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Leila Navidi / Las Vegas Sun
Mayor Oscar Goodman holds a press conference inside his downtown Las Vegas office Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Goodman was upset about the following statement made by President Obama: “When times are tough, you tighten your belts,” Obama said. “You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you’re trying to save for college.”
Published Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 | 1:27 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 | 6:18 p.m.
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Obama's remark about Las Vegas
Mayor Reacts to Obama
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Mayor Goodman reacts to President Obama's comments about Las Vegas.
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RELATED STORY: Should we be upset by Obama’s latest remarks on Las Vegas?
A year after President Barack Obama remarked during a town hall meeting that corporations using federal bailout money should stop visiting Las Vegas, he made a similar comment at another town hall today in reference to the down economy.
"This isn't how responsible families do their budgets. When times are tough, you tighten your belts," he said at a New Hampshire forum today. "You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you're trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices. And it's time your government did the same."
In response to criticism this afternoon, Obama wrote a letter to Sen. Harry Reid saying "there's no better place to have fun than Vegas." In his letter, which was addressed to "Harry," he wrote:
"I hope you know that during my Town Hall today, I wasn’t saying anything negative about Las Vegas. I was making the simple point that families use vacation dollars, not college tuition money, to have fun," Obama wrote. "There is no place better to have fun than Vegas, one of our country’s great destinations. I have always enjoyed my visits, look forward to visiting in a few weeks, and hope folks will visit in record numbers this year."
But Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman delivered a double-barreled verbal blast at Obama for telling people not to spend their money in Las Vegas during the town hall forum.
Obama is "no friend to Las Vegas" and "I think he has a psychological hangup about us," Goodman told reporters he gathered into his office at City Hall.
Goodman, whose face became red as he spoke at his desk, said he was "incredulous" when he heard that Obama had again attacked the city and that a simply apology was not enough this time to undo the damage.
"It has to be a real mea culpa and a promise not to do it again," Goodman said.
"You don't cite Las Vegas as the specific example each time you're talking about spending money. That's what I'm saying," Goodman said. "You could tell people they should save their money to send their kids to college. There's nothing wrong with that. And that's the end of the statement. You don't need 'and blow your money in Las Vegas.'"
Obama's comments last year that corporations using federal bailout money should stop visiting Las Vegas were part of the reason the area lost a chunk of its convention business, he said.
"I can't attribute the 341 lost meetings just to the president's comments. But I'll tell you one thing: He sure doesn't help us," Goodman said.
Reid released a statement this afternoon urging Obama to "lay off Las Vegas."
President Barack Obama leaves the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, for a trip to New Hampshire to push one of his State of the Union proposals: funneling $30 billion to local banks so they can lend small businesses money they need to grow their enterprises and create jobs.
“I just spoke to the White House and told them that while the president is correct that people saving for college need to be fiscally responsible, the president needs to lay off Las Vegas and stop making it the poster child for where people shouldn’t be spending their money," Reid said. “To truly reenergize our economy, we need people to travel to Las Vegas. I would much rather tourists and business travelers spend their money in Las Vegas than spend it overseas.”
Shortly after Obama's remarks, Gov. Jim Gibbons fired at Obama's town hall comment.
"How dare he insult any American city," Gibbons said before meeting with Nevada school superintendents in Carson City today. "I'm writing a letter to him today telling him to tone down or temper his remarks about Las Vegas. This is another slap in the face of the hard-working families in Nevada."
Sen. John Ensign said Obama's remarks were another hit that Las Vegas can't afford. Ensign said he plans to call Obama seeking an apology.
“President Obama has become quite comfortable criticizing Las Vegas,” Ensign said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I think that he has failed to grasp the weight that his words carry. As a result of his irresponsible comment just last year, countless companies and federal agencies canceled their conventions at Las Vegas hotels, costing these hotels and our city millions of dollars. Once again he has threatened the struggling economy of Las Vegas. I certainly hope that companies across this country understand that his comments are simply cavalier assumptions about a city that offers dollar for dollar the best rates in the country."
Rossi Ralenkotter, president and chief executive of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, responded by saying he hoped the president would alter his choice of words in the future.
“Tourism is the number one economic stimulus for Southern Nevada and for many cities and states across the country," he said. "While we appreciate Las Vegas is top of mind for the president, we would ask that he offer words of encouragement instead of criticism."
Rep. Shelley Berkley said she left a complaint with the White House and is in the process of writing a letter to Obama explaining how his words affect Las Vegas.
“Enough is enough! President Obama needs to stop picking on Las Vegas and he needs to let Americans decide for themselves how and where to spend their hard earned vacation dollars," Berkley said in a statement. "This is the second time he’s pointed a finger in our direction and both times he’s been wrong to single out Las Vegas."
Rep. Dina Titus called Obama's remarks a blow to the thousands of Las Vegas workers who make their living in the travel and tourism sector.
"It is unbelievable that President Obama again singled out Las Vegas for ridicule when the fact is that our city is one of the premier destinations for work or pleasure," she said. "This pattern of bashing Las Vegas to make a point must stop."
Mayor Oscar Goodman holds a press conference inside his downtown Las Vegas office Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Goodman was upset about the following statement made by President Obama: "When times are tough, you tighten your belts," Obama said. "You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you're trying to save for college."
Goodman today said there's nothing wrong with Las Vegas' infrastructure -- it's the fact that the economic downturn across the country is bringing fewer visitors, thus creating a 13 percent jobless rate.
"If you come to Las Vegas, you're going to get the best of everything," he said. "You're going to get the best shows. You're going to get the best food. You're going to do the best shopping. Stay at the nicest hotels. But the people aren't coming with money. That's the difference between now and maybe three years ago."
"Every time he talks about people spending money in Las Vegas, it has to hurt us," he said. "It's a natural consequence of his statement."
Asked if he thought the president might have just made a slip of the tongue, Goodman said that being negative about Las Vegas must be in his mindset.
"He's got his own psychological quirk up there about Las Vegas," Goodman said. "That's our town, folks. You should be angry about it, too."
"I want the president to straighten this out," Goodman said. "If not, he's not welcome in my city, as far as I'm concerned. He's not our friend. I don't know about people in Nevada, but in Las Vegas, he's sure not our friend."
Goodman said he didn't care if he received criticism again for going after the president.
"What? Little weenies are going to criticize me? Forgetaboutit. I could care less about that," he said. "I'm the mayor, I'm trying to protect Las Vegas. And I don't care what these little pundits say."
"I think he has a psychological hangup about us," he said. Because apparently, these statements are not the ones that are on the monitors. He does fine on the monitors. You get him off the monitors and Las Vegas creeps into his mind. He's got a problem with us. I don't know what it is."
The mayor said Obama shouldn't plan to visit Las Vegas until he's retracted his statement. Goodman said he didn't plan to meet with President Obama in a meeting this month to Las Vegas.
"Not without an apology, no."
It was during a town hall meeting nearly a year ago, on Feb. 9, 2009, in Elkhart, Ind., that Obama said “you can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer’s dime.”
The purpose of that town hall was to gain support for the stimulus bill.
In a letter to Obama last year, an outraged Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman took offense at what he claimed was the unjustified stereotype that trips to Las Vegas are “junkets.”
“The assumption that all meetings, events, and incentive travel (to Las Vegas) are wasteful is wrong,” Goodman wrote in February 2009. “Now more than ever, we need businesses to travel and hold meetings and events.”
First off, he is the worst president in speaking before he thinks. Of course this stuff matters. If any president says that, it's bad for us.
He could have just said "don't blow cash gambling when you're trying to save for college." Why does he single us out? He's a moron.
Why didn't he say mention spending lots of money going to Hawaii or a big trip to Orlando? A president can't say that stuff because it could affect peoples job or businesses.
LOLOLOL Someone must have pissed him off in Vegas!! Or Nevada!
But he DOES have a point..... People are stupid. They'll come to Vegas and blow a few thousand even when they can't afford it. We ALL have seen it. It's like when you show up in a casino on the day the social security and disability checks come in (and I'm sure unemployment money these days; the money comes in a debit card. Easy to swipe at an ATM machine). They are all lined up at the cage to cash those checks!!
But, he really shouldn't be telling people how to piss away their money.
Again, the President was right and people here are freaking out.
You over built, you ignored the little gambler, no the other 49 states should let us wither on the vine we planted
How is he wrong? You DON'T blow your money on these matters when other expenses take priority. If Vegas weren't so myopic and focused on a single industry, it wouldn't suffer like this during bad economies. Gouging customers with high hotel rates and low winnings - as they did just a few years ago - probably left a lot of people feeling sour about this place. I'm sure that local practices had far more impact on people's vacation decisions than did Obama's comments. But rather than take responsibility for local actions - such as voting the current batch of incompetents out of office - everyone would much rather blame someone else and leave us with the same, worn-out, ineffective strategies. Good luck with that.
I guess I have to believe the President. He seems to know quite a lot about blowing cash.
I take that back... He is not playing with cash. He seems to know quite a lot about playing with markers...
The BO administration knew Vegas was down & out, so this could have only been the kill shot.
Thank the heavens Harry Reid was there to save the day.
BAH HA HA HA Ha HA
For those of you who are too stupid or too partisan to realize, Obama just drove another nail in our coffin and hurt everyone in the state with his comments. Does he hate Harry Reid and want his friend from Illinois, Dick Durbin, to be the top Senate Democrat? Does he want Las Vegas convention business to go to Chicago, and other tourism to go to Hawaii? Does he hate Nevada for some reason? Or is he just an idiot?
Next, Obama will be advising Americans against vacationing in Hawaii.
You rich people who go to Hawaii or Las Vegas need to save your money so you can pay higher taxes...
Hey Obama,you shouldn't be jetting off to spend Christmas in Hawaii on the taxpayer's dime 'when times are tough'.
Give me a break. It is a turn of phrase. You don't go gamble when you need to save for college. It is true. I am so sick of people both Republican and Democrat taking one sentence in an entire speech - completely out of context.
Stupid and reckless comment once again, leave people alone when it comes to how they want to spend their hard earned money. If they want to gamble or pay nearly close to a hundred dollars to go to Disneyland or Disney World so be it. If people want to purchase tickets to Broadway so be it. He need to stop wasting my tax money bailing out CEOs and greedy bankers and financial institutions.
Obama has "date night" in New York, a hawaian party on the White house lawn, and several other events WE paid for but WE should tighten OUR belts!!!! Stop the spending Obama. WE are willing to tighten our belts for the good of our families, but why should I do that when you keep taking more of MY money out in taxes???
I agree with United_727! Why can he take a "Junket" to Hawaii?!? Just because you come to Las Vegas does not mean that you will blow your money in the casinos... You can go to shows, restaurants, red rock, etc.
This president has no idea what to say. Whats he gonna do next? Is he going to bash the Special Olympics again?
"This isn't how responsible families do their budgets... You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage."
What does he MEAN, you don't buy a boat? Doesn't this guy realize how many boat manufacturers are dependent on people buying boats, rather than paying their mortgage? How irresponsible can he GET?
Maybe Mr Obama needs a handheld teleprompter.
I'm not saying Obama should advise people to spend foolishly, but he could have just not said anything, or spoke in very general terms (don't spend your money foolishly, and left it at that).
I wonder if the boat industry is reacting the same way right now?
Isn't everything President Obama said true? And isn't it also sound financial advice?
