Ron Paul, The Florida Primary and Gambling

[RobWin]

Ron Paul, The Florida Primary and Gambling


Gambling 911
Thursday January 24, 2008


Ron Paul came in second in Nevada for a reason and perhaps that reason isn't clear to a lot of people. Gambling911.com has extensively covered the Texas Congressman's stance on gambling over the Internet and his desire to make online poker legal in the US. What the mainstream media seemingly has lost sight of is that many online poker players reside in and around Las Vegas and Reno. Some of the most respected pros live here. Vegas has come to realize that online gambling compliments the land based juggernauts. Playing poker and other online casino games over the Web increases one's desire to visit the ultimate gambling destinations (an adult equivalent of Disney World). Vegas is also home to the World Series of Poker, thus further increasing its appeal to pros whose life time winnings often rank in the millions.

Of course, Ron Paul is also cited among the top choices for President of the United States when it comes to someone capable of fixing the nation's deteriorating economy. He and Mitt Romney were considered the top two Republicans experienced enough among Nevada voters during last weekend's Caucus entrance polls; Romney for his vast business background, Paul as the noteworthy "economist".

For Florida voters, these same issues have the potential to thrust Paul into contention (though his name is hardly mentioned when discussing the upcoming Florida Republican Primary).

In regard to gambling, a proposal to install slot machines in three local Miami-Dade parimutuels is up for vote next Tuesday. The pro-gambling ads are running all over local television stations.

The Sun-Sentinel reports that the slots vote could spread beyond South Florida.

"When Miami-Dade County voters decide Jan. 29 whether to join Broward voters in allowing Las Vegas-style slot machines into their three ailing pari-mutuels, they may be the last Floridians to have that choice.

"Or, they may be leading a stampede, showing the way for the Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club, Melbourne Greyhound Park, Daytona Beach Kennel Club and the 16 other pari-mutuels outside of South Florida to reach for the same life preserver.

"Roll the dice because predicting what will happen in the new age of gaming now dawning in Florida is a crap shoot. Nobody knows for sure what numbers will come up."

One thing is known about Florida, there is a very high concentration of gamblers in the state, especially in South Florida where the Seminole Nation's three-year old Hard Rock Casino and Hotel has proven a huge success in the region.

Gambling911.com reporter, Tyrone Black, had an opportunity to check out the Hard Rock Casino this past Monday.

"It's like a mini-city," he said. "I believe that the Hard Rock will likely sway people towards voting for gambling. Speaking with people in South Florida and visiting the casino, it is obvious there has been a tremendous boost to the local economy as a result."

Employees must obtain work papers to become part of the Hard Rock family since it is run by the Seminole Nation and enjoys separate laws from that of Florida. It's also an attractive option for residence who have practically zero rights under the state's misleadingly named "Right to Work" laws.

"They should rename it the 'Right to Terminate' law," said one Hard Rock employee. "Florida employers can fire anyone at will for no reason, even people who have worked at the company for more than 10 years. State employees have no protection. The unions do not operate in Florida."

The Seminole Nation works under a "three oral warning, three written warning" policy. And don't think for a second that the resort exclusively employs Seminole Indians. We saw not-a-one!

The resort instead employs thousands of local Florida citizens from all races and religions living within Dade and Broward Counties. Its presence in the community cannot be overemphasized.

Ron Paul would do well to capitalize on this aspect of South Florida, but even more so, he should focus heavily on his economic stance.

Florida, like Nevada, has been hit hard by the nation's housing bust. Tax issues are at the top of the list for residents concerns.

The numbers don't lie. After Mitt Romney, Paul pulled in the most votes in each county of Nevada. Whether the same can hold true in the Florida Republican Primary remains to be seen. Miami and Naples appear to have the same demographics as Las Vegas. Move further North and Florida becomes very much entrenched in the Bible Belt (Jacksonville north and westward).

