Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Mayor Oscar Goodman holds a press conference on Feb. 2 after President Obama made comments that “you don’t blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you’re trying to save for college.” Two weeks later, Goodman said he was pleased with positive remarks Obama made Friday about Las Vegas during a visit to the valley.
By J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
, Dave Toplikar (contact)
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 | 2 a.m.
Sun archives
- Goodman pleased about Obama’s Las Vegas comments (2-19-2010)
- Goodman hoping Obama will call today to apologize (2-18-2010)
- Goodman: Obama needs to ‘straighten out’ what he said about Las Vega (2-17-2010)
- Should we be upset by Obama’s latest remarks on Las Vegas? (2-3-2010)
- Obama responds to Harry Reid criticism; Goodman upset over remark (2-2-2010)
The president of the United States, who commands the mightiest Army and Navy the world has ever known and oversees two ongoing hot wars, and who is the steward of the greatest economic engine in all civilization, was forced to live with considerable anxiety these past two weeks: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was angry with him.
Thankfully for Obama, he is back in the good graces of the former mob lawyer who is the mayor of a city that boasts some of the finest, cheapest prime rib the world over.
By now you know the back story: Obama had the temerity to suggest that the federal government needs to be more prudent, just as families are being more wise, not blowing cash on Vegas when they’re trying to save for college.
Well, nothing so outrageous had ever been said.
Goodman took immediate action: He called a news conference.
There, the mayor said he would “give (Obama) the boot back to Washington to visit his failures back there” and called the president, the one-time president of the Harvard Law Review, “a real slow learner.”
Goodman wasn’t the only Nevada elected official to denounce Obama’s remark. In fact, they all did. But Goodman distinguished himself with the impressive volume of his voice and spittle of his invective.
And then, like Jimmy Carter boycotting the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Goodman wouldn’t attend Obama’s public events this week — a grand principled gesture.
The principled man must sometimes walk alone, Goodman said at a news conference Friday.
“I felt like the Lone Ranger on many occasions out there the last two or three days,” he said.
On Friday, Obama, speaking at CityCenter, told about 650 business leaders from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, “Let me set the record straight: I love Vegas.”
The statement drew a standing ovation.
“I enjoy myself every time I’ve had an opportunity to visit,” he added.
Obama then passed the most important test of all: receiving the approval of Oscar Goodman, whose third and final term as mayor has been marked by his city’s declining wages, employment and home values.
Obama’s statement fell short of the full apology the mayor had been demanding the president make after his Feb. 2 remark, which evoked almost no commentary anywhere in America other than Las Vegas.
But Goodman indicated the president’s remarks Friday satisfied him.
“It’s presumptuous of me to ask the president of the United States to say ‘I’m sorry,’ ” Goodman said. “That wasn’t the objective of what I was trying to accomplish,” the mayor said, after two weeks of demanding an apology from Obama.
(Obama also brought $100 million to Nevada to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure, but in Goodman’s world, action is cheap. Talk is what really matters.)
Goodman noted that this was the second time Obama had snubbed Las Vegas — the first time was a year ago when the president said that bankers on the government dole shouldn’t take junkets to Las Vegas.
“Hopefully, it’s behind us,” Goodman said, almost certainly speaking for every one of his constituents. “If there aren’t any incidents that raise my ire, I would love to buy him a drink this time.”
In all likelihood, the president would very much like not to join you, Mr. Mayor.
You’ll probably have that drink anyway.
"It's presumptuous of me to ask the president of the United States to say 'I'm sorry,' " Goodman said.
Yes it was Mr. Mayor. You were the "Lone Ranger". You were alone because you were the only one who would not admit what the president said was correct. I would say to all local Las Vegans "don't blow your kid's college fund in the casinos". Isn't that obvious?
Perfect article. This is exactly how I viewed mayor Goodman's childish rant concerning the President. The irony is Goodman goes out of his way to make such an issue over absolutely nothing, then directly insults Obama calling him "slow learner," etc, and then embarrasses the city by stiffing the President. Obama never said anything negative about Vegas ... good grief.
Good thing Obama displays 10 times the class and isn't so easily offended and still presents himself as an actual leader instead of some miserable prima donna of a mayor.
