Late Wednesday Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) -- who has been an outspoken critic of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union-- dropped a bombshell into the already incendiary debate about unionization at Chattanooga's Volkswagen assembly plant.

Corker's office released a statement claiming that the Senator had it on good authority that a vote against unionization by VW workers would secure the long-sought expansion of the Chattanooga facility.  From the Chattanoogan:

"Senator Bob Corker said Wednesday that Chattanooga will be getting the production of a second line of vehicles as long as the UAW is not voted in by employees.

He said, 'I’ve had conversations today and based on those am assured that should the workers vote against the UAW, Volkswagen will announce in the coming weeks that it will manufacture its new mid-size SUV here in Chattanooga.'"

If any elected official would knows details like this, it would be Corker, who was mayor of Chattanooga from 2001-2005, and "worked with officials and community leaders to develop the 1,200 acre Enterprise South Industrial Park."  

In fact, Corker's staff reminds us, "much of the negotiation that led to Volkswagen choosing Chattanooga occurred around the dining room table of Corker’s Chattanooga home."  

The question is:  Will this promise of a new production line and its additional jobs sway the vote that is already underway?  

The storm rages, within and without, Volkswagen Chattanooga.