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Las Vegas Mayor Goodman: Obama 'A Slow Learner'
Mayor Oscar Goodman has a bone to pick with President Barack Obama after he suggested people shouldn't spend their college savings on a trip to Las Vegas.On Tuesday, during a town hall meeting in New Hampshire, Obama was trying to make a point that the federal government needs to watch their spending the same way American families do. But he used Las Vegas as an example, for the second time. You dont go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You dont go blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college,' Obama said Some Las Vegans said Obama should not have picked on Sin City. Every time he says something, conventions cancelled, stuff like that. Thats probably whats going to happen,' said Las Vegan Neil Peterson. But the mayor may be the most livid Las Vegan. Hes not our friend. I dont know about Nevada, but Las Vegas, hes sure not our friend,' Goodman said. He has a real psychological hang-up about the entertainment capital of the world.' Everybody says I shouldnt say it, but I've got to tell you the way it is. This president is a real slow learner,' Goodman said. The last time the president referenced Las Vegas, he said, "You can't go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer's dime." This time, other state leaders were quick to stand up for the city, including Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who told Obama to lay off Las Vegas.' Although Obama responded to Reid with a letter saying, I hope you know that during my Town Hall today, I wasnt saying anything negative about Las Vegas. I was making the simple point that families use vacation dollars, not college tuition money, to have fun. There is no place better to have fun than Vegas, one of our countrys 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 Goodman said they letter was just not good enough. You dont cite Las Vegas, a specific example each time youre talking about spending money. Thats what Im saying. You can tell people to save their money to send their kids to college. Theres nothing wrong with that. Thats the end of the statement. You dont have to say, And blow your money in Las Vegas. You can say, Blow it with the local (sports) book.' I know how to do that too," Goodman said. It looks like the president might get a chilly reception during his next visit to Vegas. I want the president to straighten this out. If not, hes not welcome in my city, as far as Im concerned,' Goodman said. Obama is scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas Feb. 18 to campaign for Reid. Posted by: Beavis 2010-02-03 |
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