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StumbleObama expected to visit Las Vegas in May
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 | 2:47 p.m.
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WASHINGTON — Las Vegas must not be off-limits any more: The president himself is planning a return trip to the city.
President Barack Obama is expected to return to Las Vegas on May 26 — his first visit to the state as president.
Obama is expected to attend a fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has been an ally in forwarding the president's agenda in Congress. Reid faces a potentially tough re-election in 2010.
Obama’s springtime visit to Nevada was first announced in February, when Reid said the president had accepted his invitation to return to the state.
At the time, Obama inadvertently created a political firestorm by saying companies that receive taxpayer bailout money shouldn’t use it to party in Vegas.
Republicans ran with the notion of Vegas as the city of excess.
Reid said recently the political fortunes of Democrats in Congress are tied to those of the White House — something the majority leader will experience first hand as the popular president headlines his fundraiser.
The White House has been mum on the president’s visit, but Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley said recently she expected Obama to talk about the importance of leisure and business travel.
“I believe that he's going to be using that opportunity to say … that it's part of the American Dream, this travel, and encourage people not only to do leisure travel, which Las Vegas is famous for, but business travel as well,” Berkley said last week from the House floor.
Unclear if Berkley has insider information or was simply deducing the purpose of the president’s trip.
Obama campaigned broadly in Nevada, having stopped by the state 20 times as a presidential candidate. He went on to win Nevada by 12 percentage points.
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Obviously, Obama is a persuasive speaker and if those responsible for promoting Vegas tourism were smart they'd corral this cowboy into some Vegas TV promotional spots.
excellent, the spender-in-chief gets to come and suck up to all the ignorant union masses that helped get him elected.
Here's a great idea; maybe he and reid can tour Yucca so they can finally learn the truth about it's location and purpose.
Hey, since he is so good gambling with our economy, maybe he can roll the dice or play a little poker while he's here.
I say 5 trillion on black. Roulette is my game.
I am glad we aren't paying for this. I still remember you can't fly your corporate jets on the taxpayers dime to spend lavishly taxpayer funds.
Good for Las Vegas, maybe, but it will bring up all the arguments he made the first time all over the country. He could have just included us in his next appearance on Leno and saved a few million getting him and security here for a "fund raiser"?
The last election was only a few months ago.
two things I want to see.
1. Obama clarify and reassure his remarks he made which have been fairly or unfairly been blown out of porportion about conventions here.
2. However he can hurt the re-election of Harry Reid. No matter your party there are several people who are not working for the people, this is one of them...
Good........hope he brings in lot's of $$$ so they can continue to fight the party of NO!!!
Fight republican ignorance !!!
Obama, you owe the state of Nevada an apology. That should be the first thing out of your mouth when you touch down. Otherwise, don't bother to come here. Dingy Dirty Harry won't be getting reelected.
Getalife, I am with you
Neiman1 and Elizabeth please take time to read both paragraphs CAREFULLY and in their entirety.
Elizabeth, perhaps Obama can clarify but it's not necessary to apologize because then some of those companies may think that since the Prez is apologizing to Vegas that it's okay they party with taxpayer money in Vegas.
Neiman1, I'll always tell everyone the same thing about
you....you can teach an old dog new tricks but you can't teach a dumb dog nothin.
"Obama inadvertently created a political firestorm by saying companies that receive taxpayer bailout money shouldn't use it to party in Vegas.
Republicans ran with the notion of Vegas as the city of excess".
Another mark of shame for Nevada.
Since May 26th is the day after Memorial Day - I do so hope that President Obama makes a sincere and genuine patriotic official statement about our honored dead Veterans - staffers of Senator Reid please pass this thought on to the President's staffer!
Wouldn't a date of May 1 be more appropriate for Obama's visit?
Unfortunatly those who hate President Obama will do so to their graves. Even if the president brings this country prosperity and peace, they (and you know who you are) will still spew their bias and unabashed hatred for this man. I will never understand what makes some people cling to their hatred like a warm coat on a cold winters day.
LV4LIFE, isn't that the same hatred you have for Bush, funny how that works.
BTW, I don't hate anybody, I simply disagree with him.
I responded to your rant to show you how crazy the process is.
getalife: good for you, you explained it very well.
LV4LIFE: very good understanding of hatred, many people do feel as you think they do.
Overall the Pres. does need to clarify his remarkes about Americas play ground (las Vegas).
It is a hard road to travel as the Pres. but then again no one forced him into that box, that said Welcome to Las Vegas Mr Pres.
Enjoy yourself and come back there is always an open chair for you or anyone, so come on out folks have fun again life is short.
gqbossing, and all Harry Reid bashers;
Tell me, what is it about Harry that so infuriates you folks? Is it that he's Morman?
Or Old? Or not good-looking? Because he's Democrat? I'm confused. He was elected and has been re-elected many times. He's now the Senate Majority Leader. He weilds some power for Nevada.
Yet he's "Dirty and doesn't work for the people".
Who does he work for? And why does Nevada keep electing him?
Maybe Obama can tie in with his apology the fact that his comments hurt the economy here; let him go around the "real" Vegas and talk to those who have lost their jobs. Maybe then he will realize Vegas is NOT a playground for excesses, but a real City with real people who actually live here and who happen to help put him into office. Oh, and let him drag Reid along with him and maybe even Gibbons so the gov'nor realizes that the majority of the population lives in Southern NV (hello? Any bailout money for us down in Southern NV???)
gmag39,let me answer your question,ITS BECAUSE HE S GOT MONEY!!! look at that crook FEINSTEIN. Wasnt it not long ago she rolled over to keep her butt out of jail? If you really think that these people made there way to office by a vote,then were not on the same planet? It dosent matter what party your from,there all crooks! WHEN THERE NOT KISSING YOUR BABY,THERE STEALING HIS LOLLYPOP! As for Obama, "i never talked to that impeached govener", theres over a dozen pictures of the 2 of them talking? As for the 11 bucks extra a week,thanks! it will help me pay my tax bill this year! I live under poverty,and for the first time i have to pay more??? Go figure.
Okey dokey, then, rumrunner.
I deeply believe we must get rid of Harry Reid. There is no way I would spend even 1 dollar (much less 50, 100 or 250) on even the most amazing concert if any of the money goes to support the campaign of a politician who reaches political and personal levels of shadiness so dark that every light in Las Vegas couldn't shine light on his deeds. I support our president and have a magnificent level of temptation to be inside the Colosseum singing along with Sheryl Crow, but I will do anything possible to make sure that Harry Reid does not continue his reign. I hope that I will see many of you there as well. I will be protesting the fact that a politician who I respect due to his heavy promotion of transparency (our president) is actually headlining a fundraiser for a man who's entire political career has been performed behind a veil.
If you can smell through the sarcasm of my title, feel free to read my entire thoughts on the situation in the following article I posted on beatreid.com: "Party with Obama And Reid In Vegas" Located at: http://www.beatreid.com/2009/05/party-wi...