How is this wrong? Our gaming economy was based on people overspending and being irresponsible. Funny how that all crumbled when people lost their jobs. Maybe it would be a good thing for Vegas if people were wiser with their money - then they would be able to take vacations!
It was made in the context of saying govt should stop wasting money. He should have just said "gambling" instead of zeroing in on Las Vegas.
Believe me, it wont change a thing about how poeple and gamblers behave.
Please don't fret. This is a good thing.
Obama has turned the Democrat party into a self cleaning oven. We need more quotes like this from ALL Democrats, not just Obama. The more the liberals demonize the majority of people in this country the better. The oven is on high :) Thank you Obama supporters for voting in this guy. It's just beautiful to watch
Obama needs a teleprompter factory equipped with the tazer option.
The tazer option fires automatically everytime Obama says something really stupid. Heh..Heh..
Sure blame our one-trick pony economy on a comment from the president about responsible fiscal spending. You love your movies like "The Hangover" and subscribe to idiotic slogans like "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" and then complain when people's concepts of Las Vegas is a place where you can go crazy, act crazy, spend stupidly and act like an idiot.
If you were so indignant about fiscal irresponsibility, where were you when Bush I, Bush II and Reagan were busy leaving America the largest deficits in the history of this country?
BREAKING NEWS
Obama dings Las Vegas -- again
President Barack Obama once again used Las Vegas as the punch line in a crack about wasting money.
"When times are tough, you tighten your belts"
Excuse me Mr. President.....what is the national deficit increasing to???
Please practice what you preach!!!
maybe this will actually get people to come to Vegas. Since almost everything Obama says is a lie, maybe people will do the exact opposite.
I wonder where he thinks people should spend there money. I spend all of my holiday money in Vegas and I don't even live in the USA.
I thought Obama would catch on that if people come to Vegas and lose all their money, that he would have more tax dollars to spend on his constant campaining trips trying to sell Americans on why we should give him even more money to spend. After all it is after tax dollars individuals spent on gaming, which will be taxed again after we made our deposits at the Vegas casinos, through federal income taxes levied on corporations.
culturechange
Believe me, it wont change a thing about how poeple and gamblers behave.
Wrong, right after his Feb. comment numerous Corporations cancelled their company trips to LV which ultimately cost the city millions of dollars and it continues to impact us even today.
All:
This is absolutely nothing to fret about. First, he's right. Second, our esteemed Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors authority have spent 'billions' establishing Las Vegas as a brand, associated with gambling and other hedonistic pursuits.
This is terrific brand recognition. Very much like when people call tissue a 'Kleenex', or a photocopy a 'Xerox'...
Welcome to Las Vegas, and please get that chip off your shoulder! Now, if some of you would heed his advice and use the money for college instead of gambling, that would be wonderful! You'd gain a much better idea of what we're all about...
So because you hate the guy you disagree with him when he says something truthful. That is completely illogical. He didn't say anything professional gamblers haven't always said. I'm sure many of you have agreed with that same saying before Obama said it. "Never gamble what you can't afford to lose." Isn't that the first rule of gambling? When people want to party with hookers, get drunk and gamble no comment made by any president is going to stop them. Those who hate Obama should be the first people to get here just to oppose what he said! Taking things out of context is childish and ridiculous. I'm sure EVERYONE in here would be pretty upset if their kid blew their college fund at a casino.
Is the Sun going to defend the President again? Is the Sun going to watch more and more people get laid off in this city and more and more homes go to foreclosure while singing this guys praise?
What does having harry Reid as a Senator do for us when his partner in government continues to attack this City and this State?
It's time for real change. Pink slip to harry in November or sooner.
Obama must really hate Vegas and Nevada.
Hey Harry what are you going to say to Obama about this one. Maybe Titus or Berkley will speak up. This will cost Nevada more jobs. get a clue he don't like us...never has...never will.
Vote out the Dems and for all of you that think its our own fault for our economic problems why don't you move away.
Let's see what the Reidster has to say about this. Why does this poor excuse for a president have such a hard on against Nevada? This guy is a jackass,Pure and simple! Most people I know that our saving for college are not old enough to gamble anyway. For him to preach prioritizing anything is a joke. Speaking of college education, How much was Obama's college experience and who paid for it! Hell, who paid for Michelle's? These people go around living like rock stars on the tax payers dime while telling you "Don't blow a bunch of cash in vegas". I wonder what he considers a bunch of cash anyway?
Obama is done ....out in 4. Obama has proved once again that it takes more than a bunch of broken campaign promises to be President. My God, does he even think before he speaks anymore.
The fine people of Nevada are hurting ....big time.... and then they have The President nailing the coffin. He needs to apologize and take back his words.
Harry Reid is done....anyone in Nevada can do a better job for this State than Harry. Harry Reid claims, "Oh I called the President..." .... Harry, for God's sake, you are the head of Senate .... Your Dem Leader just blew your wad of votes ....guess where ??? VEGAS
my son just went to disney world with his wife and two kids it cost him over $5,000 how about not going there or going to show a family of four with treats cost about a $100 he like to have everybody stay home and do nothing and just worry about what he can screww up
We were visiting Las Vegas last week and had a wonderful time. One evening we were sitting at a Denny's and overheard 4 young women talking about the job market in Las Vegas. They were figuring that with those not accounted in the unemployment #s, unemployment rate is about 20 per cent in Las Vegas. People who have jobs are scared if they will be laid off. One other person who had a job said their manager told 70 employees in a meeting: You are unimportant to us. If you leave the company or if we fire you, there are 450 people with resumes here who can replace you immediately. One person had put in 7 resumes in Texas and had 7 call backs; she had just moved to Las Vegas due to her husband's job relocating and had put in 50 resumes and only 1 call back. We also realized how hard the job market is when we went to shows - in the past, they were usually 90 to 95 per cent full. Theaters now are half full - it does mean you get a better seat as they do upgrades, but it is sad. There are lots of people in Las Vegas.
In short, the current president of the US needs to realize there are many families and good people in Las Vegas. We enjoyed meeting many while there. Its time that he cared about jobs in Nevada - how can Harry Reid support him with the president bad mouthing the great state of Nevada and Las Vegas in particular. We think that Las Vegas has so much to offer beyond just slot machines. There are wonderful shows, places to hike such as Red Rock Canyon, museums, shopping, and much more. Yes, its ok to be prudent when gambling. But to blame than on the wonderful city of Las Vegas is silly.
Las Vegas has so much to offer - is a wonderful city - and thanks to all for a wonderful vacation. We will be back - and we hope more do visit.
Look on the bright side. There will be a lot more affordable homes here (if the buyers have a job) thanks to this thoughtless statement.
Obamao just lobotomized his beloved father figure, "Shovel reday Harry Reid."
On the basic issue of conserving cash for yourself and the country, I must agree with the President on the Las Vegas situation. I have done the books for at least 6 of the casinos on the Las Vegas strip and the cash flow that enters the market does not stay in Vegas and most often does not even remain in the US. The money goes to China and any other places the management sees fit to make more money or to hide it. Therefore any excess cash does not improve the local economy or even the national one on the most efficient sense of the word. The president is simply stressing that individuals become more value oriented and less speculative with their assets.
N.B. - You never have to take my word on this - simple request a sample of the accounts payable to see when they paid, accounts receivable to see where they report funds, and the bank reconciliations to see that funds are not going where they should be going.
Also note - I do gamble and the commission, vig, or win rate by the casinos has dramatically increased. They simply want to maximize profit and decrease as much customer service as possible. The estimated comp rate especially by the modern strip is less than one third of one percent of a players losses or 00.33%. There is no value in getting nothing. Period.
Stop getting so uptight and stop taking it personally. He is making a valid point. You go to Vegas to blow money on food entertainment hotels and gambling. Vegas is built on a wild and extravagent image. You don't spend money there if you don't have it. I doubt he has a problem with the boating community either. So chill and take the comments in the context they were meant.
Agree with Axiom's comments about Vegas. We shouldn't be surprised. Always easier to blame our problems on someone else than to actually take responsibility for our own actions.
Wow
Come on people, what Obama says is right. And Vegas is the poster child for gambling. Vegas, in this context, means " don't waste money you don't have, gambling at the slot place, race track, AC, Tunica or wherever. " Is that hard to understand?
Also, the Vegas greedy corporate, east-coast influenced types overbuilt wildly in the last number of years. We all know that too. They bought into the " this growth is going to last forever" dream.
In 5 years or so, things will start to come back to life in Vegas.
If you have a job, it is still a good place to live.
Obama may have been trying to illustrate a point, but he blew it.
Individuals have the right to spend their money anyway they want to, and have to deal with the consequences. Government on the other hand does NOT have that right. Government is a custodian of the public trust.
It is far beyond time that we the voters sent that message to our elected officials.
Oh what am I saying?!? Obama is a liberal who thinks that no one should suffer no matter what the cause, there will always be those with means to be co-erced into helping those without.
This reminds me of the Slim Pickens line from Blazing Saddles about getting hit upside the head with a shovel.
I wonder how Harry would have felt if Obama had said:
"You don't blow a bunch of cash in Searchlight when you should be saving for higher taxes."
Barry and Harry...
What a team...
Why doesn't he ever slam AC? Or the Indian casinos? I have been to LV many times and have never spent all the money I have!! He seriously needs to think before he speaks in public or hire some new speach writers!
To all of you Obama apologists - really? You didn't realize the significance of his last slam of Vegas? Just stop apologizing and rationalizing for his inane remarks. He easily could have addressed this issue without mentioning boats or Las Vegas. The man obviously doesn't think before he speaks. That's why he ALWAYS needs a teleprompter. Even when he speaks to children at a school - he used a teleprompter! Really? At least Bush - while one of our most inarticulate presidents ever - was able to think on his feet. Well now we know why he uses a teleprompter. He caught a lot of flak the last time he bashed Vegas and now he does it again. He's either incredibly arrogant or ignorant. Pick one.
dippy: ONE TERM will be enough. Frankly my dear, one year is more than enough.
"He shouldn't tell people to save their money"
hahaha
Can't you all see that this is a set up between Reid and Obama. Reid's numbers are down for re-election. Obama says to Reid, "I will make another bad comment about Las Vegas, and you can pretend to get mad at me, and the voters will love you again!"
I guess the president wants all the money for himself and his wife. He went to New York for dinner and billed the American people $20,000. He went on a 2 week trip to Hawaii and guess what - he billed the American people. He is very extravagant in his spending habits. And he bills and taxes us. I guess we should have some paparazzi follow him to his next spending trip. Where is Harry calling him on these $$$ as well?
For once Obama got it right. You shouldn't be blowing money in Vegas
Let's remember this comment come November when Harry wants our vote. Anyone who supports Obama after this is going to be mighty unpopular in this city. It doesn't matter how many letters Harry sends now, he failed to speak up the first time this happened, and thereby failed to help prevent this occurance.
I don't understand how anyone could defend his comment in singling out Vegas. Hopefully this just blows over and doesn't impact Vegas like the last time he singled us out.
As politically incorrect as it may be, Rahm Emanuel's insult that is in the news actually fits this administration!
For those of you who live here defending these remarks, I hope none of your friends/family rely on tips or sales commission.
Foot traffic at McCarran has been down for months. It is pure torture to live on commission or tips right now working on the Strip. I know, I used to do it.
These remarks don't help increase foot traffic to Las Vegas. Period. Don't defend these remarks if you live here people. Someone you know is suffering because of this and these remarks prevent companies from going to conventions here and people from vacationing here.
