Murphy Launches Jobs Tour at Manchester Manufacturing Firm

On Monday, it was Democratic Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Chris Murphy touring a local manufacturer and touting his proposals to boost the economy and reduce the unemployment rate.

Murphy unveiled his five-point jobs plan during a brief stop at Ad Chem Manufacturing Technologies Inc., which makes and fixes parts for jet engines. He said his plan — which calls for closing loopholes to encourage manufacturers to purchase U.S.-made products, more federal money to repair aging roads and greater investment in renewable energy — is “just a start.”

“Over the next several months I’m going to be in every corner of this state, talking with employers and working next to employees and frankly, doing a lot more listening than I will be talking.” Murphy said.

Murphy is the latest Senate candidate to embark on a “jobs tour.” Republican Linda McMahon, the former CEO and co-founder of WWE, launched her tour shortly after kicking off her campaign in September. Her GOP rival, former Congressman Chris Shays, has also begun a jobs tour.

Murphy criticized McMahon, accusing her of  proposing a reduction in federal aide to education as part of her economic plan.

“Linda McMahon, the likely Republican nominee, wants to cut federal funding to education,” Murphy said, as the sounds of bells and other machinery filled the plant. “That would be a disaster for job creation. There are plenty of places to cut federal spending without slicing the lifeline to thousands of kids and workers who who know that their only way to compete globally is to be smarter and better trained than cheaper workers in places like China and Mexico.”

McMahon’s plan, posted on her website, calls for a one percent cut in federal spending. However it does not specify where the cuts should come and makes no mention of the federal education budget.

“Not only does Congressman Murphy not have a jobs or education plan, he’s never actually had a real job,” McMahon spokeswoman Erin Isaac said. “While he’s learning about real jobs this week, he may want to take some time to actually read Linda’s jobs plan. When he does, he’ll realize his statement today was categorically false.”

Pressed by reporters after his speech, Murphy said his plan specifically calls for increased funding for education. “I haven’t seen any mention in McMahon’s plan for increased funding in education,” he said.

Later, he added, “if you don’t have a jobs plan that calls for increases in education and job-training, then you don’t have a jobs plan.”

He also said he intends to conduct his tour differently from McMahon and other candidates. Instead of talking to employees, Murphy said he plans to listen to them. And he also said he will spend some time doing work at each of the facilities he tours. After visiting Ad Chem, Murphy traveled to Stamford, where he planned to sweep the floor of a beauty shop.

Ad Chem President Michael Polo, who founded the company in 1986, said he appreciates it when politicians stop by to chat with workers, even though “the media took over” during Murphy’s visit.

“I’m very big on the employees understanding what’s going on,” Polo said.

Murphy will face former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz in the Aug. 14 Democratic primary. McMahon will face former Congressman Christopher Shays in the Republican primary that same day.