WARREN – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama returned to campaigning in Michigan Wednesday with a new manufacturing agenda on display, including a national fund to support cutting edge technologies such as new generation of batteries that could be centered in the state. The fund, he said, would be similar to the state’s 21st Century Jobs Fund.

The Macomb events were part of a day-long campaign swing in Michigan, capped with an evening rally in Grand Rapids, where one-time rival John Edwards of North Carolina announced his long-awaited endorsement.

The emphasis on a pro-manufacturing, and more specifically auto-friendly, agenda was a shift in tone from his speech a year ago when he was sharply critical of the Detroit automakers for ignoring fuel-efficient models in favor of high-profit SUVs.

Some of that criticism remained (he said part of the struggles on the plant floor is traceable to decisions at the executive levels), but he also credited the Big Three for steps they have taken and said he would be an ally in crafting better trade agreements and tax policies. He referred to the series of planned hybrid vehicles by General Motors, Ford’s quality rating that matches that of Toyota, and Chrysler’s development of electric motor technology.

“The auto industry is on the move but they can’t do it alone,” he said. “They need a partner in the White House and when I am in the White House they will have a partner.” He said he would meet with auto executives within the first year to talk about specific strategies, which he said would also mean strengthening all of manufacturing.

In an appearance at Macomb County Community College that was clearly directed to the general election, Obama said putative Republican candidate John McCain was forthright in telling Michigan workers their manufacturing jobs would not come back, but fell short by failing to offer a prescription to create well-paid replacement jobs.

“Where he’s wrong is in suggesting that there’s nothing we can do to replace those jobs or create new ones,” Obama said. “Where he’s wrong is in not offering new solutions or economic policies that are different from what George Bush has given us for eight long years.”

He made little mention of Hillary Clinton, the candidate who trampled him Tuesday in the West Virginia primary but still trails in pledged delegates and cumulative popular vote.

Obama said he would invest $150 billion over 10 years in “green” energy and provide funding for automakers to help them upgrade outdated facilities. That includes $10 billion a year in a clean technologies deployment venture capital fund, which he said would help keep production in the U.S. of innovations created in the country.

The advanced manufacturing fund would be paired with permanent tax credits for research and development. He would also double the funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and create an advanced manufacturing fund to invest in advanced technology. And, he proposes a $60 billion infrastructure fund for various transit projects.

His proposed health care fund would also benefit companies such as automakers with a catastrophic fund that would provide a lower and more definable limit for levels of benefits an employer-provided health plan would pay out.

The one-hour town-hall style event before the 200 invitation-only, and relatively quiet, crowd followed a visit to a nearby Chrysler stamping plant where he shook hands with workers and met with company President Jim Press and the local UAW President Bob Stuglin. At the town hall, he took questions from five individuals that focused on education, the Iraq War, the economy and health care.

At the Grand Rapids rally, Edwards said, “The reason I am here tonight is because the Democratic voters of America have made their choice and so have I.” Last week, he had characterized Obama as clearly the nominee and in Grand Rapids he praised his leadership and commitment to change. “(He) knows in his heart that it is time to create one America, not two.�?�

At the Warren town hall, David Bonior, a recent Obama supporter who had been chair of the Edwards campaign, said Obama has not had a chance previously to talk about the economic issues that are important to Michigan voters.

“What he did today will get people to give him another look,” he said.

The Republican National Committee, in a statement questioning why the Edwards endorsement did not come sooner, said, “Barack Obama and John Edwards share an out-of-touch agenda that would raise taxes on families while cutting funding for our troops. Edwards’ endorsement of a candidate he previously blasted as inexperienced, hypocritical, and lacking substance will not help Obama with voters looking for real change.”

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