Gibbons criticizes Obama over denied meeting request

Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons has been denied a meeting with President Barack Obama when he visits Las Vegas next month, and the Governor is not happy about it.

"I am disappointed at the hypocrisy shown by this administration," Gibbons said Monday.

Obama began the battle with Nevada when he made comments earlier this year saying that companies who got bailout money should not take trips to Las Vegas, inferring that trips to Las Vegas were a waste of money and/or not smart economically. Obama also went after the private jet industry at the same time.

Gibbons feels that Obama is avoiding the issue that Nevada families are suffering since he made his comments and 400 conventions have cancelled trips previously planned for Las Vegas.

Obama is planning on attending a fund raising event at Caesars Palace for Senator Harry Reid featuring entertainers Bette Midler and Sheryl Crow.

Read the prepared statement here: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/18/news-release-issued-monday-gov-jim-gibbons-obama/