President-elect Barack Obama made a campaign-style stop in Ohio today, touting the promise of renewable energy as a job-creating engine that could help the American economy bounce back.

After a tour of Cardinal Fastener in Bedford Heights, Obama pointed out that the company had hired new employees just this week for its growing business supplying parts for wind turbines, which he said shows that renewable energy "isn't something pie in the sky."

"It can create millions of additional jobs and entire new industries if we act right now," he said. "It's not too late to change course - but only if we take dramatic action as soon as possible. The way I see it, the first job of my administration is to put people back to work and get our economy working again."

He said he was pleased that Congress has been "moving quickly" to consider his economic recovery plan. But even as he touted his plans potential benefits, he warned again that the economy could get worse before it gets better.

"I want everyone to be realistic about this," he said. "But if anyone doubts that we can dig ourselves out of this hole, I invite them here to Ohio and look what you've done here at Cardinal Fastener. ... I know that if we can summon that determination and that great American spirit once again, we will meet the challenges of our time and build a better future for our children."

After his speech, Obama greeted the crowd and at one point could be seen via the video feed doing some bicep curls with what was presumably a dumbbell created at the plant. One last bit of motivation from the soon-to-be commander-in-chief.