Peters Attacks Romney on Auto Jobs Stance Following GOP Debate

U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) accused Republican presidential candidate and Bloomfield Hills native Mitt Romney of "throwing in the towel on Michigan jobs" following statements Romney made during last night's televised debate from New Hampshire.

"I don’t understand why Mitt Romney supports using tax dollars to protect Wall Street while opposing loans to help our auto manufacturers get back on their feet,” Peters said in a press release from his campaign office Wednesday.

Peters, who currently represents Farmington and Farmington Hills, was particularly chapped by comments Romney made that supported bank bailouts, but not loans to General Motors and Chrysler.

"Should they have used the funds to bail out General Motors and Chrysler? No, that was the wrong source for that," Romney said.

Peters' 9th District now includes Chrysler's headquarters in Auburn Hills, and he was a chief supporter of President Obama's plan to keep the auto giants afloat. Both have since returned to profitability.

“I think Mitt Romney should come to Michigan and explain to our auto workers why they wouldn’t have a job if he were President," Peters said.

Peters' district was split in August under that accounted for Michigan's population drop in the 2010 U.S. Census. Farmington landed in the 11th District, currently represented by former Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, while Farmington Hills falls into the 14th District. Peters faces a primary with fellow Democrat incumbent Hanson Clarke in the 14th, which is currently represented by John Conyers.

Romney, who attended Cranbrook, will return to Oakland County for the national Republican presidential debate on Nov. 9 at Oakland University at 8 p.m.