President Barack Obama used the expanding Intel manufacturing plant in Chandler as a backdrop on Wednesday to repeat his State of the Union call for more U.S. manufacturing.
The president told a crowd of about 6,000 that Intel's microchip plant represents the kind of industry and source of employment he wants to invest in to boost the economy.
"I'm here because the factory that's being built behind me is an example of an America that is within our reach, an America that attracts the next generation of good manufacturing jobs, an America where we build stuff and make stuff and sell stuff all over the world," he said.
Obama spoke at the massive Intel plant hear Ocotillo and Dobson roads, where the world's largest land-based crane can be seen from miles away as it constructs a $5 billion expansion.
Obama's roughly 20-minute speech was essentially a shorter version of his national address Tuesday, including calls for tax reform, more worker training and keeping jobs in the U.S. He even repeated his criticism of tax policies that allow billionaire Warren Buffett's secretary to pay a lower tax rate than the famous investor.
Obama noted 8 million jobs were lost in the recession, but took credit for more than 3 million new jobs created in the past 22 months. The controversial bailout of General Motors and Chrysler prevented the loss of 1 million jobs, he argued.
He said that 160,000 new jobs in the auto industry are proof that even old industries can be revived.
"Today, American manufacturers are hiring again and creating jobs for the first time since the 1990s, so our economy is getting stronger and we've come too far to turn back now," he said.
The president urged young people to study math and get engineering degrees so they could get the kind of high-paying jobs at manufacturers like Intel.
"It's an economy big on the skills of American workers, getting people the education and the training they need so they're prepared for the jobs of today and ready to compete for the jobs of tomorrow," he said. "But most importantly, it's an economy that's built on a renewal of American values, hard work, responsibility, the same set of rules for everybody from Wall Street to Main Street."
He mentioned increasing domestic energy production, including solar. He did not take note of Tempe-based First Solar, which is building a $300 million manufacturing plant in Mesa that is expected to employ 600 workers.
About 6,000 cheering Intel employees and others gathered at the Intel facility Wednesday afternoon. Surrounding streets had Obama supporters but also tea party protesters holding signs in view of the presidential motorcade.
The populist speech included references to creating an economy where the middle class can earn a decent living, send children to college and have enough for a comfortable retirement. That led to some humor as Obama noted the sunny day in Arizona, "where the weather is like this all the time," he said as the crowd chuckled. "It never gets above 70 degrees, does it?"
Obama walked into the crowd after his speech to shake hands. Dignitaries included Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton.
"He chose Arizona and the East Valley, which is our partner in the city of Phoenix, to show support for manufacturing, for a company that is doing the right thing by investing in this country instead of doing the easy thing, which would be outsourcing," Stanton said. "I think that was the point of him being here."
Contact writer: (480) 898-6548 or ggroff@evtrib.com
Masterrogue666 posted at 1:31 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
What do they have in common:
Going out of his way to pick up that baby.
Huge, robust hug of Giffords before a major speech.
Singing at his fund raiser.
-- "Vote for me"....
Rational Human posted at 8:42 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
"Any president whose actions so consistently refute his own words must have deep contempt for the intelligence of the American public."
The Obama administration told U.S. owned Hawker Beechcraft earlier this week they are being excluded from bidding on the US Air Force contract for a light attack aircraft. That leaves Brazilian owned Embraer as the likely recipient of the lucrative deal.
I found this one hard to believe so I did a little research. It was tough because this was completely ignored by the main stream media. The information is out there on several conservative sites. Please see the two articles linked below.
This is a double slap in the face of the United States.
At a time when jobs, the economy, and security are the most critical priorities for our country,the Obama administration decides to send a defense contract to a foreign owned company.
This has to be the stupidest thing this administration has done to date.
This is not just a dumb decision, it is a perfect example of why this president is such a poor leader. He talks about wanting jobs. He says we need to force companies to repatriate billions of dollars that Americans keep overseas. He wants to raise taxes so he can spend billions on stimulus that does nothing to stimulate anything. And when it’s time to act, he sends our tax dollars overseas at the expense of American jobs and income for an American company.
This is nothing more than a Chicago-style political pay back; but this time it is at the expense of our national security. How much more damage will Obama be allowed to do in the next 14 months?
One of the lead stories in the media this week blasted Congress for insider trading. If this contract goes to Embraer it will be a huge payoff to another George Soros company.
When will the 4th estate do it’s constitutionally protected job and expose the real obama to the American people?
Article from REDSTATE Posted by Ben Howe Monday, November 21st at 6:00AM EST: Obama Administration Sends Weapons Contract to Foreign Company with Ties to Iran
Article from WORLDPRESS By Gary P Jackson| NOVEMBER 22, 2011 · 4:17 PMHawker-Beechcraft Denied Big Air Force Contract in Favor of Brazilian Company With Soros Connections
Article from A Time For Choosing · Just another WordPress.com
http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/23/2112778/hawker-requests-gao-review-of.html
We can no longer depend on the media to pass on any news that
might be construed as negative towards the democrats.
rondonaz posted at 11:41 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
Obama didn't mention First Solar because of the heat he'd draw for the $3 billion loan guarantee his administration recently extended to them.
Suelee posted at 2:37 pm on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
It is amusing that electronics manufacturing companies are touted as a "clean industry" when they are in reality nothing more than chemical dumps. The valley already has a number of superfund clean up sites from this "clean industry." The fact that Obama highlights a semiconducter manufacturer just demonstrates that he has no clue what "clean jobs" actually are.
Juggernaut8000 posted at 2:38 pm on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
Arizona should arrest him and lock him up forever. He is a traitor to this state for blocking SB 1070 and isn't welcome here.
DrJCA1 posted at 4:39 pm on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
What did he have to do with Intel expanding it's operations here????? Nothing!!!!!
Florian_Schach posted at 5:00 pm on Sat, Jan 28, 2012.
Insourcing jobs is a good idea but you have to ask yourself what’s the incentive for American companies to do business here if the tax incentives don’t outweigh the cost of regulations? At the same time the regulations protect us they stand in the way of or even tear down other things especially economic prospects that would give us a leg up in a struggling economy (http://eng.am/sTM3nH). We need to consider more closely the kinds of rules and regs we want to implement so that we understand more of the risks we’re taking what’s costuming whom their everyday livelihood.