Goodman: State ‘is in the toilet’
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman’s announcement today that he will not run for governor is no doubt disappointing to many Las Vegans who believe he may be the only politician with the stomach to tackle the enormous issues facing the state. But at the same time, anyone who likes Goodman ought to be relieved that he declined to take on such a suicide mission.
At his press conference today, Goodman said: "I think the state, in large part, is in the toilet. The education, I don’t know whether we are 49th or 50th, but whatever we are ain’t good. Social services are virtually nonexistent. These are things I believe the state is responsible for.”
Indeed, and the state’s doing a miserable job with them. If elected, Goodman would inherit a hemorrhaging state budget and few options to fix it except to further gut already inadequate state services, including the all-important public education system. Who, in his golden years, wants to shoulder a legacy like that?
Goodman said he decided not to run primarily because his wife didn’t want to live in Carson City. That’s fair. They have a great life in Las Vegas, a city they seem to love and enjoy as much as anybody can.
But I suspect another factor came into play: the job’s no-win outcome. Goodman has been able to oversee some very interesting and rewarding developments during his mayoral tenure. But there’s nothing fun about eliminating school programs or cutting social services to the bone. Where is the upside? What could Goodman do at the state level that compares with some of his successes at City Hall?
Consider Arnold Schwarzenegger. The California governor, who enjoyed a wonderful life as a movie star, has had nothing but heartache since entering politics. You gotta figure that when he ran for office, he never imagined the multiple crises that have plagued the Golden State.
So, now voters have to get serious about the existing candidates: Rory Reid for the Democrats and one of three major Republican candidates. With Goodman out of the picture, it will be a less entertaining race but no less important. A special legislative session looms to cut another $900 million from the budget, and experts don’t expect a Nevada economic rebound anytime soon, meaning potentially more cuts in 2011.
It’s an ugly, ugly time in Nevada. Who could blame Goodman for taking a pass?