Goodman: 'I love to drink'

While apologizing to anyone who was offended, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman on Thursday was unapologetic about telling a fourth grade class that he would bring "a bottle of gin" to a deserted island if he had a choice.

The mayor, who was criticized for his alcohol-related responses to the kids' questions, which including saying one of his hobbies was drinking, testily told a City Hall press conference that he was "proud" he told the truth.

"I will not lie when I give an answer. I'm not going to say I'm going to bring a teddy bear to the island, or I'm going to bring the Bible to the island," the mayor said. "I'm not going to lie to anyone because that's not Oscar Goodman. But sometimes you can't tell the truth because of the people with whom you are speaking."

The mayor said he never intended to offend anyone, and because his comments offended some people he would not say them again in front of fourth graders.

"What I've learned from the experience is that in certain venues perhaps you can't answer the question," Goodman said.

Asked if he thought he had a drinking problem, Goodman said: "Absolutely not. No. I love to drink."

Asked if he thought it was appropriate to talk about drinking to fourth graders, the mayor said, "I wouldn't have said it if I thought it was inappropriate."

But, he said, he wouldn't do it again because of the reaction to his response.

Pressed on the point, Goodman said it's "fair to say when you ask Oscar Goodman a question, you're going to get an honest answer. Thank you."

With that, Goodman abruptly ended the press conference and left the room.

The controversy arose out of Goodman's visit to Jo Mackey Elementary School in North Las Vegas on Monday. After he read a book to about 85 fourth graders, the children asked him questions such as what his favorite color and favorite book are, and what kind of car he drives.

One of the questions, Goodman said Thursday, was "what would I do basically if I was on an island stranded in the middle of the ocean.

"What is the one thing I want with me? And I said gin, and then we went on to the next question."

School Principal Kemala Washington said Goodman also listed drinking as one of his hobbies during his talk with the students. Washington said the children didn't appear to notice the alcohol-related comments, which Washington said were inappropriate.

Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, who was at the Mackey school on Monday with Goodman, said that Goodman probably should have come up with a different answer.

"But I think it went over their heads. Ninety-five percent of the kids didn't grasp it and the adults chuckled because it's Oscar," Boggs McDonald said. "His response didn't surprise me, but it surprised me that it was in front of the kids."

Goodman's jokes about drinking and drinking gin have become a trademark of his public appearances, although usually those are in front of older audiences. The mayor is particularly fond of gin martinis and became a pitchman for Bombay Sapphire gin in late 2002, and has hosted "Martinis with the Mayor."

On Tuesday, Goodman told the Sun he was simply answering the question posed to him by the child.

"I'm the George Washington of mayors. I can't tell a lie. If they didn't want the answer the kid shouldn't have asked the question. It's me, what can I do?" the mayor said Tuesday.

At Thursday's press conference, Goodman said, "Have I learned anything from it? Yes. That I'm proud that I gave an honest answer. I'm proud of myself but at the same time sometimes you shouldn't answer a question if it's going to be offensive to people."

Goodman's comments at Mackey didn't prevent another school group from making a field trip to City Hall Thursday morning to hear Goodman read a story.

The mayor read "Tales for Tomas" to about 200 fourth and fifth graders from the Kay Carl Elementary School.

"If he worked with kids every day he wouldn't have said it (the gin and drinking comments)," teacher Debby McWilliams said. "But we're not worried, especially after Monday. I don't think he'll say it again."

During his Thursday interaction with the Kay Carl students, Goodman didn't mention gin specifically and didn't say drinking was his hobby. But while slowly opening a gift the children had brought him, he said, "It's not a bottle is it?"

The gift turned out to be a gray shirt.

Some local political consultants said Goodman's alcohol-related comments probably won't hurt him politically.

Jim Ferrence, Goodman's campaign manager for his 1999 and 2003 elections, said the people who would be offended by Goodman's comments are probably the people who are offended every time he mentions drinking in public.

Ferrence said the comments could be turned into a campaign issue, but added that the issue would not necessarily hurt Goodman because "he would not run from it or try to put a spin on it. It's just that he is who he is."

Dan Hart, a local campaign consultant, said Goodman's comments could impact Goodman's chances for election to any office other than mayor, in which Goodman's popularity trumps other matters.

"Oscar Goodman is known as being irreverent and this was another example of it," he said.

Campaign consultant Billy Rogers said the comments will have no impact on Goodman's political fortunes.

"The political impact is zero. I think voters appreciate elected officials who are honest," Rogers said. "People love Mayor Goodman and part of the reason they love him is because he is candid and he is honest."

Sandy Heverly, executive director of STOP DUI, said Goodman's Monday comments were disappointing, but added he has always been a strong proponent of using designated drivers.

"I think this was just a fluke," she said. "All of us have had at one time or another a time when we misspoke. But I know that he didn't do it intentionally."

Goodman, though, is known for his quick, often cutting responses.

In November Goodman predicted one of his downtown projects, an enormous furniture showroom called the World Market Center, would eclipse High Point, N.C., which is considered the epicenter of the furniture world.

He was quoted as saying if he was in High Point he would either be "committing suicide" or looking to move to Las Vegas.

In January 2003 Goodman lashed out after being asked if he gave a citizen of the month award to the host of a fundraiser for his campaign as a "quid pro quo."

"Whoever said that was a liar and an ignorant pig," Goodman said. "My tolerance for that kind of crap is real slim. It makes me want to revert to my baseball bat days."

The former mob attorney refused to say what his "baseball bat days" were. Tony Spilotro, one of his clients, was beaten to death with a baseball bat in what is believed to have been a mob hit.

Responding to a vignette about him, which was later retracted, in the book "Positively Fifth Street," Goodman called the author, James McManus, a "jerk" and "an idiot."

"I wouldn't know him if I saw him," Goodman said. "I don't know if I even want to see (his picture). If anything happens to this guy, I don't want to be held responsible."

In June 2002 after a man publicly reported a terrorist threat to Las Vegas, which authorities later debunked, Goodman told the TV reporter that in his previous life he would have had the man "whacked." Goodman later said he was "a little emotional" but wanted to put his hands around the man's neck and squeeze.

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