Editorial: Goodman comments create flap

Friday, Aug. 13, 1999 | 8:55 a.m.

When attorney Oscar Goodman ran for mayor many voters were charmed that he spoke his mind and was the antithesis of the modern-day politician. In fact, he often would say whatever came to his mind -- even if it wasn't politically correct. For longtime Las Vegans this wasn't too surprising considering his past. As an attorney he aggressively defended notorious mobsters, excoriating government prosecutors along the way.

Las Vegas was aware of what it was getting when it elected him in a landslide. But some valley residents expressed surprise after a story in the New Yorker magazine was published this week in which Goodman suggested he was keeping an enemies list of those who opposed his candidacy. In addition, the writer concluded her story with an evocative vignette in which Goodman describes how much he loves his job: "You know who's the only person I ever heard of who said 'I love it' as much as I love this job? ... Nicodemo Scarfo, when he was pouring .22s into someone's head. This guy testified that as Scarfo did it he said, 'I love it! I love it!' "

Goodman in many ways is akin to that old friend or co-worker of yours who engages in bawdy humor or off-color statements that also happen to be wickedly funny. But when you take your friend along to meet your parents or spouse you'd just as soon he keep his humor to himself. In a way that might be the same reaction that some Las Vegans feel regarding Goodman's remarks in the New Yorker. While there wasn't much in the story that was new, some -- especially those wishing to shed the city's mob image -- might still feel uneasy for a national audience reading this publication to see the outrageous remarks Goodman is quite capable of making.

The mayor isn't the first -- and certainly won't be the last -- politician to get criticized for making intemperate remarks. During the 1980s, a mantra in many Republican circles was "Let Reagan be Reagan." That phrase was often said by President Reagan's supporters who were concerned that others in the White House were able to get the president to tone down his conservative views, lest they create controversy. Reagan, in fact, did muzzle some of his ideas, much to the consternation of his die-hard supporters.

Goodman is intelligent enough to know that off-the-cuff remarks regarding the mob, no matter how innocent he thinks they are, can be damaging to the city's image. It is hoped that in the future he doesn't always let whatever pops into his head automatically roll off his tongue without any reflection -- particularly when it comes to referring to an enemies list or quoting mobsters when describing his affection for the job. Still, any adverse reaction to the New Yorker story shouldn't make Goodman shy from the media or avoid making statements that could be controversial. After all, it is his very candor that endears him to so many Las Vegans. Let Goodman be Goodman.