UPDATED Wednesday, February 15, 2012--6:10p.m.
MILWAUKEE--"There's a lot more we can do, a lot more we have to do to help create jobs and bring back manufacturing and middle class security to Milwaukee and Wisconsin and the United States of America," said President Obama on Wednesday during his remarks at the Master Lock Company.
A central theme of his speech was what he calls “insourcing.”
"If the cost of doing business here isn't too much different than the cost of doing business in places like China,” he said. “Then why wouldn't you rather do it right here in the United States of America?"
The President visited the Milwaukee company to highlight it as one bringing jobs back to the country's shores. "Today you're selling products directly to customers in China stamped with those words 'Made in America," the president told the Master Lock workers in the crowd.
The message resonated with employees like Jeff Katzer, a tool and die maker. He's said he's been with Master Lock for 24 years. "When it went from the heyday down to when they outsourced all our jobs, you know we went from right around 1,400 employees down to 285," said Katzer. In recent years Master Lock has brought about 100 jobs back to Milwaukee from China. "Nice to see the reversal of what had happened in the past," said Katzer.
During his speech the president mentioned something he'd asked business leaders during the State of the Union: he'd asked them to ask themselves what they can do to bring back jobs to America, and said the country would do everything it could to help them succeed.
The president also gave a shout-out to other companies, like Collaborative Consulting: "An information technology company that wants to open a new call center here in Wausau," described the president.
We found the company's CEO in the Master Lock crowd."That was exciting," said Bill Robichaud, the company's CEO. "We flew out here and got to hear the president talk about it and what he's doing is a great thing."
Robichaud said he thinks the president is on the right track to bringing jobs back to America. "I think every business in America should really look at themselves and say 'can we bring something and create jobs here'?," he said.
The President said his plan could include tax incentives for some companies and also said multinational companies should have to pay a basic minimum tax, so that American companies can't avoid paying taxes by shifting things overseas.
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UPDATED Wednesday, February 15, 2012 --- 1:38 p.m.
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- President Barack Obama called Wednesday for tax cuts for American manufacturers and higher taxes for companies that move overseas, pressing what he hopes will be a winning campaign issue.
Appearing at a Milwaukee padlock plant, Obama said the U.S. must do everything it can to make it more attractive for American businesses to stay put and grow here home, "and the place to start is our tax code."
The president visited Master Lock, a manufacturer that has brought jobs back to the United States. Reprising ideas from his State of the Union address, he asked Congress to approve tax system changes right away, including a minimum tax on multinational companies, so that American firms can't skirt taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas. He also pushed for tax breaks for businesses that move into communities that have been hurt by factories leaving town.
"Don't wait. Do it now. Get it done," Obama shouted, his jacket removed and shirtsleeves rolled up, as he stood in front of a pile of stacked orange metal boxes, including one stamped "Made in the USA."
Obama, who is en route to a three-day West Coast fundraising swing, said he decided to visit Master Lock "because this company has been making the most of a huge opportunity that exists right now to bring jobs and manufacturing back to America." And he called on other businesses to follow its lead and take advantage of rising costs overseas and growing productivity at home.
Master Lock brought back 100 jobs to the U.S. from China in response to higher labor and logistical costs in Asia.
Pointing to a rebound in manufacturing and pushing U.S. businesses to extend it, the president said: "Ask what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed."
The president made his economic pitch as Congress was poised to advance a key component of the jobs agenda he unveiled last September. Lawmakers from both parties were praising an emerging deal Wednesday on extending a payroll tax cut through the end of the year and renewing jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. They hoped to send the measure to Obama within days.
The extension would be a win for Obama, who has said the cut in the Social Security payroll tax -- amounting to about $40 per paycheck for the average worker -- is vital to keeping the economy on the right path.
"I'm glad to see that Congress is making progress," Obama said. "It will make a real difference in the lives of millions of people and as soon as Congress sends an extension of this tax cut and unemployment insurance to my desk, I will sign it right away."
Obama has repeatedly talked up the nation's manufacturing base as an engine of growth and a sign of a recovering economy. He has urged companies to promote "insourcing," promising new tax incentives for businesses that bring jobs to the U.S. instead of shipping them overseas and eliminating tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs.
The manufacturing sector was hard-hit for more than a decade. Manufacturers shed 5.8 million jobs from 1999 to 2009 as many companies shifted jobs overseas to take advantage of lower costs and many plants were modernized and automated, allowing firms to do more with fewer workers.
But the sector has shown more vitality in recent months, bolstering Obama's case. Manufacturers added 50,000 jobs in January, the most in a year, and added 237,000 jobs in 2011, the largest annual boost since 1997. Of the 3.2 million jobs added by the economy since February 2010, about 400,000 are in manufacturing.