And while the numbers don't lie....the polls sometimes do. Polls have Ron Paul trailing in Florida, but the Congressman's supporters managed to raise just under $2 million in a single day on Monday, thus prolonging his bid for the Republican nomination well past the Florida primaries. The polls also showed Ron Paul last in Nevada. We know what happened there.

Gambling911.com's own intrepid reporter, Jennifer Reynolds, has rallied to have a Ron Paul sign erected on the Miami Beach home base overlooking the city's most traveled roadway, Collins Avenue.

Paul has yet to win a primary but his second place finish in the Nevada Caucus followed by his second place in yesterday’s Louisiana Caucus has boosted his campaign. The idea of a possible brokered convention has many in the GOP taking a second look at Paul, according to Marty Eels of USADaily.com

[Professor]

While we all appreciate Mr. Paul's stance on online gambling its patently silly to believe has any real chance of being elected.

Ron Paul received 3% of the vote in the Florida Primaries and was barely ahead of Fred Thompson who every one assumed had already pulled out.

Mainstream Republicans wont vote for Ron Paul no matter how much we wish it were true. He's not a far right wing nut so that eliminates him in their eyes straight off the bat.

[RobWin]

While we all appreciate Mr. Paul's stance on online gambling its patently silly to believe has any real chance of being elected.

Ron Paul received 3% of the vote in the Florida Primaries and was barely ahead of Fred Thompson who every one assumed had already pulled out.

Mainstream Republicans wont vote for Ron Paul no matter how much we wish it were true. He's not a far right wing nut so that eliminates him in their eyes straight off the bat.

I totally agree with your talking points there Professor, and I also wish it were true, I'm still going to vote for him though on Feb. 5th in a last glimmer of hope that he might get a worthwhile populous vote on that day.

I think he would be a great change for this country but the far right wing of the party and the mass media has definitely not wanted to even acknowledge him at all.

Obama actually made a great statement regarding Hope as he put it:

“But what I also know is this: that nothing worthwhile in this country has ever happened except (when) somebody decided to hope…. There’s a moment in the life of every generation when that spirit of yes, we can, that hopeful spirit has to come through, when we cast aside the fear and the doubt and decide we're going to shoot for something better,”

[GGW Laurie]

While we all appreciate Mr. Paul's stance on online gambling its patently silly to believe has any real chance of being elected.

Ron Paul received 3% of the vote in the Florida Primaries and was barely ahead of Fred Thompson who every one assumed had already pulled out.

Mainstream Republicans wont vote for Ron Paul no matter how much we wish it were true. He's not a far right wing nut so that eliminates him in their eyes straight off the bat.

I totally agree with your talking points there Professor, and I also wish it were true, I'm still going to vote for him though on Feb. 5th in a last glimmer of hope that he might get a worthwhile populous vote on that day.

I think he would be a great change for this country but the far right wing of the party and the mass media has definitely not wanted to even acknowledge him at all.

Obama actually made a great statement regarding Hope as he put it:

“But what I also know is this: that nothing worthwhile in this country has ever happened except (when) somebody decided to hope…. There’s a moment in the life of every generation when that spirit of yes, we can, that hopeful spirit has to come through, when we cast aside the fear and the doubt and decide we're going to shoot for something better,”

...i watched the republican debate and i have read everything you have sent me the link to on rep.paul , i like alot of issues he is for, but i still think my vote is going to be a toss up between huckabee and mccain. but hey thats just me, one vote one person and thats what we need to do as a country is to get those out there that like to bitch about the goverment, REGISTERED and VOTING,alot of people dont think that thier vote counts but it does it lets your voice be heard!!!.............................laurie....... ..(registered voter)

[RobWin]

...i watched the republican debate and i have read everything you have sent me the link to on rep.paul , i like alot of issues he is for, but i still think my vote is going to be a toss up between huckabee and mccain. but hey thats just me, one vote one person and thats what we need to do as a country is to get those out there that like to bitch about the goverment, REGISTERED and VOTING,alot of people dont think that thier vote counts but it does it lets your voice be heard!!!.............................laurie....... ..(registered voter)

I definitely agree with you Laurie that getting everyone registered and voting is the ultimate goal and I appreciate you reading the material on Dr. Paul..

