Las Vegas Mayor on CNN right now being a douche.

[bamacrat]

Hes a dem so that sucks but he's calling out Obama on his comments about Las Vegas. He said that corporations couldn't have expensive vacations to Las Vegas, or buy corporate jets. The mayor is saying his comments are anti-Vegas and hurtful to their economy. He missed the point totally, Obama was saying that waste has to be cut out, gambling is waste, overly expensive getaways are waste, he wasnt saying dont got to Las Vegas. I know it doesnt matter but it really annoyed me, it seems like some people think criticizing Obama will help them.

[global1]

1. CNN Also Interviewed People At A Restaurant In Vegas About Obama.....

and all of their comments were negative. It seems that CNN went out to find just negative comments on Obama and I kind of find that interesting in light of the fact that another post here on DU says that Obama's positive rating is pushing towards 70%.

[blackdot]

4. At least one stated he did not vote for Obama.

I'm quite sure none of them did. When they do the restaurant interviews, they usually find 3 people who all have the same views and make it sounds like a random selection of people.

[Kerrytravelers]

13. Funny how when they lose, they say we were duped... yet, they were the ones voting for FEAR & SMEAR!

Talk about being duped. :eyes: Idiots.

[JonLP24]

9. It really grrrrrrr'd me when he said

Everyone else was voting on the spectacle and wanted to be apart of history rather then knowing exactly what they are voting for. Then went on to say that we or they are probaly realizing the mistake we made. :mad:

[blue_onyx]

2. Companies shouldn't be taking trips to any location.

If a company needs government money, then they don't need to have a convention.

[bamacrat]

5. I agree, whats wrong with their huge buildings they own in most major cities.

Plenty of office space to hold meetings.

[shadowknows69]

7. Harder to get prostitutes is my guess.

[Kerrytravelers]

3. Where would the excitement be if the media wasn't stirring up drama.

:eyes:

The Fourth Estate is dead.

[TankLV]

6. We LOVE Oscar - he's OUR mayor...!!! GO OSCAR!!!

What he's saying has merit - or is it only OK to complain when one is critical of texASSans...

[BlooInBloo]

8. (facepalm)

[kiva]

10. Just a bit of hypocracy going on here, TankLV.

Conventions that help the economy of New Orleans...oh, that's good since they need the assistance. When a few posters here suggested that the inaugural celebrations should be cut back (not something I agreed with), dozens of people pointed out that would hurt service workers in D.C. Las Vegas? Let it rot, according to some.

A news flash--Nevada gave it's electoral votes to Obama, and it sure as hell wasn't because of northern Nevada (except Reno)--it was Las Vegans who supported the Democrats. If you want to bitch about a Nevada politician, dump on our governor, he deserves it. Oscar, keep talking.

[blue_onyx]

12. What do companies really accomplish at conventions?

Probably nothing that couldn't be done at their headquarters. It's just an excuse to go on a company vacation. I don't think it's right to have a convention in any city when a company is recieving government assistance.

[Kerrytravelers]

14. I agree with this.

It isn't about Las Vegas, it's about a company that is taking government money taking off on a "convention."

However, to stimulate the city Las Vegas, if the city/casios/etc. were to receive some sort of tax benefit from hosting companies that aren't receiving additional government assistance for their conventions, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to something like that. This way, working people are working, people are traveling and spending their money in various local economies. That would be more of a win-win, I'd think.

[kiva]

15. That's a reasonable idea. I agree that companies taking TARP

money need to be vigilant about their spending (I know, but I can dream), it's the Vegas bashing that gets annoying. When the Repugs kept talking about a train from Disneyland to the brothels, it represented that same mentality. There are several reasons that Las Vegas has been a popular convention venue--the weather rarely causes flight delays/cancellations, the convention centers can accommodate large and small gatherings, it is well-served by a variety of airlines, we have about 100,000 hotel rooms (covering all price ranges), and the restaurants, entertainment, and shopping make the city attractive for many companies. Conventions will continue to be a part of business, and implying that Las Vegas (or any other city) is somehow suspect as a location is wrong.

[Kerrytravelers]

16. Actually, those are very good reasons for Vegas to be the Convention Capital.

I would have no problem with Las Vegas benefiting from conventions being held there. Especially considering all the local economies that can benefit (airline layovers, tours outside of Vegas, etc.)

[ProgressiveProfessor]

17. Some people confuse trade shows with conventions. They are far from same kind of thing

Conventions tend to be staged events etc, including the political ones. People who go to them are also looking to party. A trade show is much more down to earth, the ones I have been to over the years have a distinct lack of eye candy (hopefully that's not too non-PC) and an over abundance of tired people trying to find ways to make their business better.

When it comes to trade shows, no one does it better than Las Vegas though Orlando and a few others compete well. New Orleans is about the worst place for a trade show.

[azmouse]

11. oh cripes... is he still going on about that?

So what? Tourism is down everywhere including the Phoenix area where I live.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. All politics is local at some level. He has to defend his town and its main business

[JVS]

19. It is the responsibility of mayors of areas dependent on tourism to attempt to diversify the local..

economy so that cutbacks in hospitality spending (likely in any economic downturn) are mitigated by jobs in other sectors remaining.