Even while traveling in Japan and China on a sister-cities visit, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman weighed in over the weekend on the potential Detroit bailout, urging Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar and 4th District Rep. Betty McCollum to support the proposal to help the Big 3 automakers.

It might, just might, mean a longer life for the St. Paul Ford Plant, he said.

"The value of this plant cannot be understated. The Ford plant has provided generations of our residents the ability to own a home, pay for college, and live the American dream in Minnesota. We are also fortunate to have a strong workforce at this plant, which continues to set the standard for innovation and efficacy at Ford," he wrote.

"The possibility of economic relief represents a new tool and a great opportunity and I urge you to consider it as the City and nation look to Washington for help in solving our economic crisis. I have appreciated our partnership in working to find the best alternative for the Ford plant and keeping it and the jobs it provides in Saint Paul. As always, I will continue to make myself and any of my staff available to meet with you on this issue. I now look to your leadership on the federal level to help us and Ford take full advantage of the opportunity to build a new manufacturing economy that will employ families for generations to come."