Detroit auto show chair says there’s a ‘good chance’ President Obama will visit

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In a story previewing the fast-approaching North American International Auto Show in today’s Detroit News, reporter Robert Snell notes that Obama administration officials say the president isn’t planning on attending the show. But NAIAS chairman Doug Fox says he thinks there’s nonetheless a “good chance” he’ll stop by.

Not sure who to believe? Me neither, but I’ve got a hunch.

Fox argues that a visit from the POTUS would demonstrate “a first-hand interest in the future of the auto industry,” but that it would do something else too. From the story:

It also would give the president a personal view of products built by GM, which is majority owned by the U.S. government, and Chrysler, which also is partially owned by the government. The U.S. Treasury swapped most of $50 billion in emergency loans for a 61 percent majority stake in GM; Chrysler has received about $15 billion in federal aid for an 9.85 percent share.

I actually think all of the above argues against a presidential visit. At least politically.

The bailouts of GM and Chrysler remain deeply unpopular among most voters — along with the bailouts of assorted Wall Street giants — and I’m guessing that’s the last thing Obama wants to help remind voters about. Or be even more directly tied to courtesy of the media coverage such a visit would provoke. After all, the president has emphasized in the past that his administration is pursuing a hands-off approach with respect to the government’s ownership stake in the companies.

I still expect plenty of other pols to check out the cool cars — especially Electric Avenue — at Cobo Center from Jan. 11-24, just as in years past. And non-pols too, like yours truly.