Posted on 01/21/2011 1:09:34 PM PST by NYer
SCHENECTADY -- President Barack Obama touted General Electric's efforts to develop a renewable energy business as a "model for America" during a speech Friday at the company's downtown plant that focused on expanding exports to China.
Obama's 20-minute speech at GE hit on the themes that are likely to turn up often in the months ahead: America has turned a corner out of economic collapse, but needs a reinvention on its role in the world marketplace to sustain its recovery.
"We're going back to Thomas Edison's principle," Obama told a standing crowd of about 400 at the GE facility in Schenectady. He said that the power products emerging from this plant would be headed to India, fulfilling the potential of a recent trade mission that secured $10 billion in exports.
"This plant is what that trip was all about," he said.
Obama also spoke for the first time about his decision to appoint GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt as chair of the White House's new Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.
"Our challenge ... is to harness the spirit, the potential, that you represent," he told GE employees gathered at a building in the complex.
"I want plants like this all across America. This is a model of what's possible," Obama said. "We know we can compete. Not just in the industries of the past but the industries of the future."
"In this ever-shrinking world, what we build in Schenectady we can sell in Shanghai. We need to export more goods around the world. That's where the customers are."
The President and business leaders, including Immelt, met with Chinese leaders this week and struck a deal to open Chinese markets to more U.S. products.
"Open our markets to two-way trade, not just one-way trade," Obama said to loud applause.
He also noted new trade deals with South Korea and India, saying GE is going to sell advanced turbines to India.
"This plant is what that trip was all about," he said.
Immelt introduced Obama at the GE facility, welcoming him to "the birthplace of GE more than 100 years ago."
GE has 7,000 employees in the Capital Region, Immelt said, and "I know that this team can compete with anyone."
As he greeted the crowd, Obama announced the assembled dignitaries, particularly ,"The outstanding mayor of Schenectady, who flew up with me. He looked like he was having a pretty good time: Brian Stratton is here."
GE is "part of a proud tradition" but "a lot has changed since those early days," Obama said. "We've seen our economy transform by rising competition from around the globe."
He mentioned that "upstate New York and places like it have seen their fair share of hard times. ... What has never changed is that America is still home to the most creative and innovative people in the world."
Noting last year's opening of GE's renewable energy plant in Schenectady, Obama said, "Our challenge ... is to harness this spirit, to harness this potential, to start and expand new business, hire and grow new workers."
"You guys are models of what's possible," he said.
But the U.S. needs to do more in the global economy, Obama said.
Air Force One touched down at Albany International Airport shortly after noon.
Obama, followed by U.S. senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand; and representatives Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson and Stratton, were greeted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings.
Obama shook hands with people in a crowd of supporters who were allowed onto airport property to meet the President.
During his visit to Schenectady, he will discuss jobs and his decision to appoint General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt to a White House panel tasked with jump-starting job creation.
Obama picked Immelt to replace former Federal Reserve chairman Paul A. Volcker in a key economic advisory post.
Immelt will chair a new Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. He will be at Obama's side when the President speaks about the economy and GE's plans for green energy projects in Schenectady.
Spotted in the crowd at GE was Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy, Assembly members Jim Tedisco, Bob Reilly, Jack McEneny and Ron Canenstrari, senators Neil Breslin and Ruth Hassell-Thompson; and Proctors CEO Philip Morris.
It is Obama's second visit to the Capital Region since his 2008 election. He spoke about technology during a 2009 visit to Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
Ping!
GE will buy 25,000 VOLT cars for their employees for test purposes. Guess who is making the plug in stations?
Could you imagine what the MSM would’ve said if Dick Cheney had treated Haliburton the way Obama treats GE?
President Barack Obama takes a tour of the facilities with GE CEO Jeff Immelt before speaking to a crowd gathered at General Electric in Schenectady Jan. 21, 2011. Obama said he wants to open up Chinese markets to U.S. companies to have "two-way trade, not just one-way trade." ( Michael P. Farrell/Times Union ) Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Obama-lights-up-GE-Schenectady-969707.php#ixzz1BhrdC9ch
Hmmmm .... ahem .... GE?
Since Barry the bastard funneled billions to GE in the supposed bank salvation bill (GE is not a bank but was bailed out by the obama program), perhaps the bastard is just touring his properties.
GE was a big player in the race for carbon credits ... Is Obambi trying to make it up to the company because the citizens of the world found out that global warming was a hoax?
I heard some of that speech. Pitiful. “I got to see some steam turbines...and a whole bunch of fancy stuff.” And this clown is supposed to be some gifted orator.
As for Immelt, the hell with him. Boycott GE (I have for years)
Call the Fire Department! 911!
Why not?
Didn’t he just give them $25 billion?
We just got our Volt today.
150 miles on it and it’s parked out by the labs.
When we’re done trashing it, we’re gonna tear it apart.
Not a bad interioor, but the bone white center console looks like the old iPods.
Funny, the charger says it’s got 8 miles range and it will take until 9:30 tonight to complete.
Boycott GE
Wasn’t it a year ago that Obummer pronounced his “laser focus on jobs”? Now he has finally created a Council on Jobs and Competetiveness? Does he expect a new commission to produce anything for the next year, other than paper drivel?
Just wondering why you chose to go down this road (no pun intended). I understand from the advertising that the Volt takes only $1.50 in electricity each day. Multiply that times 31 days and that makes $46.50 per month. No mention of how long it takes to refill the Volt. What say you?
Evening NYer,
Any idea what the unemployment percent is in SCHENECTADY ?
And maybe the rest of Up state?
Thanks
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