Bloom's potential step up to more powerful post seen plus for US manufacturing

Jan 06, 2011 | 07:29 AM |

Ron Bloom, President Obama's senior counselor for manufacturing policy, is reportedly in the running for a new post that could boost his influence within the administration.

Bloom could be named to a similar, but more powerful, position that would unify multiple government departments touching manufacturing, media reports suggest.

Metals-related organizations say the appointment could be a good one for Bloom and U.S. manufacturing, although some argue that the administration's stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) and other regulatory initiatives might hurt manufacturing—and thus expanded power for Bloom, a former United Steelworkers union official, wouldn't be helpful.

David Phelps, president of the American Institute for International Steel, Washington, said Bloom has an impressive résumé.

"I would assume he has a keen eye on all kinds of things related to efficiencies in export promotion and so on," he said. "How could you argue with the idea of putting someone with his track record in that kind of position? It's an interesting and exciting possibility."....