MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- The news that General Motors is expected to speed up its plan to stop production at Janesville brought a comment from Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who stopped at the plant while campaigning earlier in the year.

"Reports that the GM plant I visited in Janesville may shut down sooner than expected are a painful reminder of the tough economic times facing working families across this country," Obama said in a statement released by his Wisconsin campaign organization.

"This news is also a reminder that Washington needs to finally live up to its promise to help our automakers compete in our global economy. As president, I will lead an effort to retool plants like the GM facility in Janesville so we can build the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow and create good-paying jobs in Wisconsin and all across America."

Republican presidential candidate John McCain released a statement Saturday that said hardworking people are paying the price because the country's leaders have put corruption and greed before Main Street's interests.

McCain said he supported loan guarantees to the auto industry, and will continue to encourage American car companies to build the car of the 21st century.

Rep. Tammy Baldwin, after being briefed on Monday's likely announcement from GM, declined to comment on specifics but said the news will be "a setback for the Janesville GM workers, their families, and the entire Rock County community."

GM announced in June it would idle the Janesville plant and three others making SUVs and trucks by 2010. Then last week GM said one of the four, in Moraine, Ohio, would close Dec. 23.