On another note if your choice is a toss up between Huckabee and Mccain, I would try to sway you to cast your vote for Huckabee then for the simple reason that he wants to get rid of the IRS.... He would definitely get my vote if it were not for Dr. Paul...JMHO

[SlotsWizard]

Due to the lack of anything else on TV at the time, I actually watched the republican debate last night. Of the four contenders, Ron Paul is just too unelectable.

He also appears to have some sort of nervous speech problem. A couple of questions he didn't even answer, he just went off on a tangent about the falling value of the dollar. I don't know. He just doesn't have "it" - he's more like a crochety grandfather than a presidential candidate.

[Mousey]

My only reply to the 'every vote counts' is... in the end (Nov.) it all comes down to electorial votes. (Which I think should be abolished, btw.) I think the primaries are too important, and that too many people skip voting in their primary and wait until Nov.

Sadly, I also think that, come Nov., I will (yet again) have to make a choice between the lesser of 2 (or 3) evils rather than voting for someone I truly support. And I think that stinks.

[lots0]

Sadly, I also think that, come Nov., I will (yet again) have to make a choice between the lesser of 2 (or 3) evils rather than voting for someone I truly support. And I think that stinks.

I could not agree more.

I do like Ron Paul's position, we as country NEED to return to the Constitution.

The Constitution's only reason for being is to protect us from bad and evil government... Maybe thats why the current administration and current Congress works so hard to subvert and ignore the Constitution.

It is too bad that Ron Paul is not handsome and not very polished public speaker, if he were the Rep primary would be a very interesting race.

You all know Nader is looking to enter the general election as well as the ultra wealthy Bloomburg.

One thing for sure... This gonna be a General Election to remember.

[RobWin]

Due to the lack of anything else on TV at the time, I actually watched the republican debate last night. Of the four contenders, Ron Paul is just too unelectable.

He also appears to have some sort of nervous speech problem. A couple of questions he didn't even answer, he just went off on a tangent about the falling value of the dollar. I don't know. He just doesn't have "it" - he's more like a crochety grandfather than a presidential candidate.

That's the kind of thinking that for sure will not get him elected...you want a refined pretty boy in the position or someone that actually knows what they are talking about and knows how to fix our failing economy ?

I'll be the first to admit he is not as polished around the edges as the other candidates are but if you have noticed in any of the debates that none of them want to ask him a question about the economy either! He answered the questions, but those guys are just not smart enough to comprehend the answer. Did you see the previous debate where Dr. Paul asked McCain the question about the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets...

McCain had a look on his face like the same one you see on a school kid when the teacher quizzes him on homework he hasn’t done when Ron Paul asked him for his thoughts on the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets. Hell, McCain didn't even know what it was and just listen to his answer...

"I, as president, like every other president, rely primarily on my secretary of the Treasury,"....he begins, apparently unaware that the secretary of the Treasury is also the chairman of the secretive President's Working Group on Financial Markets...Idiot !

Sounds to me like McCain is putting too much trust in advisers and hardly aware of what powers an organization like the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets and he would give open reins and wide latitude to his Treasury Secretary to meddle in the economy....

Dr. Paul knows more about the Federal Reserve, Central Banking and the IMF than all the rest of those guys put together. He could definitely get our economy straightened out. What he talks about a lot that makes so much sense is the fact that our dollar is just printed out of thin air now, nothing backs it up anymore ever since Nixon took the country off of the Gold Standard. Here's a question for you guys...

What happened to all the Gold that used to be stored at Fort Knox ?

[lots0]

What happened to all the Gold that used to be stored at Fort Knox ?

Well thats an easy one... It's all sitting in Banks in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.