The Peoria area seems to be prime for Presidential visits.  In just over two years there have been three visits from the Commanders in Chief.  President George W. Bush made two trips to the Peoria area and now President Barack Obama made a stop at East Peoria’s Caterpillar Building HH. 

Jim MCConoughey, President/CEO of The Heartland Parthership was fortunate enough to be invited to hear President Obama.  He also attended President Bush’s event when he was in town.  Following are Jim's remarks as he walks us through the differences he observed between the two Presidential visits as well as how the message Obama delivered was received by those in attendance.

Click below to listen to President Obama's speech.

DIFFERENCES IN PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
President Obama had a smaller crowd, around 300, yet well representative of our region.  It is such a unique experience to be in a small group like this with someone as powerful as the President of the United States.  I overheard people who admittedly voted against Obama saying what an honor it was to be at this event.  There was a bipartisan feel.

A local resident and member of the UAW who was recently laid off,  opened the event.  I overheard people in the crowd say this was unexpected, but it was a good move for Caterpillar because it showed the company wasn't hiding the recent job losses.

The press in attendance for Obama’s visit seemed to have more of an international representation compared to President Bush’s visits.  It’s been said that the media has a love affair with this President, I stood in the back near the press and I can say the press is indeed still enamored with President Obama.

Security was tight for both Presidents however during this visit by Obama it seemed to be more relaxed.  Maybe it’s because we didn’t have to show ID to get in as we did when President Bush was here, but there were several barriers to go through and an abundant show of armed security.

Perhaps the biggest difference that I recognized was when President Bush came to town there were people lining the streets to get a glimpse of him and the Presidential motorcade, but this time the people lining the streets were waving signs and pictures of President Obama in a very celebratory way.   They were cheering and seemed to be in awe of the President as he passed by.  There were smiles on people's faces, Republicans and Democrats.

OBAMA’S MESSAGE
When he entered Building HH there was a thunderous roar and when he started his speech he said “I’m home” which seemed to create a sense of intimacy.  His home is where our home is and that resonated with the crowd.  Obama’s speech along with Caterpillar President/CEO Jim Owens’ seemed almost impromptu as if they were talking to old friends without notes and without a script.

President Obama noted several key figures in attendance including Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.  He commended LaHood on the work he did for this region and said how grateful he is for LaHood to be a part of his cabinet.  He said LaHood represents the "can do" attitude of the Midwest.

He also pointed out Senator George Shadid as a personal friend, and noted Congressman Aaron Schock was in the crowd.  Obama said he has high hopes for Schock but he also called Schock out for not being completely on board with the federal stimulus plan saying “Aaron is still trying to make up his mind about our recovery package…I know all of you are going to talk to him after our event, because he is a very talented young man and I have great confidence for him to do the right thing for the people of Peoria.”

OBAMA’S CALL TO ACTION
The President was quite frank saying we are in a deep recession, one that is going to take a lot of work to recover.  He was quick to say that his stimulus plan will help us get on the right path to recovery.   His message was very realistic saying it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

He said we have lost 3.6 million jobs since the recession began, nearly 600,000 jobs were lost last month alone, and we’ve seen 20,000 layoffs at Caterpillar.  “You know this isn’t about figures on a balance sheet it’s about families.  It is about the ripple effects across this entire community.”

He said in many ways you can see America’s bottom line by looking at Caterpillar’s bottom line. “Those 22,000 layoffs aren’t just about those families it is representative of America.  It shows we are not building up our country…if Cat isn’t doing well it’s indicative of our country.”

Obama said this is a once in a generation chance to act boldly and we should use this crisis as a way to transform our economy for the 21st century.  That seemed to resonate well with those in attendance.   People saw that as a call for us to join forces and work as a team to get through this recession.

That is something this region does very well. We are already working as a team to make our region stronger, to prepare our friends and families for what's ahead, and to make sure our businesses have the tools needed to survive this recession.  Team work is one of our strengths.

STIMULUS PLAN
Obama touted his stimulus plan saying it will save or create more than 3.5 million jobs over the next two years and ignite spending by consumers.  He admitted not everyone shares his same view on how to pull out of this recession but he said everyone realizes we have to do something.

The stimulus bill has passed the House and Senate and now it’s been reconciled and is going back to those two chambers then to the president’s desk.  Obama said “No matter how they act and when we finally pass it, it will be a major step forward.”  He also said that Caterpillar will be able to rehire some of the folks just laid off if the stimulus plan is passed and he hopes that will happen all around the country.  This got the crowd’s attention.

Jim Owens addressed this statement at his press conference after the President’s speech saying it may not happen overnight but it is plausible that if things pick up for Caterpillar due to the stimulus package, the company would consider hiring some people back.

The President also challenged us to make some changes in our lives.  He urged people to get serious about living within their means.  Obama said he has the fullest confidence that we can think boldly, work quickly and we will come out of this with a better day for our children and grandchildren.