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Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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 Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:43 am Post subject: Obama and the Las Vegas Gaming Industry... |
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One problem with idealism and morality in politics is those who preach them can look inconsistent or hypocritical from time to time. I do not call Obama these things. I think he might be learning to be a realist, even if he is doing something of a dance on this issue.
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Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama enjoys poker and blackjack, and admires the way the gaming industry powers Nevada's economy.
But in his home state, it's a different story. As a matter of principle, he repeatedly opposed expanding gambling in Illinois, saying it was bad for communities and not a good way to fund government.
As recently as 2003, Obama, then an Illinois state senator, said he believed the "moral and social cost of gambling" was potentially "devastating" and that using gaming as a source of revenue or for economic development was "irresponsible."
He didn't think Illinois legislators should accept political contributions from the gaming industry, and in 2004 and 2006 refused federal contributions from gaming companies.
Today, it's a different story... |
Las Vegas Review-Journal |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Igotthisguitar's standard hysteria-mongering notwithstanding, this issue may prove relevant in the upcoming Nevada primary election and I hereby bump the thread. It is by no means clear whether the Review-Journal, a conservative paper in a conservative state, counts itself as Obama's friend... |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: |
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I thought Vegas didn't want the competition anyways.
I also assumed that is why Bush made online gambling illegal as well.
Vegas isn't threatened by any means by Illinois not having gambling. It just means more money will come its way. |
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Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:30 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, I've been to many American casinos across America - Tunica, New Orleans, Atlantic City, Detroit, FoxHills in CT, and of course Vegas, and various Indian casinos.
Traditionally, they were against gambling elsewhere as it would hurt their tourism industry. They went through the whole 'family Vegas' thing, and now it's big business again as 'Sin City' and the surge of Holdem Poker, they are all the rage again. So maybe now its good advertisement anywhere it's at, not to mention the major casinos move elsewhere anyways these days wherever they legalize it.
I don't think Vegas has to worry much about Obama. Apparently Bush was elected with a very strong anti-gaming stance. But 7 years later, he's one of the biggest recipients by gaming lobbyists, etc. Just read that the gaming lobbyists are now nearly as large as the NRA. Most other sources have Republican moralists (apparently Bush ran on that platform) against it. So I'm gonna guess it's the moralists they are more worried about. Not saying Obama isn't a moralist, it would just take a person who is in bed with strong anti-gaming lobbyists (most likely connected to religious right groups) to get on a high-horse to try to bring Vegas down. Even then, you'd have to be seriously morally against it with a large American base behind you try to bring that down. I don't see it happening anytime in our lifetime. |
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Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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I appreciate your responses, Tiger Beer. But the question I raise here is whether the Las Vegas gaming industry will support Obama over other candidates in light of his (previous) position on legalized gambling, not whether you personally believe Obama threatens Las Vegas gaming interests -- that is, "to bring Vegas down," as you say -- based on your own impressions (and I do not believe anyone thinks or alleges any of this, by the way).
I imagine we will learn whether this is an issue or not along with everyone else in the days leading to the primary election and then on election day itself. I suspect, ultimately, like most other election years, the gaming community will diversify its support and back everybody more or less the same.
As it is shaping up, it looks like Obama has won the Culinary Union's support -- no small thing in Nevada politics. But, as the Las Vegas Sun is reporting today...
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The Clinton team can point to other advantages.
She's won the endorsement of almost the entire Democratic establishment, including members of the Clark County Commission and other local officials and a bevy of state legislators.
The Clinton campaign has been building a massive organization of its own, including paid staff, thousands of volunteers and offices and phone banks across the state. |
Las Vegas Sun |
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mistermasan
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Location: 10+ yrs on Dave's ESL cafe
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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| illinois has gambling casinos. the one by my home has expanded yet again. the horse track down the street isn't doing too well. |
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caniff
Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map
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