Four elected officials, including presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and Gov. Matt Blunt have e-mailed statements lamenting the semi-closing of the Chrysler operations here.

By Oct. 31, 2,400 jobs in the St. Louis area will be lost when Chrysler closes its St. Louis South plant in Fenton (1,500 jobs) and eliminates one of two shifts at the St. Louis North plant (900 jobs.)

Here are the statements, in the order they were sent out:

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon, D and a candidate for governor

“Our first priority must be fighting to save as many jobs at the Chrysler plants as possible, and supporting these workers and their families.

“Not only are the men and women at the Chrysler plants among the most accomplished autoworkers in the world, but they’re also invaluable members of our communities – friends, neighbors, Little League coaches and Scout leaders. Today’s announcement has devastated thousands of Missouri families, and we must come together and stand with them during this difficult time.”

Gov. Matt Blunt, R:

“I am very disheartened by Chrysler’s announcement and my primary concern is for the workers and the families affected by this decision. We pledge our support for them through the challenging times ahead.

“The U.S. Congress needs to get serious about addressing our national energy policy before more American workers lose their jobs. We should be using natural resources available in our country including exploring for oil in the ANWR and offshore all of which can be done in an environmentally-sensitive way.

“Congress should listen to the concerns of Americans and support efforts to increase our energy supply so we can support American jobs and alleviate the pain Missourians are feeling at the pump.”

Sen. Barack Obama, D:

“My thoughts today are with the families and workers who will be affected by the closing of the St. Louis South Chrysler plant and the downsizing of the St. Louis North plant this fall.

“Today’s news is another reminder that America’s hardworking families can’t afford four more years of the failed economic policies of George Bush that John McCain is offering.

“We need a new direction for our economy, and that’s what I’m offering. I’ll give America’s auto industry the support they need to retool their factories and make fuel-efficient and alternative fuel cars to make sure that the cars of the future are made here in the United States. And I’ve also proposed investing $150 billion over ten years in green energy, which will help free America from our addiction to oil, lower energy prices, and create up to five million new green jobs in the process. That’s the kind of leadership we need to fix our economy and lift up our middle class.”

State Rep. Sam Page, D-Creve Coeur and a candidate for lieutenant governor:

“My sympathies go out to the employees who lost jobs today and their
families. These men and women were hard workers, who made a good
product. But they, like many Americans, have fallen victim to higher
gas prices and a bad economy. They have suffered because of a
government unable or unwilling to fix this problem.

“We must now look forward at bringing new industry to our state.
Missouri has given Chrysler $32 million in tax incentives to keep its
plants operating here. After the loss of up to 2,800 good-paying,
benefit-providing jobs, it is clear that that investment has not been
returned. Instead, we need to be welcoming companies committed to
investing in Missouri’s economy.”