Lee Iacocca has endorsed John Kerry for President.

Lee Iacocca's Remarks Endorsing John Kerry for President

This is pretty surprising. Iacocca endorsed and campaigned for George W. Bush in 2000.

Iacocca's main reason is jobs. Michigan has lost more than 134,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000. Michigan's unemployment rate is significantly higher than the national average (7.2% in Dec. 2003, versus 5.7% nationally). There is little doubt that Michigan is worse off than much of the country. Michigan job skid may have bottomed out 46,000 Michigan jobs headed overseas

Michigan seems to be recovering somewhat (it's unemployment rate has closed to 6.1% versus 5.5% nationally since December 2003).

Iacocca himself is seen as a big business icon. If he thinks Kerry is the man for the job, perhaps big business does too.

Questions for Debate: Is Iacocca's endorsement a big deal?

What does Iacocca do for Kerry as far as big business is concerned? What does it mean to everyday Americans?

Is Iacocca's endorsement a big deal?

I think it is a huge endorsement for Kerry. Big Business is typically a Republican stronghold and Jobs and the Economy are typically very strong Republican positions.

Iacocca has realized, like many Democrats, that our current outsourcing trends are unhealthy and need to be looked at. Bush is completely in support of the status quo here, but Kerry has come out strongly against outsourcing. For places like Michigan, the outsourcing debate hits home very painfully.

For Iacocca to support Kerry here is a very ringing endorsement of his policies for job creation.

What does Iacocca do for Kerry as far as big business is concerned? What does it mean to everyday Americans?

I would think that Iacocca's endorsement buys Kerry a lot of clout with Big Business. Iacocca is probably one of the more well known and respected CEO's of American industry, he even keeps his name in the news in retirement. I'm sure that a lot of CEOs today count him amongst their influences and idols.

Iacocca is generally a name well known to most Americans too, they know who he is and what he has accomplished. The fact that he is endorsing Kerry goes a long way to legitimize Kerry's economic agenda with the average American. To a certain extent this allows Kerry to play up his economic ideas without saying "the economy is bad".

Is Iacocca's endorsement a big deal?

What does Iacocca do for Kerry as far as big business is concerned? What does it mean to everyday Americans?

My initial thought: Lee Iacocca's still alive?

Seriously: it's a non-event, really. Iacocca hasn't made an impact in years on the average person. It might have a slight impact on fence-sitters who are business folks, but otherwise... nah.

Lee Iacocca is known for being a successful, ethical businessman. (He designed the original Mustang for Ford Motor Company! ) When Chrysler Corporation was having a rough time, he actually worked one year without receiving a salary to demonstrate that he cared about the company rank and file and that he was dedicated to turning the company around financially. He did, and under his leadership Chrysler obtained the American Motors Company (Jeep).

Whether or not this constitutes a huge endorsement or whether other major corporate leaders will join the Kerry side remains to be seen, because there are young voters who don't know Lee Iacocca. But those of us who do remember him recognize it as a solid, positive endorsement.

Yes, the Michigan economy has suffered a great deal. I have been writing about it a lot over the past several months. Recovery is definitely not here yet. Municipal and county jobs have been cut back with the duties consolidated in the positions the remaining employees hold. While there have been reports of increased productivity, this productivity will plateau if it hasn't already, because those who still have jobs are being asked to do more and more. Even Wal-Mart cut back on its employees locally. You'll still find the good prices, but there is nary a soul to answer your questions if you have any about the merchandise.

Actually- he is not only still alive but EXTREMELY well respected in the business community, and there was even a movement to nominate HIM as prez at one time. He is still held up as the model of the ethical CEO- a guy who actually cares about the fate of his company and it's employees. Though he is older, he still has not retired and has had a real impact in the bicycle industry, of all things.

I think this MIGHT be a watershed moment for Kerry, it might be a sign that the Bush ship is sinking and it is time to pick a new guy to try and buy.

I think that for big business, it means they have nothing to worry about. In looking at this website, there are no prominent displays of union logos or trumpeting of union positions. Under the manufacturing section, is a section on how Kerry is for "tax credits" to businesses who stay here in America, as well as tax incentives for businesses that invest in research and design(whatever that means) he is against off-shore bank accounts and a stronger SCC, but that hardly appears socialistic to me.

For the average person, he will push through a few token things to make corporations more "accountable" A stronger SCC is good for all of us, but I'm not sure how it will help you bring home more bacon. In regards to the above mentioned closing of off-shore accounts, I can't help but wonder if it's some kind of shell game. He'll close off-shore accounts, but maybe they'll count profits as "research money" and do some legal gymnastic work to not pay their share of taxes.

John Kerry on economic issues