The rescue of the American automotive industry and the ingenuity of the Detroit's workers was a major theme of President Barack Obama's speech Wednesday evening at a fundraiser held at in Dearborn.
Standing on a stage near an aircraft exhibit–and just a short distance from the presidential limousines used by his predecessors–Obama delivered his nearly 25-minute campaign speech to about 600 supporters.
"When some politicians said, 'Let Detroit go bankrupt,' I placed my bets on American workers," said Obama, referencing the auto rescue in 2008. "Today GM is back on top as the number one automaker in the world. Chrysler is growing faster than any other car company. Ford is investing billions in plants and factories all across America, bringing thousands of jobs home. 200,000 new jobs over the last two and half years - the American auto industry is back."
He also took the opportunity to highlight key issues and legislation during his term, including ending the war in Iraq, health insurance reform, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the creation of nearly 4 million jobs in the past two years, and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
"Now, we got to keep it going," Obama said.
He also contrasted himself from the Republicans in the upcoming election, and stated that Republicans would roll back Wall Street and health insurance reform.
"It is a make-or-break moment of the middle class in this country," he said.
Obama stated that he wanted continued innovation from domestic companies.
"I want the next generation of manufacturing taking root–not in Asia, not in Europe–I want it to happen right here in Detroit, right here in Michigan," he said to a roar of approval from the crowd.
According to the Detroit News, attendees of Obama's fundraiser at the Henry Ford Museum paid between $250 and $5,000 to attend the event.
After the Dearborn event, the president traveled to the Bingham Farms home of Denise Ilitch and Jim Scalici for a second fundraiser. There, he reportedly , including former Gov. Jim Blanchard, attorney Geoffrey Fieger, former NBA and University of Michigan basketball star Jalen Rose and former Detroit Tigers great Willie Horton.
This is Obama's second visit to Michigan this year. In January, he .
The Henry Ford is in the same location Michigan native and likely 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney launched his unsuccessful presidential bid in 2007.
Obama concluded his Wednesday night visit to Dearborn with a call to action to the crowd.
"If you are willing to continue to work, there is nothing that is going to stop us," he said. "We are going to finish what we started in 2008."
