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By Dave Toplikar (contact) 
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 | 1:52 p.m.
Oscar Goodman
Sun Coverage
- Mayor: Obama statements still hurting Las Vegas convention business (9-16-2010)
- 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)
When President Barack Obama arrives Friday in Las Vegas, don't expect Mayor Oscar Goodman to be on the tarmac, greeting him with his signature smile, showgirls and a martini.
"No. I have prior obligations," Goodman told reporters brusquely today at his weekly press conference when asked if he would attend Friday's major Democratic Party campaign rally for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Goodman, who has cultivated an image of himself as the "happiest mayor in the universe" indicated to reporters Thursday that he's still grumpy with the president.
The bad blood is because Obama hasn't done enough to turn around the economic impacts of two negative statements about Las Vegas, Goodman said.
The first came on Feb. 9, 2009, at a town hall meeting in Elkhart, Ind., when Obama said executives of failing financial institutions should use federal bailout money responsibly and that "you can't go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayers' dime."
Obama later made amends, returning to Las Vegas in May 2009 and said some niceties about the city.
Then, on Feb. 2 of this year, the president made a remark to a New Hampshire audience that "You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college."
Because of that remark, Goodman boycotted the president's last trip to Las Vegas on Feb. 19. But Goodman said Obama made amends that day by telling the 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 Las Vegas."
However, last month, Goodman told reporters that he recently learned that Obama's previous remarks had cost the city at least 200 convention-goers.
"I don't think the explanation has been been what I had wanted it to be," Goodman said Thursday. "I still feel that we're reeling from his comments."
"I wish that once and for all he'd have the definitive statement that Las Vegas is a great place to do serious business at meetings and at conventions. And when you're through doing your serious work, go out and have a good time and really enjoy 'what happens here staying here.'
"That's what I'd like to hear. Once I hear that, I'll smile. But not until then."
Wow! I'm just floored with this Mayor! I'm a new comer to this city. Please get over it and lets move on to something more important. So, your feelings are hurt. But, lets recap what going on here in LV. We have the highest forclosure rate and the highest unemployment rate. But, this guys truly is a joke. Now what has he done for the city of Las Vegas? Oh! The mob museum!!! I believe that money could have gone else where besides a mob museum. Who really takes this guy seriously! How proud we are to have a mayor who is known for his martinis and show girls! Mr. Goodman, grow up and be a example to the young people in this community! It just doesn't look right to shun the president of the United States. Maybe if he offered to sit down with a drink or two that might make you happy!!
Stoopid
Of course the fact of the casinos ripping off the customers has nothing to do with the decrease in visitors.
As I've said before, many cities would kill to have a mayor like Goodman (and he'd be happy to defend the hitman after recommending one to them.)
Say what you want, Goodman truly loves this city and does a good job of promoting it.
The good mayor is doing his job...
Chunky says:
He's not a big fan of the Prez period, but Chunky is a big fan of Las Vegas!
Mr. Obama's comments didn't exactly help us here but he's neither the cause of or the solution to our current economic woes.
That's what Chunky thinks!
Listen to Obama very closely when he talks about "The Next Generation". You listening? That's what his sight is on, the next generation,the New World Order and Socialism.
Listen again! Wake up people! Your vote for Reid will only fuel this agenda. You awake yet? Hello?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVAhr4hZD...
grow up oscar...
stop blaming others for your problems...
that's pathetic...
Please Mayor...get over it already! This state was was already ripping off residents before Obama years, and you know it. Quit spending tax dollars on foolish things and start helping the people!
Sheesh! Cry baby!
He's such an idiot.
Is it possible that Obama had a bad experience of one type or another in Las Vegas in his younger days and holds a grudge? :)
In all fairness, I don't believe this President is the reason for Las Vegas's woes; it's the over-building and over-speculation of businesses.
I agree with Obama, don't blow your college savings on Las Vegas. It's better to get an education.
And I'm a Las Vegas native...
Agree on all comments on the Mayor. Been great for Las Vegas. Plus, his honor has Endorsed Rory Reid for Gov. the good taste continues!
I think it's time for Goodman to go.
I can't wait for him to be gone, I just hope we elect someone that's not completely corrupt and full of crap. Someone focused on creating a community in Las Vegas, not just a tourist destination.
Obama's remarks made Big Business feel guilty about coming to Vegas.... The loss of revenue resulted in the layoffs of 1000s of workers in every sector of Nevada's economy. Doubtful a narcissist like Mr Obama feels guilty over something like that.
