Ronald W. Bloom, a Wall Street investment banker who went on to become a labor union adviser, is taking over as head of the auto task force.

The announcement that Steven Rattner was stepping down as head of the auto task force left political junkies and the press parsing words and deeds for a credible cause.

A Harley-riding economist has taken what may be the toughest job on President Obama’s auto task force – helping to rebuild the communities likely to be devastated by the industry’s downsizing.