A look at the Obama administration officials on the four-day auto state tour

September 15th, 2009 Administration to unveil new fuel economy rulesWASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Tuesday unveiled its plan to require better gas mileage for cars and trucks and tougher rules on vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson released the proposed regulations at the White House, the follow-up to President Barack Obama's announcement in May that the government regulations would link emissions and fuel economy standards.

September 8th, 2009 Defense Dep't. nixes request for Guantanamo tourWASHINGTON — The Defense Department has turned down a Michigan congressman's request to let state and local officials tour a facility holding terrorism suspects in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

August 27th, 2009 Auto parts suppliers ask Obama for more helpWASHINGTON — An auto parts industry association is asking President Barack Obama to consider new ways to help the industry, which is facing a spike in bankruptcies due to the woes of U.S. automakers. In a letter to the White House Wednesday, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association wrote that there was "insufficient capital" available for parts suppliers to rehire workers and acquire raw materials for a possible increase in vehicle production later this year.

August 16th, 2009 Obama family to tour Grand Canyon on SundayWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha will do some more sightseeing. The first family and other relatives will tour Grand Canyon National Park on Sunday.

August 12th, 2009 AP source: Obama officials to tour Michigan prisonLANSING, Mich. — Obama administration officials plan on Thursday to tour a soon-to-be-shuttered Michigan state prison considered an option to hold terrorism suspects now detained at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

July 14th, 2009 Mo. governor says Tour of Missouri race to go onJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov.

July 11th, 2009 Mo. commission reaffirms Tour of Missouri supportJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri tourism officials and professional cycling teams are reaffirming support for the Tour of Missouri race in the face of budget cuts that could force its cancellation.

July 11th, 2009 Obama: Daughters should learn from slave tourCAPE COAST, Ghana — President Barack Obama says he hopes his family's tour of a former slave fortress on the coast of Ghana shows his daughters that history can take very cruel turns. Eleven-year-old Malia and eight-year-old Sasha accompanied Obama on a tour of Cape Coast Castle Saturday.

July 6th, 2009 US first lady, daughters tour KremlinMOSCOW — Russia's first lady Svetlana Medvedev took Michelle Obama and her two daughters on a low-key tour of the Kremlin just hours after they arrived in Moscow on Monday. They set out on their tour as President Barack Obama began talks with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev elsewhere in the Kremlin on arms control and other issues.

July 1st, 2009 Obama team members to fan out on summer rural tourWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is dispatching top administration officials and Cabinet members on a "rural tour" this summer to explore ways to strengthen rural America. The tour starts Wednesday in Wattsburg, Pa., where Vice President Joe Biden, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will discuss rural broadband service.

June 8th, 2009 Senate panel to question Obama auto task forceWASHINGTON — A Senate committee plans to question two members of the White House's auto task force about using taxpayer money to restructure General Motors and Chrysler. The Senate Banking Committee will hear from Ron Bloom, a senior adviser to the auto task force, and Edward Montgomery, who serves as the Obama administration's director of recovery for auto communities and workers.

June 3rd, 2009 Cabinet officials head to hard-hit auto statesLANSING, Mich. — Officials in four Midwestern states badly hurt by the auto industry's woes are lining up to ask the Cabinet secretaries crisscrossing the region for a better deal when it comes to getting funds from the federal recovery act.

May 10th, 2009 State Dems criticize Obama on stance on Bush aidesMONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont Democrats say President Barack Obama is being soft on prosecuting former Bush administration officials over torture, electronic spying and other matters.

May 9th, 2009 Auto suppliers urge lawmakers to protect baseWASHINGTON — Auto suppliers say the auto industry's supply base could be threatened by factory shutdowns by General Motors and Chrysler. In a letter to congressional offices on Friday, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association said the supplier industry is in crisis and during the shutdowns many suppliers will have no choice but to permanently close their facilities this summer.

April 30th, 2009 Obama says he has no interest in running autosWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the government should help Chrysler and General Motors stabilize but then should get out of the auto business as quickly as possible. The government is working on ways to help the two struggling auto giants survive with public money and increased federal involvement.