Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Online Gambling Bill Sponsor Jim Leach Defeated
Poker News ^ | November 8, 2006 | Amy Calistri

Posted on 11/08/2006 1:30:21 PM PST by kms61

While the rest of the US will be discussing the Democratic victories that secured a House majority and a potential Senate majority, most online poker players will be discussing a single victory; the one that unseated 30 year incumbent Republican Jim Leach.

Leach was the sponsor of the House bill that became the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act. With his stated goals of "protecting American families" and addressing a "national security concern," Leach introduced HR 4411. In a 51% to 49% victory, political science professor Dave Loebsack defeated the longtime Republican Congressman from Iowa.

In the legislative world, Leach was considered one of the four horsemen of the online gaming apocalypse. Riding Pokerstars with his other anti-online gambling proponents, Senator Bill Frist, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, and Senator Jon Kyl, Leach was considered the most vulnerable for re-election.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist tried a number of ploys to sneak HR 4411 into "must pass" legislation. After failing to tie it into a Defense Department bill authorizing military operations, Frist was finally successful tagging it onto the Safe Ports bill.

Bill Frist chose not to run this year. Many speculated he had planned the respite to launch his 2008 presidential bid. It was believed that Frist's actions on HR 4411 were specifically orchestrated to cater to the small, but powerful, conservative right. Interpreting yesterday's election results, however, Frist may have ingratiated himself with a political niche that will have diminished influence in securing a 2008 presidency.

Republican Virginia Congressman Bob Goodlatte was almost assured his victory this year as he ran without a Democratic opponent. Goodlatte was the sponsor of HR 4777, the Internet Gaming Prohibition Act and joined forces with Leach to spearhead the passage of HR 4411. "I have been continuously committed to putting an end to gambling on the Internet," Goodlatte said. "For too long our children have been placed in harm's way as online gambling has been permitted to flourish into a $12 billion industry. The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act brings the current ban against interstate gambling up to speed with the development of new technology."

When HR 4411 passed in the House, Arizona Senator Jon Kyl said, "For more than a decade, I have fought for legislation to enforce Internet gambling prohibitions. Today's action in the House is a very encouraging step, and I will work with my colleagues to explore all ways to move this much-needed legislation through the Senate this year." Kyl was good to his word. Kyle's re-election bid was almost never in jeopardy this year as he consistently led his opponent Jim Pederson in the polls; sometimes by more than eighteen percentage points. Kyl was re-elected by a margin of 53% to 44%.

While Leach may have been the most vulnerable of the anti-online gaming contingent, his defeat was still considered something of an upset. Although the race was tight, Leach never trailed his opponent in the polls prior to the election. Some of the Republicans facing defeat this morning are those that can blame their strong conservative ties to the Bush administration. Leach, however, was perceived to be a moderate Republican, positioning himself as pro-choice and voting against the 2003 Bush tax cuts and the Iraq war resolution. One has to wonder if the online gaming vote helped edge Leach onto the rail.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: dontletthedoor; election; gambling; leach; nannystatepurge; poker
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last
Those who couldn't believe enough voters would care about the gambling ban to make a difference in the election, here's your proof to the contrary.
1 posted on 11/08/2006 1:30:23 PM PST by kms61
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: kms61

As an online poker player, I can't say I'm sad to see this guy get booted. Good riddance.


2 posted on 11/08/2006 1:32:11 PM PST by billybudd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kms61

Jim Leach lost?????? Glory, hallelujah!!! He was a horrible RINO.


3 posted on 11/08/2006 1:32:43 PM PST by Dems_R_Losers (The people have spoken.......the housecleaning starts NOW!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kms61

There's also the fact that Leech is a well-known idiot. He's slightly to the right of Chafee...I think. Left of Snowe and Specter easily.


4 posted on 11/08/2006 1:33:24 PM PST by zbigreddogz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kms61
The gambling ban was an immensly stupid thing to add to a bill. It gained no votes, angered a lot of people, and in the end won't do anything because people will just transfer money to an overseas bank which isn't covered by the law and then transfer money from there to the casino.
5 posted on 11/08/2006 1:33:24 PM PST by KarlInOhio (Hey Kerry, What part of showing heels and ass is a winning strategy in Iraq?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: zbigreddogz

Leach has been one of the ones saying for decades that the GOP has to move to the left to win. Hard line conservatives can't win, they claim. Seems like last night the "moderates" didn't do so well either.


