Is Harry Reid A Pig, Or Is It Just Me?

Mr. Harry Reid has been too busy to assist the repeal of DADT.  And I can see why.


My friend Michael Isikoff writes: Sen. Harry Reid, the majority leader from Nevada, is pushing ahead with his efforts to legalize Internet poker before Congress adjourns this year, despite new criticism from state lottery officials, including a former Democratic National Committee chairman, that Reid's plan was an “outrageous” reward for big Las Vegas casino interests that heavily backed his campaign for re-election.


After declining to comment for nearly a week, Reid’s office released his first public statement on the matter late Thursday, saying his proposal would bring in new tax revenue and “protect U.S. consumers” by allowing “reputable operators with proven track records” to offer poker over the Internet to American card players.


But in the last few days, Reid’s efforts have triggered a storm of criticism from state lottery directors, Indians tribes and others who say the Senate majority leader’s last minute effort would freeze them out of the action, while benefiting big Las Vegas casino operators — such as Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International — that heavily backed Reid in his recent successful campaign for re-election.


As noted by NBC News and others in recent days, two of the biggest potential beneficiaries of the Reid proposal would be MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrah’s.) Both firms heavily backed Reid’s re-election, spending more than $650,000, including $300,000 that was pumped into Patriot Majority PAC, a so-called “super PAC” set up by a former Reid communications director that ran attack ads against Sharron Angle, Reid’s Republican opponent. Caesars/Harrahs, according to critics, would be particularly well advantaged to move into the online Poker market because the casino already hosts the “World Series of Poker.”
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