Obama blamed for Nevada’s joblessness at GOP conservative rally

CRISTINA SILVA, Associated Press

Published Saturday, July 9, 2011 | 9:35 a.m.

Updated Saturday, July 9, 2011 | 10:30 p.m.

President Barack Obama's economic policies have rattled businesses, resulting in long-term unemployment across the United States and in Nevada, Republican presidential hopeful Gary Johnson told conservative sympathizers Saturday.

"Republicans are the only party capable of fixing that and that's why I am involved in this contest," said Johnson, who cited his record as the former governor of New Mexico. "Business went to bed every single night knowing that the business climate wasn't going to get any worse because Johnson was going to veto any tomfoolery."

Johnson was one of more than a dozen Republican and tea party speakers who slammed Obama's economic recovery efforts during the daylong Conservative Leadership Conference in Henderson. The event was initially pitched as an opportunity to identify Obama's rival, but a Republican presidential debate was postponed indefinitely after Mitt Romney announced he would not attend the conference.

Presidential hopeful and pizza magnate Herman Cain also referenced Obama and the economy, reflecting a message conservatives are expected to embrace through the 2012 elections.

"Today, the American Dream is under attack," Cain said. "But our job is to take it back."

Obama won Nevada in 2008, after a period of prosperity driven by bustling casinos and unchecked construction. These days, the state tops the nation in unemployment and foreclosures. Nevada's unemployment rate was 12.1, while the national unemployment rate was 9.2 in May, according to the Department of Labor.

Nevada is poised to host the nation's third presidential nomination contest in February.

Johnson said illegal immigrants should be able to apply for work visas and called for the abolition of the Department of Education. Cain said states should oversee immigration issues and praised Arizona for passing strict illegal immigration laws. He advocated for a tax code overhaul.

Nevada U.S. Sen. Dean Heller advised Republicans at the conference that 2012 offered "an opportunity to elect the next Ronald Reagan."

"Finally, someone who understands that you can't be pro-jobs and anti-business," he told the cheering crowd. But in a nod to the uncertain GOP presidential field, Heller said he would not name which candidate might fill that role.

Heller called Obama a tax advocate who has turned health care over to trial lawyers and put unions in charge of job creation.

"These are the troops that get involved," Heller told reporters after his speech, explaining why he attended the event. "You want to keep them happy."

Heller was recently appointed to the Senate from the U.S. House to fill a vacancy. He is running against Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley in Nevada's 2012 Senate race.

Republican congressional candidate Mark Amodei, who is running against Democratic Nevada Treasurer Kate Marshall to replace Heller in the House, urged conservatives to support his campaign as a sign of party unity.

"This special election on Sept. 13 is phenomenally important for setting the stage for everyone else on the Republican ticket," he said.

The Nevada Democratic Party had a volunteer pose as Heller at the conference and carry a sign that read, "Death Tax Dean."

Democrats have sought to portray Heller as a flip-flopper who has supported taxes in the past while embracing low-tax policies.