LAS VEGAS — Nevada lawmakers lashed out at President Barack Obama on Tuesday after he made another reference to Las Vegas while explaining how people should make tough choices on spending.

 

The issue is sensitive to Sin City because its economy is largely based on tourism, and several lawmakers said they were shocked that Obama singled out Las Vegas again after commenting one year ago about bailed-out banks holding meetings here.

 

"When times are tough, you tighten your belts," Obama said, according to a White House transcript of his appearance Tuesday at a high school in North Nashua, N.H.

 

"You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage," Obama said. "You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices."

But I guess it's OK to buy a car or a house. In other words, as long as you're spending your money on something subsidized....go for it? :idunno:

 

"I'll do everything I can to give him the boot," Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said during a hastily called news conference, adding that he was incensed when he heard about the comments and said he would no longer welcome the president here if he visits.

 

"This president is a real slow learner," said Goodman, who is not affiliated with a political party.

 

"Enough is enough!" Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Berkley said in a statement. "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."

 

Harry Reid, Democratic Senate majority leader and one of Obama's closest allies, issued a statement headlined "Reid to Obama: 'Lay off Las Vegas'" and was unusually blunt in his reaction.

 

"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. "I would much rather tourists and business travelers spend their money in Las Vegas than spend it overseas."

 

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An honest question for anyone that might like to answer. What business of the president's is it where we spend our money or on what? So long as it's legal, that is.

 

Another question. Does the president not understand that he's actually hurting the economy in Vegas with comments like these? There are people's job depending on other people spending money in Vegas.

I saw the clip this morning on the news. I didn't take it that he was telling anyone how to spend their money. His comments were conversational, just giving examples of things that Americans face: choices between luxuries and realities. There were other examples, as cited in the article. Really I didn't find it any different than threads where we've discussed similar things here in P&R, and threads in the Public/Private forum when people try to explain how it is that people can afford private school for their children if they aren't wealthy.

I really doubt he's actually hurting the economy with these comments.

 

This is the first I've heard of them and it doesn't make me not want to go to Vegas. I've been there once, and it was amazing. I'd go back again as soon as I can.

I really doubt he's actually hurting the economy with these comments.

 

This is the first I've heard of them and it doesn't make me not want to go to Vegas. I've been there once, and it was amazing. I'd go back again as soon as I can.

They seem to disagree with you in Vegas, though.

 

One year ago, Obama commented during a town hall meeting in Elkhart, Ind., that corporations shouldn't use federal bailout money for trips to Las Vegas, the Super Bowl or corporate jets. Tourism and casino officials said the comment hurt the city as companies canceled meetings in Las Vegas and rescheduled them elsewhere.

They seem to disagree with you in Vegas, though.

 

There are too many question marks there. How can they prove what Obama said directly influenced those companies to change venues? I'm sure companies change venues all the time.

 

Regardless, I'm not going to let Obama change my mind. If I want to go to Vegas, I'll go to Vegas.

I saw the clip this morning on the news. I didn't take it that he was telling anyone how to spend their money. His comments were conversational, just giving examples of things that Americans face: choices between luxuries and realities. There were other examples, as cited in the article. Really I didn't find it any different than threads where we've discussed similar things here in P&R, and threads in the Public/Private forum when people try to explain how it is that people can afford private school for their children if they aren't wealthy.

Some take what he says as gospel, his first comment apparently hurt Vegas. He should be smarter than to make such "conversational" comments and realize they can and do have repercussions. It's part of the argument of him not being ready to lead that people were making when he was running for president.

There are too many question marks there. How can they prove what Obama said directly influenced those companies to change venues? I'm sure companies change venues all the time.

 

Regardless, I'm not going to let Obama change my mind. If I want to go to Vegas, I'll go to Vegas.

I'm glad to hear you won't let him change your mind.

They seem to be pretty adamant, so I'll take their word as I have no reason to think you've proved otherwise. Even Harry Reid was unhappy about the comments, must be something to it.

I'm glad to hear you won't let him change your mind.

They seem to be pretty adamant, so I'll take their word as I have no reason to think you've proved otherwise. Even Harry Reid was unhappy about the comments, must be something to it.

 

There may be something to it, I'm just not terribly upset by the comments.

They seem to be pretty adamant, so I'll take their word as I have no reason to think you've proved otherwise. Even Harry Reid was unhappy about the comments, must be something to it.

The Vegas people are a tad too sensitive.

 

Reid is facing an uphill battle to be re-elected ... he will milk it for what it's worth.

They seem to disagree with you in Vegas, though.

 

 

To be completely candid, I feel Vegas used that as an easy excuse. The real reason is public perception. Companies had to cancel high-profile corporate events all over the country, including Vegas. Derby last year was horrendous. I had groups that didn't come, even though the rooms were paid for and non-refundable. It wasn't the money, it was public perception. And the decisions were made before Obama made his comments.

This is truly controversial?

 

Really?

 

Really really?

 

He is promoting that people make smart financial choices based on their income and he's getting heat for it? Isn't that what we promote in here all of the time? It seems like doublespeak to bemoan those that received home loans that they couldn't afford, while slamming the president for telling people to make priorities financially.

 

Will the boating industry be on his case for this?

"You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage," Obama said.

This is truly controversial?

 

Really?

 

Really really?

 

He is promoting that people make smart financial choices based on their income and he's getting heat for it? Isn't that what we promote in here all of the time? It seems like doublespeak to bemoan those that received home loans that they couldn't afford, while slamming the president for telling people to make priorities financially.

 

Will the boating industry be on his case for this?

:thumb:

This is truly controversial?

 

Really?

 

Really really?

 

He is promoting that people make smart financial choices based on their income and he's getting heat for it? Isn't that what we promote in here all of the time? It seems like doublespeak to bemoan those that received home loans that they couldn't afford, while slamming the president for telling people to make priorities financially.

 

Will the boating industry be on his case for this?

Very well said ...

This is truly controversial?

 

Really?

 

Really really?

 

He is promoting that people make smart financial choices based on their income and he's getting heat for it? Isn't that what we promote in here all of the time? It seems like doublespeak to bemoan those that received home loans that they couldn't afford, while slamming the president for telling people to make priorities financially.

 

Will the boating industry be on his case for this?

 

:thumb: This is about as weak of criticism I've seen of a public figure.