Goodman: Top cop cops out

Erin Neff

Thursday, May 9, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

It wasn't what Attorney General John Ashcroft said Wednesday that riled Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman -- it was what he wouldn't talk about.

Ashcroft, who was in Las Vegas to meet with the Southern Nevada Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force, ducked a question about whether nuclear waste transportation was susceptible to terrorist attacks.

"The matters related to Yucca Mountain are the subject of serious litigation in a number of settings," Ashcroft said, noting that he could not comment to the media about matters better suited to the courts.

Goodman seethed from his seat in the front row at the news conference -- attended by dozens more dignitaries and law enforcement than media -- and called the event at the George Federal Building "outrageous."

"I'm a guest in his house, and when you're a guest in someone's house you don't criticize the chef," Goodman said, restraining the urge to label Ashcroft with terms he's used for other Bush Cabinet members. In the past the mayor has called Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham a "fathead" and a "piece of garbage."

The mayor, while withholding such colorful monikers, was direct in his criticism of Ashcroft. "That was a cop-out," he said.

Goodman shook his head slightly each time Ashcroft mentioned "Nevahdah," and left the courthouse saying "I'm hotter than fish grease."