Obama carried Wisconsin by 14 points in 2008 but is expected to face a more difficult challenge this year after Republicans captured nearly every statewide office two years ago and the president's standing declined in parts of the Midwest. Obama's visit coincided with the one-year anniversary of the first widespread protests against proposals from Republican Gov. Scott Walker to effectively end collective bargaining rights for most public workers.
Walker, who greeted Obama at the airport, had been scheduled to join him for the event at Master Lock but decided at the last minute not to attend. Walker's spokesman, Cullen Werwie, said the governor was recovering from the flu and had to cancel his plans to go to the event.
The governor has been targeted for a recall election that could come in the spring or summer and has sought to define the outcome as a bellwether of how Obama will fare in Wisconsin next fall. Walker has said a win would deliver a "devastating blow" to Obama's re-election campaign.
But despite the political undertones Obama got a friendly tarmac welcome Wednesday from Walker, who presented him with a Milwaukee Brewers' jersey that bore the number 1 and Obama's name.
The two smiled and shook hands and Walker took a diplomatic tone in comments to a pool reporter at the airport: "Today's the president's day. I'm appreciative he's in Wisconsin, appreciative he's focused on manufacturing. We'll leave politics for another day."
The scene stood in stark contrast to Obama's tarmac moment with Arizona's Republican governor, Jan. Brewer, last month.
Most of Obama's trip will be devoted to fundraising. The president is holding eight fundraisers for his re-election campaign in the Los Angeles area, San Francisco and Seattle.
After departing Milwaukee, Obama was to attend two fundraisers in Los Angeles. The first is an outdoor fundraising reception at the home of soap opera producer Bradley Bell and his wife, Colleen, featuring a performance by the rock band the Foo Fighters. The campaign expects 1,000 supporters to attend, with tickets starting at $250.
Obama is also attending a dinner at Bell's home co-hosted by actor Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin. Eighty people are expected to attend the dinner, with tickets costing $35,800. The fundraising will benefit the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee for Obama's campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
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UPDATED Wednesday, February 15, 2012 --- 12:30 p.m.
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, facing a Democratic recall effort for his attempts to curb union rights, has given President Barack Obama a friendly tarmac welcome in Milwaukee.
After Air Force One landed and Obama deplaned, the governor presented him with a Milwaukee Brewers' jersey that bore the number 1 and Obama's name.
The airport greeting was drawing special attention, given Democratic antipathy toward Walker and the tense exchange Obama had last month in Mesa, Ariz., with Republican Arizona Gov. Jan. Brewer.
In a recent fundraising letter, Walker said surviving a recall election would deliver a "devastating blow" to Obama's re-election.
But there was no drama Wednesday. The two smiled and shook hands and Walker presented the jersey to Obama, who examined it and folded it in his arms.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
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UPDATED Wednesday, February 15, 2012 --- 12:25 p.m.
Release from the Governor's Office:
Governor Walker Welcomes the President of the United States to Wisconsin
Madison–Today Governor Walker met President Obama on the tarmac of General Mitchel International Airport to officially welcome him to Wisconsin.
“It is always an honor to have the President of the United States in Wisconsin,” said Governor Walker. “One of Wisconsin’s core industries is manufacturing, so I appreciate the attention given to Master Lock on his visit. Wisconsin manufacturers are some of the best in the world and this helps us highlight that fact.”
Last time the President was in Wisconsin, Governor Walker gave him a Packers jersey. This time the President received his very own Brewers jersey with "Obama 1" on the back.
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UPDATED Wednesday, February 15, 2012 --- 12:01 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- President Obama landed in Milwaukee Wednesday where he was greeted by Republican Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic Mayor Tom Barrett.
Walker presented the president with a personalized Brewers jersey after Obama emerged from Air Force One. Obama was also greeted by Congresswoman Gwen Moore and jogged over to a fence line to talk with a couple dozen supporters.
Walker initially planned to accompany Obama to Master Lock in Milwaukee, but later decided to pass. Former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle was in the crowd at Master Lock.
Obama's visit to Milwaukee is his first to Wisconsin in more than a year. Walker has been attempting to tie his fate in a probable recall election with Obama's chances of winning Wisconsin in November.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
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UPDATED Wednesday, February 15, 2012 --- 8:25 a.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- In a change of plans, Gov. Scott Walker will not be accompanying President Barack Obama on a visit to Master Lock in Milwaukee.
Walker's spokesman Cullen Werwie said Wednesday that the Republican governor is recovering from a "nasty case of the flu" and is canceling his plans to be with the president at the padlock maker.
However, Walker does plan to follow through with plans to greet the president upon his arrival at the airport in Milwaukee.