If you don't live here and you're enjoying the hardship that Las Vegas is dealing with, I wonder if Karma or the Universe will get around to your town and give you the opportunity to experience financial hardship? I hope it never does to be honest, but that's because I'm classy and I live in Las Vegas, NV.
I wouldn't wish this on anyone, it's sad that people take delight in each other's pain. Oh well, no one is listening to each other anymore anyway. Bring on 12/21/2012. Let's see if the Aztecs are right. We don't deserve much anyhow the way we treat each other as a human race.
Comment removed by moderator. Comment contained name calling.
Obama goofed.....he left his teleprompter at home.
This guy must hate us. Jobs are so tight here it's crazy. My wife works for a large bank and they are constantly telling her if she doesn't do a better job they are going to fire her. If she doesn't like it quit and go somewhere else. (haha) How would you like to go to work and hear that every day?
If things keep going the way they are, our Governor is going to lay off all the workers, stop all services, shut the state down, pack up and leave.
This is a great town. There's no other place in the world like it. The people here are great and work just as hard to make a living as anywhere else. Why does he keep trying to destroy us?
I want to hear Dina Titus tell Obama to "STFU about Vegas!"
"When times are tough, you tighten your belts,"
What an idiot, He doesn't even know he should be talking to himself.
Barry the entertainer is what he is turning out to be.
Irregardless of the vegas comment, How dare he talk about responsible spending!
His point is valid, but as the President of the United States you don't single out one city. He really does need a teleprompter to keep him from saying something stupid. Obama isn't as smart as he and the Dems think.
Our company is cutting travel out of state to keep our dollars in Nevada. Why would any other company be any different. First to go is out of state travel. And that is just good business. If Las Vegas diversified they wouldn't feel the pinch so much. It is fiscally irresponsible to encourage people to blow money coming to Las Vegas.
vegasstudent: its irresponsible for Obamao to have diahreaha of the brain and mouth.
vegasstudent, you, along with many others posting here, are missing the point.
In particular, Obama needs to illustrate his concepts in more general terms rather that using concrete examples that can be mis-construed by people who don't bother to completely parse what he says.
As an example of failing to parse correctly, how do you say that he would have been encouraging people to blow money if he simply left out the single sentence about boats and Vegas?
Why isn't LVS trying to bury this story?
Reid? Hah, we all know he's sitting in Pelosi's lap while Oblame-all pats him on the head.
Is Nevada going to give the 70 year old loser more time to destroy Las Vegas?
LVS, quick find a good Oblame puff piece.
"This isn't how responsible families do their budgets. When times are tough, you tighten your belts," he said at a New Hampshire forum today. "You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you're trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices. And it's time your government did the same."
So if you are trying to save money for college, it's ok to blow a bunch of cash in Vegas? Everyone just relax! Those Americans ignorant enough to blow their children's college funds in Las Vegas in the first place, will not let the president's "bad" advice discourage their trip to Las Vegas. So if it makes some of you feel better, college funds for thousands of children will still be blown in Las Vegas. The nerve of this man asking parents to act fiscally responsible! I should have voted for Palin....I mean McCain.
Well, all of my buddies that were coming to Vegas for Super Bowl weekend just cancelled their trip. Sorry Vegas economy. Maybe they could take vegasstudent's advice and just stay "in state" for their Super Bowl plans.
Dirty Harry cares about Vegas ? ... HaHaHa the jokes on whoever elected that clown.
President Obama, "[M]ethinks thou doth protest too much" when it comes to Vegas. Did you come here sometime in the past and act unwisely? Is your tendency to spend far too much of the people's money a reflection of your own personal habits?
Oh, pulleeze.
It just hit the Drudge Report as the headline. Great.
Like some have mentioned, if you know anyone who works in the tourism industry I assure you they were impacted by his previous comments. We'll see what this does for us.
He just doesn't need to call Vegas out like that. . .
this person has no right to tell me how to spend my money.he is not my president,i didnt vote for him and his oppinions of how to run the country are completly wrong. he should be impeached imedeatly and charged with treason for ruinning the usa.
Nice, and people were surprised we didn't get any money for the high-speed rail.
My 'liking' of Obama is wearing thin.
Unfortunetly the repub's aren't any better.
To anyone OUTSIDE the state of Nevada, the President's remarks make perfect sense.
Hey, that's just about everybody!
A lot of people lost their jobs, their homes, and their vehicles when big business did what they were told last time; don't go to Las Vegas --- and they didn't. Instead, go to Chicago or Hawaii, both special places to Obama. As for this push for diversification --- to what? What other industry, other than the Test Site of the old days, will employ enough people to be worthwhile? Warehousing, where the advantage is eaten away by the cost of transportation to market? Manufacturing, with the same downside? Green anything? The promise of 40,000 new jobs in green --- how is that possible? How many people does it take to install solar panels or windmill blades? Face it --- Las Vegas is Sin City. Quit apologizing for it; it IS our industry. As for the win from the casinos going overseas, the point is that locals make a living in the meantime on that win, regardless of where the money ends up. And as for Obama lecturing us on frugality --- Christmas in Hawaii on the taxpayer's dime, (2) trips to Copenhagen in a failed effort for, guess where --- Chicago. And now he's planning a trip to Indonesia so his daughters can see where dad grew up. Multi-million dollar bonuses for Wall Street, but a no concern for Las Vegas locals. Yes, his comments carry weight, and corporate America will do what he says, because they act like a herd. Lower convention numbers mean tougher times. Why can't/won't Harry Reid get Obama to back off? Nothing last time, and I'll bet big money there is no public apology this time either. That "getting rid of Reid in favor of Durbin" thing is looking pretty logical right now.
Why could he have said 'in a casino' instead of LV specifically??
Dear Mr. President,
Shut the (Expletive Deleted) up
Dear Harry,
He's your boy, pal. How do you feel now. I wouldn't bring him out here to campaign for you...he may get egged and booed off the stage, and you'll lose 5 points, maybe more. Hmmm I smell toast burning.
How do you SEIU and Culinary lemmings feel now? Yes he did and man it hurts !!
I totally agree with Congresswoman Titu's remark that Democrats including Harry Reid are all F-bombed up. I might add that goes to Obama also. No wonder voters of the People's Republic of Massachussetts voted for a Republican, Scott Brown as Senator. Instead telling people not to go to Vegas, Obama should stop flying around all over the world like a chicken without head in a huge Boeing 747 and save tax payers' money. The people coming to Vegas, I'm sure, are hard working people who pay taxes and afford to have some fun and relaxation they need to get relieved from stress from working hard. Fellow Nevadans, do not forget what Obama said about Las Vegas in November this year and year 2012.
What is sickening is that Obama had the nerve to add in the very next sentence that it is time for the government to be fiscally responsible AFTER he has proposed the biggest deficit in our history. It was outrageous what Bush did to our deficit, but for Obama to turn around and make it worse then say "We shouldn't do that" is just insane.
Let me start by saying that I love Vegas and I sympathize with those out of work or making less money than before. Been there at least two dozen times but have not been in two years due to the economy. However Vegas is NOT the place it was before the Mega resort frenzy. It used to be a great value all the way around but now it's no different than any other destination and your likely to loose additional money by gambling.
What in the world is wrong with the common sense analogy he made? Would the country have heard his message if he used Biloxi Mississippi as a reference? I don't think so. Did members of the boat building industry get upset too?
I guess the country can't deal with a person who shoots from the hip and calls it like he sees it.
He didn't make this mess, he inherited it and to think it's going to be solved in one year or even first term is unrealistic.
Parent and college students don't need to waste money on alcohol, clubs, strip joints, gambling and ETC. That's America's problem, we have to take care of the home front meaning our own individual households and finances before we can worry the economy of the casinos and Strip. We, Las Vegas citizens become accustomed to spending money senselessly and throw our money into these casinos ; it's the culture here so I somewhat understand your opposition to his comment. However, at crucial times as such that we are living in, his statement was sound advice and I side with him.
For those who work for tips and object his comment: Yes, we are aware that your income is based highly on tips; however, do you not think that is selfish of you to desire people come remain coming to Vegas, get into debt, take food off their table by spending unnecessary money just to keep food on yours?
His comment was posed to those who know damn well they don't have it to spend and if the shoe fits, by all means, wear that raggedy shoe!
Ask yourselves, with all the gambling and money being poured into the economy, why is the education system steady going down the drain. Why is the community college getting a severe budget cut which will eliminate nursing courses, science courses, and more? If our contributing to this economy meant that much to Sen. Harry Reid (with all due respect) the City of Las Vegas, and it's other "Big-Wigs", wouldn't it behoove them to return the favor and keep the education system in tip-top shape so children and adults can get a quality education and free of worry due to budget crisis reducing the chances of them being able to make their dreams come true or delaying them?
Someone has to suffer, and it won't be me so will tighten up as OUR president said and cut back on my spending ridiculously on the strip. It made perfect sense to me.
Another problem: Until Child prostitution\ trafficking is eradicated in Las Vegas I don't think any parent who cares about the future of the youth of this city should comment against The President's statement. It was for your sake and your children sake anyhow. Instead of going against our leader, request that he speaks on matters that are really are affecting our communities today and request the State of Nevada to act swiftly against the things that are affecting or going to affect the future of our youth.
Go to WWW.CSN.EDU to find more info on the budget crisis.
BO's remarks should just be taken for granted. He's a politician first and formost. Its Our tax dollars he wants and needs. Besides his staff didnt brief him on how bad his comments can hurt people or places. Even if they did it would not matter unless they scripted it for him. BO's comedy show has cost all americans plenty of money and respect around the world. The nation soon should vote a no confidence vote on this Quack. ( not ment to insult ducks ) and cut his Term in Office short.
In a time when money is tight, I suggest not giving a dime to any election campaigns.
Obama did it again. You would think being in office for over a year he would have learned not to use Vegas as a punching bag. When he goes to Vegas in 2012 asking for your support, please tell him how you feel. First tell him you don't need Harry Reid and tell Obama to take his campaign elsewhere. Two strikes and you're out.
We don't need vacationers coming here to blow their cash... Our local residents are doing a good job at that.....Just check all the neighborhood casinos! Small wonder why Las Vegas has one of the highest home foreclosure rates, not to mention divorces, etc! Just telling it like it is......
If only the minds were liberated and the full truth told....
@ Pilauguy: I AGREE 100%
Glad that so many in Nevada voted for this clown who can't say one word without a telepromopter that will not get him into trouble. It's time to show the idiot Dems that Nevada isn't going to be pushed around. Toss Harry, Dina, Shelley and all the other morons who call themselves Democrats.
this isnt about common sense this is about Obamas plan to make us all suffer while he lives high on the hog... if he wants to be frugal..he should clean his own porch off first. He spends more money than anyone and then blames bush for eveything... lie afte lie and just keeps on lying... he makes off the cuff statements without thinking.. it is all about Obama I I I I ... He care nothing for America or Americans... it is all about his agenda and he works for George Soras & the Unions but not for AMERICA!
Does anybody get that they are taxing the heck out of us and plan to take every dime we have to pay for their big government plans to control every aspect of our lives...
what does he have against Las Vegas there are gambling places everywhere... he is throwing our country to the wolves... and laughing all the way to the bank...
It is a another blow to Las Vegas.
When the President disses LV twice in 12 months, people will be reluctant to come.
Major organizations will factor in the possibility of adverse publicity.
Perhaps Nevada and Las Vegas might have been looked upon with favor from the Messiah if you had only voted for him for President.
