Las Vegas Weekly

July 9, 2010 · 10:54 AM

Photos: Obama welcomed to town by 3,000 — and The Killers

By Robin Leach

President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at Aria on July 8, 2010.

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

President Obama was welcomed to Las Vegas yesterday on his two-day visit to boost Sen. Harry Reid’s re-election campaign by 3,000 chosen fans -- and hometown heroes The Killers. I don’t know if their band name is a prophecy one way or the other, but it’s the president’s second visit on behalf of the senator this year.

The nation’s chief executive and the Senate majority leader were at Aria in MGM’s CityCenter, and the bleak employment picture for America is the focus of the visit. For extensive political coverage, video and speeches, check out our colleagues’ work at the Las Vegas Sun.

Singer Sarah McLachlan was the first performer for the president, followed by Brandon Flowers, Mark Stoermer and Dave Keuning of The Killers. The Las Vegas band introduced the senator, who introduced the president as a rock star attraction in his own right. Contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on duty for this extraordinary photo gallery, and Richard Corey posted his videos on YouTube.

Two amusing notes concerning the arrival of Air Force One at McCarran International. When the big bird lands, all planes are halted. In two separate planes delayed by that mandate were Tao nightclub partner Jason Strauss, who was headed to New York, and Iron Chef Kerry Simon inbound from Los Angeles, who wound up being late for a TV interview at his restaurant Simon in Palms Place.

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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