McCain has a gambling problem?

[RecycleMichael]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/us/politics/28gambling-web.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin

For McCain and Team, a Host of Ties to Gambling
By JO BECKER and DON VAN NATTA Jr.
Published: September 27, 2008

Senator John McCain was on a roll. In a room reserved for high-stakes gamblers at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, he tossed $100 chips around a hot craps table. When the marathon session ended around 2:30 a.m., the Arizona senator and his entourage emerged with thousands of dollars in winnings.

BETS
Mr. McCain supported tax breaks for casinos over the years, including one that helped Foxwoods in Connecticut. He has also gambled there. A lifelong gambler, Mr. McCain takes risks, both on and off the craps table. He was throwing dice that night not long after his failed 2000 presidential bid, in which he was skewered by the Republican Party's evangelical base, opponents of gambling. Mr. McCain was betting at a casino he oversaw as a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and he was doing so with the lobbyist who represents that casino, according to three associates of Mr. McCain.

The visit had been arranged by the lobbyist, Scott Reed, who works for the Mashantucket Pequot, a tribe that has contributed heavily to Mr. McCain's campaigns and built Foxwoods into the world's second-largest casino. Joining them was Rick Davis, Mr. McCain's current campaign manager. Their night of good fortune epitomized not just Mr. McCain's affection for gambling, but also the close relationship he has built with the gambling industry and its lobbyists during his 25-year career in Congress.

Mr. McCain portrays himself as a Washington maverick unswayed by special interests, referring recently to lobbyists as "birds of prey." Yet in his current campaign, more than 40 fund-raisers and top advisers have lobbied or worked for an array of gambling interests — including tribal and Las Vegas casinos, lottery companies and online poker purveyors.

Mr. McCain had gotten to know Mr. Reed during Senator Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign, which Mr. Reed managed. Four years later, when Mr. McCain ran for president, Mr. Reed recommended he hire his close friend and protégé, Rick Davis, to manage that campaign.


For the rest of the story...click on the link above...

[RecycleMichael]

I bet Obama plays some cards as well. It would be interesting to see them play Texas Hold-em head to head.

[Wrinkle]

Man, that's a lot of reading time I'd like to have back.

Should I mention there's nothing there which substantiates the claim you tried to make with the thread title?

In summary (for those who do not wish to read the whole thing), it says, McCain was involved in actual legislation which affected his constituants in what he personally believed to be positive ways, some passed, some didn't.

Tell me, isn't that what Senators do, at least the ones not named Obama?

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by Wrinkle

Man, that's a lot of reading time I'd like to have back.

Should I mention there's nothing there which substantiates the claim you tried to make with the thread title?

In summary (for those who do not wish to read the whole thing), it says, McCain was involved in actual legislation which affected his constituants in what he personally believed to be positive ways, some passed, some didn't.

Tell me, isn't that what Senators do, at least the ones not named Obama?

Thanks for the summary. I tried to skim it and was going to read it later.

Was it necessary for him to gamble in these establishments and pal around with the principals in order to represent his constituents interest? If it were a string of (legal) bordellos or strip joints would he need to visit them and sample their product? Poor judgement once again.

Maybe he should have spoken with Pete Rose for some insights.[]

[Conan71]

RM- you mind editing back to a link and a few paragraphs?  Looked like an FOTD post.

[RecycleMichael]

That is quite an insult...I quickly truncated the story...

[cannon_fodder]

+1 on the summary.  

Basically he gambles from time to time and passed legislation on Indian gaming.  I fail to see the story.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

That is quite an insult...I quickly truncated the story...

Worked though, didn't it? []