INDIANAPOLIS — Days after a milestone of his presidency, Barack Obama conducted his first public address not directly related to Sunday's killing of Osama bin Laden.
Obama came to Indiana for the fifth time of his term in order to tour the Allison Transmission plant and discuss his energy policy.
"We're going to meet the goal that I've set of reducing the amount of oil that we import by one-third by the middle of the next decade," Obama said. "We can hit that target."
Making up for a canceled April visit, Obama said changing energy focus is essential to America's long-term economic success.
"The answers to these questions are right here at Allison, right here in these vehicles, right here in these transmissions," the president said. "This is where the jobs of the future are at. We're going to have a lot of jobs in the service sector because we're a mature economy, but America's economy is always going to rely on outstanding manufacturing, where we make stuff."
Allison Transmission has made a name for itself through its hybrid-powered transmissions, which are used in buses, such as those for Indianapolis' IndyGo service. Worldwide, there are 3,800 hybrid-powered buses, Obama said, saving 15 million gallons of fuel.
Hybrid power was the focus of Friday's presentation. An Allison Hybrid sign and engines serves as the backdrop to the president's speech as two large American flags acted as a frame. The staging area of the speech will become the factory floor for the company's hybrid operations, and a temporary wall of crates separated the spectators from the existing factory area, which Obama toured before he spoke.
"I love to see high-tech machinery like this. I stand there and people explain it to me and I pretend like I know what they're talking about," Obama said, provoking laughter from the audience. "But it looked outstanding."
There were a few moments of levity during the speech. Obama admitted that he had not filled a gas tank for a while, saying the Secret Service wouldn't let him. He also poked a little fun at the Indiana Pacers, who lost 4-1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Chicago Bulls. Obama is a diehard Bulls fan.
Obama was introduced by Allison Transmission CEO Lawrence Dewey, who praised the president for his support of hybrid energy.
The president said the number of hybrids in the federal fleet has doubled during his administration, and he has made a goal to have all government cars and trucks be fuel-efficient by 2015. He said it would guarantee future business to Allison Transmission.
Obama also revealed a new plan to get more Americans to switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles.
"I've proposed a $7,500 tax rebate for electric vehicles," he said. "So if you do have that old beater that you need to get rid of, and you decide that you're going to buy a new car, choosing an electric car you can actually get a huge rebate that will save you money at the gas pump but is also going to save money on your tax returns."
Friday was Obama's third consecutive trip to Indiana that stopped at a transportation facility. In August 2009, Obama visited the Monaco RV factory in Wakarusa, and he toured a Chrysler transmission factory in November.
The visit comes at a time when gas prices have increased every day from March 23 through Thursday. In Indiana, the average price of a gallon of gas hit a record at $4.25 this week and has increased 45 percent over the past year.
Shortly after Obama left the plant, he was escorted back to Air Force One at Indianapolis International Airport. People lined West 10th Street to see the president's motorcade, and traffic was stopped along Interstate 465 South on the west side of Indianapolis. Police cars blocked all three lanes of traffic, giving the president a clear trip to the airport and his next destination: Fort Campbell, Ky., to talk about bin Laden's death. In all, the president spent under three hours in the Hoosier State.
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