When it comes to hurling an epithet, Gov. Joe Lombardo can’t hold a candle to Mike O’Callaghan.

During O’Callaghan’s first term as the state’s 23rd governor, I heard him roar the F word dozens of times in early-morning phone calls to his administrative assistant, my mother Jan Smith. I wasn’t listening in on the conversation. His voice could be heard two rooms away.

Blessed with a street vocabulary as salty as any sailor, mom would return fire and slam down the phone. But such was their friendship, one forged in a common purpose. They shared a passion for the working people of Nevada, and for the hard work of making lasting policy in a state festooned with fixers.

Nevada Democrats are taking wicked umbrage with Lombardo’s April 5 remarks at the Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser in Carson City. That includes his “Fuck you” to critics on social media. Lombardo made it sound like the punch line, and he generated laughter from the friendly audience.

Democrats are using the recording in their own fundraising efforts, but given my upbringing I can’t get too excited about the potty mouth part. It’s something else Lombardo said that gives me pause about his grasp of the moment.

Captured by the progressive media network MeidasTouch, the recording revealed much about the governor’s view of the Democrats, independents, nonpartisans — and perhaps even some Republicans — who last week turned out by the thousands at the state Capitol for the “Hands Off!” nationwide protest of the Trump administration’s efforts to ransack the federal government.

According to published excerpts, at one point in his speech Lombardo said “And those stupid protests that occur in the state Capitol and is paid by the Democratic Party. That momentum and those crowd sizes isn’t because they’re pissed, because they want to make a difference. It’s because they’re getting paid. So don’t lose sight of that.”

Another crowd-pleasing moment: “The simple message (of the protest) was ‘What do you mean you want me to go back to work? It’s ridiculous. I think it’s important for people to realize that the strategy associated with the Democratic Party is to stay at home and what can the government do to give handouts to us?”

A response to such tepid political lounge comedy pretty much writes itself. Just start with images of Lombardo with his hand out to congratulate billionaires Elon Musk and Oakland A’s owner John Fisher for scoring millions in tax breaks and public financing.

Lombardo heard cheers that night, but received a very different reaction this past week as the stock market careened downward and the world — not just the Democrats — buzzed about the chaos in our country. Telling your social media trolls “fuck you” is easy. But given the continuing tumult that is now having an impact on the state with the nation’s highest unemployment rate, Democrats and Republicans alike should be asking Lombardo “WTF?”

Not surprisingly, state AG (Aspiring Governor) Aaron Ford wasn’t shy about pointing out his likely opponent’s tone-deaf schtick. A potentially tanking economy and quality of life will hit all Nevadans, not just the blue ones: “People showed up because they’re scared, because they’re struggling, and Lombardo is mocking them for that?”

Lombardo’s theme could have been torn from the Trump-DOGE talking points. Those who gathered were loafers motivated by threats to their government giveaways. After reading many of the signs he ridiculed, I can only conclude that by “handouts” he meant Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans Administration benefits.

Setting all that aside, perhaps his weakest moment came when Lombardo lamented having to work with a state Legislature controlled by the Democrats. After playing Veto Corleone in the 2023 session, he sounds like a whiner in 2025. And when you’re whining, you’re not leading.

Lombardo could take lessons from the gruff but effective and hugely popular O’Callaghan. “Governor Mike” wasn’t shy about expressing himself, but he also crossed the political aisle, worked in the Legislature and at both ends of the state, showed up on-site in the state government’s many troubled spots, and even took time to drink a beer with reporters.

After Lombardo won the 2022 election, I wondered aloud whether the successful former Clark County sheriff could shift gears as governor. Sheriffs dictate policy. Governors must negotiate it. I wasn’t sure he appreciated that.

Then and now, the question remains the same.

John L. Smith is an author and longtime columnist. He was born in Henderson and his family’s Nevada roots go back to 1881. His stories have appeared in New Lines, Time, Readers Digest, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast, Reuters and Desert Companion, among others.