Americans have chosen a new president, placing their faith in Illinois Senator Barack Obama to lead the country for the next four years. The mandate is clear – with at least 349 electoral votes – reaffirmed by strong voter turnout across the nation.

It was a decision of historic importance, as Senator Obama becomes the first African-American elected President. Yet this election was not about history, but about the future. The voters believe that Barack Obama was the candidate best equipped to lead the United States through the difficult times ahead.

Differences of opinion will still occur, but now is the time to change the tenor of the debate. The last decade has tied the country in knots with rancor from both sides. It is time to heal, and it is time to work together to move our great nation forward.

Remember this: Everyone who stood for election cares about our country, and their care, concern and allegiance will carry on into the future. And our democracy is strengthened.

Now it’s incumbent upon Democrats and Republicans, business and labor, the young and old and everyone in between, to work together to create policies to make our country stronger. The economic challenges are great: the financial crisis, the pressing need to create jobs, the never-ending global competition. Our security at home and abroad must never be threatened.

We stand ready to work with the new leadership. Manufacturers are eager to share experiences and hard-earned insights and information with America’s leaders.

America has spoken, our democracy has been refreshed, and the future awaits. To President-elect Obama, we send our sincere and best wishes for a successful Presidency. To Senators and Representatives, returning and newly arriving, congratulations. To all, we say call on us. Manufacturers want you to succeed in the responsibilities you have accepted and earned, and in doing so, to move our nation forward.

With 44 states having now closed their polls and the next hour mark nearing, there’s more than enough evidence to make a few basic observations…

Democrats are enjoying an evening worthy of solid jubilation, as Senator Obama wins the key states of Pennsylvania and Ohio on his way toward an apparent victory. Democrats are picking up seats in the House and Senate, but it appears they will not attain the filibuster-breaking threshold of 60 votes.

According to the network projections, Democrats defeated incumbent Republicans in New Hampshire (Shaheen over Sununu), Virginia (Warner over Gilmore), North Carolina (Hagan over Dole) and most likely will win the open races in Colorado (Udall) and New Mexico (Udall). However, Republicans retained enough Senate seats to prevent the attainment of 60: Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and, it appears at this point, Roger Wicker in Mississippi.

In the Senate, Republican incumbents remain up in the air: Minnesota with Sen. Coleman versus Al Franken; Oregon wtih Sen. Gordon Smith versus Jeff Merkley; in Alaska, Sen. Ted Stevens against Mark Begich.

Louisiana’s Senate race, the only serious challenge against an incumbent, is still close between Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu and Republican Treasurer John Kennedy.

We take special note of Senator McConnell’s victory. The Senator has been a stalwart ally of manufacturing. He has been a key leader on energy supply legislation and against the destructive Employee Free Choice Act.
 

Polls in Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, and parts of Indiana and Kentucky are now closed.

Mark Warner has been projected as the winner of the Virginia Senate race.  Democrats are plus one.  Mark Warner is a pro-business Democrat who has extended an open door policy to the NAM and will be good to work with.

Manufacturers are closely watching the financial troubles rocking Wall Street, a very serious matter that affects the ability of companies to raise capital. But just as importantly, all of us are deeply concerned about the people being hurt, the seniors who are seeing their retirement funds take a hit, the employees anxious about their jobs, and the uncertainty about the economy that worries everyone.

Blame is the flip side of accountability, and it’s inevitable that we’ll see finger pointing during a campaign season.

We can debate the fault of Congress, the fault of the Administration, the fault of regulators, the fault of Wall Street and business executives, on and on and on. But how does that help?

The American people understand that we’ve gone through 15 years or so of very good times. America has really been in its heyday economically, and both parties get to share in that prosperity.

We’ve had Democratic presidents and Republican presidents, Democratic Congresses and Republican Congresses. Now we’re in a situation where the American economy is in trouble, and both parties have to share in the blame for that as well.

More importantly, both parties can share in the solution, too. We need federal, state and local candidates who say:

• “I’m going to support a tax policy that promotes investment, increases consumer spending and creates jobs.”
• “I’m going to advocate free trade that increases markets for American products, because American products are the highest quality of the world.”
• “We’re going to increase energy supply and lower costs and put more money back in the hands of the consumers.”
• “And we’re going to create a smart regulatory system that punishes those who abuse the public trust, one that unleashes American ingenuity and inspires new ways of creating jobs in this country, one that improves not only our economy but the economy worldwide.”

In a time when economic anxiety is high, the public would be well served by an uplifting message, a bipartisan message of encouragement and economic growth.

(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minn., following up on his reports from the Democratic Convention last week in Denver.)

The GOP nominee presented his case to the American people as he accepted the nomination this evening.

It was a convincing case indeed.

Senator McCain detailed why he loves his country so much and what shaped his desire to serve the United States. “My country saved me and I cannot forget it. I will fight for her as long as I can draw breath, so help me God, ” he declared. (Text.)

The were few dry eyes around me.

He articulated what he will work for if he is elected.

