walser51On one hand, Walser Automotive Group’s full-page ad — which touts President Obama’s federal government warranty for General Motors products — does laudable double duty for the economic recovery: It simultaneously supports GM and the struggling Star Tribune (whose staffers take to the streets tonight to Save the Strib). On the other hand, in these dark days for both industries, an automotive business marketing itself as a newspaper seems decidedly odd.

It’s also odd that Walser Automotive Group President Andrew Walser and President Obama look so friendly in their “Walser Times” photos on the back of the Saturday sports section.

After all, Andrew’s brother, Walser Automotive Chief Executive Officer Paul Walser, made “The Crunch,” the Minnesota Independent’s list of the state’s Top 100 political donors, with his many maxed-out donations to Republicans — including Obama’s rival during the presidential campaign, John McCain.