Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman Blows Off Meeting With Obama

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(AP (file))

Oscar Goodman, the mayor of Las Vegas, is turning down an invitation to meet with President Obama.

As KTNV reports, Goodman said he has "other things to do quite frankly for my constituents here in Las Vegas who rely on me to do the right thing as a mayor."

Mr. Obama is heading to Las Vegas Thursday for a private fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee. On Friday, he will remain in the city for an economic town hall and speech to the city's chamber of commerce.

Goodman, an independent who used to be a Democrat, has been a harsh critic of Mr. Obama in the wake of the president's two comments urging Americans not to waste money in Las Vegas.

"When times are tough, you tighten your belts," the president said during a February town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire. "You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college."

A year earlier, Mr. Obama said corporations shouldn't use bailout money for trips to Las Vegas, along with trips to the Super Bowl and corporate jets.

Las Vegas officials, whose economy is based largely on tourism, condemned the president's comments. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, an ally of Mr. Obama, said the president should "lay off Las Vegas and stop making it the poster child for where people shouldn't be spending their money." (Mr. Obama insisted to Reid that he "wasn't saying anything negative about Las Vegas," adding that "there is no place better to have fun than Vegas.")

The harshest criticism came from Goodman, who said Mr. Obama was no longer welcome on Las Vegas. (Watch at left.)

"An apology won't be acceptable this time," Goodman said at a press conference earlier this month. "I don't know where his vendetta comes from, but we're not going to let him make his bones by lambasting Las Vegas."

"When he comes [to Las Vegas], I'll do everything I can to give him the boot back to Washington," he said. Added Goodman: "This president is a real slow learner."

Goodman was asked this week if he was surprised to get an invitation from the president in light of his comments.

"A little bit in the sense I would think they would know that I would say I'm not coming," the mayor said, according to KTNV.

"I haven't heard an apology, I haven't heard a response, all I do is get invitations," he added.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by gig76 February 19, 2010 11:59 AM EST: Vegas is a fun place to visit and can be a great place to live. The only problem with Vegas is that many people who don't understand how to play usually find themselves in deep debt. Like anything, gambling is entertainment for those who can afford to lose money. Yes, some win, but understanding that monies to play with is money that is for merely entertainment. Many individuals make gambling a living, therefore, showing signs of grandeur through illusions. Vegas does have many great shows, plays, musicals, and other variety of entertainment in lounge shows that are minimal in cost of sometimes free of charge with purhcase of beverages. So, for Vegas to survive, they must understand that UNLV, CCCC, and other educational institutions in Nevada must come from those who have jobs, income resources, college lending, and adequate economic means to provide for themselves in future living. This mayor must make sure that tourists or those who come to live in Vegas are of sound mind. Stop cashing SS checks for seniors in your casinos. That is stealing from those who have fixed incomes, need to pay housing, food, medical, transportation, and other purchases for their survival. When bingo or other forms of gambling are luring these seniors, disabled Veterans, or disabled Americans into these facilities, this weakens the social system. Stop taking advantage of those without, and targeting the weak. That's criminal in itself. If Vegas wants to continue being Vegas, then show respect towards others as well. It take two to tango well.; Reply to this comment


by Vanitassunt February 19, 2010 11:53 AM EST: OSCAR GOODMAN - In my humble opinion - deserves praises and/or rewards for being:

A - a Good Man who always practices what he preaches
B - an OSCAR when sticking to the principles of his belief and duties; Reply to this comment


by newsworthy8 February 19, 2010 11:46 AM EST: Vegas is on the skids..not because of remarks by the President, but by over building and waste. No back up industry in this town, just gaming and people in this economy will not spend as much of their hard earned bucks..simple; Reply to this comment


by Mortar_29 February 19, 2010 10:35 AM EST: Disrespectful would be if he went to the press conference and then up and walked out, turning his back on Obama.

Failing to show up is not disrespect.; Reply to this comment


by smokeranch February 19, 2010 10:32 AM EST: both harry and obama suck from the same money spicket. lie lie lie; Reply to this comment

by rearley1980 February 19, 2010 10:06 AM EST

This idiot needs a serious dose of etiquette training. I would be appalled if he was the mayor of my city and the good residents of Vegas should impeach him. A play on words is a play on words - no deep meaning there. From what I can tell, the President (and I will capitalize the "P" in President as is most proper...) was not dissing Vegas. Not only should he show respect for our chief of state, but just think of all the revenue that will be generated for his fair city when the President comes. This guy does not seem to have much of a focus on what is good for his city, only pushing his own agenda. I feel bad for the good people of Las Vegas... Let's hope his term is up soon.

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by Mortar_29 February 19, 2010 10:31 AM EST: Seriously?


by inketolstoy February 19, 2010 11:38 AM EST: "but just think of all the revenue that will be generated for his fair city when the President comes."

That would be our tax money, paying for the President to come to a private fundraiser and shake a few political hands. He probalby is stumping for Reid also, but after his performances on the East Coast, Harry is distancing himself from his Commander-in-Chief.


by Ruler4You February 19, 2010 10:01 AM EST: Sounds like the one that needs to wake up is you, partner. Learn some accounting then some economics then some reading and maybe some political science just for fun.; Reply to this comment


by Ruler4You February 19, 2010 9:59 AM EST: It will warm my heart if he holds to this 'promise', but it won't surprise me to see him with his arm around the POTUS when the time comes. If there is one thing you can count on with politicians it's that they are self serving and never mean what they say.; Reply to this comment


by endurorob_5 February 19, 2010 7:28 AM EST: jcnbma February 18, 2010 8:01 PM EST
One word (directed at the people of Las Vegas): RECALL.

Get rid of this moron.

If you want to recall Obama you need a lot more than the people of Vegas.; Reply to this comment

by wardww-2009 February 19, 2010 6:45 AM EST

Sounds like the Mayor should be focusing his energies on helping Vegas actually produce something tangible other than crime and prostitution. Even an idiot can see that in times of economic downturn, gambling is an unnecessary luxury. A mono product economy such as Vegas is doomed in these tough times. Wake up Mayor !!

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by endurorob_5 February 19, 2010 7:33 AM EST: The crime rate in Vegas is much lower than many cities in this country and prostitution is not lega in Vegas.