President Obama on Thursday argued that White House proposals to boost American manufacturing would keep the nation's middle class "growing" and "thriving" by spurring the launch of new factories across the country.
At the start of a three-day road trip to sell initiatives included in his State of the Union address, Obama told workers at an auto parts plant in Asheville, N.C. his plan would spur economic growth by creating good-paying jobs in struggling communities.
“I believe in manufacturing,” Obama said at the plant, speaking without his suit jacket, and with his sleeves rolled up. “I believe it makes our economy stronger.”
“Our middle class, when it's growing, when it's thriving … that's the American dream. That's what we have we have to fight for," he added.
Even before Obama touched down in North Carolina on Wednesday, the White House began fleshing out the president’s plan — including the proposal for a $6-billion manufacturing tax credit in the administration's upcoming budget.
Read more on Obama's first post-State of the Union public appearance.
