Is Obama Placing Politics Above Americans?

Is Obama actively trying to hurt the citizens of Las Vegas and Nevada simply because the governor of Nevada is Republican?

President Obama refuses to meet with Governor Gibbons about tourism comments

The Office of Governor Jim Gibbons was notified today that President Barack Obama has refused to meet with the Governor and key business leaders from Nevada. Governor Gibbons requested the meeting in a letter to President Obama so the President could address statements he made that were critical to Nevada and have caused economic damage to convention business and tourism business in the Silver State. Earlier this year, the President told an audience in Elkhart, Indiana, "You can't get corporate jets. You can't go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer's dime." That quote was seen by many as an insult to Las Vegas and as a message to companies across the Nation to stay away from Las Vegas for corporate meetings and conventions.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports over 400 conventions and business meetings scheduled to take place in Las Vegas recently have cancelled. These cancelled events translate into 111,800 guests in Las Vegas and over 250,000 "room-nights". The cancelled conventions and meetings have cost the Las Vegas economy over $100-million, not including gaming revenue.

Governor Jim Gibbons (R) served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2006 and was elected to Governor of Nevada in 2006 and assumed the office 1 Jan 2007.

Why do you think President Obama is refusing to face this statement he made that is substantially hurting the citizens of Las Vegas and Nevada?

Gibbons criticizes Obama over denied meeting request

"I am disappointed at the hypocrisy shown by this administration," Gibbons said in a prepared statement. "President Obama is coming to Las Vegas later this month for a political fundraiser, but he will not help the struggling families in Las Vegas and Nevada who are out of work because of his reckless comments."

"This is politics, pure and simple, President Obama stood for change, but all he has done is brought negative economic change to Nevada," Gibbons said.

[edit on 5/18/09 by Ferris.Bueller.II]

At a time when your countries economy is on the edge of collapse, you think the cause of this downturn in LV's local economy is because of a comment the president made about officials using tax money for pleasure breaks.

I don't think he should be wasting time on this ridiculous charge, and I seriously hope you didn't actually consider he should.

Originally posted by gYvMessanger
At a time when your countries economy is on the edge of collapse, you think the cause of this downturn in LV's local economy is because of a comment the president made about officials using tax money for pleasure breaks.

I don't think he should be wasting time on this ridiculous charge, and I seriously hope you didn't actually consider he should.

Do you listen to yourself while you're writing this?

Obama plans Las Vegas getaway to help Harry Reid get big money

And what better way for a new Democratic administration to symbolize cutting out excess in a time of hardship for millions of Americans than to hold a mega-fundraiser in Las Vegas, that urban personification of understatement, for a guy with millions in hand already and no one to spend it against?

Though the Democratic Senate majority leader's May 26 fundraiser at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace will feature Strip headliner Midler and songstress Crow, the biggest draw will be the commander in chief himself.

He tells bankers not to hold conventions in Las Vegas, yet what are he and Pinky doing? But, I'm sure no fun will be experienced, right?

He didnt tell bankers not to hold conventions there. He told them they werent going to fly their private jet there for a vacation on his dime.

As I said in the other thread about this-it is purely a case of someone not meeting budget goals and trying to pass the buck.

Do you read what your posting ?

Or do you just hate Obama so much your willing to buy into any cheap shot that anyone wants to take at him ?

The articles you posted do not infer that Obama told people to stay away from LV.

If anything the fact hes holding a fund raiser there shows he has no problem with the town.

He said no flying out to LV or the superbowl or anywhere on tax payers money for pleasure breaks, it was not in anyway a dig at LV.

Should some local politician get face time with the president so he can spew off some ridiculous complaints in the hope of getting some of that sweet government bail out money (that's already been misused let alone giving it to one of the states that really doesn't need it.) and making the president look bad, when there are serious problems going on, hell no.

The problem with President Obama comment was that it caused not only the AIG and Wells Fargo folks to stay away, but many others as well. His comments did hurt this town and hurt it badly, shame really since Las Vegas was a bastion of support with him with Acorn and the SEIU and all. Rather like all those UAW workers up in Michigan. Seems like the folks that supported him the most are the ones getting hurt by his mistakes the most.

