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Obama Gives Manufacturing a Promotion

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Since Ron Bloom–IMO, the most effective member of the Auto bailout team–got named the special advisor for manufacturing in September 2009, those of us insisting the country has to reinvest in manufacturing have argued Bloom should get more power to make that happen.

At least in theory, his imminent promotion to Assistant to the President will finally make that happen.

Bloom was named special adviser for manufacturing at the Treasury Department in September 2009. Since then, he has made occasional speeches about manufacturing. But the change will give him more clout and allow him to dedicate his full efforts to manufacturing.

His new title is assistant to the president for manufacturing policy within the National Economic Council. Bloom declined to comment.

Alliance for American Manufacturing Executive Director Scott Paul’s enthusiastic statement on the promotion suggests Bloom will be able to bridge the world of manufacturing and that of the banksters that populate the White House.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing enthusiastically welcomes the announcement today of Ron Bloom being elevated to the position of assistant to the president for manufacturing policy.  No one knows the intersection of Wall Street, company board rooms, how things work on the shop floor, and economic policy better than Ron, who demonstrated his skill and know-how in helping to lead the auto industry recovery effort.

Ron’s intellect and perspective are much-needed at a time when Congress and the Administration turn their attention to creating good manufacturing jobs in America.  We share Ron’s interest and ability in bringing labor and business together to solve problems, and we look forward to working with him in his new capacity to strengthen our economy.

Mind you, at a time when the Obama Administration is also pushing the job-killing Korean trade deal, it’s not yet clear that Bloom’s promotion represents a real commitment to rebuilding our own manufacturing capacity. But at least it’s a step in the right direction.