Another Gibbons tirade

Friday, July 24, 2009 | 2:07 a.m.

Gov. Jim Gibbons let Nevadans know Wednesday that he is “outraged.” No, it is not the anger that his constituents are feeling about state budget cuts in education and social services or their frustration over his inability to display even a hint of leadership.

Gibbons has his own brand of outrage. In a continuation of his demagoguery, which wrongfully blames President Barack Obama for wrecking the state’s tourist-based economy, the governor quoted from a Wall Street Journal story about federal agencies that are avoiding Las Vegas and Reno as places to hold meetings.

“I am working hard to get more jobs and more tourists for Nevada to help our economy recover and the Obama administration seems to be completely unaware of the damage they are causing to Nevada’s economy and the people here,” Gibbons said. “The policies of the Obama administration have sentenced Nevada’s economy to the gallows.”

Now for the facts.

Las Vegas Sun columnist Jon Ralston obtained memos showing that restrictive policies regarding Justice Department meetings in Las Vegas and Reno actually originated under the administration of President George W. Bush, for whom Gibbons served as a loyal Republican foot soldier while a member of Congress. The memos, which appeared Thursday in the RalstonFlash e-mail newsletter, were issued by Justice Department finance staff director Melinda Morgan in April 2006 and April 2008 during Bush’s second term.

The memos stated that department meetings in nongovernmental facilities that required special approval by managers included locations known for gambling (with Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City specifically listed), resorts, tourist attractions and sites outside the continental United States. Lake Tahoe also was listed.

The governor, who is running for reelection, should stop releasing statements that waste taxpayer money in a lame attempt to show that he is “working hard” to bring more jobs and tourists to the state. Rather, there is plenty of evidence that Gibbons, not Obama, is harming Nevada’s economy.