Opinion: Obama’s team actually prefers foreign car brands

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Ooops, it seems that many on President Obama‘s team, including those seeking to save the American automobile industry, do not actually drive vehicles from the American automobile industry.

According to a study by the Detroit News and a White House parking lot survey by Politico.com, neither do Obama’s White House staffers.

Before leaving for Europe (where the Secret Service had pre-placed Obama’s new armored Cadillac), the president dished out some rhetorical tough love Monday to U.S. automakers.

He canned the CEO of GM (the UAW president remained, not receiving bailout money), gave the giant 60 days to reorganize and directed Chrysler to do a merge deal with Italy’s Fiat in 30 days in order to remain an American company. (Let it go, it makes sense in Washington.)

The Politico survey of cars parked next to the White House found only five U.S. brand cars out of 23 (a Dodge, two Fords, a Jeep and a Cadillac). The News found that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who didn’t have the money to pay his $20,000+ in back taxes until they became a confirmation problem, did acquire a 2008 Acura.

Lawrence Summers, head of the president’s National Economic Council, drives a Mazda. Director of the Office of Management and Budget Peter Orszag drives a Honda and a Volvo. Economic advisor Austan Goolsbee drives a Toyota. VP Joe Biden’s economic advisor Jared Bernstein prefers a Honda.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a Republican, however, went American with a Buick and a Ford Escape hybrid.

-- Andrew Malcolm drives a Pontiac Vibe

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