By Brandon Muller
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Residents of this renowned tourist mecca are upset over President Barack Obama's recent comment that he hopes his daughters never have a "quickie wedding in Las Vegas."
The remark came Sunday night during a state dinner when a reporter overheard Obama talking to his wife Michelle about the type of wedding he would like their daughters, Sasha and Malia, to have one day. Obama said, "Hopefully, they'll each have a big ceremony in Hawaii and not some quickie wedding in Las Vegas."
Reaction from Nevada politicians, who already feel victimized by two previously perceived Obama slights against Las Vegas, was immediate.
"Does Obama think before he speaks?" asked Gov. Jim Gibbons. "Now no one will ever get married in Las Vegas ever again. We are ruined."
"How dare he insult the hard-working men and women of our fine Sin City!" said Rep. Dina Titus. "Our image depends upon negative words never being spoken about us. This is an outrage!"
For a city known as the "Marriage Capital of the World", Obama's smear could not come at a worse time with Valentine's Day, one of the busiest wedding days of the year, less than a week away.
"The fallout has already begun," said Scarlett Richards, owner of the Little White Wedding Chapel. "I've already had two couples cancel. I didn't ask, but they sounded like the type who'd vote for Obama. So, you know, put two and two together."
Richards says it's not just wedding chapel owners who will take a hit. Cake decorators, limo drivers, Elvis impersonators, and annulment lawyers are just some of the jobs expected to be negatively impacted by the President's statement.
"Obama is destroying our livelihood with his offensive remarks!" said Rep. Shelley Berkley. "Personally, I'd rather use the drive thru at any of the classy chapels here in Las Vegas than stand around in some Hawaiian paradise with the sun glaring in my eyes."
Some Nevada politicians have reacted more strongly than others.
"I will kill him with my bare hands!" screamed Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman after a reporter asked him what he thought of the President's latest comment. Then, after a soothing martini, Goodman asked, "So, uh, what did he say this time?"
After hearing what the President said, a red-faced Goodman took a deep breath and lifted his martini glass in a toasting gesture. His head promptly exploded.
A memorial service will be held Thursday. To honor his memory, the city plans to never welcome the Obamas if they choose to renew their vows in Las Vegas.
Celebrities have also weighed in on the controversy.
"Why does Barack Obama hate Las Vegas?" asked Britney Spears. "I was married there for one weekend. Didn't harm me any."
"Obama has insulted Las Vegas a 3rd time!!" tweeted gossip columnist Robin Leach. "BTW, former playmate Holly Madison is dining with troubled starlett Lindsay Lohan at FIX right now."
Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, a lifelong resident of Nevada sent a note to the President asking him if he knew that Reid was up for re-election this year.
"I don't think the President realizes how influential his opinions are," said Reid. "Americans will do anything he says. If only he used that incredible power for good!"
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