While the mayor and the governor grumbled, President Obama used his star power to win back casino and gaming workers upset with remarks he had made about Las Vegas.

President Obama made a trip to Las Vegas this week to repair political wounds suffered when he commented against the convention and gambling town as an appropriate way from teetering companies to spend stimulus money. Casino operators, always awed by celebrity, forgave the President immediately, saying no harm was meant.

However, political leaders from the gambling state were not so quick to accept the President's appearance as a chance to close ranks. After Obama's departure, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman noted the Preseident never "said the magic words," while Governor Jim Gibbons refused an invitation to discuss thoughts with Obama at the airport.

The Preseident appeared at a fundraising event for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a longtime crony of the state gaming industry who faces a tough re-election campaign.

Caesar's Palace boasted that Obama had chosen to stay in one of their top suites, an incredible 22,000 square foot palace complete with private pool overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.

Many in the casino and gambling industry, by far the state's largest employer, noted bitterly how Obama decried executives taking luxurious Vegas trips on American taxpayer dollars. They wonder how his stay at Caesar's is all that different.

"My company comes here because the convention facilities are the best in the world. When we are here, we stay two to a room in the discount rooming, working all the time," said Vegas visitor Tom Owings. "Maybe it would be different if I had a private pool."

Published on May 30, 2009 by VirginiaMaddox

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