Obama gives no apology to Las Vegas; shame on Harry Reid

Las Vegans waited ... and waited ... for President Obama to give his promised apology for dissing Las Vegas's No. 1 industry: Tourism.

We waited on Tuesday night at the Harry Reid "Help Me!" tour.

No apology.

At Nellis AFB the next day, we heard the president tell us what a great and powerful president he is (yak!), but, again, no apology.

The closest he came (and it wasn't very close) was in his Nellis speech he said: "And there's nothing llke a quick trip to Vegas in the middle of the week."

Quite embarrassing, really.

Obama's right-hand man, Rahm Emanuel calls Mayor Oscar Goodman on the eve of the Obama trip to say that Obama's going to give his endorsement to the city.

Instead, he does jack-shiite for us and let's stand his curse on Las Vegas business travel for those who do business with the federal government.

Thanks for nothin', Mr. President. And shame on Harry Reid for doing nothing to extract a retraction from the White House.

Obama's stupid comments placed a stigma that exists today on business travel to Las Vegas for government agencies and companies who do business with the federal government. It did real damage to the city and continues to cost people jobs and income.

If there's anything that succinctly expresses why Nevada has reservations for Harry Reid, it is in his sheepish silence on issues like this.

What, Harry? You can't even muster the courage to defend the honor of Las Vegas on your home turf?

You'd rather protect your ability to "get along" with the White House than to protect the jobs of our constituents?

No wonder most Nevadans today say they'll vote against you in November 2010.

If you want to renew respect with Nevada voters, you're going to have to show a little — just a little — fortitude when powerful outsiders harm our No. 1 industry.

Good gawd, man! Grow some backbone.