The Capital City Times, of Madison, Wisconsin, recently published an op-ed by executive director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) Scott Paul.

The op-ed details the importance of American manufacturing as an election year issue, especially in Wisconsin, a state where manufacturing comprises one-fifth of the economy. (The sector employs 450,000 people.)

Paul details the findings of AAM’s national poll, released last month, and stresses the will of the voter on the matter.

Says Paul:

The poll showed overwhelming support for government action to discourage outsourcing, strongly enforce trade rules, provide retraining and education, implement Buy America policies, and create incentives for investment in the U.S.

Voters understand the fundamental truth about the erosion of America’s manufacturing base: It has occurred in large part because of misguided trade policies. Under both parties, the federal government has failed to confront predatory practices, like currency manipulation and massive subsidies, used by our trading partners.

Paul concludes the column by suggesting neither President Obama nor Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, can win the 2012 election without stating a clear and bold national manufacturing strategy.

Read more here.