We're live in St Louis Missouri on the 2010 "Keep it Made in America" Town Hall Tour. Stay tuned, and watch our live webcast here.

 Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO)

"We have to tap into good old American ingenuity." 

"I'm optimistic because of the workforce we have here, that we are going to be able to attract manufacturing back there [closed Chrysler plant]."

AAM Executive Director Scott N. Paul

"The Alliance is unique in Washington. We're a labor-union partnership."

"We don't endorse candidates, we just endorse ideas."

AAM has hosted 50 events like this in 20 states, and "We'll keep doing them even after the election."

Watch a video on a poll conducted on what everyday Americans think about American manufacturing and the economy.

Robyn Hamlin - Republican candidate for 1st congressional district of MO 

"We could have a lot of small jobs, small businesses that funnel large businesses."

"We have got to foster an environment that is good for Americans to create these jobs."

Scott Paul is interviewing students in apprenticeship programs who are interested in careers in manufacturing and related trades:

Q: What attracted you to manufacturing

A: (Mark Smith)  I wanted a job that could support my family.

Q: What sort of classes are you doing now?

A: (Matt Clark) We've done so many different projects on different machines its overwhelming

Q: Where do you want to end up?

A: (Matt Clark) I'm not sure but I'd like to grow up to be a machinist

Q:Does it appeal to you to work with your hands and to tinker

A: (Dennis Smith)i can read the book but i don't truly understand it until I get in there and get some hands on experience

Q: What would you say to the people who say to forget about manufacturing and we can survive on 

A: (Dennis Smith) From my experience going to school so far, I have noticed that almost any job now requires a college degree...that doesn't mean that we should allow ourselves to send jobs across the country

A:(Matt Clark) If we do try harder we will go farther

A:(Matt Clark) We've lost some ground here, but I think we can get it back, we just need to get out there and try...I believe in America. 

Scott Paul

Paul is discussing the American economy's place in the world and the fact that China is gaining ground fast.  He has pointed out that the U.S. is lagging behind on critical new industries such as advanced manufacturing and the green energy industry.

China will file more patents next year than any other country in the world, Paul mentions that we are losing innovation overseas as well.

"If there is one thing I know, Americans want to be number one, whether its in synchronized swimming, or manufacturing."

Panel Discussion:

• Rev. Charles Burton, Attorney, St Louis School District and President, UCM an affiliate of Gameliel.
• Dan SinClair, Dave SinClair Automobile
• Bob Farrar, President, Lunar Tool
• James Wiley, Attorney, Intellectual Property Rights

Q: What do we need to do to keep jobs from going overseas?

A: (Dan SinClair) We don't need a whole lot of new laws, we just need to enforce the ones that are on the books.

Q: What are some of the things that Washington can do to help manufacturing?  

A: (Bob Farrar) I feel like I am competing against all of China because they have made the playing field unlevel.  The one thing that I try to stress is that the government can't create jobs...the only way that they can affect job creation is through the policies that they make, or don't make, or perhaps, enforce.  

Watch a video on American manufacturing today, and in the future.