General Motors [3] has hired Michael Whouley [4], among the Democratic Party's "most respected organizers of grass-roots politics," in "a sign the company's fight for survival has become as much about politics and public image as business acumen," reports the Detroit News. The move comes as "even some of the company's staunchest defenders" were surprised at the size of GM's new request, for "up to $16.6 billion in new federal aid." GM's "potential foes" are also hiring. "A committee of bondholders in tough negotiations about restructuring GM's massive debt has retained the Glover Park Group [5], one of Washington's most prominent lobbying and political consulting firms." Whouley, who leads the Dewey Square Group [6] firm, is expected to help GM build public support. A recent poll found that "two-thirds of Americans oppose any new aid to the car companies."