Wait!
You did!
Never mind.
And who in the White House did Senator Reid "talk to" when he complained? The White House Page?
YES - by all means come dump your life savings and kids' college fund in LAS BUGSY!
IT'S FUN! (and a lot of it goes back to Harry Gried for his re-election...)
Sounds like Obama was trying to preach again and since we're "sin city" apparently we're an easy target. The man is a joke and Harry Reid coming to our defense is even funnier. Is it an election year???
Well,I am doing okay and I don't have any kids , so I can blow all the $ I want,right? I am so disapointed in BHO
I think Goodman pissed Obama off with his arrogance at wanting a full apology from the President Of The Untied States to some arrogant nobody with criminal ties from yesteryear. It's like 'You don't tell me what to say or do, loser!'
Wait a minute. Isn't that what Goodman said to the media when he was accused of using his postition to promote his sons business?
Uh. Isn't it a good time to diversify the economy?
HA! All the bloggers out there who have been giving me a hard time for my critique of the Obama commentary which hurts our economy better keep your effen mouths shut now! I wouldn't be surprised if this most recent comment by Obama wasn't given to give Harry Reid a second chance to come to our defense too little too late!
Face it people, Comrad Oblahblah likes making Vegas mad, thats what you get when you have an idiot voted in by a bunch of other idiots. Just like his spending, he doesnt care as long and hes spending other peoples money. SOCIALIST OR COMMUNIST? Cant decide, so lets send him a strong message next election, join Reid and all the other worthless and stupid senators in the unemploment line along with the other 25%+ of the country!!!!
Even though what the President said was not all that nice, in reality what he said was true. I have been in business in this city for a number of years and I can't begin to count how many people actually did just what the president stated, that is gambling away the mortgage payment, or gambling away the bill paying funds. Like it or not, admitting it or not, it still happens allot in this city.
And so many of our representatives are so up in arms about a statement regarding fiscal responsibility. Maybe they should look to themselves when it comes to the fiscal problems plaguing this state, and take heart to improve, not just take offense.
And as for the comment that Mayor Goodman said stating that the President is a slow learner, well, considering that Mayor Goodman (as a mayor) is considered a laughing stock throughout the country, and he currently leaving Las Vegas with over a 13% (in actuality is should be around 25%) unemployment rate with no real long term plan to anything about it, he should be the last one to call "anyone" a slow learner.
Even though what the President said was not all that nice, in reality what he said was true. I have been in business in this city for a number of years and I can't begin to count how many people actually did just what the president stated, that is gambling away the mortgage payment, or gambling away the bill paying funds. Like it or not, admitting it or not, it still happens allot in this city.
And so many of our representatives are so up in arms about a statement regarding fiscal responsibility. Maybe they should look to themselves when it comes to the fiscal problems plaguing this state, and take heart to improve, not just take offense.
And as for the comment that Mayor Goodman said stating that the President is a slow learner, well, considering that Mayor Goodman (as a mayor) is considered a laughing stock throughout the country, and he currently leaving Las Vegas with over a 13% (in actuality is should be around 25%) unemployment rate with no real long term plan to anything about it, he should be the last one to call "anyone" a slow learner.
I just want to premise this with my politics... Bi-partisan ism makes me sick to my stomach..The concept of the US populous being told to align with a party because it makes our choices easier it soooooo 150 years ago... Yeah back then when messages had to be carried by horse the concept made sense... But clinging to this idea is starting to really hurt our ability to progress as a nation...
For those of you defending these remarks from the pres, what are your thoughts on his own financial irresponsibility... Please feel free to address that... I really want to know other then reiterating his finger pointing...
I can bet that he did not personally pay for that flight on AF1 to Hawaii with his own money...Or how bout the summer in Martha's Vineyard..Do you really think he has a right to lecture the American public of financial responsibility? Just based on those 2 trips and nothing else... I would really like to hear a factual defense in favor of this...
I agree excess is what got us into this mess... But why does that give him the right to be hypocritical in lecturing the American people... I am taking Vegas totally out of the equation here... Because I would tend to agree with the above poster about the election ploy... The last time this happened Harry was no where to be found, now he is our knight in shining armor in hours... HMMMMM? raises some eyebrows there, add that to the Yucca Mountain license and Harry is starting to build himself quite a little perceived resume...
Mr. Obama Teleprompter either hates Vegas or is a dummy.
Las Vegas is just another place to gamble. There are 48 States into gaming, 487 Indian casino's, and they aren't tents anymore their billion dollar casino's that pay NO taxes. More money was made by Indian casino's than all of the private casino's put together.
The biggest casino in the world is Foxwoods and it's an Indian casino.
I lived in Las Vegas for two years and never gambled a dime! (Okay, maybe a roll of quarters!). I had a job, I paid my bills and I had a blast! Obama needs to stop using taxpayer's money on all his trips around the world, ya know, the ones he never accomplishes anything at....Copenhagen to be exact. Oh, and while he's at it, Conventions are not vacations, and that is why alot of people with money come...ya know....corporations, companies, etc.
Obama needs to be impeached for putting this country in further ecomonic danger (worse than Bush could have done in three terms).
He should be more focused on the dangerous crap STILL coming in from China that is being sold on the American market.
I will never vote for a democrat again! I guess we who voted, got what we deserved!
HAHAHAHAHA! A city that makes its dreams off of sucking other people's wallets dry got the widdle feelings hurt. WAHHHH!
billm261, just right.
Face it he doesn't have a record supporting Business. Isn't it strange to hear him say don't come to Las Vegas when he has come to Las Vegas more than any presidential candidate in Nevada history when Obama was running for president.How many times has he been to Vegas raising money for Harry Reid already? He should follow his own advise. Maybe the reason he doesn't think you should "Spend the kids college money" is because you will need it to pay for the uncontrolled spending and treasury print presses running nonstop. Hmmm... I wonder if he will call on the government to cut spending on college subsidies and say save your money for it? All of us taxpayers paying the bills have to cut back and save for the things the government won't subsidize or bailout and as will turnout, the things they did subsidize and bailout. Good luck when the interest on the National Debt runs higher than the GDP, you and I will have alot bigger problems to worry about!
Wait till you see the amnesty plan Reid and Pelosi are cooking up in the back room. Coming to a theater near you later this year but the plan is to offer green cards instead of citizenship to well over 20-30 million illegals, spouses, kids, aunts and uncles. Think not! Google: Chain Immigration Law 1965
This will be a major benefit to LV as the SEIU will not longer have to hire illegals make them join the union.
Now SEIU and do it legally! LOL
I think Obama has his facts totally wrong. He needs to encourage parents to save for their retirement and forget college for their kids. Too many kids go to college and go in debt and still end up working at a fast food resteraunt because the college is not obligated to guarantee a job for these students. It's not like education for college is free. It's expensive and alot of young people become quickly discouraged with society because even though they don't have a job, they still have to pay back that loan!
And also, Vegas does have more than gambling in the city. They have some of the best Tae Kwon Do schools in the U.S.A. as well as a civic center, museums etc.
Obama, count the days till you are gone, because I will not be at the polls voting for you!
we went from a dumb president that loved capitalism...and yes, mistakes were made...to a dumb president that hates capitalism...and mistakes are being made.
"blowing" your money in vegas puts food on the table and gas in the cars of people that live here.
flying to europe in a failed attempt to get the olympics to chicago so your corrupt friends can profit from them IS "blowing" money.
and what's sad is that come 2011 this guy will be "kissin' babies" in las vegas and the trained seals ( voters ) will be clapping for another fish.
Well actually college is probably going to be a bigger waste of money than Vegas. lol
Obama saying something disparaging about Vegas once, that can be counted as a mistake. Saying something like that again ... that's completely inexcusable and perhaps even pathological.
Obama making that second ill advised statement may have cost Harry Reid his job.
A quick note! I am writing from Ohio and have been to Vegas only about 50 times in my 60 years during personal, conventions and other business trips. My wife and I love Vegas and the people we met there over the years.
My only issue with Nevada is Harry Reid! For the life of me can not figure out why he is still in office.
I am sure it must be the union votes from SEIU and others that keep him in office.
Please change that for the rest of the nation. I don't care which party you elect just get rid of Harry!
I would like to know what the good people of Nevada feel about amnesty for illegals which is one of Harry's new bills he is now working on.
Most here in Ohio are against amnesty and for the American worker.
It sure looks like that the Las Vegas Nevada Convention and Visitors Bureau should be placing ads that state:
"Do not gamble on the Democrats in Washington DC, where their "House Take" is over 100%.
Mayor Goodman has every right to be upset, as do all residents of Clark County.
This past weekend, there was a huge cheer leading convention at The Orleans, allegedly attended by 2000 cheer leaders and their parents.
At the same time, at The Orleans, there was a convention of old ladies who paint ceramics.
Also this weekend, corporate buyers from furniture stores from all across the country were at the Furniture Mart, shopping for their companies, and coincidentally spending their money at our hotels and restaurants.
Were these groups of people blowing their money in Vegas?
I don't think so. They were propping up Las Vegas' non-gaming economy.
As to the cheer leaders and their parents, and the old lady china painters, they were spending their disposable income in a way that pleases them, and the place where they spent it just happens to be in Las Vegas.
Every week, the LVRJ prints the ever dwindling list of conventions in Las Vegas, and few if any of the conventions have anything to do with gambling or "blowing money".
And how is President Obama's beach house vacation on Oahu this past Christmas any different from someone spending their vacation in Las Vegas? It's not. Palm trees and nice weather in both places.
President Obama is a just a thoughtless, egomaniacal, upper class windbag from Harvard. He is a huge disappointment as a Democrat President.
Do Clark County residents have any recourse for President Obama's prejudice against Las Vegas? In reality, none other than voting against him in 2012.
And in the short term, all Las Vegans should repeat this mantra again and again: "All politicians from Chicago are crooks."
Crooked Politicians from Chicago
Gamblers from Las Vegas
It works for me.
Let Obama come to Las Vegas to give a pep talk for Reid. Oh please! Just another nail in Reid's coffin.
Steve Wynn said on "60 Minutes" that "he never saw someone win big and not come back and lose it..." Was the "bad" for VEGAS?
This whole thin is being "ginned-up" by the local hate-talk stations because they don't like Obama because he is black. The Republicans under Tom DeLay wanted to eliminate the write-off for gambling loses against winnings, that was worse for Vegas. McCain wanted to ban college betting.
This is all just racism by the 4 hate-talk stations in town, they call Drudge when they think they can damage Obama.
Good point, mred.
Jim Gibbons is an insult to this City & this State....Comments from him mean nothing, just trying to get his face & name out there, as it will do him any good in the next election. As far as the President's comments. ABSOLUTELY WORDED WRONG, BUT THE IDEA IS CRYSTAL CLEAR. I was never under the impression that he is anti-Vegas. Not from his 1st comment to his latest. We are on the re-bound and business is picking up, as evidenced by the slew of Conventions taking place during the 1st week of Feb. Maybe he (Obama) needs to give his comments a moment of thought before opening his mouth. Then, correctly worded he will get his point across clearly & concisely.
Last Year the President made a comment about not spending tax dollars in Las Vegas & we lost around four hundred conventions in Las Vegas. It put many Locals in trouble with loosing their jobs. I cost many their homes and caused the real estate market in Vegas to have record foreclosures.
