Republicans, Come to Las Vegas for Its ... Rock-Climbing?

The Christian right is becoming alarmed that the Republican National Committee might actually pick Las Vegas for its next national convention. The Rev. Fred Dobson, arbiter of all that's holy Republican, says that delegates to a convention there might not be able to stand up to the temptations.

"Even though Vegas has tried to shore itself up and call itself family-friendly, it’s still a metaphor for decadence," Dobson said. "There’s still 64 pages of escort services in the yellow pages."

Nevertheless, Las Vegas is considered the front-runner for the next convention. Maybe it has something to do with Republican gambling kingpin Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire who launched Newt Gingrich on us in 2012 and who now has his Hoveround pointed squarely at Chris Christie.

The best part is how Las Vegas is trying to rebrand itself for the Republican decision-makers: "The city's promotional video for the convention does not feature any gambling. Instead, it emphasizes Las Vegas' hotels, sunshine, rock climbing, proximity to the Hoover Dam, NASCAR, places of worship, and the 'growing Asian population. The video pans to Disney's logo."

Oh, we get it! "Rock climbing" is code for "getting your rocks off."