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- iHaveNet.com: Politics
by Danielle Kurtzleben
Key manufacturing states are also swing states that could make or break Obama's reelection
Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa: Those are the five states with the largest proportion of workers in manufacturing, according to U.S. Census figures. They all voted for Obama in 2008. And four of those five -- with the exception of Indiana, which is leaning Republican -- are considered toss-ups in this year's presidential election.
The resurgence of manufacturing jobs is sure to be a key storyline in the presidential election. The
It is undeniable that manufacturing in the U.S. is seeing renewed growth. The recent job gains have given the manufacturing industry "a great deal of optimism," says Brad Holcomb, chair of the Manufacturing Business Survey Committee at the
However, exactly how much credit President Obama can take for the latest bump in manufacturing jobs is debatable. For example, even though he often touts the success of the auto company bailout, emergency loans to U.S. auto companies began in 2008, under President Bush. And though
It is also difficult to draw a direct line between Obama's efforts and other factors that have also contributed to the rise in manufacturing jobs. Falling labor costs in the U.S., increased quality of American manufactured goods, and favorable exchange rates have all also contributed to manufacturing growth, says Chad Moutray, chief economist at the
In addition, there are doubts about the president's latest manufacturing initiative, which aims to create tax incentives for manufacturers who create factory jobs in the U.S. Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, who endorsed Obama in 2008, expressed his doubts about the plan in a
Even though fewer than one-fifth of the workers in any given state work in manufacturing, according to 2010 Census figures, emphasizing manufacturing gains can be effective in gaining the favor of all voters.
"I think it's effective as long as the jobs continue to come," says Jennifer Lawless, associate professor in
Emphasizing manufacturing is particularly important for the president, says Lawless, because many workers in manufacturing are "blue-collar Democrats," with loyalties that are not necessarily tied to socially liberal values. This means that being able to make a strong jobs argument will be an important tactic if Obama is to win over these voters, to whom Republicans might otherwise appeal.
Of course, this is all contingent upon sustained job growth. If manufacturing sees sustained gains, says Lawless, it may be difficult for Republicans to make a strong counter-argument.
"It seems to me that the main issue the Republican candidate can focus on is 'too little, too late,'" Lawless says,an argument that gives voters the difficult task of imagining an alternate reality in which Obama was not elected.
It's a pretty precarious position. It's not a position I'd want to be in as a candidate."
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If American Manufacturers Keep Jobs, So Does Obama | Politics
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