Obama boasts saving auto industry 'on the brink'

Before setting off to a Democratic fundraiser Thursday to boost the Democratic candidate vying for his old Senate seat, President Barack Obama addressed employees at Ford's motor plant on Chicago's South side, an institution he praised as a part of American history.

It was the president's third auto-plant visit in two weeks, with previous stops at General Motors and Chrysler factories in Detroit. Obama has used each appearance to highlight a revived auto industry, a turnaround he credits to last year's $60 million bailout - although he praised Ford for managing its recovery without government help.

"You weathered the storm without federal assistance," Obama said, as workers whooped and hollered.

White House officials have suggested that the theme of industry turnaround will be a major focus in the midterm elections for Democrats, who will be fighting hard to keep control in Congress.

Obama noted that for the first time since 2004, each of the "Big Three" auto companies is now turning a profit.

Ford, which currently employs about 1,400 workers at the Chicago plant, will add a second shift of 1,200 factory positions and an estimated 600 outside supplier jobs as it begins producing an energy-efficient 2011 Ford Explorer.

The jobs are due, in part, to a $400 million Energy Department loan the company received to make more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Companies like Addison-based Woodland Plastics Corp., say it's too early to say whether they will benefit from the additions. Woodland is a second-tier supplier, meaning it provides components that are shipped to another vendor, which installs them into a larger section before shipping the whole thing directly to Ford.

"The platforms that I provide for Ford are not at this plant right now," President Steve Sinderson said Thursday. "I don't see any direct increase coming, unless I land some new work."

Bob Spencer, of Portage, Ind., a toolmaker for 18 years at Ford, said his 20-year-old son Cody hopes to get one of the added positions on the company's assembly line. Working at the company is a family tradition, Spencer said, starting with his father in Michigan.

Spencer noted that the atmosphere at the plant has improved over the past year, but said he still finds himself looking over his shoulder.

"The fear's always there. Are the layoffs going to come back?" he said.

Obama noted that the auto industry would "take more time to heal" but was "headed in the right direction."

Following the Ford visit, Obama attended a lunchtime fundraiser at the Palmer House Hilton for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alexia Giannoulias.

Approximately 400 supporters attended the $1,000- to $2,400-a-ticket luncheon, including Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, and state Senate President John Cullerton. The event was expected to bring in approximately $1 million for the Giannoulias, who is trailing significantly behind Republican opponent Mark Kirk in fundraising dollars.

The White House has warmed to Giannoulias in recent months, despite controversy over the collapse of the candidates' family bank and its alleged ties to organized crime.

"Alexi is my friend. I know his character," the president told attendees. "I know how much he loves this country. I know how committed he is to public service for all the right reasons. He's not doing this to help lobbyists. He's not doing it to help special interests."

"You can trust him," Obama added." You can count on him."

Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.