Obama's visit to Milwaukee is his first to Wisconsin in more than a year. Walker has been attempting to tie his fate in a probable recall election with Obama's chances of winning Wisconsin in November.
Walker said in a Tuesday message on Twitter that he was sick with an upset stomach.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
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UPDATED Wednesday, February 15, 2012 --- 7:05 a.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pointing to a rebound in manufacturing, President Barack Obama on Wednesday is visiting a Milwaukee plant that has brought back jobs to the United States.
Before going on an extended West Coast fundraising spree, the president was visiting Master Lock, a Milwaukee maker of padlocks that was cited in his State of the Union address for bringing back 100 jobs to the U.S. from China in response to higher labor and logistical costs in Asia.
In his speech at Master Lock, Obama intends to call on companies to promote more investments -- and more jobs -- in the U.S.
"Right now we have an excellent opportunity to bring manufacturing back -- but we have to seize it," Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery. "My message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed."
Obama also planned to announce that the Commerce Department will hold the first annual SelectUSA Investment Summit, bringing companies in to meet with governors, mayors and others to discuss ways of promoting investments in the U.S.
The president was making his economic pitch as Congress was poised to advance a key component of the jobs agenda he unveiled last September. House-Senate negotiators reached a tentative agreement Tuesday on extending a payroll tax cut through the end of the year and renewing jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. Lawmakers were expected to unveil the proposal Wednesday and could send the measure to Obama as early as this week.
The extension would be a win for Obama, who has said the cut in the Social Security payroll tax -- amounting to about $40 per paycheck for the average worker -- is vital to keeping the economy on the right path.
"Congress needs to extend that tax cut -- along with vital insurance lifelines for folks who've lost their jobs during this recession -- and they need to do it now, without drama and without delay," Obama said Tuesday. "No ideological sideshows to gum up the works. No self-inflicted wounds. Just pass this middle-class tax cut."
Obama has repeatedly talked up the nation's manufacturing base as an engine of growth and a sign of a recovering economy. He has urged companies to promote "insourcing," promising new tax incentives for businesses that bring jobs to the U.S. instead of shipping them overseas and eliminating tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs.
The manufacturing sector was hard-hit for more than a decade. Manufacturers shed 5.8 million jobs from 1999 to 2009 as many companies shifted jobs overseas to take advantage of lower costs and many plants were modernized and automated, allowing firms to do more with fewer workers.
But the sector has shown more vitality in recent months, bolstering Obama's case. Manufacturers added 50,000 jobs in January, the most in a year, and added 237,000 jobs in 2011, the largest annual boost since 1997. Of the 3.2 million jobs added by the economy since February 2010, about 400,000 are in manufacturing.
Obama carried Wisconsin by 14 points in 2008 but is expected to face a more difficult challenge this year after Republicans captured nearly every statewide office two years ago and the president's standing declined in parts of the Midwest. Obama's visit coincided with the one-year anniversary of the first widespread protests against proposals from Republican Gov. Scott Walker to effectively end collective bargaining rights for most public workers.
Walker was expected to greet Obama on the airport and join him for the event at Master Lock. The governor has been targeted for a recall election that could come in the spring or summer and sought to define the recall election as a bellwether of how Obama will fare in Wisconsin next fall. Walker has said a win would deliver a "devastating blow" to Obama's re-election campaign.
Most of Obama's trip will be devoted to fundraising. The president is holding eight fundraisers for his re-election campaign in the Los Angeles area, San Francisco and Seattle.
After departing Milwaukee, Obama was to attend two fundraisers in Los Angeles. The first is an outdoor fundraising reception at the home of soap opera producer Bradley Bell and his wife, Colleen, featuring a performance by the rock band the Foo Fighters. The campaign expects 1,000 supporters to attend, with tickets starting at $250.
Obama is also attending a dinner at Bell's home co-hosted by actor Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin. Eighty people are expected to attend the dinner, with tickets costing $35,800. The fundraising will benefit the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee for Obama's campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
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Posted Monday, February 6, 2012 --- 2:35 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- President Barack Obama plans to make a stop in the Milwaukee area next week, marking the first time he's come to Wisconsin in 13 months and his eighth visit since taking office.
A White House official confirmed Monday that Obama was planning on making the trip to give remarks on Feb. 15, but no other details were released.
Obama was last in Wisconsin on Jan. 26, 2011, when he came to Manitowoc the day after his State of the Union address.
Just over two weeks later, Gov. Scott Walker unveiled his collective bargaining plan that set off massive protests and led to the ongoing effort to recall him from office.
Walker's spokesman did not know if the governor planned on greeting Obama on this trip like he did last time.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
