Nevadans doubt economic fixes

Almost two-thirds of Nevadans think President Barack Obama has hurt the nation's economy or has done little to improve it, according to a poll of 625 registered voters.

"Nevadans are probably more skeptical of Obama's performance on economic issues than other parts of the country," said Brad Coker, managing director of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc., which conducted the poll for the Review-Journal.

He noticed similar attitudes in Florida, which has been hurt much like Nevada from the real estate and economic crash.

The poll showed 35 percent of voters thought the president's programs hurt the economy. Another 31 percent said Obama's actions had little effect, for a total of 66 percent who said Obama had hurt or done little to fix the economy.

The poll found that 27 percent of voters believed Obama's actions had improved the nation's economy. Voters interviewed ranged from slightly satisfied to generally supportive of Obama's economic stimulus efforts.

"He has done some things that kept the economy from getting worse, I'd say," said Jeff Guinn, owner of Aspen Financial, a mortgage originator and private lender.

However, "it's hard to say it's improved," said Guinn, the son of former Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn. "People are still losing their homes, and banks and (the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.) are not working with people."

Phyllis Resler, 73, a great grandmother and pastoral care coordinator at St. Viator Catholic Church, was less positive in her assessment.

"Middle of the road is a good way to put it," Resler said. "He's probably trying. I don't know I approve of what he's doing."

She was concerned about planned changes in health care legislation.

"Leave my health plan alone," she said. "I can't have my taxes go up for health care. They say they're not going up, but I find that hard to believe."

Jim Hinds, a retired federal employee and historian, said the Obama administration is continuing economic programs started under President George W. Bush.

"It could have been worse if all of the banks had collapsed all over the country," Hinds said. "Maybe some of this has kept us from falling quite as hard. I don't think we're improving if they are still laying off people."

While financial apocalypse was avoided, Hinds said, "I get the feeling that people are dissatisfied. Nothing that dramatic has happened."

Steve Stern, owner of public relations company Stern And Co., said it's too early to see the benefits of the economic recovery programs.

"The economy is not something that turns on a dime," Stern said. "Whatever he does to improve (the gross domestic product) and jobs is a positive step, no matter how long it takes. At this point, he's doing all he can do with the economy with a contentious Congress."

John Alderfer, a financial executive, said: "I think he is doing a fine job when you take into account the terrific mess that he inherited."

Alderfer doubted most people realize "how close our economy came to a total collapse in the fall of 2008."

Robert Gomez, past president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce and owner of Magic Brite Janitorial, agreed: "When (Obama) got the reins, we were already deep in the hole and headed down. I believe all these things were necessary. I think we're going in the right direction."

Gomez said Obama needs to loosen credit for small businesses because they drive the economy.

Noting his daughter has a rare nerve disorder, Gomez said, "We have to fix the health care system." But he said small businesses need tax breaks to recover.

The poll was conducted Monday through Wednesday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.