Posted on 11/30/2006 2:41:26 PM PST by neverdem
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives wastes no sympathy on defeated members. So at the beginning of this week, Jim Leach of Iowa sat in an office almost devoid of furniture, the walls stripped bare of the mementos of his 30 years of service — with just a few hours remaining before the painters moved in to prepare his domain for its new occupant.
Leach, who once had been chairman of the Banking and Financial Services Committee, would have been in line to head the Committee on International Relations in the next Congress, had Republicans maintained their majority and had he been re-elected.
But he lost, 51 percent to 48 percent, to college professor David Loebsack, as Democrats won top-to-bottom victories in Iowa earlier this month.
Leach, noted for his independence, was the only Iowa legislator to oppose going to war in Iraq. That kind of record helped him prevail in past races despite his heavily Democratic district, which gave a higher percentage of its presidential vote to John Kerry than any other district held by a Republican.
But this year, two special factors helped tip the balance against him. First, he became a target for crafting the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which passed Congress as part of a larger bill in October and was signed into law just before the election.
The Poker Players Alliance, which had fought the measure banning banks and credit card companies from servicing Internet gambling firms, targeted Leach and other sponsors with e-mails to its members and publicity in poker magazines. A post-election survey paid for by the gambling group found a net 5 percent swing against Leach attributable to that issue.
John Pappas, the spokesman for the alliance, said it is putting together a presentation for the new members of Congress using...
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
I wonder how many other pubbies lost because of this foolish nanny statism?
nanny state ping
"crafting the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act"
What a piece of refuse that is. Glad he's gone.
We still can't drill in ANWR or off the coast. The money we spend to keep our gas tanks full still filters down to the madrassas.
The Pubs deserved defeat.
Maybe it's foolish, but I think being able to gamble that way from the comfort of your home could be pretty risky for those who are addicted to gambling. I enjoy gambling, but I would never want to do it from my home, it's too easy, too convenient, and with the annonymity the internet provides, you don't know whether it's fixed or not.
Proof that stupidity is occasionally punished.
He lost for the same reason all the others lost. Conservatives tired of outright traitors stayed home on election day.
In one to two more cycles, it will go back GOP again. Iowa has long been known for sending an all GOP Delegation with exceptions from time to time.
When you abandon or abuse or take for granted your base, you lose.
Good riddence.
Good point, but not one in favor of having governments regulate this activity. Addiction is its own punishment.
Good riddance to a RINO, Leech (sic).
Internet gambling is an extremely stupid issue for people to base their votes on, given all the truly big stuff Congress deals with, or doesn't deal with. Jim Leach will not be missed, however -- by any real Republicans.
"Maybe it's foolish, but I think being able to gamble that way from the comfort of your home could be pretty risky for those who are addicted to gambling."
Lots of things are unsafe --- what we eat, drink, do.
Do you REALLY want Washington telling you what you can and cannot do in your own home --- FOR YOUR OWN GOOD?
Heck, reading the Bible cause intolerance! We must put a stop to that!
Congressional Wildlife Update:
Black RINO (extinct)
White RINO (endangered)
Keep it up, hunters! Only a few of them left.
The Elite Rino is the top prize! Plenty of them around.
Typical Republicans, they don't have the guts to even do this right. That right there just highlighted how pathetic & gutless Republicans are when it comes to politics.
Yeah. He lost because he opposed internet gambling. Uh huh. Couldn't have anything to do with his opposition to the war or anything, could it?
Moron. Or maybe I should have said "moran" since spelling is beyond you as well as thinking.
What a tool...now an unemployed tool!
Opposed the war...
Authored an internet gambling bill...
A republican...
See, that's why I'm an independent!
GSD
"A post-election survey paid for by the gambling group found a net 5 percent swing against Leach attributable to that issue."
IIRC, the margin was 3%. Was his opponent for the war?
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.