Looking back on the campaign, it was refreshing to hear candidates from both parties tout the importance of U.S. manufacturing.

HARRISBURG, PA—State-level manufacturing job growth has varied across the 16 presidential administrations since 1948, with significant gains in most states across the seven Democratic terms and significant losses under the nine Republican ones, according to a new analysis of official government data.

WASHINGTON—Some 84 percent of Americans “strongly agree” or “agree” that the United States needs a more strategic approach to developing its manufacturing base, but only about 35 percent believe that federal and state governments are helping create a competitive advantage for the United States versus other countries.

The burden of federal regulations was a hot topic on the campaign trail this year. 

WASHINGTON—With the stakes for manufacturers higher than ever, the National Tooling & Machining Association and the Precision Metalforming Association have launched an initiative to encourage manufacturers to vote in the Nov. 6 presidential and congressional elections.

The federal government is not entirely to blame for the cost differential between U.S. and Chinese manufacturers.

DES MOINES, IA—According to a recent poll, a majority of voters "fervently hope for a day when America again leads the world in making things."

NEW YORK—The economic rationales for a policy aimed specifically at shoring up manufacturing are not completely convincing, one expert says.