Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Chrysler readies plant tour for Obama stop

By TODD SPANGLER and JUSTIN HYDE • FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

Chrysler is getting ready to host a plant tour at its Sterling Heights stamping facility for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama Wednesday morning – marking the front-runner’s first trip to Michigan in 10 months.However, Obama’s campaign had not yet confirmed the details, meaning they could change. The trip is also expected to include a town hall meeting in Macomb County. The plant tour would not be open to the public.

According to Chrysler’s Web site, the stamping plant on Van Dyke employs 1,400 workers on one shift and makes the Sebring sedan and convertible and the Dodge Avenger. The plant was built in 1953 to make jet engines, converted to an auto plant by Volkswagen in 1980 and bought by Chrysler three years later.

Obama’s trip to Michigan on Wednesday is also expected to include a nighttime rally in Grand Rapids.

The candidate is believed by many to have an almost insurmountable lead in delegates over Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Obama is making his first trip to the state after taking his name off the ballot for the Jan. 15 primary, which Clinton won handily. The state’s delegation to the national convention hasn’t been seated, however, being disallowed because the primary date violated national party rules.

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