Now He is making more negative comments about Las Vegas Again. Well consider the the man who said it and what motivates him. He is influenced by the Bilderberg Group. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilderberg_...)
This Group influences all media, Radio, TV, Print, and Internet. Why is it their meetings are never covered by the main stream media? I will tell you why, all media is influenced by the Bilderberg Group, because most of the owners of all media outlets are members of the group or influenced by them.
If you don't believe it follow the money trail straight to the Federal Reserve Bank. (A Privately Owned Company)
I suggest in a word, "Impeachment" Do you really think we should have elected a socialist into the office of the President?
That's my opinion on this subject. Do we still have the freedom of "free speech" in the USA?
It is simple. Muslims are not allowed to gamble, dance, see beautiful women or have a good time. Obama is a MUSLIM. He is trying to destroy the area of Las Vegas.
I would think Sen. Ensign has more important things to do than seek an apology from the President...like getting his personal life straightened out!!!
Red: please acknowledge that you are a Socialist.
Let's hope we still have the freedom to speak. Even the above poster who pulled the race card has the right to speak his or her views. Even if they are wrong. LOL Just kidding.
But on a serious note "why is Reid still there"?
I read news reports from over 10 papers nationwide and most if not all dislike the man and his method of gaining Senate votes. IE: Unions and special interest group deals.
Oscar is starting to look like W.C. Fields. It takes years of hard core boozing to get a face like that.
Las Vegans will have the LAST LAUGH COME ELECTION TIME. I for one know who to vote for and it's not Obama. He won't be getting my vote the 2nd time around.
Why save for College? Didn't Obama just give college away and send the taxpayers the bill not yesterday?
Obama proved today he is basically a moron. A puppet reading old lines from a playbook long since outdated.
Anyhow if any of you Obama supporters have time between We-are-the-Worlds, ask your Hero when exactly he intends to end the Wars.
Mr. President... when you put your foot in your mouth, do you prefer chewing on Bostonian, Johnston & Murphy Or Doc Martens???
Simpletons can get all lathered up about this remark and feel fuzzy inside as Goodman plays this sound bite to voters who vote for a guy because they feel like they can have a beer with their candidate.
Las Vegas is in a mess not because of two remarks by the president. It's in a morass because of greedy overdevelopment and a pathological distaste for higher education.
So long as they don't take away your AK-47 to hunt Bambi and your 4x4 monster trucks, you're happy. Give me break. Don't get your panties up in a wad over this-it just proves the argument that there's not much substance behind your politics.
You have a Republican governor that's an ape and a senator that bought a family's silence and you're worried about this? Wow.
Maybe now they will loosen up their slots a bit.
I am the resident drooling liberal on this board. Live in Henderson. Raised in Massachusetts, get a small Union pension. But you know what? The election of Scott Brown got me thinking about the influence of Unions in elections..
Who are these overpaid Union fireloafers and cops kidding? They do little, mostly show up at car crashes, wash down the fuel, and head off to Dunkins'. It's not like Henderson is North Las Vegas, for God's sake.
Screw 'em. Harry has got to go in November. His clone Rarely, needs to lose, also. 2012, BO is going to lose big time. They can't register enough "undocumented" voters by then.
There, I said it. Jesus, I voted for George McGovern in '74, but it's over now...
Just yesterday Obama said he wants the Student Loan Process to be an entitlement program run 100% by the Government. He also wants the repayment process made less burdensome, i.e pay us back if you can.
So in a nutshell this would put thousands in the private banking system out of work, cost taxpayers billions, and reduce the value of education further. Makes perfect sense when you understand Obama is about destroying America.
Dang! I was all set to blow the college fund at the crap table. But then Obama (and the Bilderbergs, possibly) changed my mind.
Too bad for you, Vegas.
For all of you jackasses that voted for him,, how do you like him now... Taking money from the people of Las Vegas,, All the union people that voted for him and dont have any jobs,, is this the change that Obuma promised,, since he has a way with words concerning Vegas.... Well you get what you got,,,, Screwed ...................
Also I dont see all of the Obuma lovers running their heads to much defending the jackass you think is gonna make a change.... He made some change allright.....LMFAO......
For those Republicans in here, don't count on my vote either. Hahahahahaha!
nednougat, there is such a thing as a "Nonpartisan" voter registation option. Then you get to use the middle finger of BOTH hands. Try it out - after 40 years as a Dummocrat it feels sooooo good.
Hey Vegas is more than gambling ... check out Red Rocks its a world class Rock Climbing and Hiking center ... check out the desert roads its a world class Motorcycling Center and you guys dont even sell these features of your city. Then you have the fab weather, cheap hotels ermmmm desert sunsets geez if you cant sell this city wow. Las vegas is awesome dudes ... now go sell it :)
Cheers
Steve
We live and work here in Las Vegas..but the truth is the truth..and what he is saying is SPOT ON. You want honesty..don't you--well that is an honest comment.
The insane ignorance boggles.
And, YES. The King of Las Vegas IS starting to look a bit like the living caricature of W.C. Fields...check it out.
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm661755904/nm...
Folks need to get over the comment. Our economy is based on excess and fiscal foolishness. In this economy coming to Vegas to blow your cash is NOT financially responsible. I work in the gaming industry and see the kind of recklessness that lead to the "financial meltdown" , especially here in Vegas where the irresponsible greed extended from the lowest floor sweeper to the richest of the casino moguls.Instead of rallying behind our already useless Mayor and State government ; perhaps we should be forcing them to diversify our economy so it isn't so dependent upon one type of industry. The whole "eggs in one basket" thing isn't working.
You guys want people to come here and lose their money? Your moral priorities are pretty jacked up!
This city is a bad bad place. TOXIC... DANGEROUS..with a HIGH level of under educated residents. That makes for a yucky pot of stew.. We can not wait to move!! Unlike most-- we are waiting it out and paying off the house instead of just walking away..then we are OUTTA Here!
I don't think anyone is going to stop going to Las Vegas or the thousands of casinos in other States. You tell anyone in America not to do it and they will do. If they don't gamble, it is because they don't have the money. Simple....
You do not need to wait until 2012 to get Obama. This year, in November you can start paying him back by sending Harry Reid to his retirement home. I do not care if you are Democrat or Republican or Independent, you need to get rid of Harry, despite his protestations today, he is an enabler for Obama, and will continue if you allow him to remain in office. He is no friend of the Silver State.
This must have set a reord for comments in the Sun. Obama should switch up and talk about Atlantic City for awhile instead of Vegas.
However, Gibbons should never talk about others saying and doing stupid things, he has the franchise on that action.
Vegas has a bad reputation because none of the major talk stations have any minorities on the air, go to LA, SF, Detroit, NY, Texas they have people other then your white hate-talkers. The manager of a local station, is always emailing Drudge with Vegas hype stories, so he can get ratings. Notice the Drudge Report had this as a headline story. Haiti, Iran, Budget, Gays in the Military, etc...and this is the lead story on Drudge. The local station that eggs on the mayor and fans the flames should be ashamed of itself. Just listen to Limbaugh and Hannity, they will bring this up tomorrow. Good for ratings Jack???
I believe that everyone that doesn't agree with President Obama should come to Vegas for vacation. Maybe the Visitors and Convention group could come up with a promotion to "Buck the President" and offer 1/2 price stays while in Vegas on President's Day and April 15.
This might be good for Las Vegas.He may send billions of dollars to Vegas to get his ass out of hot water.
people You can not all be mad at obama look at the big picture the people goverment screwed us all over. plain and very simple there is no way around that picture don't you think.
I've said this before, this idiot just loves to find a camera and babble on while trying to sound intelligent,like most people of his class. He is way out of his league trying to be the leader of this country, he sounds like the other idiots who babble while trying to sound intelligent e.g. Jesse Jackson,Al Sharpton,etc... . This man needs to be removed from office , impeached,voted out, whatever it takes next election. He has no clue what impact he delivers when he babbles in front of the camera, All he cares about is the fact that he is in front of a camera. You just watch him ,he loves the camera. Sorry Vegas you're the victim once again and please don't forget this in November when his lil side kick Harry asks for your vote.
The economy and Vegas are in the tank because
of George Bush and the stupid Republican Party.
Put the blame where it belongs.
Obama doesn't want anyone to gamble cause he wants the money for all of his useless and expensive programs. If he can turn the country into a state of handouts and welfare, maybe he could get re-elected. What an absolute tool. Hey Obama, Nevada has one thing that you have never heard of, it is called no income tax.
Obama probably wants to create a little circle next to the betting area for a gambling tax.
mr ed and the teenster are perfect examples of why Liberals just don't understand why the rest of the country is tired of the Liberal rhetoric...
Maybe he heard that there are people out here actually stupid enough to want to defeat the Senate majority leader for reelection, and figures we don't deserve sympathy.
larryspinner, the majority of Americans are
tired of republican rhetoric and lies.
That's why you guys got booted out. Remember?
I agree with teamster put the blame where it belongs.
... Oh OSCAR!?! Get-OVER-yourself!!! Have KNOWN you since I STARTED my 35+ yr. print-journalism career at the R/J in '73. As a MOB atty., you gotta-LOT-of NERVE pretending to-be-SNOW WHITE!!! & having LIVED there TWICE, I know how MANY MANY lives HAVE been RUINED by GAMBLING, etc. Homes LOST, marriages RUINED, etc. It's STILL-not-DISNEYLAND there & never-WILL-be!!! GET REAL!!!
republicans, democrats... two sides of the same pile o' shiat.
That was a poor choice of words, Obama. Please find a different analogy that does not involve a stuggling American city.
Teamster, you are a dunce!
I have to agree with mojowomyn, I voted for Obama and I live in Vegas, he's gotta find another analogy. I will admit though that Vegas is OOPS was the place to be, but people just don't have the money anymore to do ANYTHING and yes, if you're spending designated college tuition monies on Vegas, you deserve to lose.
I have lived my life in and around several military towns and there is always those that complain about whatever city they live in. I think this rule applies to all places "it is what you make it". If you have impulse control issues you find a way to cheat, lie, gamble, drink, etc.... The line that the President gave is true in principle but he doesn't have to keep stating Las Vegas in his speeches. But why would a person who believes in hand outs tell us to be responsible.
I agree totally with the President, this is NOT the right place for anyone to vacation or visit, especially him in two weeks.
Stay the hell out!!!
Titus was right, "Come November they are going to be f--ked", and they can thank Obama for his out of control spending and big mouth!!!
Guess who???
"... It's ALWAYS fun to READ crap from ALL-thee-RePUGNANTcan haters on the Sun posts!!! As a LONG-time-FRIEND of Sen. Reid's during my cub reporter days at-thee-R/J ('73-'76), I can ALSO add he's-a-GOOD friend to our LGBT community NATIONWIDE! So, here from thee Bflo./Niagara region, we say: Keep GIVING the RePUKES, NeoCONS, NAZI's, White-Trash, etc. HELL!!! ESPECIALLY in S. Nevada!!!"
and...
"... You'll be FINE Harry!?! We're sending $$$ from NYS to HELP! Have known you since my cub reporter days at thee R/J & as correspondent for "Billboard Magazine." You're an HONORABLE man UNLIKE thee TARKANIAN'S, who are TOTALLY corrupt!!!! His DADDY, the ROTTEN basketball coach, will DRAG thee SON down!!! & la RePUKES will DESTROY-each-OTHER!!! YEA!!!"
and...
