In politics, as in all of life, things are not always as they appear. Consider the possibility that President Obama’s most recent dissing of Las Vegas may not have been just another casual faux pas. Let’s review the action.
Round 1: It all started back in February 2009 when Obama made this disparaging jab about Vegas followed by Senator Harry Reid’s defense of Obama from the floor of the Senate.
Some Nevadans were dissatisfied with Harry’s response. When the President came to a Reid fundraising event in Vegas in May 2009, he and Reid didn’t receive a completely warm reception.
Round 2: A few days ago Obama jabbed at Vegas, again. Mayor Oscar Goodman stepped into the ring and threw a few heavy punches of his own.
Round 3: In no time at all, Reid came out counterpunching.
The President needs to lay off Las Vegas and stop making it the poster child for where people shouldn’t be spending their money. I would much rather tourists and business travelers spend their money in Las Vegas than spend it overseas.
Round 4: Then, faster than you can play a hand of blackjack, a letter of apology from Obama posted on Harry’s website. And, presto, Harry was reinvented as the pugnacious pugilistic defender of Las Vegas.
Too Machiavellian, you say? Hardly. Given Harry’s standing in the polls out in Nevada, he needs some serious reinventing.