LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Not one to ignore the importance of the Silver State in November, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney targeted on current struggles happening in Las Vegas on Friday.
Romney worked a crowd inside the Cox Pavilion at University of Nevada, Las Vegas for his latest campaign rally in southern Nevada
Speaking at a podium that read "The Romney Plan: For a Stronger Middle Class," the GOP candidate spoke on the shortfalls of President Obama's administration.
"Washington is broken," Romney said, citing widespread unemployment and a bottoming housing market in Las Vegas. "We have a president that can't fix Washington…I can. I can get the job done!"
During the rally, the former Massachusetts governor laid out a plan of what he would do to fix the economy, showcasing his promise of 12 million new jobs once he's in office.
Among the bullet points of his plan, Romney promised to take advantage of oil, coal, gas, nuclear and renewable resources; promote more trade, particularly with Latin America; use funding for job training, something that was met with approval with the crowd; cap federal spending; and champion small businesses and entrepreneurship, with the key being the repeal of Obamacare.
Romney also reiterated a campaign promise that targets Las Vegas, saying he would encourage people to come to the tourist haven. It was most likely a shot to Pres. Obama's previous statement that appeared to shun southern Nevada.
Despite his aim to reduce government, he mentioned that the government is still compassionate to its citizens. Under his administration, he said, compassion won't be measured by how many people are on food stamps, but how many people are off food stamps.
In addition, Romney touched on the country's military might and leadership, often questioning where the nation's strength has gone.
"We must have a strong military," he exclaimed to the crowd, which had several veterans in attendance. He vowed that funding would return to the military, something that, he said, was taken away under the Obama administration.
Romney's 22-minute rally came before an event being put on by Vice President Joe Biden in New Hampshire.
Romney did not mention news of his wife Ann Romney's airplane making an emergency landing in Colorado on Friday. Reported smoke in the cabin forced the landing. There were no injuries reported.
Ann Romney is scheduled to host a private fundraiser in Las Vegas on Oct. 1.
Stay tuned to FOX5 for the latest on this developing story.
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