Friday, May 28, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

JOHN L. SMITH: Poll finds voters divided at presidential level, united behind mayor

President George W. Bush, Southern Nevada voters love you -- and hate you. John Kerry, you still have your work cut out for you.

Mayor Oscar Goodman, you remain the toast of the town.

At least those are the findings of the latest Magellan Research poll conducted from May 19 through May 25 in Clark County.

A favorability survey of 601 inveterate registered voters balanced by political affiliation found public opinion on Bush polarized. Those polled scored Bush at 48.5 percent "very favorable" or "somewhat favorable" with a 4 percent margin of error. Conversely, 50.9 percent rated him "very unfavorable" or "somewhat unfavorable."

Presumptive Democratic nominee Kerry polled at 52 percent in the favorable categories and 45.6 in the unfavorable with the rest uncertain or not answering.

Despite his recent state ethics showdown and reams of negative press, Goodman's popularity remains staggering: 79.2 percent in the positive category and just 17.1 percent in the negative category, with only 4.8 percent of those surveyed holding a "very unfavorable" opinion of the outspoken mayor.

Attorney/pollster Marvin Longabaugh, Magellan owner, says he is impressed by the mayor's appeal across ethnic lines. "He does well among all ethnic groups. Normally, you see some sort of split, but the very favorables are just about identical among Caucasians, African Americans and Hispanics. In that respect, he truly seems to be a man for all people."

LEEN DIES: Former Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Tom Leen, one of Southern Nevada's most dedicated and innovative prosecutors, died earlier this week after a long illness.

Known for his high ethics and tough courtroom demeanor, Leen was considered a Fourth Amendment specialist and authored "The Law of Arrest, Search and Seizure for Nevada Law Enforcement."

KELLEY NOMINATION: Gaming insiders claim Hard Rock Hotel President Kevin Kelley's nomination for a spot on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority board isn't a jab at Gaming Control Board member Bobby Siller, who has gone after the resort boss over some off-color ads.

In a town where nothing is ever as innocent as it seems, you're being asked to believe this is a coincidence. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce forwarded Kelley's name.

REAL DEAL: Thomas "Amarillo Slim" Preston continues to woo reporters with his colorful stories, but chances are good he's not saying much about his recent misdemeanor assault convictions linked to alleged inappropriate behavior with a 12-year-old girl.

Of course, that might take some of the fun out of quoting old Slim.

ON THE BOULEVARD: The legal community is starting to buzz about the government's quiet attempt to disqualify defense attorney Dominic Gentile from representing Lance Malone in the Galardi political corruption case. The move was expected, but why the secrecy? Unless, of course, there's something more to come in the case. ... Amber Unicorn booksellers Lou and Myrna Donato know the recipe for success: Their home library includes 12,000 cookbooks. ... According to a recent Magellan Research survey, veteran KLAS-TV, Channel 8 investigative reporter and Mercury columnist George Knapp is the best-known scribe in town. ... About 100 friends of the late casino marketing legend Dan Chandler turned out Wednesday at the Las Vegas Country Club to toast his memory. The best line of the tribute belonged to casino industry hall-of-famer Claudine Williams, who recalled Chandler rescinding his tongue-in-cheek marriage proposal because she "wouldn't sign the 'prenup.' " ... George Harris, the rebuffed activist for Nevadans for Sound Government, lauded District Judge Jackie Glass for her professionalism despite her ruling against the anti-tax group Wednesday. ... The Colorado University football team has been scandalized by the revelation that coaches used strippers and alcohol to market the program. Strippers and alcohol? How dare they steal one from the Las Vegas playbook. Perhaps they should have remembered to say, "What happens in Boulder stays in Boulder."

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.