Originally posted by DarkStormCrow
The problem with President Obama comment was that it caused not only the AIG and Wells Fargo folks to stay away, but many others as well. His comments did hurt this town and hurt it badly, shame really since Las Vegas was a bastion of support with him with Acorn and the SEIU and all. Rather like all those UAW workers up in Michigan. Seems like the folks that supported him the most are the ones getting hurt by his mistakes the most.

Im going to need proof of that.
Logic dictates that people in this economic climate do not have as much money for traveling as they did.
Less travel means less people showing up for conventions.
Less people showing up for conventions means more conventions canceling.

You'll have to do better than "just saying so" to convince me that Obama telling corporate fat-cats that they arent going to fly in their private jets for personal time on the taxpayer dollar has anything to do with this.

reply to post by gYvMessanger


OK. Here's the quote from Obama again.

"You can't get corporate jets. You can't go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer's dime."

Here's the 'corporate jet' the person who said the above quote is going to fly to Las Vegas on the taxpayer's dime to perform none of his assigned duties as President of the United States.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/e6822683329a.jpg[/atsimg]

He's not holding the fundraiser, Pinky is. Obama's only flying out on his 'corporate jet' on the taxpayer's dime to not have fun.

[edit on 5/18/09 by Ferris.Bueller.II]

reply to post by Ferris.Bueller.II


Okay, so now obama shouldnt fly on airforce one? This is REEEAAAALLLLLYYYY starting to stretch it, you guys.

Originally posted by cautiouslypessimistic
reply to post by Ferris.Bueller.II

 

Okay, so now obama shouldnt fly on airforce one? This is REEEAAAALLLLLYYYY starting to stretch it, you guys.

No. I see no problem with him flying on Air Force One. I do see a problem with his hypocrisy and partisanship for refusing to apologize for his flippant comment.

Originally posted by Ferris.Bueller.II

Originally posted by cautiouslypessimistic
reply to post by Ferris.Bueller.II

 

Okay, so now obama shouldnt fly on airforce one? This is REEEAAAALLLLLYYYY starting to stretch it, you guys.

No. I see no problem with him flying on Air Force One. I do see a problem with his hypocrisy and partisanship for refusing to apologize for his flippant comment.

I think you really ought to re-read his quote, in context, and then look at the reason he is going there again.

This is just another sad attempt to heathenize obama. I'm not even an obama fan, but you guys make it hard to not come off that way with this propaganda.

Ways the Left Has Screwed Up My Country Today: Obama's Destruction of the Las Vegas Tourist Industry

I dont expect you to take my word for it, I only live here I get to see the damage everyday, most folks here in work in the hotels and casinos they make most of thier wage off tips. There is a reason why folks cant pay thier mortgages here no tips its that simple when you go from making 200 usd a night in tips to making less than 50usd well you can just imagine.

Funny he seems to be able to fly Air Force One out here probably at a cost of over 1,000,000 to support his buddy Harry ( I am exciting as a watching the grass grow) Ried.

Originally posted by DarkStormCrow
Ways the Left Has Screwed Up My Country Today: Obama's Destruction of the Las Vegas Tourist Industry

I dont expect you to take my word for it, I only live here I get to see the damage everyday, most folks here in work in the hotels and casinos they make most of thier wage off tips. There is a reason why folks cant pay thier mortgages here no tips its that simple when you go from making 200 usd a night in tips to making less than 50usd well you can just imagine.

Funny he seems to be able to fly Air Force One out here probably at a cost of over 1,000,000 to support his buddy Harry ( I am exciting as a watching the grass grow) Ried.

Again, show me one bit of proof that this is caused by obama and not by the overall economic climate that THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY IS FACING.
Vegas simply staved it off longer than other areas. They are not immune.

When people can't travel, locations such as vegas take a hit. There's that word...LOGIC.

And really, you think a flight on AF1 costs $1,000,000? Hmmmm....your numbers seem fishy to me.

Edit to add: Love the fanatical right wing source though. Certainly doesnt make it look as though tis is a right vs. left thread afterall

[edit on 5/18/2009 by cautiouslypessimistic]

The cost of flying Air Force One in 2002 (latest numbers I found) was $58,600 an hour. I wonder what it costs today?

Our Government is broke and he is spending how much of our money to raise funds for someone we may or may not support? Let's hope the DNC fully reimburses for this. It is not State Business by any stretch. It is a personal pleasure trip.

