Detroit - President Bush wasn’t in friendly territory Monday when he told members of the Michigan Teamsters union that the American economy is “just bumping along.”
But Bush still spent part of Labor Day afternoon reaching out to the Teamsters’ holiday picnic in Detroit in an effort to open up better communication with the union, which historically has voted for Democratic candidates.
“Some folks might have thought they took a risk inviting a Republican here,” Bush said Monday. “But I stand before you as a proud American, first and foremost.”
Bush, who was accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, discussed energy policy, education, taxation, national security and the economy with observers who snacked on hot dogs.
“I’m proud of our workers, but I’m a little concerned with our economy,” he said. “This is a Labor Day where we can’t celebrate a booming economy. For the last 12 months, the economy has been way too slow. People are hurting and people are suffering. There are families who are wondering how they are going to feed their kids.”
Earlier in the day, Bush stopped in Wisconsin to spend time with the Northern Wisconsin Council of Carpenters. Bush arrived at the picnic in Detroit about 2 p.m., and he joined Gov. John Engler, Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao.
Chao addressed the crowd before Bush arrived, telling union members she’s “going to continue working with you to find common ground for working families.”
Chao said the U.S. Department of Labor is providing new job training programs, making improvements to existing programs and building partnerships between labor and management.
“It is the American worker that makes America work,” she said.
Engler and Archer did not make public comments.
Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, who is a Democratic candidate in the 2002 Michigan gubernatorial race, attended the picnic and talked with members of the Teamsters union.
“It is great to be spending the day with the working men and women of the country,” she told The State News. “Michigan and Detroit are really the hub of where great unionization began.”
Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, a Republican gubernatorial hopeful, told gatherers his sister and mother are both members of organized labor unions.
“The working men and women of Michigan, whether you are a truck driver or work for the government, this day is for you,” he said.
Larry Brennan, a Michigan Teamster leader, said picnicking with Republicans and Democrats will help build “better ties” for the unions, which will give them a stronger voice in Washington, D.C.
“We need dialogue with both parties,” he said. “If we don’t keep the dialogue going with both parties, they lose the message. It can’t be one way.”
James Hoffa, general president of the Teamsters’ union, wasn’t at the picnic because he was celebrating the end of a strike in California.
Some union members such as Kevin Scott and Richard Sheremet were pleased with Bush’s speech, and were surprised he was warmly received by some who gathered.
“I thought it was good,” said Scott, a Flint resident. “I have mixed feelings about Mr. Bush, and I appreciate him showing up for a crowd that is 99.9 percent Democratic.”
Sheremet, who is from Oxford, said he didn’t vote for Bush, but the president’s stop to meet with the Teamsters in Detroit was significant.
“His speech sounded very political to me,” he said. “He said what he was supposed to say to a group of Teamsters. I’m glad he came and I’m glad I came.”
But others such as John Evanoff of Warren and Bill White of Detroit remained skeptical of Bush’s visit.
“Bush is not for our labor people,” Evanoff said. “He’s for the rich people, he’s not for the working man.”
White didn’t want to shake Bush’s hand and said he wasn’t excited to see him.
“I’m a Democrat all the way, and I’d bleed if I shook a Republican’s hand,” he said. “Coming to town is fine, but (him) coming here sucks.
“We don’t need him here. This is for labor and he is not labor.”
John Rice, who is from Wolverine Lake, said he hoped Bush’s visit will show he is trying to work with the unions.
“If he doesn’t follow through with anything, it won’t do any good,” said Rice, who supported Bush in the 2000 election. “But if he tries to follow through and work with the labor unions, then it could be a good first step.”
Steve Eder can be reached at ederstev@msu.edu.
