While President Obama has tried to use his Detroit visit to take credit for saving the U.S. auto industry (as well as showing it how to create a whole new market in green cars of the future — the man is nothing if not modest), the White House has downplayed the idea that this is a “Mission Accomplished” moment. No banners, no hats, no pins.

So let Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan say it for him. “He has a right to take a victory lap,” the Democrat told reporters as he accompanied the president today.