Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has declined an offer to meet President Obama, saying he has better things to do.
In comments earlier this month about the need to save money, Obama said, “You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college."
The president subsequently sent a letter of apology to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
But that wasn’t enough to sway Goodman,
“I've got other things to do quite frankly for my constituents here in Las Vegas who rely on me to do the right thing as a mayor,” he told KTNV TV in Las Vegas.
Goodman says Obama’s statement can hurt Las Vegas.
"We are hurting, we have people in foreclosures, we have people having a hard time feeding their families. And we can't stand to have a flippant statement made," he said.
"I haven't heard an apology, I haven't heard a response, all I do is get invitations."
At a news conference Thursday, Goodman said he wants a direct response from Obama before meeting with him.
“I have told some folks who have asked under what terms I would meet, and I said, 'If he calls me and indicates he will rectify the situation and buys me a martini, then I would certainly honor that request.’"
Goodman isn’t the only American Obama has alienated. The president’s approval rating has slipped to about 50 percent.
“Unless the administration can come together on a deficit reduction plan, on a true bipartisan healthcare plan and most of all a stimulus package for new jobs, the (poll) numbers are likely to stay anemic at best,” Democratic political strategist Doug Schoen told Newsmax.TV.
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