Online Poker + 2008 US Pres Candadites
I came across this thought provoking thread in Pocket Fives. It was posted by Rich ‘TheEngineer’. He is an active Poker Players Alliance member, in many of the poker forums. This is his review of the possible line up of the presidential ballet for 2008. Here is the original thread.
The 2008 presidential primaries are only a few months away. In some states, registered voters who wish to change parties (necessary to vote in that party’s primary in some states) must do so by the end of the year, so it’s time to think about the implications of each candidate for online poker.
Republican Candidates (in order of latest USA Today/Gallup polling):
Rudy Giuliani, 32%
?. Former two-term mayor of NY. Social moderate (pro-choice, gun control advocate). He’s made some pro-gaming statements, but he also zealously enforced gaming laws in New York. Rep. Peter King (R), cosponsor of IGREA, is his ally.
Pros: a win for him will reduce the influence of the anti-gaming, big government “conservatives”. In fact, many will sit out the general election if Giuliani is the candidate, which would be an awesome result for us there and (especially) in the Congressional races.
Cons: Giuliani is no libertarian. In fact, he believes big government provides law and order, and his history is one of big, powerful government. If he thinks Internet poker is legal, we’re golden. If he thinks it’s illegal…watch out! Also, there’s a risk that he’ll look for some common ground between him and the anti-gaming nanny-staters.
Fred Thompson, 18%
?. Former senator from TN. Often described as a Goldwater/Reagan conservative. Championed by many conservatives as the best candidate who has a good chance of winning. Endorsed by Sen. D’Amato (not as PPA Chairman, but as a private citizen).
Pros: He believes in limited government, so he’s typically been hesitant to empower the federal government to control issues that traditionally belong to the states. He’s clearly not going out of his way to appease Focus on the Family.
Cons: Our opponents are one of his core constituencies.
John McCain, 14%
F. AZ senator. Clear record of opposing our rights, right along with fellow AZ senator Jon Kyl.
Pros: none
Cons: He’s simply against us.
Mitt Romney, 10%
F. Former MA governor. Recently added Tom Coates, Vice President, Truth About Gambling, Iowa, to his “Faith and Values Steering Committee”.
Quote:
“Truth About Gambling” vice president Tom Coates says only 30 percent of Iowans have never entered a casino, but he’s hoping the religious community rises up to build a tide against gambling. Coates says gambling has led to great “social ills.” He says 19 percent of all bankruptcies in Iowa are caused by the weight of gambling debts. And Coates says the availability of gambling in Iowa has increased the number of Iowans who are hooked.
Pros: can’t think of one
Cons: Cavorts with our enemies.
Mike Huckabee, 6% (but leading Iowa)
F-. Baptist minister, former Gov. of Arkansas. As governor, he opposed the Arkansas state lottery.
When asked “Last year, Congress voted overwhelming to criminalize most forms of Internet gambling. This year some members of Congress are promoting legislation to legalize Internet gambling. If such legislation passed, would you veto it?” [an incorrect statement, by the way...playing wasn't criminalized at all] by the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, Huckabee answered “yes”!!!!.
Pros: None.
Cons: Sworn enemy of ours…may as well vote for Kyl or Goodlatte.
Ron Paul, 5%
A+. Texas congressman. Big proponent of our rights. Initial cosponsor of Barney Frank’s IGREA.
Pros: Big supporter of ours. Found time to meet with us during the PPA D.C. Fly-in.
Cons: none
Tom Tancredo, 2%.
F. CO representative. Supported HR 4411 and HR 2143 (banned credit card use for Internet gaming)
Pros: none
Cons: Trying to get the support of our opponents.
Duncan Hunter, 1%
F-. CA congressman. Voted for HR 2143, banning Internet gaming by credit card, 2003. Voted for HR 4411. Cosponsored HR 4477 (Goodlatte’s ban bill). Big-time anti-gaming guy. Clearly states his opposition to us on his campaign website, at www.gohunter08.com/inner.asp?z=4 (item #13).
Pros: none
Cons: opponent of ours
Republican Summary:
Ron Paul: A real champion for our rights.
Fred Thompson: Strong federalist. Of the Republican front-runners, likely the one who supports us the most.
Rudy Giuliani: A vote for Giuliani is a Republican vote against nanny-state social conservatism.
John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Tom Tancredo, and Duncan Hunter: Opponents of our freedoms. Avoid at all costs.
Democratic Candidates (USA Today/Gallup polling):
Hillary Clinton, 44%
?. Two-term NY senator. She has no record of an Internet poker position. The Clinton administration, of which she was a part, was strongly anti-Internet gaming.
Pros: She could not care less what Focus on the Family thinks of her, and they know it.
Cons: Her negatives among all Republicans (social conservatives included) are so high that they’ll go to the polls just to vote against her, hurting us in congressional races.
Barack Obama, 19%
?. IL senator. No known position on Internet poker but reputed to be a good player.
Pros: He doesn’t mind letting it be known that he enjoys playing poker for money. These stories are even on his own website. Probably would be good for us.
Cons: He hasn’t come out in support of us.
Al Gore, 14% (undeclared)
?. Former TN senator and vice-president. I found no record of his position on Internet gaming. The Clinton administration, of which he was a part, was strongly anti-gaming.
Pros: Invented the Internet
Cons: Position on Internet gaming unknown.
John Edwards, 10%
?. Former NC senator. No known position on Internet gaming.
Pros: He’s unlikely to draw the social conservatives to the polls specifically to vote against him.
Cons: Position on Internet gaming unknown.
Bill Richardson, 3%
A. NM governor. Made statements in support of Internet gaming.
Pros: Appears to be with us.
Cons: none.
Joe Biden, 2%
A. DE senator. Voted against Kyl’s S 474 (an amendment to an appropriations bill that would have amended the Wire Act to ban most Internet gaming), an amendment that passed 90-10. Current senators against that amendment were Larry Craig (R-ID), Pete Domenici (R-MN), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), and Ted Stevens (R-AK).
Pros: With us, at least on this occasion
Cons: Aside from S 474, hasn’t really spoken out for us
Dennis Kucinich, 1%
A. OH congressman. Voted against HR 4411.
Pros: With us.
Cons: none.
Chris Dodd, 0%
F-. CT senator. Spoke on the Senate floor in favor of S 627, Kyl’s Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act.
Pros: none.
Cons: Against us.
Mike Gravel, 0%. Former AK senator. Seems like he could be with us, but I don’t really know.
Pros: ?
Cons: Hasn’t spoken for us.
Democratic Summary:
Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and Dennis Kucinich: With us, or likely with us.
John Edwards, Al Gore, and Mike Gravel: Open questions at this point.
Hillary Clinton: Open question. Unfortunate issue of her strong negatives motivating our opponents.
Chris Dodd: Opponent of our freedoms. Avoid at all costs.
The opinions expressed are my personal opinions. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of PocketFives.com or of the PPA.
His thoughts give players a lot to consider. I thought it was worth sharing. It is very motivating once you consider all the candadiates in a person by person comparison on this vital subject.
