Obama announces new high-tech manufacturing effort

PITTSBURGH, PA Obama plans to call for a joint effort by industry, universities and the government to help reposition the United States as a leader in cutting-edge manufacturing, including biotechnology, robotics and nanotechnology.

The initiative represents another effort by Obama to promote job-creation in the midst of an economic slowdown that has reduced hiring and weakened his standing with the public.

The president has tried to elevate his profile on the economy with weekly job-related trips to states that are key to his re-election.