Politics
Election 2012: Obama to focus on keeping manufacturing in Virginia
The Rolls-Royce site is part of a project to bring together researchers from Virginia universities and global manufacturing companies, an example of what Obama hopes to accomplish. The president has promoted a number of initiatives aimed at manufacturers and the return of jobs to the U.S., including the elimination of tax incentives that make it more attractive for companies to ship jobs overseas.
In Texas, Obama was raising campaign cash among supporters who live in a reliably Republican state. Jimmy Carter, in 1976, was the last Democratic presidential candidate to carry Texas, but changing demographics and an influx in Hispanic voters have given Democrats hopes of competing in the state beyond the 2012 elections.
Obama’s fundraisers included a reception with more than 600 people at Union Station at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, with tickets starting at US$500 per person.
The president was also attending a dinner with 70 people at the home of Tony Chase, the CEO of recruiting and staffing firm ChaseSource and a law professor at the University of Houston, and Dina Alsowayel, the associate director of women’s studies at the University of Houston. Tickets cost US$35,800 per person.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
