(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week.)

Most Americans can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when a major historical moment occurs. I remember my precise location when I heard the joyous news that the Iranian hostages had been freed and a few months later the horrific report that President Reagan had been shot. I don’t think I’ve met another American who can forget where they were when the Twin Towers fell.

If you happen to see Tiffany Adams, NAM’s Vice President for Public Affairs, in about a quarter of a century, ask her about today – August 28, 2008 – and what she was doing. I’m looking at her right now, bounding to her feet at Invesco Field with 70,000 others who are screaming at the tops of their lungs. I guarantee Tiffany will never forget this moment, and if you know her, you know she will be more than willing to tell you about it!

A pro-business Democrat, Tiffany is a highly respected trade association professional in Washington and is responsible for organizing the hundreds of dialogues that the NAM sponsors between manufacturing workers and their Representatives and Senators. As a black American, she understands that today – 45 years to the day that Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous speech – the King Dream is reaching a new pinnacle. Tiffany is proud and excited. And the tears flowing down her cheeks are clearly tears of jubilation.

The crowd was in rapt attention when the Senator said “Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story – of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren’t well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to. It is that promise that has always set this country apart – that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well.”

And so it is for millions of others who thought this day might never come. Americans revere history and they respect those who make it. Barack Obama deserves the respect of all Americans on this day.

In future days, the NAM stands ready to assist him in strengthening America, whether he is elected President or continues to serve the people of Illinois in the Senate.

Al Gore spoke to the crowd.  He seems to still be reliving the fact that Americans turned him away eight years ago. Really sir, it’s time to move on.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week.)

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and First Lady Jeannie Ritter were the gracious hosts to a diverse group of international guests at an event sponsored by NAM member company 3M at the Governor’s residence Wednesday.

Jeff Rageth, 3M’s Vice President for Government Affairs, opened by noting that 3M manufacturers in 70 countries around the world and sells products in over 200 countries.  American innovation and commerce is key to building strong economies around the world, and 3M is a vivid example of why free trade is good for the United States and the world.

The event was co-hosted by the National Democratic Institute, an organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. As part of its International Leaders Forum, NDI brought observers – party and elected leaders in emerging democracies – to the Democratic National Convention from across the globe to witness democracy in action.  The Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, made note of the unique and powerful role that NDI has in promoting democracy and democratic principles.  (Side note: Mauritius made news earlier this month as bantomweight boxer Bruno Julie became the first Olympic athlete from that country to ever secure a medal – a bronze).

Last year, I had the opportunity to work with NDI’s sister organization, the International Republican Institute (IRI) when the organization sent me to Cambodia to work with four political parties in developing policy proposals and platforms for their upcoming national elections – something many nascent democracies are not familiar with.  NDI and IRI are vital partners in advancing the cause of freedom and democracy around the world.  When Americans get frustrated with our political system, we need only look at the struggles of billions who live in the shadow of tyranny and oppression to understand how blessed we are to live in our country.

From Financial Week, “Surprise! Dem platform calls for a permanent R&D tax credit“:

The new Democratic Party platform, unveiled Monday evening in Denver, has been mostly lost in the hoopla surrounding the convention. But several planks in the platform should grab the attention of corporate finance execs. At the top of the list: making the research and development tax credit permanent.

The R&D tax credit has been extended in one-year iterations almost a dozen times since it was created in 1981. Several industries have backed making the credit permanent, saying that businesses need to be able to rely on the credit to effectively budget for research and development.

Jay Timmons, executive vice president for the National Association of Manufacturers, said in a phone interview from Denver that “this is an issue that the Democrats should own,” referring to the fact that a Democratic Congress passed the original law. “It is really part of their heritage.”

According to Mr. Timmons, he has spoken with several Blue Dog Democrats—a group of fiscal conservatives within the party—as well as other party officials during the convention about making the tax credit permanent, and has seen interest in the issue. “Both Democrats and Republicans want to make it permanent, and there’s one simple way to make that happen: just do it,” he said, adding that the R&D tax credit should be the first piece of legislation lawmakers propose when they come back from August recess.

The Democratic platform is available here.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week.)

It is official.

Barack Obama has been nominated by the Democratic Party for President of the United States, the first African-American to ever achieve this honor. Regardless of your political stripe and who you are ultimately voting for, it is awe-inspiring to witness history in the making.

The NAM congratulations Senator Obama on this monumental achievement.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is at the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week, and he’ll be blogging events, adding his insights as both a veteran of Senate and campaign politics and as a top representative of the U.S. manufacturing economy.)

Ran into Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa at the “Frosted Pink” reception for breast cancer awareness.  Seeing him reminded me of the NAM’s work with him, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and others on the ADA Amendments Act.

