Work at the firm has continued sporadically, as employees await the president's tour. With everything choreographed in advance, several blue-collar workers are positioned by their tools, ready for the show to begin. Everyone who works here -- there appear to be about 20 workers on hand -- has his or her point-and-shoot or home videocam to record the event.
Gov. Martin O'Malley posed for a group photo while awaiting the president's arrival. And Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who like the governor is running for re-election this year, also worked the room. Every vote counts.
By Paul West
Traffic congestion begins
Updated 10:45 a.m. Traffic is moving slowly around Lombard and North Haven streets around the area of the city where President Obama is expected to visit today. It looks like Lombard street is closed heading east toward Oldham Street in Highlandtown. Police aren't letting any cars through at that part of Lombard Street, and city buses and public works dump trucks are being used to block off the street. Watch out for traffic in the area to get worse in the next hour or so. No word yet on whether Obama has arrived.
By Gus G. Sentementes
The president's Charm City schedule
Updated 10:25 a.m. If all goes according to plan, the President should be lifting off from the South Lawn of the White House now.
First stop: a machine shop in Highlandtown. There, he'll tour the floor of the facility, then deliver remarks touting his proposed $5,000 tax credit for each new hire businesses make this year.
A host of Democratic notables from the city and state are expected to be on hand to greet the Democratic president.
Among them: Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, Gov. Martin O'Malley, Mayor-to-be Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake and Reps. Elijah E. Cummings and John S. Sarbanes.
By Paul West
City's calm in leadup to president's arrival
Updated 9:37 a.m. All's quiet on Pratt Street, outside the downtown hotel where Obama is due at noon. Inside the lobby, dozens of Baltimore police are getting their marching orders. The security cordon is already in place.
Obama is due to arrive in town shortly after 10 a.m. for his first visit since taking office. No travel details have been provided, but in the past, Fort McHenry has been used as the landing pad for the president's Marine One chopper.
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