Was GM CEO Mary Barra Set Up As A Sacrificial Lamb, Or Is This Just Poor Timing?

For two days this week, General Motors GM +1.16% Chief Executive Mary Barra withstood a barrage of Congressional questioning over GM’s recall crisis. Maintaining a steady tone, and rarely showing emotion, Barra apologized, repeatedly insisted that there is a “new GM” and promised a full investigation.

But as she sat for hours at House and Senate witness tables, a question circulated on comment boards and in conversations: was Barra being thrown under the bus by GM?

It’s easy to see why people are asking that. Barra, the first woman to serve as the CEO of Detroit company, was named chief executive effective January 15, meaning she has less than three months on the job. While she was among several candidates for the top position, her appointment came as somewhat of a surprise, both for its timing and for her gender.