oh mitt (part 9,372) ….

President Obama arrives to speak to workers at the Alcoa Davenport Works Factory in Bettendorf, Iowa

Des Moines Register: Alcoa officials and business leaders dismissed an assertion from … Mitt Romney that a federal labor board’s actions could threaten jobs at the Alcoa plant in Iowa. “No, we don’t see that happening,” said Alcoa spokesman Michael Belwood…

Romney said Monday that National Labor Relations Board’s actions against aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co. could result in job losses nationally and in Iowa. Boeing is accused of trying to move its Washington-based assembly line for its 787 airliner to a new nonunion factory in South Carolina as retaliation for past strikes in Washington.

Romney has complained about the federal board before, and on Monday said its decision to file a complaint against Boeing for unfair labor practices “slanted the field toward labor bosses.”

….. but the outcome of the NLRB hearing – whether it’s in favor of Boeing or against – will have no impact on this plant, the Alcoa spokesman said. Alcoa is growing, Belwood said. It has added 240 jobs since Dec. 1 and it has 60 more to fill in July and August. “The outlook is very good for the industry and for this plant.”

…. the National Labor Relations Board is an independent board and the president doesn’t control its decisions other than to appoint new members as terms expire.

….U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat, said Romney made it sound like a final decision has been made to block Boeing from opening its South Carolina plant. The reality is, the hearing process is at its beginning stages, Braley said. “(Romney) obviously doesn’t understand how the National Labor Relations Board works.”

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Thanks Suzanne

“hey baby, are you excited about huntsman?” (updated & video added)

President Obama holds a sleeping baby boy as he visits Ross’ restaurant in Bettendorf, Iowa, June 28

😆

Des Moines Register: ….. The president then made good on a 2008 campaign promise today, making a quick stop at Ross’ Restaurant in Bettendorf. The diner is off Interstate-74 on the way to Alcoa, which is in nearby Riverdale.
Three years ago, Obama talked with an owner, Cynthia Freidhof, at a town hall meeting, in August, 2008, and pledged to come here.

The president greeted Cynthia with a hug, as she walked through the door. She later said she didn’t know he was coming to the restaurant until he arrived. She had stepped to the street to watch his motorcade pass and then was told he was inside.

“You are so awesome,” Cynthia told the president as they hugged.

….“I think he’s a man of his word, always, and he’s doing the very best job that he can and I just can’t believe he’s here, but it’s real,” Freidhof said….

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President Obama tours Alcoa Davenport Works Factory prior to speaking on the economy in Bettendorf, Iowa

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