The Senator zeroed in on the biggest problem in Washington - partisanship  “The constant partisan rancor that stops us from solving these problems isn’t a cause, it’s a symptom. It’s what happens when people go to Washington to work for themselves and not you.”

He also spoke passionately about lower taxes (including lower corporate taxes), expanded international markets, quality private sector health care, worker training, higher education standards, expanded domestic energy supply (including drilling off-shore, new nuclear plants, clean coal and alternatives), and for the export of freedom and democracy around the world.

John McCain has laid it out before the people of America as his opponent did last week.

Now the campaign begins in earnest.

The American people are listening and they want, and should have, specifics from the candidates on their policy positions.  The decisions our leaders make impact the lives of real people in the real world every day. 

Senator McCain said it best: “It matters less that you can fight. What matters is what you fight for.”

We at the NAM will be watching this election closely and will provide critical information to manufacturers and the nearly 14 million manufacturing employees across the country so that they can make informed decisions in the voting booth.

Stay tuned in the weeks to come.

(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minn., following up on his reports from the Democratic Convention last week in Denver.)

Carly Fiorina invited the NAM crew to join her in her convention suite this evening. What a great vantage point to watch the speeches.

Named one of the America’s Most Powerful Women by Forbes magazine, the former Hewlett-Packard president and CEO  is savvy, and astute, and was an early supporter of the McCain for President effort.

Should she be called to serve in a McCain Administration, Carly Fiorina would bring the wisdom of the private sector and the trust of her president.

(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minn., following up on his reports from the Democratic Convention last week in Denver.)

Cindy McCain won’t be on the ballot, but Americans have a special place in their hearts for the spouses of our Presidents.

Last week, we saw the genuine compassionate spirit and focused determination of Michelle Obama. Her address electrified the attendees at the Democratic convention.

This week, we witnessed the grace and playful wit of Mrs. McCain. An introductory video outlined her charitable endeavors and gave viewers a glimpse of her generous, nurturing heart.

She spoke with passion about her husband’s commitment to country and sterling military service.

Her pride in Senator McCain and her family was most evident, as was her passion for serving others

Like many who give of themselves selflessly, Cindy McCain has not spoken of her work in any great detail in the past. But her efforts to help the underprivileged around the world through “Operation Smile” and other charitable endeavors give America a glimpse of a wonderful servant who is the Republican presidential nominee’s First Lady.

If she becomes America’s First Lady, she will clearly be prepared to help lift the lives and spirits of those she touches.

(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minn., following up on his reports from the Democratic Convention last week in Denver.)

What a time in our country’s history - Republicans will nominate their first female candidate for Vice President - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Which ever party wins the White House, they will make history like never before - the first female Vice President or the first African-American President.

As Ronald Reagan said - The time is now.

In her speech accepting the nomination for Vice President this evening, Governor Palin made sure America knew she is ready for the job she is seeking. (Excerpts)

Last week, I blogged about my own mother’s rise as one of the first female CEOs in southern Ohio. It’s been a long road for the women of America, but as Hillary Clinton recently said, women are poised to finally break through the highest glass celling of them all. She may have thought she was talking about someone else, but turns out she was prophetic.

A reform-minded executive who understands fiscal responsibility, the Governor summed up her philosophy aptly: “I came to office promising to control spending, by request if possible, by veto if necessary.”

She concisely laid out a common sense approach to more domestic energy supply and lower prices at the pump as she called for more pipelines, nuclear facilities, clean coal and alternative sources: “We need to produce more of our own oil and gas….We need American energy produced by American ingenuity and brought to you by American workers.”

There are two months before the election and voters will learn more about all the candidates for President and Vice President. But if tonight is any indication, the Republican nominee for Vice President has shown SHE is ready to talk about public policy solutions that will positively impact real people in the real world.

And I’m pretty sure Americans will be listening.

(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minn., following up on his reports from the Democratic Convention last week in Denver.)

OK - I admit this is self-serving, but hey it’s a blog! And, well, who doesn’t like dogs and cats?

Ran into NBC News’ David Gregory walking into the Xcel Center. In addition to being a highly respected and always prepared journalist, David is just an all around nice guy.

I took the opportunity to again thank him for being the special guest at the Washington Humane Society’s annual Bark Ball earlier this year. As the Chair of WHS in my spare time, I promote the rescue, shelter and adoption of companion pets in the nation’s capital with CEO Lisa LaFontaine and her staff and volunteers.

It’s a great non-partisan cause and David Gregory was a fantastic draw.

(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minn., following up on his reports from the Democratic Convention last week in Denver.)

NAM member company Brown-Forman honored the Kentucky delegation this afternoon and Sen. Jim Bunning was ready to talk policy.

An ardent advocate for a permanent R&D tax credit, he is ready to roll up his sleeves in the next Congress to get it done.

Without the predictability and consistency of a permanent credit, businesses can’t plan and vital research is often delayed.

As we search for new energy alternatives, it only makes sense that Congress unleash the creativity of American ingenuity. Senator Bunning understands that basic fact.