Las Vegas Weekly

February 23, 2010 · 8:58 AM

Photos: Clinton and Gore together again (sort of) in Las Vegas

By Robin Leach

Former President Bill Clinton at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace on Feb. 22, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Their travel itineraries nearly coincided, and it looked as if the political team of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were back together again. They came close, appearing in Las Vegas on the same day, less than four days after President Obama had appeared here, too.

That has to be one for the Las Vegas record books! For late-night comics Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel and David Letterman, it could have been a field day, with punch lines echoing a variety show teaming in the order of Martin and Lewis or a dance partnership of Astaire and Rogers.

Clinton and Gore together again on the Strip in the Entertainment Capital of the World Las Vegas. Clinton was at Caesars Palace, and just a quarter-mile south, Gore was at MGM Grand.

Clinton spoke to Harrah’s Employees, and was presented a $1 million donation to The Clinton Foundation from The Harrah’s Foundation, in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace last night, where Cher performs and the arrival of Celine Dion is eagerly awaited. Contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on duty for our photo gallery.

Harrah’s Entertainment Senior Vice President of Communications and Government Relations Jan L. Jones introduced the former president and conducted the Q&A. Our esteemed colleagues at the Las Vegas Sun posted their coverage of Clinton’s speech last night.

Gore, vice president under Clinton from 1993 to 2001, received a standing ovation at the MGM Grand as guest speaker for the IBM Pulse 2010 opening session. He talked about the new challenges faced worldwide by the company and naturally touched on environmental issues. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue captured these images of the former V.P.

Meantime, executive chef Barry Dakake of N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms dished up nearly one of every item from his menu and delivered the feast to Clinton at Caesars Palace after his lecture. The dinner included organic lemon chicken, vegetables, sliced steak, Japanese organic tomato salad, rigatoni, creamed corn, skinny fries, red velvet cupcakes and more.

It’s the fourth time Barry has prepared a meal for Clinton. Three years ago, Clinton dined at N9NE Steakhouse and signed the chef’s famous kitchen door, along with several baseballs. Jenna Morton, who is the director of community and government relations for The N9NE Group, accompanied Barry on the delivery.

Last Thursday, Barry also cooked for President Obama’s Democratic fundraiser hosted at Palms owner George Maloof’s home in Spanish Trail, but every attempt by me to find out what the nation’s chief executive ate has been shrouded in secrecy. Talk about secret service!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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