The principled man must sometimes walk alone.
Thank you Mayor Goodman.
Resident who has been unemployed for almost two years now, and is hoping to land an $8 to $15 per hour job. Geez thanks Obama.
Braedo
Almost 2 years you have been unemployed. WHO was president when you lost your job???? I guess you've been living under a fake rock all that time not to notice what has been happening in Vegas BEFORE Obama was president. Obama doesn't run the casinos; he's not the one responsible for all the layoffs in the casino industry or other industries. If people have no money, and many are in the same boat as you, the last place they will be going is to Vegas. That's not hard to understand. Maybe it's time to get another personal game plan together instead of blaming everything on someone else.
Goodman did more damage than good by his attitude. He doesn't realize that everywhere else in the country - he was being laughed at!! He came across as a joke. He did NOTHING to help Vegas by his whining and his snub of the President.
So if you can't find that $8-$15 per hour job - don't blame Obama - blame your OWN NEVADA POLITICIANS!!!
hey oscar...
lost all respect for you...
all done with you...
you sounded like a child...
or worse...
you sounded like a stupid pathetic ugly lying republican...
and that's as bad as it gets...
get drunk oscar...
your political career is clearly over...
we witnessed the beginning of the end for you this week...
drunk on your own arrogance...
nighty night you child!!!
Seriously, if anyone needs to apologize it's Goodman. He should apologize both to the President and to the City of Las Vegas.
Oscar Goodman words and appearance are an embarrassment to the City and resident of Las Vegas.
I support the Mayor's actions totally. Obama did not have the courage to "Man Up" and issue a full apology or admit he was wrong to attack our beautiful City. Come November, I hope the voters will run the Democrats out of elected office. Obama gave Harry the "hug" and endorsed him as Obama did the candidates in Mass, NJ and VA who lost their bids for election. Could not happen to a worse Senator then Harry Reid. The Tea Party Express kick off its USA tour in Harry's home town Searchlight on March 27th and then comes to Vegas. Now thats a hoot.
Oscar you remind me of the "Local Town Drunk in an Old West Town!"
What are you rally Mayor of? Las Vegas is really not that big when you think of where all the major Casino's are located!!! In the County not Las Vegas!!
Sherp - If Obama's comment he made to college students about preserving their money for actual school instead of blowing it in Las Vegas is an "attack on our city," then way to take things way out of context and blow them way out of proportion.
And now you still are not satisfied with Obama, even after all the nice things he said yesterday about Vegas. My question is: why would Obama ever admit to attacking Las Vegas when he never did anything of the sort?
Hate all you want, republican. You guys frigg'n LOOK for reasons to complain. I hate partisanship in this country, but whatever.
I guess many of you fail to recall that Obama's comments did indeed have a tangible and negative effect on our economy here. Conventions were cancelled, and we have no idea how many others weren't scheduled due to Obama's comments.
Our national economy is worse, our deficit bigger, our unemployment worse, and we are still overseas.
King Obama = epic fail.
As the gambling age is 21 and most college students have been in college 2 to 3 years since 18,the spector of "college students blowing their cash in Vegas" is stupid. And what kind of cash do they have anyway. Most college grads have "wads" of debt when they graduate not "wads" of cash. What are the odds of 3 of the 7 folks chosen to ask question being from out of town, a good 30 minutes from the Strip. 1 from France, a Dentist from Jonesboro, Ark just happen to be wandering by Green Valley HS in Henderson to go to a Vegas TownHall? Impossible! What fakes! Obama himself is a fake. That little Global Warming statement showed he knows as much about Climate and weather as he does economics.
I like how the Sun uses the word "huff" in the headline. It honestly lets the reader know this will not be a fair or balanced article from the start. It amazes me week after week how far the Sun sinks into its role as liberal propaganda machine.
Goodman was correct in his anger. You do not keep singling out a particular city. Why didn't Obama say Orlando, or New York?
BTW - I personally cannot wait for America to speak this fall and give the majority in Congress back to the Republicans, like what happened in the 90's. If Obama is forced to work with both parties, maybe then can he become the great President Bill Clinton was.
