While in Michigan Friday for a political fundraiser, President Bush placed a call to Bill Ford, the former CEO of Ford Motor Company. President Bush refused to find time during his short stay in Michigan to sit down with the CEO's of the Big Three auto makers after previously canceling or postponing such a meeting on three other occasions. Senator Stabenow made the following statement in response to news of the call:

"This isn't about phone calls to friends, it's about President Bush sitting down with the heads of a crucial American industry and figuring out how to provide the support they need. President Bush insists on showing a lack of urgency as good paying American jobs are shipped overseas and our Michigan way of life continues to be threatened."

Read the AP story, Detroit Free Press story and Detroit News story.