I could care less which Party it is, this nonsense has got to stop. Broke is broke. Obama is not a Celebrity, he is running the largest business on Earth and he needs to get serious. If he fails, we all pay.

Folks are still travelling to Vegas the average folks, the ones that dont tip or tip very little and the folks from England and Australia. The big spenders and and the Big conventions are going elsewhere to San Francisco, Atlanta or Orlando.

Originally posted by DarkStormCrow


There is a reason why folks cant pay thier mortgages here no tips its that simple when you go from making 200 usd a night in tips to making less than 50usd well you can just imagine.

Do you think this is something that only those in vegas are facing? Come on now. Step off your front porch for a minute.

Originally posted by cautiouslypessimistic
I think you really ought to re-read his quote, in context, and then look at the reason he is going there again.

This is just another sad attempt to heathenize obama. I'm not even an obama fan, but you guys make it hard to not come off that way with this propaganda.

OK. Re-read his quote in context:

Vegas remark still dogs Obama with Nevadans

President Barack Obama had been in office barely three weeks when he made an offhand remark at an Indiana town hall meeting that appeared to warn American businesses against holding conventions in Las Vegas.

He is flying to Las Vegas to raise money for a Democratic Senator for his reelection bid next year.

What am I missing that you think I am?

No its not something that only folks in Las Vegas are facing, President Obama sure didnt help anything with his comments. Nevada is number 1 or 2 in forclosures ( I dont have the latest figures) These union folks here worked thier backsides off for Obama and got slapped right in the face. Its not a right or left issue here in Vegas, The Unions are angry and The Casino owners are angry also so it crosses the left right divide.

Obama criticized over Vegas comments

Vegas still smarting over Obama comments

[edit on 5/18/2009 by DarkStormCrow]

[edit on 5/18/2009 by DarkStormCrow]

Originally posted by Ferris.Bueller.II

Originally posted by cautiouslypessimistic
I think you really ought to re-read his quote, in context, and then look at the reason he is going there again.

This is just another sad attempt to heathenize obama. I'm not even an obama fan, but you guys make it hard to not come off that way with this propaganda.

OK. Re-read his quote in context:

Vegas remark still dogs Obama with Nevadans

President Barack Obama had been in office barely three weeks when he made an offhand remark at an Indiana town hall meeting that appeared to warn American businesses against holding conventions in Las Vegas.

He is flying to Las Vegas to raise money for a Democratic Senator for his reelection bid next year.

What am I missing that you think I am?

He is campaigning withing his party, something well within his job and something THAT EVERY SINGLE PRESIDENT HAS DONE BEFORE HIM.

Also, your little snippet says it all. Someone says "it appears to warn". That is someone's opinion. SOmeone like you. Who is sensationalizing for the sake of an agenda.

Sorry, I deal in facts. The fact is, he warned companies that had taken stimulus money and promptly pampered themselves to vacations after the fact.

You might want to put on a jacket--your agenda is showing.

Originally posted by cautiouslypessimistic
He is campaigning withing his party, something well within his job and something THAT EVERY SINGLE PRESIDENT HAS DONE BEFORE HIM.

Yet he told Americans they'd better not. A little bit hypocritical in my book.

Also, your little snippet says it all. Someone says "it appears to warn". That is someone's opinion. SOmeone like you. Who is sensationalizing for the sake of an agenda.

Did you read the next paragraph from the one I posted?

Within days, casino executives were complaining that several lucrative conventions had been canceled because of the president's remarks. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman demanded an apology. The comment is still referred to by casino executives testifying before the Legislature on the dire state of the gaming industry.

Sorry, I deal in facts. The fact is, he warned companies that had taken stimulus money and promptly pampered themselves to vacations after the fact.

You might want to put on a jacket--your agenda is showing.

Facts? I haven't seen one from you yet. You're stating it's A-OK for the President, who is leading a country in dire financial crisis, to dictate what businesses can and can't do, then turn around and do exactly what he told them what not to do. A little bit hypocritical in my book.

EDIT: Well, I need to hit the sack for work tomorrow. I've voiced my opinion on this matter, and I know the Obama-philes will never see any wrongdoing on Obama's part in this matter. That's just a symptom of too much kool aid swigging on their part. Good night all!

[edit on 5/18/09 by Ferris.Bueller.II]