Dem Lawmakers Greeted by Tea Partiers in Detroit

Meredith Jessup | January 11, 2010 12:59 PM

As Detroit hosts its international auto show (or what's left of the auto industry), a delegation of Democratic lawmakers--including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Michigan Rep. John Dingell--have traveled to Motor City for a sneak peek with industry officials and other VIPs, according to

The Hill.

“We want to see firsthand the innovative technologies the industry is investing in to create the jobs of the future and to ensure our national competitiveness," Pelosi said in a statement ahead of her visit. "We go to Detroit with our commitment to continue to preserve our manufacturing base, which is essential to our economic and national security."

(What a joke.)

Waiting for the Democrats, however, is a group of tea partiers who have rallied in Detroit to protest the government's intrusion in the auto industry and government support in the form of financial bailouts with taxpayer dollars.

"What Michigan needs is a responsible auto industry that can become profitable, self-sustainable and efficient in ways that provide more private jobs and economic success," the Tea Partiers said in a Facebook invitation to their rally. "Please join us in Detroit on Monday, January 11th, to make a peaceful yet clear statement against Government takeover of America."