Plain Talk By Al Neuharth, USA TODAY Founder
From big-time sports to big business, President Obama has made some calls that show he’s not afraid to stick his neck out.
Most presidents and other politicians have been careful not to take sides in big sports events unless a hometown or home state team is involved. Most also have avoided taking on individual big business leaders. But Obama has made these two gutsy calls:
• Before the March Madness with 65 college basketball teams began, he picked North Carolina to win it all. Now, the Tarheels are in the Final Four this weekend, and his pick looks good.
• Before he agreed to try to bail out General Motors with more billions this week, he insisted that GM boss Rick Wagoner had to go. Now, Wagoner is gone.
As a politically independent free enterpriser, I’m for the least possible government involvement in business. But when government bailout funds are needed, as with GM, whoever provides the bucks should pick the piper, but not call all the tunes.
On Nov. 21, when President Bush’s administration was contemplating a Big Three auto bailout, I wrote in this column:
“GM should get the goodies only if Wagoner goes away.” But Bush went ahead with the bailout with Wagoner staying as boss.
Wagoner led GM to its long decline for the past nine years. As is too often the case, his board of directors simply went along.
Most major companies have taken a hit in this recession. But many CEOs — Ford’s Alan Mulally among them — have taken steps to soften the blow and position themselves for the rebound. Those who have deserve continuing support. Those who haven’t don’t.
If Obama adds North Carolina’s crown to Wagoner’s scalp, he’ll have scored a significant twofer.
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