Presidents say the darndest things!
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It’s not just kids who say the darndest things. Presidents do, as well.
President Obama met with Las Vegas business leaders Friday and told them what they wanted to hear.
“Before I go any further, let me set the record straight,” Obama said. “I love Vegas.”
As cheers erupted, Obama smiled. “There you go,” he said to the standing ovation. “Always have.”
Obama’s apology had been expected. Twice in other campaign appearances, the president has used going to Las Vegas as a symbol of the type of wild spending unaffordable in tough economic times.
Nevada officials greeted those comments with derision and annoyance, forcing the president to apologize for making light of the tourism industry that is Sin City’s lifeblood.
Traditionally, campaign stops offer a president a chance to talk directly to the people in their own language. Obama used this swing as a chance to do just that.
In response to a question from a dentist on how the healthcare overhaul bills will deal with tooth issues, Obama warned that everyone should floss every day.
And in response to a math teacher’s question about whether Obama, while in high school, got math homework every day and whether he did it, the president responded:
“Yes, and sometimes.”
--Michael Muskal
Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal
