Kelly Anderson Wright

President Obama has written a letter of apology to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid regarding his comments discouraging gambling in Las Vegas, but Nevadans may find the letter unsatisfactory, considering the damage Obama has already inflicted on the Silver State.

No dice.

During the president’s town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire, President Obama emphasized that Americans need to curb spending. “When times are tough, you tighten your belts,” the president said. “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.”

Obama’s Vegas-bashing comments last year cost the state more than $132 million in lost tourism revenue, not to mention hundreds of millions of dollars in lost gaming revenue that would have directed much-needed tax dollars into the black-and-blue state coffers.

The president’s statement Tuesday drew sharp bi-partisan criticism from Nevada’s senators. “The president needs to lay off Las Vegas and stop making it the poster child for where people shouldn’t be spending their money,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). “Las Vegas is suffering through one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, and we cannot afford for the president to bring us down any further,” Senator John Ensign (R-NV) added.

The head of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority also reacted strongly to the president’s anti-Vegas comments.

A spiritual thriller by Dan Calabrese. Click the image learn more and to order a copy.

“Tourism is the number one economic stimulus for Southern Nevada and for many cities and states across the country.  While we appreciate Las Vegas is top of mind for the president, we would ask that he offer words of encouragement instead of criticism,” advised LVCVA President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter.

The President’s Letter of Apology

Considering the financial damage his words have cost the silver state, the president might have taken his apology a bit more seriously. Short and flip, the president’s letter sounds more like “my bad” than a heartfelt apology acknowledging the financial consequences of the president’s words.

Obama plans to visit the Silver State to campaign for Harry Reid this summer, and it is doubtful Nevadans will look forward to the president’s visit.

It remains to be seen if Nevadans’ anger will subside by November, when voters will decide if it is time to replace 4-time Senator Harry Reid.

Obama’s repeatedly negative comments about Nevada just might sway voters to take a “right” turn in November.

4 Responses to “Reid, Nevadans angry at Obama’s Vegas bashing”