"... Having STARTED my international, award-winning print-journalism career of 35+ yrs. (including 17 with "Billboard Magazine" in L.A., Vegas-&-here in the Bflo./Rochester, NY markets) at thee Right-Wing R/J rag, even in 1973, many if not ALL credible reporter/writers couldn't WAIT to get OUT!!! SO: Some things DO-not-CHANGE!!! PATHETIC!!!"
Does the "Bird" have a sister???
After reading the (yet again) updated version of this story giving Obama's response I can only agree with those think this was all a gimmick to strengthen Reid's chances in November. The timing of this and events surrounding Yucca Mountain is just too suspect to think otherwise.
Mr. President, you sir, are nothing but a typical Chicago politician.
Considering the increases in hold %ages with HET leading the way, how can you say that he's wrong?
Anyone that gambles is going to lose, and lose it faster than ever before. In the past, you used to have a chance-now you flat out get ripeed off.
I hope they all go belly up.
Obama wants Harry Reid to lose his reelection because then his Chicago buddy Dick Durbin becomes Majority Leader as top senator. Think about it.
What the hell, This guy even goes to other country's to apologizes for the actions and policies of the United States before he was elected. This whole administration sucks! It makes me sick to think this is the best this great nation has to offer. That being said, Bush was a drastic failure in many ways in my opinion.
I'm loving the republican defense here of people wagering their college savings at the tables.
You people are economic geniuses. No wonder the republican party sent us into such a fiscal nightmare.
If spending your college tuition savings on a vacation is your idea of fiscal sanity, you MUST have been a Bush supporter!
What's wrong with saving money nothing. What's wrong with spending money nothing. Seems like folks need to worry about taking care of there own house and not what the president says. I am in the tourism business here in Vegas and have taken a 80% haircut as far as revenue. That being said I sure as hell don't blame the president. If you think people are changing there plans about coming to Vegas because of his comments I would say horsesh*t. The seeds of Vegas doom were not planted last January. One other quick point to all the brain surgeons out there. The last time we had 10% unemployment in the USA was 1983.. What the fck I thought Ronald Regan (I am a fan) was elected in 1980. Wow 3 years into his 1st term and we had 10% unemployment. He is considered by many a God (once again I am a fan) but we judge him in the 9th inning not the 2nd. Also remember the issues Ronald faced with the economy were chump change compared to what the current president and America faces today. And to all those who are crying about the deficit, if the tears are less than 8 years old you are a fools. Long live Vegas and all those who will stick it out here in the a place I am happy/proud to call home....
larryspinner forgot this is a blue state.
When all the Democrats vote in November,
we'll send the republican crooks packing.
boon, if you really work in the tourism industry and don't understand the influence that his comment has on corporate tourism-well, you ought to just give up then. Conventions keep the lights on in Vegas.
For being an academic, Obama appears to have the brain capacity equivalent to a pile of rocks.
Who in Vegas overwhelmingly voted for Obama in 08? Union Members
Who has the most to lose from lower visitation resulting in fewer tips/hours? Union Members
Can Las Vegas survive three more years of this guy?
The more I see the actions of this present administration the more I think of that old cliche...' Be Careful What You Wish For. "
What? Rory Reid isn't defending Las Vegas? The Chairman of the County Commission, in whose jurisdiction resides every major casino, remains silent yet again?
Thanks for getting out and defending Las Vegas, Rory. Come November we'll support you just like you have supported us.
First, I love LV! My favorite vacation destination! Great people, great entertainment, world class resorts, etc.
You have been hard hit by this recession. The POTUS should be rallying to your aid, not putting you down. You need help, not hindrance (of any kind). His remarks will result in fewer visitors. Sad, but true.
I think the president has badly misjudged American character. He said ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to get elected. It's even a joke among his loyalists how many promises he made that he hasn't kept. They chuckle in news interviews when it is brought up.
It may have played well in Chicago, but not to the average American. Let's have more town hall meetings and promise "green energy" jobs will end this depression. Yes, that should work.
Americans do not have money to spend. But, those that do generally only spend investment income in Vegas. They are more conservative than they appear at the table games, even making significant wagers. Many are parking their cash right now.
It is highly unlikely customers in Macau and the big Asian customers who travel to Las Vegas either heard or take notice of the President's comment today. Asian customers are paying much of the bills in Vegas right now, and the big houses have directed their offerings more each year to that clientele, for some time.
If Las Vegas is to generate business from American customers, then it must redirect it's cost structure on a significant number of rooms, F and B and entertainment offerings to that market. A sustainable growth in domestic tourism to Las Vegas is going to take some time, no matter how many movies like "The Hangover" promote the scene. How it is.
I would argue that drunk-stupid movies with big revenues and rental numbers hurt Las Vegas more than an aside example from the President.
Let him speak all he wants. I am starting to enjoy my $400 a week on unemployment. Figure that they will extend it to around 300 or so weeks of maximum benefits. Yep, unemployment, food stamps, and medicaid. That's for me. Trust me I did not drink the kool-aid and vote for this idiot pres.
I didn't mind when he made that comment the first time around but now the there should be a whole Nevada Delegation (Governor Gibbons; Mayor Goodman; Senators Reid & Ensign; Representatives Titus, Berkley, Heller; State Senator Horsford; and other various Democrat & Republican leaders) show up at the White House demanding an explanation, media blitz campaign to "Stay in Vegas", & apology. Next, Pres. Obama and First Lady will take a vacation on Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe, & Great Basin National Park.
Dear Barry Hussein Obummer: You already ruined the convention business last year, now you had to do it again. With the greatest expansion of Government spending in history enacted by you, how dare you try to 'lecture' America on what to do with OUR Money. You don't want us to spend it cause you're already planning on spending it?? !!
Hey Teamster: How's the liberal Vegas basher working for you? I sure know a boatload of union convention,hotel, and entertainment workers who are out of work since you hero started bashing the city.
If they included the musicians and independent contractors who are out of work the unemployment in this town is over 25% I'm quite sure.
Welcome to the socialist 'progressive' Agenda.
For the last time everyone, This comment by Obama is a ruse & SET UP, a sleazy Chicago style political trick where Obama makes the comment so Harry Reid gets to respond appearing to be in defense of Nevada which he FAILED to do last time around. DON'T FALL FOR IT !!!
i think this picture pretty muchs sums it all up:
http://abadreid.com/blog/wp-content/uplo...
Bad Reid
Bad Senator
http://aBadReid.com
This guy Obama has got to go.....I can't believe people in Las Vegas supported him. Serves them all right.
I didn't vote for him.....and I won't vote for him again.
We have enough problems on our own, now we have to deal with this?
S711
pffffft...are you kidding me? You guys are a joke. If one comment about having enough foresight to save for college instead of "going to Vegas" is enough to bring down its economy, then you're screwed to begin with. If anything, this press will attract attention, something Goodman is obviously familiar with.
If you're going to criticize his policies, do it intelligently. If you're going to blame someone for Vegas' sagging industries, blame yourselves. You sound like uneducated redneck morons.
Harry is such a loser, Obama has to get back at him somehow.
STFU you whiners!! Why blow your money in Vegas if you want to go to college???? Really??? You all that f'ing stupid you don't get the point???
JPM42 is an expert on a baf of rocks after drooling over Bush for 8 years.
Oscar..You're the man! If those elected pansies in Washington were more like you, we would have far less problems. Harry, you are a dinosaur, and a butt kisser. You are done! How about the President spending his "date night" money in Vegas??? I have been unemployed for 10 months now, and Obama's comment has made me very angry.
Listen any publicity is good publicity, he will apologize hopefully on national TV, more publicity for Vegas. In my view Obama is still the hardest working President I have ever seen. He will make it right, do not worry we made a good choice.
People, people, come one, please pretend to be a little more intelligent than the country thinks you are. No matter what the president says, if people are gonna come, they are gonna come!! Has any of you intelligent people maybe for a second thought that it was the economy that is causing people not to come? Just wondering, that seems to be the obvious answer, not Obama's remarks. Goodman is a retard and will kiss Obama's ass next time he visits. Just to let you know, Vegas is a laughing stock more or less, cause of him.
If you blame Obama for the downturn in Las Vegas you need to open your eyes and get out more. I travel a lot for work and unfortunately this is how it is all over the country. The problem here is there is no way to hide it as we have an economy that is driven solely on casinos. If there were other industries here some people may be able to find jobs or companies could potentially create new jobs to help out. This place is driven on spending excess money, last time I checked not many people have that.
Obama is to blame for not only the downturn of the economy in Las Vegas, the Obama administration is responsible for the whole U.S. economy.
Obama is completely lacking in leadership skills and has set a very poor example for the rest of us to follow with his doom and gloom speeches.
Would the outcome World War 2 been different if Franklin D. Roosevelt would have given gloomy fire side chats at the beginning of the war???
So your mob lawyer mayor would rather have people take their savings and blow it in vegas instead of taking care of their resposibilities.We hold three, two week retreats in vegas along with our other partners,well not this year.The mob lawyer mayor is a moron good luck..........
Our weather is great...the air service into Las Vegas, and the distance from the airport to the hotels is so far superior and easier than any other major destination...our room rates are a huge bargain-the finest hotels and service in the world at huge discounted prices...the shows, the variety of restaurants, the unequaled shopping when compared to other destinations...We have so much to offer, and Yes there is gambling in many other states...maybe this is a competition between Pres. Obama's home city competing with Las Vegas for business...individual and meetings.
Serious, get serious! There is no competition between Chicago and Las Vegas. Chicago is the 3rd largest city, Vegas 25th- enough said.
I'm sure that when he shows up in L.V. next time, he will act sympathetic and blame everything on the "previous administration".
Did I say "Sympathetic".....I menat "PATHETIC"....
I'm not saying Chi-Town is better, although I would much rather live there. You need to lose the chicago favoritism that you all think Obama has for Chicago. Like I said before, unemployment is at 10 percent there, does that sound like he is helping them out anymore. You know, I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago and the city was completely packed, weather was chilly and people still come. Weather is never a factor people otherwise , Vegas would be a ghost town from May-Oct. Its just that there is more to do in the bigger cities that does not require money. You name shows, entertainment, but none of that is free. No museums, no river walks, no lakes, there are zero people at the parks here. You tell me, what does Vegas need to do to compete cause I was down at the strip last weekend, nice weather, and it was DEAD!!!! Let's blame Obama for all of our troubles, LOL
Im from Wisconsin and we have vacationed in Las Vegas for the past 12 years - and love it; we receive the best customer service, outstanding hotel rates, great food and tons of fun; not to mention sun and warmth!
The President has no business telling Americans how and when to spend their money - I am sick and tired of this administrations arrogance and the attitude that 'government knows best' - I think NOT; Americans can think for themselves and are best when are self-reliant; Capitalism grows the economy, not government, and squelching businesses - who employ REAL people who have to support their families - does no good for our economy; my advice to this administration (which I did NOT vote for) - cut taxes for businesses and individuals, get out of the way and let Capitalism work! Learn some basic economics people - I learned this in high school.
Obama said to prioritize a mortgage over buying a new boat, college tuition over a gambling vacation to Vegas, that makes sense.
In fact the talk radio station that makes the biggest deal about Obama, KXNT, runs the Dave Ramsey program for 3 hours every week night. He says don't gamble, he doesn't and he's debt free. Pay off your mortgage even if it means eating beans and rice and don't dine out, and so on. If everyone adopted his monk like life style, Vegas would be a ghost town over night.