On November 2nd, America will be poised to hail the ascendancy of a conservative majority..... Thank God.
'Obama.... One and Done' : Vote Republican - 2010/2012
Goodman is going soon enough since he's term-limited out of office and cannot run for another term. Whatever else he does, he is a tireless promoter of all things Las Vegas and Bombay Sapphire. I know that Jon Ralston despises the mayor, but Ralston despises anyone in politics who is not an insider and a professional political hack. President Obama is not our problem. Overbuilding, a company town mentality, a single industry economy and a generally low level of educational achievement are the problems. We will never be able to diversify our economy in Nevada if we do not improve the in-state high school and college graduation rates in order to produce employees with marketable job skills in something other than the gambling and hotel business.
Every time Goodman brings this up again, it makes him sound like a loser. It did get him another headline though.
Words from any President are not going to make or break Las Vegas. The city is in the toilet because of high prices,reckless speculation and lack of brains by those in charge,just like on Wall Street. C'mon Mr. Mayor get it together,Sharon may soon be after your job. Ha Ha Ha Ha.
Not a big fan of either politicians, but I am sure one did not make the situation better for the other.
Anyone know shat time he's supposed to arrive?..via Air Force One? Wouldn't mind seeing it land at Mccarran
Have another martini, Oscar. Your day is done.
Sunday, January 20, 2013, the end of an error. With luck the Reids will be gone sooner.
Why are people posting on here that doesn't show their name?
Gmag, boftx, Chunky, and vegas engineer. Why are their names not posted? What's the problem with showing thier names.
This is wrong LV Sun. You should fix this asap!!
I'm still totally stymied how this Mayor can support Obama's follower, Harry Reid, and ostracizes Reid's boss at the same time. Another "Back room deal?"
anthonyjoevegas,
I don't know about the others, but my name was "outed" in a story about commenters when the Sun changed their comments policy. It might have something to do with having been verified with letters to the editor.
If you are seriously interested, contact me via the Sun email feature.
Everytime the President comes to Vegas, it cost the entire city money. The airport is put on hold until he lands, The traffic is stopped, etc, etc. And he's using our taxpayer money to fund it. What a lose, lose situation.
Oscar: I think you have a right to be indignant, but after all this time I think it would be better for you to just bury the hatchet and move on.
Business's are afraid to cross the President.
No question they have cancelled conventions in Las Vegas, and that has cost plenty of jobs here.
The mayor is right to boycott President.
Hurry up Dear Leader Obama and come to Nevada to endorse Harry Reid, as he is just four points behind Angle a little too close for comfort, we need you to widen that gap, baby!
enjoy the next two years as a lame duck. Jerk.
MIKE JOHNS: DON'T COUNT YOUR ROTTEN EGGS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED,YOU MIGHT GET ROTTEN EGGSS ON YOUR FACE..TO ALL YOU ROTTEN RIGHT WING REPUBLICANS OUT THERE...This is sharon angle platform: I'll give nothing, you'll get nothing and I have nothing to say.
OBAMA POWER BABY!..WE LOVE OBAMA.. WE LOVE YOU HARRY REID..give 'em hell..you can say what you want,do what you want,shout as louuuuuuuud as you want but...WE ARE NOT GOING BACK! GET IT!!
here's my imitation of the petulant child known as oscar the mayor...
boo hoo hoo...
wah wah wah...
boo hoo hoo...
wah wah wah...
The truth about the job losses..all these big coorperation that the republicans love so much are sending american jobs overseas.The chamber of commerce made a deal with the republicans in congress and republican leaning companies to lay off people in order to hurt Obama and somehow hope the country lose faith in him but what these parasites don't realize is that they are not really hurting Obama , he has a job but who they are really hurting is the American people ,republicans and democrats, ALL of us.Call Dell something for help with your computer and who do you get ..India,phillipines etc.everywhere but America..so please don't talk to me about jobs when the people you want to put into office are the same ones that want to hurt us the most.lord help us.
There must also have term limits for senators and congressmen. When someone holds a political position for so long he becomes so corrupted and wields too much influence to cheat the democratic system. They become megalomaniac and so arrogant that they can act like dictators or monarchy. These characteristics are now very evident with Harry Reid that it's time to get rid of him.
OH PLEASE..You republicans are really lost souls..I REALlY FEEL SORRY FOR YOU GUYS. You are all followers with empty heads..I've come to the conclusion that republicans are followers and democrats are thinkers..I have several employees so why would I fire one my employee for someone worst.DOES NOT MAKE SENSE PEOPLE..THINK..THINK.