6 posted on 11/08/2006 1:37:22 PM PST by TNCMAXQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: KarlInOhio

Some folks have been inside the beltway for far too long. Leach was one of those numbskulls.


7 posted on 11/08/2006 1:37:24 PM PST by OldFriend (Run and Hide, Tax and Spend for the next two years. Everyone happy?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: kms61

Good Ridance !!


8 posted on 11/08/2006 1:37:47 PM PST by LM_Guy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TNCMAXQ

Shays won.


9 posted on 11/08/2006 1:38:55 PM PST by Vicomte13 (Aure entuluva.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: billybudd

Ya Know what I betya that cost us a bunch of votes.


10 posted on 11/08/2006 1:41:05 PM PST by GoMonster (GO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: KarlInOhio
It gained no votes, angered a lot of people

It was stupid. I think it angered about 25 million online poker players. My one boss said it was her single issue in this election, and she was writing checks to back it up.

11 posted on 11/08/2006 1:41:24 PM PST by sockmonkey (Die, Possums, Die)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: TNCMAXQ

Both moderates and conservatives got shellacked this election. Let's face it: If you had an R next to your name, and you had a real opponent, you were in trouble.


12 posted on 11/08/2006 1:41:58 PM PST by zbigreddogz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: billybudd
With his stated goals of "protecting American families" and addressing a "national security concern," Leach introduced HR 4411.

What a POS. I don't even play online poker or any of those gambling games, but to justify it with this is just plain despicable.

13 posted on 11/08/2006 1:42:54 PM PST by glorgau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: kms61

I'm embarrassed to say that Goodlatte is my congressman. I wrote my own name in on the ballot instead of voting for him. I did so solely because of this bill. I prefer more freedom, not less. If I want to gamble online, let me be. Who am I hurting?


14 posted on 11/08/2006 1:47:12 PM PST by Terpin (Missing: One very clever and insightful tagline. Reward for safe return!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kms61

There was an enormous thread on TwoPlusTwo rooting against Leach. Online poker players from both parties wanted his head.


15 posted on 11/08/2006 1:53:14 PM PST by TUAN_JIM (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KarlInOhio

I agree.Spent political capital on a bill that won't add up to piss hole in a snowbank.This is like the dems adding another gun bill...stupid,stupid,stupid and only screws the honest people.
The pubbies paid dearly for their arrogance last nite,another form of an "error" of big goverment was disposed in the dustbin of history last nite and bogus bills like this makes me glad.They spit on our trust and they paid and should have. time to retool again!


16 posted on 11/08/2006 1:58:17 PM PST by TShaunK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Terpin

I'm not unhappy that this clown is gone. Let's just chalk that one up to a self-inflicted wound. Tom Delay mentioned that we lost 6 seats to ethical, legal or other problems and probabably didn't count this one.

My site, ultimatebet, doesn't accept deposits from U.S. based players anymore. I liked it because you could make $25 deposits....oh well, I had other things to do before I started playing online poker, I guess I'll try to remember what they were.....


17 posted on 11/08/2006 2:00:36 PM PST by Belasarius (Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:2-7)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: TShaunK

I was one of those republicans that was pretty pissed off with this legislation. I'm sure it cost republicans votes and gained then zero in return. It almost cost them my vote till I came to my senses and decided that the general election was not the place to vent.

I still don't understand the stupidity of passing this measure? There are literally millions of poker players in the US. I don't know what the percentage are republicans but I do know it wasn't zero! So they pass this bill which only makes it difficult for folks to move money in/out of these gaming portals.

This bill will eventually have to be overturned anyway because it only pisses off the rest of the world through the WTO. Even now, the various companies and governments are meeting in England to establish some level of oversight... and guess what? The US is not participating.

Anyway, Frist will not get my support in '08 for this slimy move...


18 posted on 11/08/2006 2:05:32 PM PST by djl_sa (a sad republican.... looking forward to 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: kms61
This is really the best news I've heard all day. (Aside from Mark Pence running for Leader) Not too long ago I saw him on C-Span, talking about Neocons (Paleo-Buchanan speak for evil Jews trying to take over the world)

If only he didn't buy into the Iraq war he would have sailed to reelection..
Oh wait a minute.

LoL!!!!!
19 posted on 11/08/2006 2:05:56 PM PST by The Lurking Lurker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kms61
the one that unseated 30 year incumbent Republican Jim Leach.

More proof we need term limits.

20 posted on 11/08/2006 2:11:39 PM PST by Toddsterpatriot (Goldbugs, immune to logic and allergic to facts. You know who you are.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson