The Man of Virtues Has a Vice (Bill Bennett gambles)

Newsweek ^ | 1/2/03 | Jonathan Alter and Joshua Green

[Callahan]

May 2 — In his best-selling anthology, “The Book of Virtues,” William J. Bennett writes: “We should know that too much of anything, even a good thing, may prove to be our undoing…[We] need to set definite boundaries on our appetites.”

DOES BENNETT? The popular author, lecturer and Republican Party activist speaks out, often indignantly, about almost every moral issue except one-gambling. It’s not hard to see why. According to casino documents, Bennett is a “preferred customer” in at least four venues in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, betting millions of dollars over the last decade. His games of choice: video poker and slot machines, some at $500 a pull. With a revolving line of credit of at least $200,000 at each casino, Bennett, former drug czar and Secretary of Education under Presidents Reagan and Bush, doesn’t have to bring money when he shows up at a casino.

(link for full article)

[discostu]

The horror, Bill Bennett legally gambles and doesn't even hypocritically rail against gambling! Imagine the gaul of that man.

[k2blader]

Bennett has to know that speaking out about morals is going to make him a target for the left-wing hypocrisy police.

Yep.

I'm sure there are alot of disappointed Democrats wishing he got caught with a naked Girl Scout.

Haa!!

And after their disappointment, they'd feel envy.

[GOPrincess]

I'm flummoxed by this. On the one hand, I'm thinking to myself that if he can afford it, so what, none of my business, although I question the wisdom of spending large amounts of money on this pastime.

On the other hand, as someone who deeply admires Bennett (in fact, coincidentally I recently decided to use his company's homeschool curriculum next fall), this kind of knocked me for a loop. I'd feel the same surprise if I learned today that the President gambles regularly.

Bennett has been such a consistent and articulate voice for moral clarity, better education, etc. I'm concerned that this could damage his standing as a spokesman for conservative values.

[PISANO]

It is NOT immoral to GAMBLE. Ridiculous accusations. Until or unless he loses his fortune, his house and his family it is of no concern that he plays slot machines.

[RAT Patrol]

If this is true, I am sad to hear it. I hope he stops.

[Mr. Mojo]

It's just stupid to do the slots. And his reputation is based upon not being stupid.

I've only played the slots once. ...and lost miserably. It seems the only people who win at those things are pushing 90 years old.

[bedolido]

"It is NOT immoral to GAMBLE. Ridiculous accusations. Until or unless he loses his fortune, his house and his family it is of no"

I agree. everything in moderation.

[ECM]

...having sex before marriage is somehow "immoral."

Uh, if you're Catholic (as I believe Mr.Bennett is) it is.

[discostu]

Why would the world be a bad place if everybody was responsible enough in cleaning up their debt to earn a 200K revolving credit line in Atlantic City? Sounds to me like he has legal fun and pays his bills when he's done.

[hchutch]

His gambling is not a problem, though. Yeah, the stakes go high, but he can play high-stakes games.

No big deal.

[RAT Patrol]

I have a vice too. I'm eating my second bag today of peanut M&Ms.

LOL. You are my kind of FReeper!

[TC Rider]

I feel for Bennet. He's probably hooked. Video poker and slots are for suckers.

I'm guessing that there are casino brass going ballistic over this.

It pretty much kills the latest Vegas ad campaign, "What happens here, stays here."

Whoever leaked this will probably never work in a casino again.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

The wife used to play low buyin Texas Hold'em tournaments. I never thought she would stand a chance with those 20 ring game (10 & 11 players) tables vying to be at the final table. She made it seven out of 20 times and won the brass ring twice.

I tried to get her to go full time, but she said she just got sick of the whole scene and quit altogether.

[Lord_Baltar]

PLEASE, Do NOT equate Bill Bennet with Sept 11th. Just don't...

[Warhead W-88]

Sorry for the cuss.

I'm just flabbergasted, though.

This is what they've got?

That Bill Bennet, a three of clubs in the Republican Most Wanted Deck, indulges in legal behavior which is viewed as immoral by some and as an innocuous wink-wink venal sin by most others?

THIS is what they're pedddling?

[Billthedrill]

The popular author, lecturer and Republican Party activist speaks out, often indignantly, about almost every moral issue except one-gambling.

I'm not entirely sure I understand what the problem is here. If he has refrained from pontificating on gambling, how does his gambling make him a hypocrite?

[CA Conservative]

I hope he can get some help.

You seem to be assuming it is an addiction for him. This article does not indicate that. While it is hard for us to imagine losing millions of dollars over the years to gambling, unless it was a sickness, that has more to do with the fact that we don't HAVE millions of dollars to lose.

According to this article, there is no indication that he ever gambled more than he could afford to lose, and hes family has never been deprived of anything because of this. I personally think it is a waste of money, but it is his money to waste. One of the benefits of the free-enterprise system!

[RAT Patrol]

Maybe he should just say that he is participating in voluntary taxation "for the children" or something. LOL

Actually, I hope he is embarrassed by this exposure and quits. That's doesn't make anything he's said in the past false. Truth is truth, regardless of the messenger.