He also made a point to stress the need to keep the economy strong, a pitch that played well in Michigan because of the troubled auto industry in that state.

"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 that President Bush's new economic stimulus plan "makes a good deal of sense." Romney's private sector experience earned him an estimated $350 million as a venture capitalist in Boston before he came to Utah to take over the scandal-ridden 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. After the Olympics, he served a term as governor of Massachusetts. Romney is expected to unveil his own plan for jump-starting what he described as the nation's "somewhat fragile" economy today, after he leaves Nevada to campaign in Florida — the next state holding a Republican presidential primary, on Jan. 29.

He said that long term, the economy would 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."

During a morning stop in Elko, Romney told a healthy-size crowd that Washington politicians have failed to come through on promises to fix a long list of problems, including the need to ease the nation's energy dependence on foreign nations, extend health insurance coverage and improve ethical standards in government.

"If you think about the promises made and compare them with the promises delivered, you realize Washington is broken. I'm going to Washington to bring change and to finally get the job done," he said.

Verdene Alcorns had Romney sign the blue ski jacket she wore as a volunteer for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. "It's pretty much a keepsake," she said, explaining that she wanted to hear the former boss of the Salt Lake WInter Games speak and that bringing the jacket along was an afterthought.

"He's very positive. He has high values," Alcorns said. "He's a family man. To us, family is the most important thing." Like many of the Nevadans turning out for Romney events, she is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But Alcorns said that's not the reason she likes Romney. "I think he's pretty awesome. If he wasn't Mormon and had those values, I'd still support him," Alcorns said.

Her husband, Vyrl, said religion was why he was supporting Romney. After converting to the LDS Church at age 50, Vyrl Alcorns said he believes because Romney is Mormon he'll live up to his campaign promises. "He has to because that's our faith," the middle school English teacher said. "I know what that means. A lot of people don't."

Another Elko resident, Murlyn Ronk, said before hearing Romney on Friday he was still considering voting for Arizona Sen. John McCain. Now, Ronk said, "I'm 99 percent decided." Ronk is a retired airline pilot who worked for the former Casino Express service that once flew out-of-state gamblers into Elko.

Ronk said the most important issue for him in the campaign is the economy, especially trade issues. He appreciates Romney's pledge to restore the American auto industry. "Detroit is dying," Ronk said, describing how he once sent away a worker who arrived at his home in a foreign-made truck.

"We can be fooled here in Elko because the economy is doing well, mostly because of mining and ranching." That could change, however, unless something is done to ensure American products can compete in the world marketplace, he said.

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