Obama bets on Vegas after swiping at greed

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By Joseph Curl

Ever since President Obama cited Las Vegas trips as an example of corporate greed run amok, 340 planned conventions and business meetings have been canceled there, costing the gambling mecca 36,700 hotel-room nights and an estimated $130 million in non-gambling revenue.

On Tuesday, the president heads to Las Vegas to attend a star-studded fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. While some hope Mr. Obama will try to set things right - even apologize - top officials there aren't holding their breath.

Gov. Jim Gibbons, a Republican, said he has been denied a meeting with Mr. Obama while he is in Las Vegas. The fundraiser, at the Caesars Palace Colosseum, is set to feature actress/singer Bette Midler and singer Sheryl Crow.

"I am disappointed at the hypocrisy shown by this administration," the governor said. "President Obama is coming to Las Vegas ... 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."

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Of the planned fundraiser, Mr. Gibbons said: "Apparently our money is good enough for the president, but our tourism, jobs and economic future are not.

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

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who demanded an apology after Mr. Obama's comment, recently said that he hopes that during the trip, "somebody places me close to him so I can get him to do the right thing and tell people that he recognizes Las Vegas as a great spot for serious meetings."

But he is reportedly not invited to the Reid soiree.

Although the mayor was vocal after the president's Feb. 10 remark, his office said he would not be available at all over the holiday weekend to comment on the coming visit.