Romney defends himself in Mich. over auto bailout

LIVONIA, Mich. – Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is defending himself in Michigan against questions over why he opposed a federal bailout of General Motors and Chrysler two years ago.

Romney told a diner at the Senate Coney Island restaurant Thursday morning that the automakers should have gone through a private bankruptcy without the federal aid.

The businessman and former Massachusetts governor says he believes "in the process of law" rather than bailouts.

Dozens of autoworkers and Democrats protested outside the restaurant.

Among them was Ford electrician Larry Ring of Wayne County's Canton Township. He says he can't understand why Romney took the position he did.

Romney is making his first campaign swing through his native state after announcing his run for president a week ago. He won Michigan's 2008 GOP primary.