Today we bear witness to history.  It’s not just the fact that the first African-American will be sworn in as our President and the leader of the Free World.  It is unfathomable to us today that there were Americans who would actually fight to their death to preserve the wretched institution of slavery.

It’s not even the fact that Barack Obama won the election in a landslide, and expectations for the success of our charismatic, young leader are high.

It’s because America is unique.  Our freedoms have been hard fought, the result of the blood and lives of our ancestors, and our men and women who continue the fight today.  Those freedoms are preserved by a uniquely American tradition as old as the Republic – the peaceful transition of power.

From one president to the next, the power and authority provided by the vote of our people is passed.  No guns.  No tanks.  No riots in the streets.  Just a simple oath every four or eight years, and it is done.

Americans of every gender, race, religion, and political party celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President.  At the National Association of Manufacturers, we embrace his message of hope and renewal for our country. And we commit ourselves to working together to bring our economy back, create and preserve American jobs, and strengthen America’s stature around the world.

We recognize the road ahead will be challenging.  But Americans have always risen above challenges and shattered barriers to success.  The NAM is proud that throughout our nation’s history, manufacturing has been a significant part of the solution and our nation’s progress.

As we witness the unfolding of history today, we are reminded of the wisdom of President Obama’s predecessors. 

Franklin Roosevelt, the President who faced the most daunting economic challenge in our nation’s history, offered this vision. “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.” His leadership saved the nation from financial ruin, when many thought the task impossible.  This vision is as applicable today as it was 75 years ago.

Abraham Lincoln is the President who is often cited by our new President as one who provides him guidance and inspiration.  “My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of the earth,” said the President who began the process of healing our nation after the Civil War.

There is no doubt the path ahead for our new President will be filled with very serious challenges.  Our economy is in crisis and our nation is in a recession not seen for generations.  Manufacturing has not been spared, and the downturn has led to less production, lost jobs and closed facilities.  But manufacturing is the engine that drives the U.S. economy, and it is the sector that can – and will – lead our nation into economic recovery. 

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.)

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.

(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.)

John McCain’s Senate colleague from Arizona, Jon Kyl, was appropriately honored at a reception yesterday in Minneapolis. The second-ranking Senate Republican, Kyl is an economic stalwart who truly understands the importance of lower taxes, limited regulation and strong energy policy to economic growth and job creation.

He remains steadfast in insisting that the tax extender legislation be completed before Congress leaves town for the year and that they not contain tax increases. This legislative package is tremendously important for manufacturers as it includes energy efficiency, R&D tax credit and international provisions that will help protect and grow jobs. These provisions need to be passed before Congress adjourns and we are hopeful that a bipartisan agreement can be reached that does so without offsetting tax increases.

(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 NAM crew visited the Bipartisan Policy Center event, of which we were a sponsor. Just as in Denver, this event was evidence that those on different sides of the political aisle can work together to achieve positive results.

Respect goes a long way in Washington, and it’s something that is lacking in the nation’s capital these days. But two former political opponents attending the reception were reminders that it is possible to regain that spirit of cooperation.

Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-KS) and former House Agriculture Chairman Dan Glickman (D-KS) were both on hand. Glickman is now CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America and we talked about how difficult it has become to get things done in DC now because of the partisan tenor. He noted that wasn’t always so, and that he believed in days past there was much more honor in the political process. “The Democrats always wanted me to run against Bob Dole,” he told me. “But I just couldn’t do it. He was a friend, I respected him, and he was just really good for the state.”

The ability to work with both sides of the political aisle and help educate Republicans and Democrats alike of the impact of their legislative initiatives on real people in the real world separates the NAM from some other organizations. Because in reality, no one who seeks public office intends to do harm to the economy or lose American jobs. But sometimes they just don’t realize the unintended consequences their actions might create.

(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.)

Had lunch with an old friend, Mark Buse, John McCain’s Chief of Staff in the Senate. As might be expected at the McCain nominating convention, Mark had to balance the bites of food in front of him, with calls from his boss.

Mark is someone who knows John McCain well – he first started working for then-Congressman McCain in 1984. Although he went into business for himself four years ago, the Senator called Mark back into public service earlier this year when he named him Chief. Prior to his stint in the private sector, Mark was the staff director of the Senate Commerce Committee where he worked with the Senator to advance common sense economic policy that promoted competition and growth.

My conversation with Mark reminded me that John McCain has a knack for surrounding himself with competent and knowledgeable folks. In addition to Mark, Rick Davis – the manager of the presidential campaign – has been a long-time loyalist of McCain. And the senior strategist Senator McCain recently brought on board – Steve Schmidt – is well-known as one of the most skilled and savvy campaign professionals in the country.

Most notable, in a town where long-term employment is often defined as anything exceeding 12 months, and relationships are too many times merely transactional, loyalty is a premium. John McCain hires well, and his team is known for their devotion and loyalty to him. That speaks volumes.

(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.)

Rising health care costs are at the top of most manufacturers’ list of concerns.

NAM member Eli Lilly sponsored a health care policy discussion at the GOP Convention in conjunction with Creative Coalition with a focus on diabetes.  Olympic medalist (1996, 2000 and 2004) Gary Hall, Jr. detailed the challenges he faced when he was diagnosed after his first Olympic competition. Innovative research and life saving medications as manufactured by Lilly make a difference every day.

Our nation’s policymakers can keep medical progress moving forward with their legislative decisions.  A permanent R&D tax credit is an obvious step in the right direction.

(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons blogged last week from the Democratic Convention in Denver, and this week he contributes his observations from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.)

With Hurricane Gustav bearing down on New Orleans, the entire tenor of the 2008 Republican Convention has changed.  Already dedicated to “service,” the focus of convention activities is now on how attendees, and all Americans, can assist in easing the fallout of the storm.

Many events are still on the schedule, but instead of celebrations and parties, organizers are instead turning them into fundraisers for charitable causes that will assist potential victims in the Gulf region.  Discussions on how to change the direction and focus of convention activities began on Saturday as the storm gathered strength and appeared to be on a path similar to the 2005 Hurricane Katrina.  On the way into a Saturday reception honoring the CEO of the convention, Maria Cino, ABC News (Brian Ross reporting) was attempting to unfairly denigrate attendees prior to the storm.  When asked if it was appropriate to attend such an event two days before the storm had reached land, I responded “I think if the hurricane hits New Orleans there will definitely be a lot of change of plans.”

And change there has been.  Those who know Maria Cino know she is one of the few professionals who could turn around years of planning on a dime.  The official session today has been shortened to focus on the mandatory business of the convention (democracy must proceed and the party must nominate its candidate in order for him to appear on the ballot in November) and to hear appeals from First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain for assistance for those in harm’s way. President Bush and Vice President Cheney, who were both scheduled to address the convention today, instead focused on the hurricane, working with State and local officials and deploying FEMA resources prior to impact.

As a member of the American Red Cross National Capital Area Board of Directors, I have been working with organizers of some events to help them change the focus and make them opportunities to raise funds for the Red Cross, which is the first to respond in a natural disaster.  Volunteers who had come to Minneapolis to party are now assembling relief packages that will be soon shipped to the impacted area.

It’s the right thing to do and Republican convention officials and the McCain campaign have responded admirably to a difficult situation.