Sharron Angle: It’s the state’s job to bring in jobs
In an exchange with a constituent, Sharron Angle appeared to suggest that bringing in jobs and diversifying the economy in Nevada is the responsibility of state government -- a line that the Reid campaign will likely seize on to depict her as having no solutions on the economy.
In the exchange, Angle was asked by a local actress what she would do to get more film and television into the state. Angle replied that it was up to the state to incentivize such activity, but then segued into a broader response:
"You know it really comes from the state, not the Feds, that incentivize that kind of stuff in our state. And truly, the lieutenant governor, Brian Krolicki, you should have this conversation with him specifically. Because that's his job, is to make sure that we get business into our state. That's his job, is to diversify this economy. My job is to create the climate so that everybody wants to come."
The exchange was captured by Post reporter Amy Gardner, who was granted access to the Angle campaign in Nevada for a bigger article. She recorded the exchange:
Asked for clarification, Angle spokesperson Jerry Stacy emailed:
Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, in his role as chairman of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, works tirelessly to improve and diversify Nevada's economy and encourage business to our state, and as Senator, Sharron Angle will work closely with Lt. Governor Krolicki and his economic development task force to make sure that Washington isn't stepping on the progress of the private sector, unlike Senator Reid.
The Reid campaign is likely to pounce on this quote and link it to Angle's previous suggestions that job creation isn't in a U.S. Senator's job description. Angle and national Republicans have been making a powerful case against Reid by relentlessly citing the 14% unemployment rate in Nevada, which is the highest in the nation, and Angle is up with a new ad hammering this theme:
With unemployment emerging as the central issue in this race, the Reid campaign is hoping to use statements such as the above to undercut the primary rationale Angle is offering for her candidacy: She would solve the unemployment problem that Reid and Dems have bungled so badly.