Business leaders ask Goodman to soften Obama rhetoric

Members of the Ward 5 Chamber of Commerce called Friday for Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman to step back from his criticisms of President Barack Obama, citing worries that the remarks could inflame racist sentiments against the president during his visit here next Thursday and Friday.

Recently, when Obama referenced "blowing a bunch of cash in Las Vegas" while talking about fiscal prudence, Goodman shot back that Obama wouldn't be welcome in Las Vegas during the upcoming visit. In fact, he said, "I'll do everything I can to give him the boot."

Some people might take that as encouragement to try to act against the president, said Karen Duncan, president of the business organization for Ward 5, which includes the city's historic African-American district.

"We need to quell that sentiment," Duncan said. "I know what can happen if things get out of hand."

"In my opinion, the best thing that could happen is for Barack Obama and Mayor Goodman to sit down and have a martini."

In a letter to Goodman, Duncan wrote that the chamber has been receiving "malicious anti-black statements" that prompted their concerns.

Duncan and other chamber supporters tried to meet with Goodman on Friday, but he wasn't in when they stopped by.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.