Supporters, business leaders extoll Harry Reid’s virtues at roundtable
When Nevada votes in November there will be one issue above all others: Who has the solution to pull Nevada out of its worst recession ever?
It’s all about the economy and the Harry Reid campaign Monday tried to drive home the point that now is not the time to vote out the majority leader.
Inside a trendy Las Vegas restaurant a collection of small business owners, movers and shakers had one message.
“…and the one thing that is just so certain is that Senator Reid gets it.”
“I can appreciate your understanding of the small business economy.”
“You totally understand our industry.”
And so it went Monday morning. The Reid campaign event was crafted to sell the story that there’s only one candidate for Senate with the clout to fix our economy.
The message was now’s not the time to change horses.
“I think the people of Nevada really don’t recognize that the reason we have a chance to actually come out of this terrible economy is Senator Harry Reid,” said Harrah’s exec and former Las Vegas mayor Jan Jones.
Reid himself watched, listened and spoke about what he’s done: the Travel Promotion Act, bills to help small businesses, measure to help community banks get money flowing again.
Reid, who’s let others take shots at his opponent, took a few of his own Monday.
“My opponent obviously wants things to be the way they used to be; that’s why we’re in this big hole we’re in. I think we have to focus on not only what she’s against, but what she’s for. And that’s pretty scary.”
Republicans say Sharron Angle’s for smaller, leaner government, lower taxes and more breaks for business to get people hire again.
Out in the parking lot, the loneliest guy at the Reid event was Republican spokesperson Jahan Wilcox, who is unimpressed with the Reid record.
“You’re looking at an unemployment rate that went from 10.1 (to 14.2) percent under Harry Reid. He promised the stimulus would save 34,000 jobs and the fact is, here in Nevada we’ve lost over 64,000 jobs since stimulus was singed into law.”
Back inside, Reid says he’s heard the criticism.
“I just wish I would have gotten some credit when we were doing so well for so long.”