Reporters’ Notebook

LAS VEGAS MAYOR OSCAR GOODMAN and the news media continued to stir the pot Thursday after President Obama slammed bailout-taking bankers for planning a get-together at a Strip resort.

Las Vegas is not all debauchery and irresponsibility, the mayor said at his weekly news conference. The city has serious people doing serious jobs in an economy that seriously can't take any more hits from people running down Las Vegas as a place where serious things can't happen.

Goodman also made it clear he had to leave the news conference on time to attend a meet-and-greet with Sports Illustrated swimsuit models.

"I know what's important in my life," he said, chuckling. "There are certain wonderful things about this job."

ALAN CHOATE

IF TRUE FAME COMES ONCE YOU'VE BEEN SATIRIZED, then Sen. Harry Reid has arrived.

A recent episode of "Saturday Night Live" opened with a sketch that featured two comedians impersonating Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Reid is played as a milquetoast sidekick trying to restrain a wild-eyed Pelosi as she gloats about the Democrats' dominance.

"I'm just glad he wasn't the musical guest," quipped his son Rory Reid, a Clark County commissioner.

And the impression itself?

The hairstyle and glasses were spot on, but the voice and personality were way off, the younger Reid said.

"I think the guy was a lot drier than my father. My father's a lot more humorous in real life."

SCOTT WYLAND

GEORGE FLINT, A LOBBYIST, IS WORRIED THAT THE WHOLESOME REPUTATION of the industry he represents will be sullied.

He represents Nevada's brothels.

He's worried because Dennis Hof, the larger-than-life head honcho at the Bunny Ranch, is sponsoring a contest whereby a supposed virgin is auctioning off her purity online. The winning bidder will get to, um, finish off the deal at the Bunny Ranch sometime soon. The story's been all over TV, newspapers, the Web, etc.

"Antics like that," said Flint, "hijinks like that, they do not enhance our reputation."

RICHARD LAKE

SOME CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS CAN'T GET ENOUGH ATTENTION.

During the trial of the former Palomino strip club owner and his son, defense attorney Dominic Gentile introduced his client's family to the jury. His client, Luis Hidalgo Jr., 58, is accused of ordering the killing of a former strip club employee. Hidalgo Jr.'s son, Luis Hidalgo III, is accused of helping and ordering the assassinations of witnesses.

When Gentile mentioned Luis Hidalgo III, the 27-year-old defendant perked up.

"That's me right here!" he shouted to the jury.

DAVID KIHARA

HERE'S A STELLAR EXAMPLE OF A MIXED MESSAGE: When Scott Anderson released a statement last week that said he was withdrawing from the Ward 6 race for Las Vegas City Council, he sent it out on campaign letterhead that said, "Elect Scott Anderson."

Head. Spinning. Ow.

ALAN CHOATE