Obama's focus was blue-collar company

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The excitement of the President's visit kicked into high gear when the Presidential motorcade made its way through Buffalo.

The President then arrived at what would become the core of his visit: a local company to meet with a blue-collar workforce, renewing promise about rebuilding the economy.

Anthony Sabuda, Vice-President of Industrial Support, Inc., said, "A great day all the way around for ISI and all of WNY. We were with him one-on-one, I think, for 45 minutes. It was incredible. He said, "Take your time. I want to meet each and every one of ya. You went out of your way for us and I want to make sure I get to talk to everyone." I think the wide variety of work that we do, metal fabrication, electronic assembly, we've got a display division, he was very impressed that we had a wide diversity of things."

All the bigwigs have come and gone, but on all accounts, it appears that the White House can call this brief, controlled stop a success.

This small manufacturing facility on Buffalo's east side was filled with 250-300 people, employees of the plant on Depot Street and their invited guests. The President took the stage to a standing ovation at about 2:25 Thursday afternoon and greeted Buffalo.

President Obama said, "But I want to say to Buffalo, I want to say to all of you, and I want to say to America, we can say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, today we are headed in the right direction."

The President made a point of saying what he saw in this small, diverse plant, which has been growing about 20 percent a year, was encouraging.

"I want everyone here to know, in Buffalo and all across the country, we are on a course that is working. This company makes me want to double-down and work even harder," said President Obama.

Questions from the crowd covered a wide range. In the long run, will this brief three hour stay by the President help Buffalo?

Mayor Byron Brown said, "I believe it will. I think it shows that we are all on the President's radar screen, that our voices are being heard in Washington."

Common Council President David Franczyk said, "People are going to feel better about this visit. It's definitely a morale boost, but it has to be substance. We have gotten some stimulus funds from Washington that we didn't get before, so that shows that Obama is committed to places like Buffalo."

Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan said, "Absolutely. First, the leader of the free world is here in Buffalo, NY for three hours today talking about the needs of the Buffalo citizens in terms of jobs, health care, education. You know, in order to get all the things we need in life, you got to have a job. And that's what this is about today."