In Manitowoc, President Barack Obama reiterates some points he made in his state of the union address, talking about funding research and development, making reference to the space race. Obama said “This is our generation’s Sputnik moment.”
At Orion Energy Systems in Manitowoc, Obama says America needs to continue to lead the world in innovation, and job creation. “It was right here, almost 50 years ago … that a chunk of metal came crashing down to the earth right here … It turns out that it was part of a satellite called Sputnik and it landed right here and it set the Space Race in motion. “
Obama notes how, after one of the city’s largest employers (Mirro) moved their operations abroad back in 2003, Manitowoc reinvented itself. “New manufacturing plants – and new hopes – are now taking root, part of the reason the unemployment rate here is four points lower than it was at the beginning of last year.”
The president also stresses the importance of getting serious about better education; improved infrastructure; and taking responsibility for the deficits by cutting wasteful, excessive spending. The Badger State is likely to see more of the president over the next two years, as Wisconsin is seen as a battleground state in the 2012 presidential election.
Thanks Brian Norton, WOMT, Manitowoc