I will get to speak to Goodlatte one-on-one tomorrow. Help prep me.

[Karak567]

Please. I'll take anything you guys got.

I have a friend who is well connected and said he can get me the opportunity to talk to Goodlatte about the gambling legislation 1-on-1 tomorrow at a fundraiser.

What should I be bringing into that (probably brief) conversation with me? Questions?

[SlapPappy]

Waste of time.

[Karak567]

[ QUOTE ]
Whatta waste of time.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think finding out what motivates the party I belong to is nothing close to a waste of time. This conversation might decide whether I stay Republican or not.

[LeapFrog]

[ QUOTE ]
This conversation might decide whether I stay Republican or not.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let him know exactly that -- hopefully this will help him see that this is a serious enough issue for people that they are considering jumping ship over it.

[FatalError]

focus on the carveouts for horse racing and stuff something like

"If the moral agenda of the american people is served by banning internet gambling, why are you carving out horse racing when it is just as addictive and destructive as any other form of gambling"

i think thats the answer a lot of people want to hear, the obvious answer is "they put a lot of money in our pockets" but poking holes in his [censored] answer should be amusing

[RonMexico]

Tell him you are a firm believer of "Click mouse, lose house." Sell your no-good Christian moral position really well and see if his body language agrees or is actually repulsed by the notion. Sounds like a win for you since you won't be moving him off his position anyway. A real read on him would be much more gratifying than a [censored] form letter response.

[hollaballa]

I would zero in on the carve outs. Explaining horse racing is one of the most degenerate forms of gambling there is.

And also, if you could tell him I'd like for him to go [censored] himself, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[iponnet]

get in striking range from behind and ......

[Petomane]

Bring up the numbers - 23 million Americans enjoyed online poker. Why piss them off? They're seriously angry, especially the ones with money stuck in Neteller.

D'Amato made a very good point in an interview - the UIGEA discriminates against homebound and disabled people. You can only play poker if you're ambulatory. People who can't get out of the house can't enjoy poker.

I wouldn't bring up the fact that what goes on in cyberspace is not the government's business or jurisdiction, providing it's not doing harm. It's just not theirs to rule on. Lest they forget, oppressive laws brought about the Boston Tea Party. It can happen again.

[Jay Cohen]

Feel free to go here:

http://www.onlinegamblingmythsandfacts.com/

to brush up on the BS arguments he may throw at you.

Also, mention the Antigua-WTO case and watch his blood boil.

If you could lead with Free Trade and then back into the Antigua-WTO case that would be great since I think he fancies himself a "free trader." He's ranking member of some agricultural sub-committee with constituents that benefit from the WTO.

[Skallagrim]

Recognize you are not going to convince this man to change his public position in a few moments of conversation. So make your point and move on. And speak from the heart. I completely agree that telling him this issue makes you rethink being a republican will get his attention. Then say, "and you know what really burns me is the carveouts, they violate free trade agreements AND THEY DIDNT INCLUDE THE GREAT AMERICAN GAME OF POKER! Fantasy sports but no poker? Will you do anything to get poker players back to the republican party?"

He might at least get a little less vocal about Rep. Franks carveout for poker.

Just my thoughts.

Skallagrim

[Keyser.]

My guess is that he doesn't give a [censored] about whether or not poker is legal/illegal; he is just interested in doing things that are good for his party. So, talk about why you think the poker ban is bad for the party and ignore all the other stuff about carveouts (which were made b/c they were good for the party) and our freedoms and all that BS that he doesn't care about. Don't come off like an activist. Try to come off like a loyal Republican who is troubled by the legislation, not so much on an ideological "the government shouldn't take away our freedom to gamble" level, but rather as a "this legislation is bad for us Republicans" level.

[WordWhiz]

Ask him if he agrees with Ronald Reagan when he said "I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves."

[Nate tha\\\' Great]

IMO, by far the most helpful thing you could do is to get a sense for what sorts of legislation he would and would not support, specifically including things like a poker carveout, a study bill, and various schemes to tax and regulate the industry. Focus on the future, not on the past.

[ubercuber]

[ QUOTE ]
My guess is that he doesn't give a [censored] about whether or not poker is legal/illegal; he is just interested in doing things that are good for his party. So, talk about why you think the poker ban is bad for the party and ignore all the other stuff about carveouts (which were made b/c they were good for the party) and our freedoms and all that BS that he doesn't care about. Don't come off like an activist. Try to come off like a loyal Republican who is troubled by the legislation, not so much on an ideological "the government shouldn't take away our freedom to gamble" level, but rather as a "this legislation is bad for us Republicans" level.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. This approach has you on the same side with a common goal,a solid strategy. See Iowa.

[jlkrusty]

I agree with those who are suggesting you focus on how this is hurting the republican party. Politicians listen to money and votes (and usually in that order). Moral arguments are just not as high a priority.

For myself, I have voted mostly republican all of my life--at least up until last November. For the first time in my life, I did not vote for a single republican last November. So, when you talk to him about your thoughts of jumping ship, let him know that you are not alone and know many others who are doing the same.

[BGnight]

Just kick him in the nuts while you have the chance.

[Uglyowl]

[ QUOTE ]
D'Amato made a very good point in an interview - the UIGEA discriminates against homebound and disabled people. You can only play poker if you're ambulatory. People who can't get out of the house can't enjoy poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really like this point, although I don't know how (or even if) it should be mentioned. Most politicians seem out of touch with the common man. I could see Bob Goodlatte thinking that the good he is doing is outweighs "inconveniencing" some people.

Not only disabled, but some people who are fighting an illness (i.e. cancer) and unable to be in crowds due to fatigue and weakened immune system from treatment.

Family values! Online poker allows me to play the game I love and stay home with my children. Instead of hiring baby sitters to go to a casino to play, I am able to play after he goes to sleep and be available if he needs me.

Gas prices very high... expensive to travel to places "government says is ok" for alot people.

Above all though, a good number of Americans love to play online poker and almost all do it responsibly.

[LeapFrog]

Noticed a thread in BBV or somewhere in which you were debating attending a study group or meeting Goodlattle. I hope you made the correct choice and will have a trip report for us /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Karak567]

[ QUOTE ]
Noticed a thread in BBV or somewhere in which you were debating attending a study group or meeting Goodlattle. I hope you made the correct choice and will have a trip report for us /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Went to the study group, sorry :-(. I HAD to go to this prof's office hours... this test is a really big deal.

HOWEVER

I will certainly get another chance at this in 6 days when Newt comes to speak here. I'll let you guys know then.

[LeapFrog]

[ QUOTE ]

I will certainly get another chance at this in 6 days when Newt comes to speak here. I'll let you guys know then.

[/ QUOTE ]

Alright, you are forgiven. Gl on the test btw.

[frommagio]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Noticed a thread in BBV or somewhere in which you were debating attending a study group or meeting Goodlattle. I hope you made the correct choice and will have a trip report for us /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Went to the study group, sorry :-(. I HAD to go to this prof's office hours... this test is a really big deal.

HOWEVER

I will certainly get another chance at this in 6 days when Newt comes to speak here. I'll let you guys know then.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would be very curious about what Newt has to say about this. He's a hard guy to pigeonhole.