keep their jobs and that the american auto industry is stronger than ever. rick santorum is also capitalizing on the outrage featuring michigan workers in his new ad. he says he is trying to help left his residents' spirits and aspirations. >> yeah, chris. but yesterday another issue took center stage, whether or not the former mayor actually tweets. >> i'd like to see you tweet right now. >> i don't have to prove it. >> i don't believe you can do it. i don't believe you can tweet. >> most of my tweets are done by somebody i talk to. >> udick tate it. >> that's right. >> the secret comes out. >> it's no secret, i said that all along. i said that all along. i set up my tweet account. didn't say i was a master tweeter. >> that tom sherwood. barry was so determined to show our tom sherwood he could handle the social media network, he sent out a tweet right as the show was e

he's going to be talking about his tax policy and as you mentioned, yeah, the united auto workers, plan, guess what, a big protest. they'll highlight his opposition to the 2008 and 2009 bailouts of the auto industry which, of course, is centered in michigan in the detroit area. we have joe johns out there. we'll have live reports starting from him next hour. >> paul, thanks. you can join us tuesday night too for america's choice 2012. we'll be following the arizona and michigan primaries. the special edition of "john king u.s.a." at 6:00 eastern. special coverage of the results at 7:00 eastern with wolf blitzer and the best political team on television. >>> just in case you thought winter was on vacation, this happens. winter storm hits the dakotas yesterday and it's working its way east. chicago could get eight or nine inches before it's over. o'hare international has canceled more than 350 flights so far and that could have a ripple effect across the country. in the northeast, they're getting snow too. take a look at hartford, connecticut. rob marciano has been watching the storm for