The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration, hoping to fend off Democratic attacks that it has failed to come to the aid of the country's ailing manufacturing sector, Friday said it has reversed course and now wants to keep a manufacturing assistance program that was targeted for elimination last year.

The decision to support continuation of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership was one of a series of recommendations included in a long-awaited 88-page report. It represents the administration's game plan for bolstering a segment of the economy that has seen the loss of 2.8 million factory jobs over the past 31/2 years.

The report, "Manufacturing in America: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address the Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers," was unveiled by Commerce Secretary Donald Evans during a visit to a Euclid, Ohio, factory.

"This is our strategy to remove the barriers that are holding back American manufacturers and costing jobs," he said. "This report is a single step in an ongoing process - ensuring that American companies are competitive in every part of the world."

The report calls on Congress to create a "president's manufacturing council," an advisory group of executives from various types and sizes of companies that would provide the administration with advice on the needs of the manufacturing sector.

The administration's decision to support retention of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership - a network of assistance centers around the country - was an about-face from its position a year ago, when Bush's budget called for the program to be phased out.

Evans, in his remarks at the Ohio factory, praised the Lincoln Electric Co. for becoming a world leader in the manufacturing of sophisticated welding machinery during its 108 years of operation.

"This is a company that is built to last," said Evans, who toured the plant before his remarks with Ohio Gov. Bob Taft. Ohio is one of several Rust Belt states that the administration views as crucial states in the presidential race.

Jerry Jasinowski, head of the National Association of Manufacturers, said he thought that the recommendations being put forward, if implemented, would help deal with the higher costs American manufacturers face because of burdensome regulations, excessive litigation, taxes, health care and rising energy costs.