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Reid to Obama: Lay off Vegas

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid chided President Barack Obama Tuesday for making Las Vegas a “poster child” for excessive spending.

“I just spoke to the White House and told them that while the president is correct that people saving for college need to be fiscally responsible, the president needs to lay off Las Vegas and stop making it the poster child for where people shouldn't be spending their money,” Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, said in a statement.

Speaking about government spending at a New Hampshire town hall earlier today, Obama said “when times are tough, you tighten your belts.”

He added: “You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you're trying to save for college.”

Last year, Obama drew criticism from Nevada politicians for criticizing junkets to Las Vegas by bailed-out banks – and Reid’s political opponents accused him for not taking a tough enough line against the president.

But on Tuesday, Reid responded with a swift criticism of the president’s comments.

"Nevada is the nation's top destination for tourism and conventions,” Reid said in a statement. “It is more popular than any other place in the country, and for good reason: It's affordable, easy to get to from anywhere, and the weather is perfect.”

He added: "To truly reenergize our economy, we need people to travel to Las Vegas. I would much rather tourists and business travelers spend their money in Las Vegas than spend it overseas."

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