The bottom line is these RIGHT WING TEANUT republicans that are shoughting the loudest is only a smokescreeen and coverup for their anti abortion and anti gay stance,and thier distane for a black president in office they don't give a dam about jobs and the economy and the deficit and all that crap they talk about...these are same one that want to continue the upaid tax cut to multi millionaires that will cost over 800 billion dollars and hurt the deficit even more,where are their with two wars that are not paid for,they all want cuts but never say where but the moment you cut something that affects them in their pocket books..they'll shout about that as well...thou do protest too much.
sounds as if las vegas has a decently perceptive mayor who avoids contact with the profligate destructionists. oh, is the prez one of them? ahhhhh-yup. if the prez would think before parroting his teleprompter text he wouldn;t be trashing ( and then apologizing to ) a community that provides entertainment & escape from .... obowma-nomics. (oh, wait ... obowma wasn;t on the teleprompter! his bad.)
Sounds like a broken record to me.
Time for a change, June 2011 can't come fast enough for the full of hot air Mayor to be term limited.
"Las Vegas still 'reeling' from Obama comments, says mayor" and then you stupid bozo you endorse harry reid because he is a long-time friend. More of the same for oscar.....my comment to you goodman is to shut-up and not say anything else about the pres and his stupid remarks. You should have endorsed change for the good....Angle!
THE WORLD IS SAVED By Harry Reid:
"But for me, we'd be in a worldwide depression."
and once again, mayor:
if these companies get bail out money from the government, they DON'T GET TO THROW A PARTY IN LAS VEGAS with the cash.
if your kid does something extraordinarily stupid with serious consequences, and you have to loan your child a lot of money to avert a major crisis, you would be FREAKING OUT, if your kid spent some of the money on a new Benz instead of meeting the obligations of his/her screw-up.
where is your moral compass?????
Mayor, really, it's time to get over it.
President Obama doesn't have to be your ad agency. He was articulating what many can't do any longer. People are holding back and careful spending any money. Las Vegas is a gambling Mecca with many venues for losing money. People do not need to lose money in today's world. Man Up, Dude and pay for advertising Las Vegas!
let me get your thoughts on this:
==> Sharron Angle's comment of "you look Asian" truly sickens me since I am "Hispanic" and we don't look Asian!
==> Tancredo in Colorado. Tancredo had a "MACACA Moment" specifically calling President Obama, "Barack Hussein Obama", to specifically identify the President as "Hussein" to further amplify "Islamic roots" as a rallying cry to the masses!
==> Rand Paul, who referred to Jim Crow Era tactics and side tracked bigotry by saying private ownership "should be allowed to determine who could be served in restaurants or food counters."
==> Palladino in New York, who used an "African Tribal Dance" and called it "President Obama's Inaugural Dance", and used computer generated photos of President and Michelle Obama dressed as pimp and prostitute in one of his mailings.
==>The Oregon State candidate who continues to home school with an old text book calling "Negroes" as "Childlike and unintelligent"!
==>Virginia Republican Party Chairman of a comment that "His dog should be eligible for Welfare" since "He black, unemployed, lazy, can't speak English and probably has no clue who his daddy is"!
These people are bigoted and discriminated and do not deserve to run for office, don't you think?
Please respond in this forum so all can see your response.
I will automatically assume no response will make you just a culpable.
Till then:
Vote
Out
The
(E)Incumbent bigoted Republican party of "NO"
"You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college."
-and-
"you can't take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayers' dime."
These seem such reasonable (and truthful) bits of cautionary advice that those statements should give people the impression that President Obama is concerned about unnecessary waste in times that require careful thought about how, and where, to spend one's dwindling supply of "disposable" cash.
To pretend that this advice is a sort of personal attack is rather disingenuous and smacks of a flirtation with denial. History (family, world, political--take your pick) seems to support the idea that if one ignores solid advice, going instead with one's own personal selfish wants, it is at one's own risk.
This whole incident is shameless posturing on Oscar Goodman's part and has the added ingredient-for-disaster of obscuring common sense.
I love Oscar! You know where the man stands! And it is all pro Vegas...
What a joke this guy is. He made a good living representing mobsters that stole from the casinos (money that was never taxed to pay for the services in las vegas), and committed other various crimes around the city. But, it's okay to represent this filth, but it's not okay to say you shouldn't spend tax dollars to take trips to vegas.