There are about 30 on air personalities on the four local hate-talk stations and not one is black or Hispanic, no wonder they can not stand a Black guy in the White House.
Obama is right BUT you dont go bashing your own cities & states when your the president?! He should tell people to stop paying taxes, that'll allow people to put a little extra away in a savings acct...
read the business section in today RJ "Navegante exec: New York ties helped AEG win deal"
Navegante Group won the right to operate a potentially lucrative casino at New York City's a Race Aqueduct Track. On Friday New York Gov David Paterson ended the prolonged bidding process and awared the 30 year Aqueduct contract to AEG over competing bids forom four other groups. Tax revenues generated by casino's 4,500 video lottery terminals is expected to help offset New Yourk's 7.4 billion budget gap. Some analyysts perdict the gamlbimg machines could produce up to $1 million a day in gaming revenue.
PRESIDENT GO AFTER NEW YORK JUST DON'T NAME LAS VEGAS BECAUSE MORE GAMBLING HAS COME TO NEW YORKERS I AM SURE THEY WILL WASTE THEIR MONEY ON LOTTERYS INSTEAD OF COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!
If a black or hispanic can get them ratings,They will be on! You obviously have no clue about how these stations make money. Besides, Last time I checked the dials, Half of them were spanish. I would really like to know who these 30 personalities are that you speak of!
Many people are missing the point. It does not matter if he his right or wrong in saying do not go to Las Vegas. The fact is, it is not his place to tell us what to do with our money or our lives. Many of my relatives served overseas and gave their lives for the freedoms of this country. My uncle currently sleeps in a tent in Afghanistan every night.
If George Bush said not to buy cars made in Detroit if your saving money for college or not to go to Disneyland, he would have been lam,f-ing,basted.
But this guy feels it is his right to rule over you. Do what he says to do not as he does. Don't spend money? It that is what is coming from this man's mouth? Don't spend money?
Read the news!
No No No people it is your fault that you could not be responsible adult's and save you money
for a rainy day.
My wife and I have been spending a long weekend in Vegas each year for a few years now, each time pumping several thousand dollars into the local economy. While I agree that President Obama would have been better served saying people saving for college shouldn't blow their money at "a casino" rather than referencing a specific municipality, I think the mayor's very personal swipe in response is clearly disrespectful of the office and a much greater offense. I don't anticipate spending another dollar in Las Vegas anytime soon. Thank you Mr. Mayor, you just did wonders for my personal savings plan.
Austin4, don't play the blame game for not wanting to come to Las Vegas. You make excuses like Obama makes remarks at the flip of a hand! You're the one who made the decision not to come to Las Vegas, not the mayor. You're an idiot. Your probably buying a new boat instead. Personal savings plan my butt!
Adios there Austin4, sorry you won't be missed...
You would be better off pumping that several thousand dollars per year into Obama's campaign coffers. At least you would feel better and we won't have to listen to you lecturing our good Mayor...
Not a prude, but...
lets face it..Vegas is about gambling. drinking, and whoring.
Maybe the kids college money better left in the bank than in Casino coffers.
Obama is great at asking others to tighten their belts as he flies everywhere he can and pledges money to every cause and then raises the deficit to $1.8 trillion this year. Bush haters, (I didn't like him either) Obama's deficit is much larger than that of Bush. I hope liberals realize the Obama is president soon.
HOPE AND CHANGE!
I agree that Obama could have used a better choice of words to get his point across, but I also believe the comments are being blown way of proportion. The ignorant comments from this site about Obama being an unintelligent person or how his administration is taxing too much or being fiscally irresponsible with the deficit is simply unfounded.
Anyone commenting on his intelligence obviously hasn't heard him speak outside of the Fox News sound clips. Regarding taxes and our deficit, the fact is our tax rates aren't even as high as the Reagan Administration and he inherited Bush's 1 trillion dollar deficit caused mostly by 2 unfunded wars and an unfunded prescription drug program. Keep in mind Bush inherited a 2 billion dollar surplus. On top of all that, we're in the midst of a recession that took years to develop. The idea that this would be all fixed within a year is not realistic and frankly unfair. Obama's latest budget takes steps to pay off the Economic Stimulus Plan which cost 1 trillion dollars (and is largely responsible for pushing our economy away from the brink of a depression) and he's trying to implement a financial oversight committee to identify ways to curb the deficit and find inefficiencies in our entitlement programs. We're on the 5 yard line of passing a Health Insurance Reform Bill which the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office says will lower the deficit over 10 years. How many bills past or present can tout that?
We'll be a lot better off if we move past the Fox News talking points and focus on reality.
The President doesn't like Nevada's Politicians.
I real can't blame him the only news about are politicians is cheating and on the take. I didn't say all, but I can read. This is a new generation the baby boomers are here and in numbers. We are sick of the sh-t they have put us through. Get rid of those old deal making pro's.
According to the polls and recent elections in other areas of the country, Obama may have lost enough electoral votes to limit him to one term.
I think the politians jumped to terrible conclusions. All the president was stating is that ya don't go out and spend money and put yourself at risk.If ya got it? Buy that boat, or come to vegas. Simply put.Don't be fooled folks, these casinos are making money. Maybe not to the rate they did 3-4 yrs ago, but they are making money.And its not the employees fault at all. Its these casino's ringleaders that have overpriced the food,set the slots terribly tight, and made this state expensive to even visit, let alone live here. I know, i live and work here. But to be honest to every close friend i have, I would have to tell them to gamble elsewhere. And thats by my personal experience. I enjoy gambling,but i can honestly say that this greedy state wants every dollar you have,whithout regards of you wanting to come back. Could it be that maybe thats why we see a deline in visitors? You get stung more than once out here, people will go or stay somewhere else. If ya wanna come out here purely to get intoxicated, more power to ya.But if ya come out here to gamble and enjoy yourself,ya got a rude awakening. And i doubt very much, after being stung a few times, people will come back for more.
I only wish I could to get out of this greedy town. It overly expensive, and ya might as well take down the lites on top of all these machines, because they don't get used !
Note to Barry:
You need to qualify your statement a little more, as more than 1/2 of the people who voted for you either dont have college in mind, or the government is already paying for it.
When this fool balances our nations books, then I'll listen to him. Meanwhile, it's my money and I'll spend it any way I want.
Lip sevice is all he gives.
By the way, aren't you suppose to work for a year before you get a vacation?
Okay, so let's say the president is right and meant no harm, who is he to even comment on how people spend their money? Is he our father? Stop telling us how to live and start doing a better job Barack.
Politicians make these kinds of statements all the time, especially with regards to conscientious energy usage and savings rates. I don't see oil workers bitching about the switch to nuclear power, and no one here seems to remember the rhetoric Reagan used when talking about savings (or his tripling of the budget deficit, for that matter).
In fact, it's probably better for the nation in the long-run if people invested more in education than luxuries.
But continue with your bashing, however unfounded it may be
Why was my post removed. Did Obama read it? What a sorry piece of #@%& he is. I served this country I am willing to die for it. But this sorry piece of #$@^. Thank god for China supporting our rail system and for coming to Las Vegas for your vacations.Hu Jintao would and should be our president as he cares for us more.
OK 2freinds--Vegas is toxic by all of you wannabees coming here and making it what it is...I actually think you like it here and just making a excuse to wait to sell,,,since that could be forever as this town being toxic....As for uneducated residents,, I wont spesk for all of them,, but most of us native to the area will forget more than you will ever know since you being a resident....Anyways like I posted before on this and everyone is crying about OBUMA,,, You wanted it,, so you get what you got....LMFAO
Also wegoaxleguard--- Is the wego a yugo in the form of a station wagon........
So, does the tax payer funded Obama trip to campaign for Reid count as "blown money in Vegas?"
Here's an article I wrote this morning that includes a few other examples of the President blowing our money on his vacations:
http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/Bloodhou...
How about this... get over it. let's talk about something that actually matters. Big deal, he used Las Vegas as an example of a way to waste money... how about you spend the time you wasted bitching about it to learn the truth about why we need healthcare reform.
He needs to stay out of people's affairs. What we do or do not do with our money is our business. Will he be telling us what to eat or what toilet paper to use next. America needs a recall like California also needs on. One is a democrat and one a republican. I think a new party needs to be created. Mayor I am on your side.
Aaaah HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Another nail in the coffin!!!
Vegas:0
Obama;2+
What happened to all those jobs that Obama promised? Didn't he stimulate the economy? Obviously if all those voters didn't drink the Obama Kool-aid, we would have someone else in office, and this discussion would never even exist. But now, all those people that thought he was going to come in and wave his magic wand and everything was going to be magically fixed, hopefully are starting to wake up and realize what an idiot this guy is!
Does he not realize that he and his agenda is one of the biggest reasons why this country has to tighten their belts? He shouldn't be preaching to people, telling them where to go on vacation! Any industry that has been targeted like this twice has a serious complaint to take up with this man.
Hopefully the State of Nevada will vote out Reid and Obama.
Isn't Obama coming there later on this month? I would love to be their to see the angry mob of citizens waiting to welcome his arrival to Vegas! I might have to go angainst what he said and make a trip there just for the entertainment factor. It would be better than any show on the Strip!
IMPEACH the President.
"This town is littered with morons. Deal with it."
After one look at the November 2008 Clark County Presidential Election Results, I concur.
He said he's coming to Vegas in the next few weeks. What do we do about it?
Here we go again with the man who wants to declare himself "Mayor for Life". Give me a break. Everyone wants to be so politically correct about everything. Well, Las Vegas is not the "Promised Land". However, people don't listen to someone who is looking out for their best interests. If you have lived in Clark County for a long period of time; then you have seen the personal destruction that individuals cause themselves in Las Vegas. This type of behavior occurs in big cities and small towns. Las Vegas simply is the so-called Sin City of the world. People commit transgressions all over this earth. President Obama's comment about Las Vegas could have been something positive and you losers in this vacuous town still would have deemed it negative. It does not matter if you spend your money here or elsewhere. The President is saying save your money for a rainy day. If you blow it in Las Vegas; the payday loan companies will make a killing off the broke, lonely people who gamble because they are bored, busted, and bemused.
Phew. Im glad Obama wrote Harry a letter. This will fix everything. Maybe Obama can write a letter to the citizens of Nevada along with the businesses in Nevada that will suffer further effects of his actions. Harry Reid is NOT THE ONE TO APOLOGIZE TO. Apologize to us, we are Nevada, not Harry.
Vegas is great but after a few times there it's not such a big deal anymore
Michigan has casino's near by me and soon so will Ohio that's gonna affect people's attitude about flying into vegas as often as much as anything else
Tuesday Obamas says don't blow your money in Vegas, and on Wednesday he says turn off you t.v.'s and don't listen to pundit's.
I agree 100%, turn off your t.v.'s and quit listening to this crap every f--king day.
I mean, he's got something to say EVERYDAY about what EVERYONE should do with their own time and their own dime.
"If anything, this press will attract attention, something Goodman is obviously familiar with."
It hasn't attracted ANY attention outside of Vegas, other than when it first happened. No one in the country really cares about Las Vegas. It has problems and so do many other cities.
Everything upsets Oscar Goodman. He's just filled with snappy retorts and righteous indignation. But he does so much nothing it's almost laughable. I can't wait for his term to end. He pushes through what he wants, like the new City Hall, regardless of how it affects the tax payers in Las Vegas. If Oscar wants it, then by gosh, it's happening. Get his unshaved butt out of office! I can't wait for the day when we can wave bye bye to Oscar and his showgirls. Because, after all, it WAS ONLY all about Oscar and NEVER about the citizens.