When the mayor stands up to the president of the united stands and demands an apology. He is standing up for people that elected him. To some, what the president said was harmless, but the presidents words are influential to many, and these particular words were negative towards Las Vegas, and with this economy we didn't need any help in that direction. I believe the mayor just wanted him to keep his mouth shut, or at least say something positive about Las Vegas. And to that, he was successful. The mayor is no wimp, he has proven that time and time again. If he embarrases you, then you might want to pack up find another city. As for me, I wish he could run again.
cashinhand, (not for the first time) states;
"And no visit to Alphabet City...WTF. I waited at Doolittle for 2 days. Hangin with whitey at GVHS, the Aria, and the Maloof pimps. My GranMa had a question about free cable."
I guess he thinks he's being funny.
I'm picturing a Tea Partier on 'Roids, with froth and spittle emanating from his piehole, and a sweatshirt 3 sizes to small for his big gut bearing one of those clever racist anti-obuma slogans.
why the president should apologize for. the only thing a kid should have to worry about when growing up is to how to get to college and graduate kid shouldn't have to worry about the money the parents should. if the mean don't come to las vegas 3 or 4 time a year and maybe blow up to 3000 dollars a shot. people easily blow that much money on these tights** machine. add it up. if u know how to add. college education is more important now a day then gambling you kids life away.
JUST WAIT WHEN HAWAII MAKE GAMBLING LEGAL. BEAUTIFUL BEACHES BEAUTIFUL WEATHER DRINKING A DRINK WITH UMBRELLA IN. STINKIN YOUR TOES IN SOFT SAND. AFTER HARD NITE OF GAMBLING. WE WILL LOOSE PEOPLE THEN. ALOT. I GUESS WHAT SANDS AND MGM WILL BE THERE OPENING ANOTHER CASINO. WHO ARE U GOING TO BLAME THEN. U CAN TAKE YOUR KIDS THERE TO. BECAUSE IT FAMILY FRIENDLY AND MOSTLY U WILL BLAME SOME1.
Oscar Goodman looks like the petty one in this exchange. Boy, this election coming up looks like one for the record books.
The GOP has the positive messages. No new taxes, No Reregulation of the banks. No help for the working class or the poor.
Yessiree! That is one positive meme! We are the Republicans, We love the Rich and Big Business!
Everybody else, Tough Luck, Too Bad!
Social Darwinism at its finest.
Perry161492 shouts: Wait 'til Hawaii legalizes casino gambling. This will not happen! The state has always outlawed gambling, because of religious considerations. If Perry would go to the California Casino, he could find out from a Hawaiian why it is outlawed there.
To answer whoslaughingnow:
Las Vegas: In Last 90 Days, Groups Canceled 340 Events
March 12, 2009
According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), 340 Las Vegas events have been cancelled in the past 90 days, costing the local economy an estimated $131.6 million in lost spending.
link is here....
http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/new...
Do republicans have hollow heads? I really wonder.
It does not matter if Obama actually DID say anything vindictive about Vegas or not (which he totally did not). But even IF he did, like you say, you still do not act like a little baby so publicly and sling direct insults and then show a complete lack of class and no respect the way Goodman did. You act like an adult and a leader and you take the initiative to explain in a mature manner to the President your discontent with his comment. Strange concept, I know.
Actually, there's no trophy given out to whichever of you republicans whine and criticizes the loudest about nothing, and then certainly not one for acting like a mere jack ass the way the mayor did.
More words from Balloon Boy. I don't think he leaned a thing from his balloon boy brother in Colorado. Just Lies is all obama has to offer.
@anchorbine, typical neoCon lies and halftruths. Way to link an article that is ONE YEAR old. Further, the conventions that cancelled last year were primarily due to the economy, not Obama. As for the larger corp events, even most of your fellow Cons in Washington agreed with Obama on the fact that those companies receiving stimulus money should second guess their annual Vegas conventions.
So I guess you are saying, by intentionally linking a ONE YEAR OLD article, that you SUPPORT corps receiving stimulus funds to spend some of that money in Vegas? Silly me, I thought you were supposed to be fiscally conservative. LOL.
