President Obama speaks at the 2014 Milwaukee Laborfest

[alp227]

Full remarks here. Excerpts:

But we’re here to celebrate something that sometimes the American people take for granted -- the 40-hour workweek, overtime pay, a minimum wage, weekends like this one. All that didn’t happen by accident. It happened because America’s workers organized for it, fought for it. History shows that working families can get a fair shot in this country, but only if we’re willing to fight for it.

America is stronger because of the decisions we made to rescue our economy and rebuild it on a new foundation asking the simple question, is this good for ordinary Americans, is this good for working people -- not just a few, but for everybody. And over the past 53 months, our business have created nearly 10 million new jobs. (Applause.) We’re on a streak where, the last six months, we’ve created more than 200,000 jobs each month -– that’s the first time that’s happened since 1997. (Applause.)

America is stronger because we invested in homegrown energy. The world’s number-one oil and gas producer -- it’s not Russia, it’s not Saudi Arabia -- it’s the U.S. of A. We are the largest producer. (Applause.) And for the first time in nearly 20 years, America now produces more oil than we buy from other countries. But we’re also producing more clean energy, putting folks back to work. We’ve tripled the amount of wind power that creates energy. We’ve increased by 10 times the amount of solar power we create. And all of that is creating tens of thousands of good jobs all across the country. (Applause.)

It’s a good thing that corporate profits are high; I want American businesses to succeed. It’s a good thing that the stock market is booming; a lot of folks have 401Ks in there, I want them to feel good. But I also want to see the guy who’s breaking his back on two eight-hour shifts so he’s got enough money to send his kids to college, I want to make sure that guy is getting a break. I want to make sure he’s getting some help. (Applause.) I want to see that woman who’s worked for 40 years be able to retire with some dignity and some respect. (Applause.) That’s how I measure progress -- not just by how well the economy is doing overall but how it’s doing for folks who are working so hard doing everything right, just want a fair shot, and didn’t have anything handed to them in their lives, weren’t born with a silver spoon in their mouths.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Where was Mary Burke today?

Oh, yeah, K&R.

[alp227]

2. "Burke was at the event but left before Obama's speech."

Per the Milwaukee J-S. http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/president-obama-expected-to-stress-economic-gains-in-milwaukee-speech-b99342309z1-273453181.html

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Why is she trying so hard to blow the election?

[NYC_SKP]

4. Where was SOS Clinton?

Lately she's been taking some paid gigs as keynote.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Another interesting question.

But for a Dem Gubernatorial candidate to duck out on the President when he comes to give a fairly important speech in the largest city in your state…

Hoodafuk is advising that woman?

[hue]

13. Burke is not an elected official & not a part of an official Presidential visit thus not on stage.

It's more a matter of professional etiquette.

[dragonlady]

6. This was not considered a campaign appearance for the President

See the discussion here for why Mary Burke was not on stage with President Obama: http://www.democraticunderground.com/108412407.
According to the Journal-Sentinel, she had a talk with him there, and plans are being made for a campaign visit in October.

However, as reported by John Nichols, she did march in the parade with the RaiseUpMKE group, who are working to get higher wages for fast food workers. This was a significant showing of solidarity with a segment of the Milwaukee population who will be crucial to success in November. A photo of Mary and the group is on the Nichols Twitter page (sorry, I'm too tired to figure out how to embed it): https://twitter.com/NicholsUprising

[Cha]

7. Thank you, alp! Thanks Obama!

☮Seann Sara Sella @SeannSara
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This Labor Day remember..
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1:41 PM - 31 Aug 2014 51 Retweets 19 favorites

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Aloha And Happy Labor Day Everyone!

me http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025475672

[indivisibleman]

8. Also noticably abscent was Mr Jobs himself, Scott Walker.

I guess he greeted the president at the airport and then got the hell out of there.

[yallerdawg]

9. Great Labor Day speech!

His message for America?

If you don't like Republicans, stop booing and VOTE!

[dotymed]

11. Yes great SPEECH

sadly most of us are still sinking.
Cut the COLA of social security recipients and then give a speech about "feeling good" when the least among us are prospering...
I am not bashing just stating the obvious.
DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM for me please.

edited to add- Most SS recipients have worked a lifetime hoping to retire with dignity. We should Unite and collectively bargain
for our pay. Hell, WE worked hard and funded this system yet we have no voice about the starvation (taxed as ) wages we receive monthly.

[yallerdawg]

12. Another great point the President made...

"I'd join a Union!"

That's where we'll get our Democratic Socialism!

[Omaha Steve]

10. I have the same AFSCME shirt as the one on the left

K&R!