Obama's visit is intended to highlight an economic success story in a state that continues to lose private sector jobs. In his state of the Union address he touted Master Lock, a unionized company that has brought back 100 jobs from China.

Protests over Walker's proposal that curbed public workers' union rights began exactly a year ago Wednesday. The backlash has resulted in a recall election targeting Walker this year.

The governor still plans to meet Obama's plane at the Milwaukee airport, his spokesman told TPM.