Once again, you Cons cannot provide any tangible evidence to back up your claims. Surely the Fox News Teabagger Brigade (Larry, Nance, Mikegino, Future, Hooster) can scour the bottom of the barrel for just one tangible example of a CONSUMER that cited Obama as the reason they cancelled their plans? You know - Proof to backup your obvious lies, please. Give us one person or family that was so influenced by Obama saying 'don't blow your money in Vegas', that they called up and cancelled their NON REFUNDABLE flight and hotel reservations. And thus, decide to eat all that reservation money just because Obama told them to. Come on Cons, I know you can do it.
Why is it the government is responsible for someone finding a job. All my life, which is longer then I like to think about, I had to get out an work. I took whatever job I could find and then continued to look for a better job if I wasn't happy with the one I had. I guess to many people in this country prefer to be at the public trough rather then going out and taking care of themselves.
President Obama's remarks may have been not well thought out, but I don't believe that they had any effect on Vegas.
Wow. Jahreb. I linked a one year old article, because that was the pertinent time frame in which conventions were cancelled specifically due to Obama's comments.
Since that link gets you all gooey-eyed, how about one from the New York Times. I don't think I can possibly find a more liberal newspaper for you, other then perhaps our own Sun. Here you go. Also from last year.
In the last month, 30,000 hotel room nights booked for conferences have been canceled at an estimated loss of $20 million to the city, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Some of those rooms were reserved for a Goldman Sachs technology conference, which was moved to San Francisco this month. And the figures do not include 17,000 people who were expected to attend a State Farm agents' convention this October. That conference was canceled Wednesday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/us/15v...
King Obama has clearly put a huge dent in Las Vegas with his comments regarding Vegas.
Just a handfull of clowns on talk radio and at city hall, (shows over, take off the clown nose)
Obama showed class.
Kudos to Oscar for putting Obama in his place.
Obama may be the man with the power, and HE could care less if Oscar likes him or not, but he isnt GOD and his psychological hangup about people having fun in LV shows the ghetto in him.
It really bothers me that WE footed the bill for keeping Obama safe while he comes here to stump for Harry Reid. This should come out of Harry Reid's re-election funds, not the general budgets here in vegas that are strained.
Oscar and the clark county commission should have refused to authorize funds for Obama's trip. Period. Instead of whining about not having enough money for the libraries and old folks food subsidies.
Brilliant writing. Brilliant.
Whoops - don't want anyone attributing my "Brilliant" writing comment to the above poster. I refer to the writers of the article.
I found your Mayor's remarks offensive. He banished the President of the USA from your fair city. My husband and I have a trip planned in 1 month. I just called Hilton and canceled my time there. I told them why. If the President has been banished, I don't want to go. I wouldn't care who was President. As a patriotic American I respect the office. It's a shame your Mayor is more interested in his ego than his city.
There is so much vile politics around. I want to go on vacation and get away from it all.
I had no idea what the President said about Vegas until I read about your Mayor's shenanigans this week. I was still going to Vegas. I then read what the President said about my tax dollars furnishing trips for guys richer than me, and that made sense to me. What your Mayor did made no sense to me.
Things like this go viral on the internet. I would have thought your Mayor would want not want to play politics at this time. I guess since he's not running again, he doesn't care how he leaves the city for the next mayor.
Maybe we'll go back when there is another mayor. But for now, my money will be spent elsewhere. There are other wonderful cities that are hurting. We'll go to one of those instead. The last I checked, the best way to register my dissatisfaction was with my wallet. Sorry Las Vegas. I apologize to you, but it's my vacation and I'm not interested in your fair city right now.
Dear Las Vegas Sun: Very much enjoyed reading this lighthearted article. It is good to know that Oscar is calming down. It is also good to know that our President showed respect for Las Vegas citizens during his visit. Let us hope that Oscar does something greater than ever done before by a mayor for his city while he is still in office. Let us hope our President does something greater than ever done before for his country. Let us hope we all find the courage to work together as Americans to do great things despite our differences in mere political opinion.
Good... Another cheapskate teacher will be visiting Chicago instead of Vegas.
Chicago's loss will be our gain...
Don't forget to write to us, after you get mugged in the Chicago tradition...
Commander in Chief of the greatest economy in the world? Make me laugh, Obama has nearly ruined the economy.
