U.S. Congresswoman Congressional candidate Kate Marshall (R-Nevada) is making headlines with her latest press release, but not in the way she intended.

As Las Vegas Sun reporter Jon Ralston noted, “You don’t see this too often: A campaign puts out a statement by a candidate on an issue she has never talked about and then helpfully explains the political strategy at play at the end.”

Unfortunately for her, the explanation was clearly intended for her rather than for the media. Here’s the text of the press release:

Kate Marshall Issues Statement of Support for Israel as Violence Escalates

Reno, NV – As violence continues to escalate in Israel, Kate Marshall released the following statement this morning in support of the nation:

“The past several days have proven very challenging for the people of Israel. Last Thursday gunmen from the Gaza Strip entered Israel and launched coordinated attacks against a tourist bus and other vehicles en route to the seaside city of Eilat. The terrorists murdered eight people and scores more were injured.

In further escalation of violence, terrorists operating within the Gaza Strip proceeded to fire hundreds of rockets into southern Israeli cities. Rockets fells on homes, a religious school, and other civilian targets. One man was murdered, many people were injured including children, and among the injured casualties was a four month old infant.

…

I am proud to consider Israel a friend and I reiterate my unwavering support for its fundamental right to exist and the absolute necessity for Israel to secure its people from outside threats. I stand ready and willing to assist Israel in defending itself against all acts of terrorism.”

Background: Israel has been in the news lately, and will be even more in the news with Beck’s “Rally to Restore Courage” in Jerusalem. In an R district, it will be useful to express support for Israel and demonstrate some foreign policy prowess while it is a timely topic – especially for people who are likely paying attention to Beck’s event.

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GroundFloor Media’s Gil Rudawsky examines the issue and finds that many PR agencies (and budgets) grow during bad economic times.

Louisville alternative energy start-up Sundrop Fuels has snagged $175 million in funding. The GBSM client promises to never, ever leave Colorado, according to GBSM’s Steven “Steve” Silvers.

Sarah Hogan and Cori Plotkin of Barefoot PR, Jim Guttau of Guttau PR, and Stephanie Blake of Blake Communications, have founded the Creative Collective, a new professional networking collaborative that includes all professionals in the creative industry.

… are Leigh Sullivan and Troy Guard, the (for now) husband-and-wife owners of TAG and TAG | RAW BAR. When a decision is made to divorce, the aggrieved and non-aggrieved parties usually run to lawyers as fast as they can. But Sullivan and Guard are racing just as fast to any media outlet that will quote them to try to gain the media edge in their divorce. So far, they’ve hit Lori Midson at Westword and Bill Husted at the Denver Post.

Here’s some free public relations advice: quit publicly tearing each other down, get the divorce and try to act like grown-ups. Trust me – it allow your baby you keep mentioning to Google your names in 10 years without shame, and the assets you will soon be dividing up (for example, two restaurants) will be worth more if you quit making Denver wince at the mention of your names.

Erin Osovets and Gwenaviere Doherty have founded Theory X, a boutique public relations agency focusing on music, art, film, and fashion.

Moxie Media Group has rebranded itself as Moxie Creative Communications Agency in a move to distinguish itself from traditional marketing, advertising and PR firms. I’ve read the press release twice and I still can’t figure out exactly what is changing, so I’ll let Moxie speak for itself:

“Traditional advertising or marketing agencies are engaged primarily for their branding and marketing expertise, where their services are geared towards helping clients sell products and services to a specific target demographic,” said Mike Schrader, president, Moxie CCA. “While Moxie CCA is called upon to do the same, our clients’ communication challenges are increasingly centered on a need to communicate one or more messages to multiple target audiences across multiple communications channels. In these cases, we are helping our clients to determine the best way to communicate to their many constituents and then execute their campaigns accordingly.”

If you have been looking for a tortured analogy that explains the difference between lobbying and public relations, NPR has come to your rescue: lobbyists are the Army soldiers storming Normandy, while PR people are the Air Force.