The ADA bill responds to court rulings over the years that have narrowed the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act, making sure that people with disabilities have the full opportunity to work, while ensuring employer flexibility when managing the workforce.

We are hopeful that the Senate will take up this important bipartisan compromise when Congress returns in September. It’s the right thing to do.

This is another example of how non-traditional allies can work together for the good of the country.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is at the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week, and he’ll be blogging events, adding his insights as both a veteran of Senate and campaign politics and as a top representative of the U.S. manufacturing economy.)

It is rare at a political convention to see a non-partisan event.Thanks to a dedicated group of sponsors – including NAM members Shell, Phrma, Entergy, Nuclear Energy Institute, American Chemistry Council, American Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute, Lockheed-Martin, and Duke Energy — Denver was home to a star-studded event to raise funds for the “Friends of New Orleans” organization. The Friends Group is dedicated to helping rebuild New Orleans after the devastating 2005 Hurricane Katrina and has brought together political professionals and public servants from both sides of the aisle in this noble effort.

Uber-power couple (Republican) Mary Matalin and (Democrat) James Carville were in attendance, with Carville taking center stage to thank attendees and generate support for the cause. (Event poster.) The same sponsors will be hosting another “New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya” at the GOP Convention in Minnesota next week.

The show of support for the people of New Orleans is a vivid reminder that determined leaders can work together without regard to political party. Let’s hope that bipartisanship extends into the next Congress on issues that matter to all manufacturing workers across the United States.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is at the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week, and he’ll be blogging events, adding his insights as both a veteran of Senate and campaign politics and as a top representative of the U.S. manufacturing economy.)

Big Labor Bosses are flexing their muscles at the Democratic Convention, proving how vital the dues they collect from unionized workers are to Democrat political objectives.

Karen Ackerman, the AFL-CIO political director, gave a sneak peak yesterday at the massive $53 million the union will unload to influence unsuspecting voters.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• One million pieces of mail going out today in four target states: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
• A goal of 10 million doors to be knocked on
• Over 25 million pieces of mail before election day
• 70 million phone calls
• 250,000 volunteers

The focus of today’s mailer, according to Ackerman, is to build awareness of the Obama record in the Senate showing that “he is a partisan and will not cave.” (So much for letting the nominee move to the political center to attract independent voters.)

Overall, the AFL-CIO Big Labor Bosses say they will engage in 510 races from statehouses to the White House to “build a sustained movement,” including 61 U.S. House campaigns and 11 U.S. Senate campaigns.

Ackerman also indicated that the unions will deploy union lawyers and poll watchers on Election Day as part of a “voter protection program”. Given their focused determination to eliminate the secret ballot in union organizing efforts, voters might want to be a little concerned about the “protection” the Big Labor Bosses want to provide.

More:

• Rocky Mountain News, “Fractured labor unions displays unity at DNC rally“
• Financial Week, “AFL-CIO unveils $50 million campaign for Obama “
• AFL-CIO events during Democratic National Convention
• The AFL-CIO blog, reporting from Denver.

Sen. Joe Biden was certainly an interesting pick for Sen. Obama. Right until the very last minute, many thought Obama would pick Hillary Clinton to shore up the remaining Democrats who supported her in the primary and who haven’t warmed to him. Polls right after the Biden selection suggest that a Clinton pick might have brought more unity to the Dem ticket - from one-quarter to one-third of Hillary backers are still saying they won’t support their party’s nominee.

But the Biden pick sends a message that targets another key constituency group - independent and undecided voters who like Obama, but who have been concerned his experience in foreign policy is rather light. Biden brings deep foreign policy credentials and is respected on both sides of the political aisle, and is well-known in foreign capitals. In fact, immediately after the Russia-Georgia conflict erupted, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Biden traveled to Georgia with an offer to assist.

A few years ago, my office was right across the hall from the Biden office. You get to know the real person when you see them all the time - especially when they are in a hurry to get to a vote or meeting. Joe Biden is the consummate gentleman. He never missed an opportunity to say hello, even though he knew I was a mere staffer in another office. On the floor of the Senate, he is certainly known for being loquacious, but he also has a reputation for being gracious and respectful of his colleagues.

The Biden record on manufacturing issues is not so rosy, unfortunately. Except for one vote in support of the NAM position on energy development (a very important vote to be sure) and another authorizing funding for highways, the Biden record in the last Congress on key manufacturing issues is dismal. Overall, in the last Congress (2005-2006), he only voted to support the NAM agenda 11% of the time.

But the NAM has always found him willing to listen. We hope that continues should he be elected Vice President in November.