The good Mayor's comment about Obama will bring more visitors to Las Vegas, then if Obama would have promoted Vegas in one of his teleprompted speeches...
Bad President Obama...
Good Mayor Goodman...
President Obama is sounding more like X-President Bush all the time. Does the Office of President make one slow or do only slow people want that office. See you at election time!
Interesting comments here, some so narrow-minded and full of &hit it is unbelievable but I'm not surprised. So many are making a big deal out of this. Blame your OWN politicians for the mess NV is in, not the President.
People will continue to come to Vegas whether they can afford it or not. Maybe the President could have said it better but no one is going to stop traveling there. Sure, maybe some came to their senses and decided to pay their mortgage payments for the next 3 months in lieu of that Vegas trip, but no words from the president are going to stop people. In all reality - people will not come to Vegas NOT because of Obama's words but because they just can't afford it or they do not want to spend all that money to come to Vegas to gamble when they can gamble close to home. Also, there is no longer job security either anywhere in the country. People are saving their money "just in case...." If the tourist numbers go down - it ain't because of OBama - it's because people just do not have the money to come to Vegas.
As a former Vegas resident, I know first hand what it is like to live there, but come on people, tourism shouldn't be the ONLY thing that the city has. I have spoken to many people since I've been back east and I would say the majority of them, after I told them I lived in Vegas for 7 years and decided to move back, they asked "WHY?" did I come back here? I'd hear "Vegas is so cool with the shows, gambling, etc" "Vegas is so exciting","aren't there thousands of jobs in the casinos?", blah blah blah. I explained to them that it is also A CITY just like any other city with families, young people, old people - you name it. The awful dismal job situation there wass the primary reason I came back. You got to pay rent and bills just like anywhere else. Everyone thinks Vegas is "The Strip". The perception of this town by the rest of the country is pitiful. No knowledge of what Vegas is really like. Do you REALLY think they care what goes on here outside of wshat happens on the Strip? If you only have movies like "The Hangover" to show what Vegas has to offer, then no wonder it gets treated like nothing....a tourist trap and all the rest of the good and decent citizens get pushed aside by not only the rest of the country but by their OWN policitians by not moving the State forward and almost "glorifying" that "Hangover" image.
Re NV missing out on the stimulus money. Whoever was in charge of the presentation to get some of that stimulus money to build that train to nowhere didn't do their job. Maybe even THEY think it's a bad idea. Do you all really think the Fed Gov't is going to give millions of $$ to Nevada so they can build a train to transport gamblers across the state line? Yeah, what a necessity. No matter what color you paint the picture, that is why the officials want that train built - to bring the gamblers in from CA.
After little "o's" comments about BIG "O's" comments I have changed by mind about blowing my savings in Vegas. It was on my list but who wants to come to a place with such a "thin skinned" Mayor who has the nerve to ask his adulterous Senator to withhold some kind of simpleton letter welcoming the President. What a petty bunch of pols you folks are cursed with.
My wife says she would go to see the sites so tell give me the Mayor's itinerary so I can see a real comedy show.
Hey "gasp," you were not going to visit Las Vegas anyway. On another discussion forum you posted the same rant except that you wrote that you had a savings of 1000 dollars. If that is your life savings you are better off saving it for a trip to Hawaii so you can be with your Messiah on his next vacation...
So, does anyone believe this would have even been an issue for ANYONE in the country - would they even have noticed what he said at a small townhall meeting, if the press hadn't blown this up beyond all reasonable proportion? Seriously? And everyone is just eating it up, just the way they want you to - feel a litte manipulated yet??
It is an issue because Obama is so intelligence that he doesn't have a clue about simple economics.
And to think that Obama is in charge of the complete economic base of this country...
OH... GET OVER IT!! How many times do we in general make the same reference??? If you're stupid enough to spend money in the casinos and your house note is due then you deserve to be without. The mayor is a JOKE. He needs to stay out of the girly shows and get with that thing of a so called Governor and find a solution to help support our schools. If you want to stand up or speak up about something, then Joke-of-a-Mayor Goodman, Harry-2-faced-Reid, and Governor-flirt-Gibbons should fight for our kids and teachers, NOT THE CASINOS.
Hey bqueeny...
Obama is the President and should know better then to make such idiotic public statements. Obama is what you get when you vote someone in office with no leadership or managerial experience.
Obama is not a leader, he is a preacher...
We need to organize a mooning of Obama when he comes to town.Then we need to take it nationwide at every event he goes to. make it a national event moon Obama.
Ok, I checked Detroit news, Atlanta news, Washington DC news, etc.... approximately 15 papers all over the country. NO ONE is running this story, we're getting in a snit over NOTHING. Pretty much, there IS NO STORY at all here.
The story is that President Obama does not have the sense to come in out of the rain.
Obama needs to start leading us, not preaching to us...
"Ok, I checked Detroit news, Atlanta news, Washington DC news, etc.... approximately 15 papers all over the country. NO ONE is running this story, we're getting in a snit over NOTHING. Pretty much, there IS NO STORY at all here."
Exactly!!! I believe I heard a little snippet the other day about it (couldn't hear everything; just heard Obama and Las Vegas) but that was it. It is a non-issue across the whole country. No one cares outside of Vegas.
And it's not going to change or make a difference in how many visitors come to Vegas. Vegas will still see a decline in visitors and not because of Obama's lame comment.
How about a nice pot of tea and some crumpets.
Sen. Reid talked a fair skinned African American with a college educated accent and the same person talks about spending money wisely. So why all the fuss about these two Demos who apparently cannot say any context that is not two or three syallables in length.
You know, the Strip is celebrating with the Chinese New Year which is the Year of the Tiger and has lots of beautiful sights to be seen so why not talk about the beauty of the Year of the Tiger. Here in the Midwest if you discuss the Year of the Rat the red necks interpret that you are discussing the K-State Cats and Cats hate rats. This Rat is both cat and rat and some s...t head wants to know if I have heard anything about the hit and run on the driver's side of my Chevy Aveo.
As someone said earlier...this is no story at all. Everyone, even the people who are posting knew what the gist of what he president said meant. Just because he mentioned Las Vegas, everyone is thinking that all of a sudden everyone is going to stop visiting. What is the draw of Las Vegas now? The gaming companies overbuilt on the strip and now we are paying for it. The draw of the old Las Vegas was a semi-inexpensive trip, but now that is not the case. The gaming companies charge out the wazoo for everything. At least back in the day, you could get here cheap and get a cheap room, then have some extra room for gambling...but now, it costs an arm and a leg to get here let alone pay for a room and dining.
Here in the Midwest at the home of the Thunderbirds, I think Mayor Goodman should really be upset over the use of the play of words on this use of a casino logo, the switchboard operator will now connect you to your desired extension.
I know that none of the employees of the home of the Thunderbirds and none of the students who are Thunderbirds have ever been employed at the Penn Valley Commnity College in Kansas City, MO as student work/study switchboard operators and I know none of the same have ever run blood for the Greater Kansas City, Missouri Blood Bank to the pick-up points for the Missouri Highway Patrol to the outer Missouri Hospitals and I know that none of the employees of the home of the Thunderbirds has ever worked as Regional Office Secretary for Motorola Communications and Electronics at 3125 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. Goodman has really worked himself up over the wrong statements and really needs to work himself up over the use of the information that so freely evolves out of the mouths of the employees and students at the home of the Thunderbirds in the Midwest State of Kansas and the use of Kansas taxpayers dollars to fund such theives and their sponsors and all the manufacturers that are associated with a communicty college of such a reputation and such use of taxpayer's money to fund free education for those who use the educational world as a decoy for their own use.
Mr. Obama speaks of using money wisely; this is not using money wisely to use money in a manner to pretend to educate and to pretend to have a sports program.
Starbeams needs to go out and shovel some of that snow in her driveway and leave the good Mayor Goodman alone.
Mayor Goodman is doing his job...
President Obama is making things difficult with all of his preaching...
Nothing to see here.......move along.
Here in the Midwest at the home of the Thunderbirds, I think Mayor Goodman should really be upset over the use of the play of words on this use of a casino logo, the switchboard operator will now connect you to your desired extension.
I know that none of the employees of the home of the Thunderbirds and none of the students who are Thunderbirds have ever been employed at the Penn Valley Commnity College in Kansas City, MO as student work/study switchboard operators and I know none of the same have ever run blood for the Greater Kansas City, Missouri Blood Bank to the pick-up points for the Missouri Highway Patrol to the outer Missouri Hospitals and I know that none of the employees of the home of the Thunderbirds has ever worked as Regional Office Secretary for Motorola Communications and Electronics at 3125 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. Goodman has really worked himself up over the wrong statements and really needs to work himself up over the use of the information that so freely evolves out of the mouths of the employees and students at the home of the Thunderbirds in the Midwest State of Kansas and the use of Kansas taxpayers dollars to fund such theives and their sponsors and all the manufacturers that are associated with a communicty college of such a reputation and such use of taxpayer's money to fund free education for those who use the educational world as a decoy for their own use.
Mr. Obama speaks of using money wisely; this is not using money wisely to use money in a manner to pretend to educate and to pretend to have a sports program.
HUH?????
Over the past twenty-five years I have lived in many cities throughout this great nation and can honestly tell every one of you that I have NEVER witnessed a sitting Mayor that had such love and respect and was so determined to promote his city in the most constructive and positive means possible. In today's era of politics, it's practically unheard of. However, im afraid that Mayor Goodman will be on the loosing end of a {Piss} battle with our President, especially when it's time to dispurse stimulis funds. It is obvious to me and should be to you that Mr. Obama is intentionally disparaging our Great city. I can only guess that during his many visits to Las Vegas he gambled and lost. Maybe he's a POOR LOSER.
Obama's right - Vegas is a waste right now. Until these greedy owners lower their room rates and the airlines lower their fares, it's only going to get worse, if that's even possible, for Las Vegas.
I normally start planning a summer trip to Las Vegas this time of year...but not this year. The hotels refuse to offer true value to the folks whom they depend on to line their pockets.
It makes no sense...OFFER VALUE TO YOUR POTENTIAL VISITORS and they will come!!!!!
Adios there GooGoo... You won't be missed. Maybe you will find Chicago more to your liking...
You think Las Vegas has problems now, just wait until you send a freshman Republican Senator to Washington.
Hey Obama, Maybe you ought to get your data correct. YOU SHOULD BE TELLING PEOPLE TO VISIT LAS VEGAS on vacation where they can get first class accomodations for pennies on the dollar compared to Washington DC, or Chicago. By the way, there's no snow storms in Las Vegas, and you can go golfing now.
I just checked hotel rates for three nights Feb 15-18, in some Four Star hotels.
Las Vegas = Golden Nugget = $45.00 per night; Beautiful pool, whirlpool, spa. (www.i4vegas.com)
Washington DC = Dupont Circle - Embassy Row Hotel = $119.00 per night (NO POOL)(expedia.com)
Chicago = Hotel Sax Chicago = 97.30 per night (NO POOL; +$19.00 Valet parking)(expedia.com)
Hello,Goodman??
The glamour of Vegas is the antithesis of belt tightening. Try investing in slots lately?
Obama's right, you're wrong.
What kind of Mayor/leader would go into battle, armed with a peashooter? When the Nations economic fate, lies in the hands of Obama.
I just blew all my money on slot machines. Now what?