Last year, Congressional Republicans decided to try to ban Internet gaming. Acting under Focus on the Family's James Dobson, the partisan Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed to control people's morals via the power of the federal government. To rectify this travesty, Barney Frank introduced HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (IGREA), and Robert Wexler introduced HR 2610, the Skill Game Protection Act (SGPA).
SGPA clarifies federal law by expressly exempting games of skill like poker from UIGEA. IGREA regulates online poker via stringent licensing regulations for poker site operators. Both bills have rigorous safeguards against underage and compulsive gambling. These safeguards will work; the June 8, 2007 House Financial Services Committee hearings on Internet gaming proved conclusively that Internet poker can be effectively regulated. Neither bill forces any state to permit online poker; states can opt out if they wish.
Online poker will continue to exist with or without the participation of the United States. We are losing our opportunity to control the games via regulation as well as the opportunities for U.S. companies to operate the games for either the domestic or the international markets. This is costing America jobs and tax revenue.
Some presidential candidates support our rights to choose what we do in our own homes, and others do not. Here's my guide on the candidates:
Republican Candidates (in order of latest CNN polling):
Rudy Giuliani, 27%
Former two-term mayor of NY. Social moderate (pro-choice, favors some gun restrictions). I found no record on his stand on any gaming issue. 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 right.
Fred Thompson, 19%
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. I found no record on his stand on any gaming issue. Endorsed by Sen. D’Amato (not as PPA Chairman, but as a private citizen).
Pros: He believes in limited government, so he’s historically been hesitant to empower the federal government to control issues that traditionally belong to the states.
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, 11%
Former MA governor. I found no record on his stand on Internet gaming. However, he did just add Tom Coates, Vice President, Truth About Gambling, Iowa, to his "Faith and Values Steering Committee"...not a good sign.
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.
Sam Brownback, 3%
F-. Senator from Kansas. Proud social conservative. Cosponsor of several Internet gaming ban bills. Also sponsored bills on broadcast decency and on bans of violent video games. Supports big government social conservatism. Reportedly met with former Atty. Gen. Gonzales to pressure him to push through harsh UIGEA regs.
Pros: If he’s the nominee, he won’t win, and he’ll take down other anti-gaming folks with him.
Cons: Sworn enemy of ours...may as well vote for Kyl or Goodlatte.
Mike Huckabee, 2%
F. Baptist minister, former Gov. of Arkansas. As governor, he opposed the Arkansas state lottery. Known to be staunchly anti-gaming.
Pros: Same as Brownback. If he’s the nominee, he won’t win, and he’ll take down other anti-gaming folks with him.
Cons: Sworn enemy of ours...may as well vote for Kyl or Goodlatte.
Tom Tancredo, 2% .
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.
Ron Paul, 1%
A+. Texas congressman. Big proponent of our rights.
Pros: Big supporter of ours.
Cons: none
Duncan Hunter. 0%
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, Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee, Tom Tancredo, and Duncan Hunter: Opponents of our freedoms. Avoid at all costs.
Democratic Candidates (in order of latest CNN polling):
Hillary Clinton, 40%
Two-term NY senator. I found no record of her position on Internet gaming. 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, 21%
IL senator. No known position on Internet gaming 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.
John Edwards, 13%
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.
Al Gore, 11% (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.
Bill Richardson, 5%
NM governor. Made statements in support of Internet gaming.
Pros: Appears to be with us.
Cons: none.
Joe Biden, 2%
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, 2%
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.