Marshall rips Obama’s economic strategy

Democratic congressional candidate Kate Marshall on Thursday criticized the Obama administration's $787 billion stimulus package and its continuance of the bank bailouts, saying the measures didn't create enough jobs or hold companies and other recipients accountable for the funds received.

"It was giving money away," Marshall said in an interview with the editorial board of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "You don't just give money away to banks. You've got to add that part about how they need to lend it out, right? So lots of problems with this."

Marshall, the state treasurer, said she agreed that the U.S. government had to step in and do something to save the economy from collapse after the sudden bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in the fall of 2008, which led to a financial crisis and recession. But she said the federal money should have been used more wisely to help the private sector and prevent job losses.

"I don't think anyone would say to you the government should have done nothing, let it rip," she said. "No one would have said that. (But) we can talk about all the things they should have done."

Marshall said the federal government should instead provide tax incentives such as cuts or credits to companies that create a certain number of specific jobs in exchange. She said she also believes in government loan programs if there's a positive return on investment for taxpayers.

"I think it's important it becomes a win-win situation," said Marshall, 52. "That's why I say with your tax policy, show me the job and I'll give you a tax cut. I think you have to have some kind of accountability."

MARSHALL FACES UPHILL BATTLE

The Democratic candidate's conservative fiscal message is designed to appeal to voters in the GOP-heavy 2nd Congressional District, which covers most of Nevada. She's in a long-shot bid to win a Sept. 13 special election against former state Sen. Mark Amodei, the favored Republican.

This week's early and absentee voting tallies in the contest suggest Marshall could lose in a blowout by up to 20 percentage points. That would hand the GOP a victory that the state and national parties would tout as a referendum on President Barack Obama's economic policies.

About 43 percent of registered voters in the district are Republican, but early tallies show heavy GOP turnout at 56 percent. Democratic turnout has matched the registered voter percentage of 35.

Despite the odds and tough outlook, Marshall said she isn't giving up without a fight to the finish.

"The voters haven't counted me out yet," she said.

Marshall wouldn't say whether she would run again in 2012 if she loses the special election to replace Dean Heller, who was appointed U.S. senator to complete Sen. John Ensign's term.

"I am focused on Sept. 13," she said.

While the national Republican congressional committee and GOP-aligned groups have spent heavily on TV ads to help Amodei -- more than $500,000 -- the national Democratic campaign committee hasn't invested in the race, signaling the money might be wasted on a losing candidate.

Marshall has played down her party affiliation, although earlier this week she campaigned with U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the No. 2 Democrat in the House.

She said she has no plans to campaign with U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., or U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. Berkley is not well known in the north, and Reid is not well-liked in the rural reaches of the district and could hurt her chances.

Although Marshall has tried to distance herself from some of the Obama administration's policies, the Amodei campaign on Thursday released a TV ad reminder that she has echoed many of the same phrases and themes as Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Reid.

The 30-second spot juxtaposes videotaped statements from the White House leaders and Reid with near-exact statements from Marshall

"This election is about you," Obama said followed by a similar Marshall clip.

"My way or the highway," said Reid and then Marshall in a separate video.

"Yes we can," Obama said, using his signature campaign line.

Marshall, at a Democratic Party event, delivers the same "yes we can" message. The ad ends with a written tagline -- "Send Washington a message, not a rubber stamp" -- and urges viewers to vote for Amodei on Sept. 13.

Marshall makes the case she's the better representative for Nevada because Amodei once voted for the largest tax increase in state history at $800 million and has signed pledges now not to raise taxes, which she said "boxes him in." Marshall also has attacked Amodei for backing GOP plans that would end Medicare, although the proposals would change the program for only future recipients.

MARSHALL PURSUES JOB GROWTH

But the main issue driving voters is jobs, which Marshall said would be her priority.

This year, Marshall noted that she won legislative approval of a bill that would take $50 million out of the state's school fund and make loans to companies that would locate or expand businesses in Nevada to bring jobs. Senate Bill 75 was signed by GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval, although most Republicans in the Legislature voted against the measure, which goes into effect Oct. 1.

Marshall said the loans would generate more interest for schools than they now receive. And the new law makes Nevada eligible for Department of Commerce money that could spur more job growth. She said the key is to boost private business, which she called the engine of the economy.

"The federal government should start pulling out, and the private sector should start coming in" to fuel job growth, Marshall said. "The federal government can never do this. They can never pick up and be the amount of economic engine that we need the private sector to be."

Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.