Nevadans focus on immigration, economy

Illegal immigration and the economy are two top issues with Nevadans, Mitt Romney told reporters in Reno Friday.

His comments came after a rally held in an airport hotel ballroom that drew several hundred enthusiastic supporters, including one who shouted out "illegal immigration" as Romney was running through his "To Do" list if he's elected president.

He said he's heard "a great deal" about illegal immigration while campaigning in Nevada, calling the issue "among the most straightforward to deal with."

Romney's solutions for stemming illegal immigration into the United States include finishing the fence along the Mexican border, hiring more border agents, setting up a verification system and punishing government entities that don't comply with existing laws by withholding federal funds.

He also made a point to stress the need to keep the economy strong. "I spent my life in the private sector. I know why jobs come and go. I'll fight hard to keep good jobs in Nevada and every state in America," Romney said, adding President Bush's new economic stimulus plan "makes a good deal of sense."

Romney is expected to unveil his own plan for jump-starting what he described as the nation's "somewhat fragile" economy on Saturday, after he leaves Nevada for Florida. That's the next state to hold a Republican presidential primary, on Jan. 29.

He said that, long-term, the economy will benefit from lower taxes, less regulation and a level playing field globally. Also, Romney said, neatly tying the two top issues in Nevada together, the economy "needs immigration to work for us and not the other way around."

Come dancing

Romney answered question after question from local and national reporters in Reno Friday but there was something he wasn't willing to do at the press conference.

When a member of the press corps' cell phone started ringing to the beat of a pop song, a reporter asked the candidate to show off his dance moves.

"No," Romney said quickly. "That's one thing I don't do."

It's the delegates, stupid

Once again, Romney explained why he's in Nevada and not South Carolina with the rest of the Republican field. "I'm campaigning in 50 states, not two or three," he told reporters.