Master Lock prepares for Obama visit

MILWAUKEE - President Barack Obama will return to Wisconsin for the first time in more than a year tomorrow.

Last month in his State of the Union Address, Obama highlighted Milwaukee padlock manufacturer Master Lock bringing 100 jobs back from China.

The company is now preparing for the President to see its work first hand.

“I'm really excited,” said John Heppner, Master Lock’s CEO. “We're all really excited. This is great for our employees and for our community.”

While Master Lock has brought jobs back to Wisconsin, Republican leaders say it isn't necessarily because of the President.

“Is Master Lock doing well because of Obama's policies, or is it in spite of his policies?” said Reince Priebus, the chair for the Republican National Committee. “I think most and what most Wisconsinites would say it's the latter.”

State Democrats disagree. They say Master Lock, a unionized company, is flourishing in spite of reforms from Governor Scott Walker.

The governor is scheduled to join the President at Master Lock.

“The jobs picture has turned around nationally, it's just shame that Scott Walker can't get what the President gets, that you have to invest in our country in order to get a return,” said Graeme Zielinski, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson believes President Obama's investments have primarily raised national debt. He believes the President should take note of what Governor Walker has done to create jobs.

“When you talk about taxing anybody, ask how many jobs will that tax increase create? How will that tax increase promote economic growth?” said Johnson.

While President Obama won Wisconsin by 14 points in the 2008 presidential race, Republicans took a majority of statewide races two years later in 2010. The back and forth voting has many political experts predicting the President's Milwaukee visit will be the first of many in his upcoming re-election bid.

Master Lock is located in Downtown Milwaukee. The company employs about 410 people.