He even looks a clown.
I have to say though, that he and his family have done very well milking vegas to get rich.
Obama has since been back numerous times since them remarks thus promoting Las Vegas. Many people travel from SoCal to see him. Get over it Oscar. Angle would destroy tourism for Nevada, she's a complete flake.
So, Obama cost LV 200 people, that's almost as many as get ripped off by the sleazier hookers in a normal month. He didn't say don't go, he said don't go if you can't afford it or plan on charging the taxpayers for it.
Its sort of like a reunion of losers - Obama and Reid....
With so many Nevadans out of job - did the president bring any jobs with him?
No - he is just trying to save one job! (but wait - someone will get that job regardless of who wins - so the net gain is 0.)
In short, with double digit unemployment, a higher cost of living, under water houses, bad health care bill - the only ones who show up for reid or nobama.
With such a government centric and union centric state, it seems odd that Harry would need any help at all to win.
But we all know - Harry is ready for retirement.
Oh my goodness, get over it Mayor, we have bigger issues to deal with in this city like the homeless population, unemployment, etc. It is time to leave our President alone. . . lets go have a drink!
Oscar you are the BEST mayor Vegas has ever had!!! Straight no PC BS talk.
Oscar needs a bath and a shave.
15% unemployment greets the president who caused it.
All I can say is this poor sole called Obama makes jimmy Carter look like a champ and I never thought that was possible.. Talk about a moron ruining the country..
Remember to take out the trash on November 2
The Mayor is an idiot and that's putting it nicely.
So the President tells everyone in America not to go to Vegas (which he didn't but Oscar can't hear with all that booze being poured down his throat) and suddenly everyone listens?! Really? Since when Oscar? On what planet do you reside, pray tell? Because it sure seems to me that in America the more a public official tells you not to do something the more likely you'll be to do it, because you don't give a crap what they say.
Sometimes I think people got into drugs to try to blot out Nancy Reagan's big head telling them not to them. However, since Obama has some mystical power to change the world in a speech, someone needs to get him to tell everyone to stop being stupid, illiterate, misinformed, and just plain crass. Ahhhhh wouldn't that be nice? The President was wrong when he said people are clinging to God and guns. They're clinging to arrogance and self-worship for the sake of 15 minutes of fame, which is as bad as it gets. Someone needs to explain to the Mayor what STFU stands for and tell him to get some work done.
Jeez, Oscar - GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!!
Hey Cliff - 15% unemployment is NOT OBama's fault. The downward spiral of Vegas re housing and jobs started on Bush's watch. Obama inherited it all.
As far as jobs go - YOUR governor, and both Senators have to go to bat for the whole State. See what States are getting money to help with contruction of new projects that will help the unemployment rate. I see nothing happening in Nevada and Las Vegas except casinos being opened. Those in power need to get off their asses and start pitching the State to companies to move there, but as so many have stated - the work force is undereducated. If those in power would stop sleeping with the casinos - maybe the State CAN get companies to relocate there. But what company wants to move to a place that would rather encourage illicit behavior (as in the Cosmopolitan ad) then promote it's citizens as an educated workforce? It would be interesting to see how many UNLV grads actually STAY in Las Vegas and Nevada to secure employment. Of course, they, too, may be like so many other recent grads who are working minimum wage jobs everywhere - and Vegas has plenty of those!
Thank you, Mayor Goodman, for standing up for our city. No president of any party should open their mouth to denigrate a city in the United States, regardless of the results. Las Vegas has always and forever been the Washington whipping boy. Clearly, decades of trying "normalize" Las Vegas in the court of public opinion were a bad idea and a waste of time.
MAYOR GOODMAN, BURY THE HATCHET AND BE THE DARLING YOU ARE. YOU KNOW YOU WILL NOT FORGIVE YOURSELF AND YOU ARE JUST NEEDING AN EXCUSE TO FIND ANOTHER BOTTLE OF JACK DANIELS AND DROWN YOUR SORROWS IN A QUART OF SCOTCH. SO SUCK IT UP AND REPRESENT LAS VEGAS AS AN ELECTED OFFICAL NOT A DRUNKEN BUM.
Oscars time has come and gone...
Mayor, leave it alone. Common sense should prevail that one use funds for things you need not things you want. Vegas will come back, not as quickly as you would like and yes, I doubt the Mob Museum will bring them back in droves. Give it some time, get a swig of Bombay and chill out....like the rest of us.