And your comment about Vegas having the finest Prime Rib probably doesnt apply to Hanks Restaurant at Green Valley Ranch, I read that the Greenspuns suit claims that the meat is bad there.
Congratulations, Mr. Mayor. I support your snubbing of Mr. Obama...and I voted for him...and I was a 60 year resident of Illinois before retiring to Las Vegas. He has made bad choices in his staff and bad decisions regarding singling out Las Vegas. We need help in this town; we don't need our leader adding to our woes. We need visitors. We need to provide them with an enjoyable experience. We need the jobs their visits create. We need residents coming back to take those jobs and buy the homes now in inventory. We need the value of our existing homes to begin to increase. We need Mr. Obama to shut up about our town and get to work with his staff to better decide how to spend our tax money where it will create jobs and bring people back to work.
Until people realize that Vegas and gambling is entertainment and not a way to get rich quick people are going to blow their money in Vegas regardless of what anyone says.
A majority of us from the islands go to Vegas because we love the high of gambling.Sadly there are those few (who cannot afford)that are hoping to hit the Mega Bucks. Most of us are like any other, when the cupboard is low we don't fly as often or spend less.
I still try to make it to Vegas at least twice a year. Nothing the President says will hinder me, only my pocket book will dictate how often.
For the most I agree with President Obama, but this is one I have to side with Mayor Goodman.Right or wrong he stood by his convictions.This is a person I would vote for.
Hey Oscar pulled his snoot out of the gin bottle to recongnize that Obama was way out of his league. Jeez your gangsta buddies are rolling in thier graves probably out in the middle of lake mead. Anyway ya gotta give it to the ginhound he knows how to make a stir but Obama dropped a mega ton of money to help out vegas during this time of troubles but it really dindnt have anything to do with the ginman but I bet the ol snozzster will take credit for it.
First of all, I joined the LVsun to thank and support Mayor Goodman for having stood up for Las Vegas and what he thinks is right. I actually stopped to applauded the mayor because the man deserves it. Not only did mayor Goodman talk but he walked the talk which is something a lot of politicians lack, especially presidents who make all these promises that they really don't plan to keep. Good job mayor but it's too bad that doing the right thing can be unpopular, especially in this biased ultra-partisan atmosphere.
Second, the President was right in saying we shouldn't blow up money but he didn't have to isolate any city, place, group, or thing to make the point. There's no excuse for this. The blame can go to the writer but President Obama has a thinking brain and he could of chose to leave Las Vegas out if he wanted to.
Lastly take head of James 1:19. This says "So that, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." If mayor Goodman were slow to speak and slow to anger he wouldn't have said some of things about the President that he has said.
Any person with an unbiased mind would support the mayor. He's not a 100% correct for the things he said (although I agree with some of them) but he stuck to his sense of righteousness and that matters, even if it was unpopular. Mayor Goodman should consider apologizing for some of his careless remarks since he is the mayor representing this city and he would be doing something the president failed to do when he was here.
Tyrannous you are a hoot. Quoting the bible james for the mayor and vegas. dude if you havent been hit by lighting or win the mega bucks tommorow you are so freakey lucky. This is vegas man where no deviant behaovouir or sex act is sanctioned. Sodomy and debauchery is only a phone call away and only limited by the credit card limit or your casino marker. Please oh please tell me your just making a funny. I always find it so amusing that thier so many pious types oh so willing to condemn you to life of burining hell but will get in thier escalade to head down thier job at the casino gin mills. Who me?
I'm starting to learn to like our Mayor. The guy actually has integrity and a backbone which is NOT indicative of a Democrat. Good on you sir!
I commend the mayor on standing up to the president. If the president would spend as much time attacking the enemies of America as he does American cities and news channels perhaps he would be able to fulfill more of his conveniently forgotten campaign promises...transparency in governance, reducing the debt, bringing the troops home and so on and so on. Good Luck Mr. Mayor and godspeed
Mayor who? he is now a lame duck and staggering back to his office, maybe he should resign like Palin?
cashinhand and LarryVegas
Boy, you two sure know NOTHING about Chicago!!!! I guess it is just way too sophisticated for the two of you. My guess is neither of you have ever been there and you both wouldn't know what to do with yourselves in such a place. Chicago actually has museums, first rate shows, a fantastic art museum and casinos that you can win in!! And it will never run out of water!
