The Poker Lab Rat

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., tried to attach an Internet gambling ban to a defense bill last week but was rebuffed by two powerful senators, congressional sources said Monday.

Frist approached Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and asked him to add an Internet gambling ban to a defense authorization bill, according to congressional staffers who requested anonymity.

But after checking with Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the committee, Warner rejected the idea because an online wagering ban would not be relevant to defense legislation.

A source close to Frist confirmed the majority leader made the proposal to Warner, but declined to elaborate.

After hearing of Frist’s proposal, Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., sent Warner a letter urging him to reject any amendment that would ban online betting.

“We must not use this important (defense) bill as a convenient vehicle for political pet issues such as a ban on Internet gaming,” Berkley said.

Despite the setback, advocates said GOP leaders will keep trying to add an online wagering prohibition to must-pass legislation until Congress adjourns this year.  

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We say :

This is noting more than a self serving political attempt by the GOP as they desperately try to generate some positive press for themselves in rural heartland America.

The GOP is going to lose control of the senate this year - as they are significantly out of touch with the American people - and it’s not soon enough !!