BTW - crime is more rampant in Vegas then it is in Chicago.
Then Det Munch, maybe you can find a job in Chicago instead of remaining unemployed in Vegas.
BTW - crime is more rampant in Chicago then it is in Vegas. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter is four time higher in Chicago than Las Vegas per FBI.
Dudes, this is vegas man, we take pride at thumbing our noses at the rest of the country. But the rest of the counrty comes here to do thier dirty little playtimes with our women and booze. Then they go home hopefully a lot less lite in the wallet and then brag to everyone what a great time they had with the boys and girls. They get tats and vag time with the girls and the girls go pole dancing with the boys ya know what I mean jelly bean. So lets get off this who said what said. Oscar is like our little pimp dude for vegas man. Vegas is uninque in this country we well bounce back ya know. So what Obama trashed talked we will get over anyway man. So lets get to partying and rocking man this vegas what "We" do here goes world wide man, nobody talks about what happens Boise 24/7 seven but everbody is talking about what went down at the Palms or who's coming to the Hard Rock.
Dippy... Goggle "FBI Crime Stats" and you can get a breakdown by major city. Chicago had 510 murders in 2008 compared to 120 in Las Vegas.
Chicago had 17,032 Aggravated assaults compared to 7,543 in Las Vegas.
Chicago may be about twice the size of Las Vegas and it has way over twice the crime that Las Vegas has...
I couldn't be more proud of our Mayor Goodman, he is a true man of conviction unlike the prez who talks out of both sides of his mouth. Joe Wilson was right on when he called out "you lied" he was the real hero. You clowns who think obama is not ruining the country need to get off welfare..
be proud that Goodman does as much promoting the betterhood of Las Vegas as he does. he is the number one promoter - like no other in the country!
and Vegas needs just such a fellow -- especially now...
To Teach905
So its ok for the close pres to spend thousands of our tax dollars to visit vegas? How about him hosting 45 rich buddies to the tune of raising a million dollars to help his losing buddy Harry Reid? To be honest with you, if you and your husband are that simple minded, I am glad your not gracing our fair city. Enjoy Chicago and your welfare check..
Have another gin, Oscar. President Obama didn't even set foot in your dusty, craphole of a town. He visited Clark County and the City of Henderson.
"Then Det Munch, maybe you can find a job in Chicago instead of remaining unemployed in Vegas".
Sorry, LarryVegas - I don't live in Vegas any longer. I moved back to Illinois last fall!!! Been on quite a few job interviews in Downtown Chicago and unfortunately, the salaries in Chicago are much lower than what I was making before I moved to Vegas. Chicago is VERY expensive and $30,000-35,000 a year just doesn't cut it!! That's a goldmine salary for Vegas but for CHicago - forget it!! You couldn't even afford a nice apartment on that kind of salary!
"Chicago may be about twice the size of Las Vegas and it has way over twice the crime that Las Vegas has..."
There ya' go!! TWICE the size as Vegas. Last I checked, in the 6 county Metro Area of Chicago - which is probably just a little larger then the size of all of Southern Nevada - there is over 8 million people. Per capita - my guess is Vegas leads Chicago in crime, or at least - both cities are equal being that the statistics have to be figured out "per capita".
BTW - MOST crime takes place in neighborhoods that have always been high crime. Whereas in Vegas - it happens EVERYWHERE - even in safe areas.
Meant to say "which is probably just a little SMALLER then the size of all of Southern..."
I have never heard more bickering outside of a henhouse, than I have read in this backtalk.
It's not like he dissed the Queen or anything, just the President of the USA, which will bite Vegas in the Ass, in the future, I am sure of that, I will bet my bus pass, against your fun book, that the bottom line, eg, federal funding to Vegas will not be so easy now that the Mayor has had a short term victory, but long term, not too wise. Off to the unemployment office, to bad the Mayor didn't wine and dine him, show him a good time, that would have helped in long run.
Time to move forward. Let's get to work on our economy! Viva Las Vegas!