Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

FWIW, I just called Frist's office, fumbled my through telling him that I am against what Frist is doing pushing the gambling ban. He said, "Well it looks like that isn't going to happen anymore, but I'll tell him you called."

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
FWIW, I just called Frist's office, fumbled my through telling him that I am against what Frist is doing pushing the gambling ban. He said, "Well it looks like that isn't going to happen anymore, but I'll tell him you called."

[/ QUOTE ]

Well that's rather huge.

I will now be soundly chastised by Mr. K for getting excited.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

He seemed pretty young, and I was kind of vague, just saying I was against Frist pushing for the ban. I didn't specify the DoD bill particularly. But I assume the aide's response was to the DoD bill situation. Even if it is true, according to the knowledgable posters on this issue, Frist or others will try again with other bills. So, no matter what, we have to keep on our toes and keep making our voices heard.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]


I will now be soundly chastised by Mr. K for getting excited.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yea, and maybe someone else will call you a spammer [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
FWIW, I just called Frist's office, fumbled my through telling him that I am against what Frist is doing pushing the gambling ban. He said, "Well it looks like that isn't going to happen anymore, but I'll tell him you called."

[/ QUOTE ]

i really hope you're not [censored] with us.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

Well if that aide was Eric Ueland (Frist's Chief of Staff)or Dave Schiappa (his "consiglieri" on the floor), then I'd take it to the bank. If it wasn't either of those guys, then you're likely operating on decent, but certainly not conclusive info. Thanks for posting, though -- this is newsworthy and a positive sign.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


I will now be soundly chastised by Mr. K for getting excited.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yea, and maybe someone else will call you a spammer [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Hahaha lol, awesome reference.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

The people that answer phones are staff assistants and interns with no true policy decision.

I'd be absolutely shocked if they knew something that was for sure.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

If after all the ups and downs in the pace of my heartbeat with good news and bad news, if anything goes wrong now I'll need a "Frist aide kit". [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]

If after all the ups and downs in the pace of my heartbeat with good news and bad news, if anything goes wrong now I'll need a "Frist aide kit". [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

If after all the ups and downs in the pace of my heartbeat with good news and bad news, if anything goes wrong now I'll need a "Frist aide kit". [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually find that to be quite humorous, and your mad face enhances it.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

If after all the ups and downs in the pace of my heartbeat with good news and bad news, if anything goes wrong now I'll need a "Frist aide kit". [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually find that to be quite humorous, and your mad face enhances it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought it was pretty meh, until I saw the mad face, then I LOLed.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

If after all the ups and downs in the pace of my heartbeat with good news and bad news, if anything goes wrong now I'll need a "Frist aide kit". [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I actually find that to be quite humorous, and your mad face enhances it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought it was pretty meh, until I saw the mad face, then I LOLed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is there anything better on the interweb, pixel for pixel, than a twoplustwo emoticon? [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

Internet Gambling Legislation Dead For Now
written September 25, 2006

The National Right for Online Gaming (NROG) confirmed early today that Senator Bill Frist’s attempt to push through an online gambling ban before Congress breaks for elections has failed and no more action will be taken in the coming days. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the Senator told NROG that “the efforts, including an attempt to attach to the DoD bill, have failed and he (Frist) will not be moving forward with gambling legislation before elections.” Congress will return for a “lame duck” session in mid-November where this issue may take center stage again. “The Senator has made Internet Gambling a priority before he exits the Senate and I will confirm that he is actively searching for a way to succeed.”

http://www.eog.com/news/industry.aspx?id=8460

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

Unfortunately, this is not news, as EOG's source (NROG) said this in this forum earlier today. Somewhat encouraging, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
Congress will return for a “lame duck” session in mid-November where this issue may take center stage again. “The Senator has made Internet Gambling a priority before he exits the Senate and I will confirm that he is actively searching for a way to succeed.”

[/ QUOTE ]

I sincerely don't mean to be a killjoy, but this is really bad news. Like I mentioned in another thread, I fear Frist will have a vastly easier time getting this attached to some other piece of legislation than he did with the DoD bill. We got lucky on this one in that some of the more powerful members in the conference were staunchly opposed to unrelated riders, but it's going to be tougher sledding when a lame duck session considers something more pork-filled with all sort of other miscellaneous stuff attached.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately, this is not news, as EOG's source (NROG) said this in this forum earlier today. Somewhat encouraging, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, I'm not sure I find it encouraging.

“The Senator has made Internet Gambling a priority before he exits the Senate and I will confirm that he is actively searching for a way to succeed.”

[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

I don't understand why Frist is pushing so hard on this issue. I know there has been some speculation about a presidential run and how this could be touted as a moral victory, but wouldn't Frist want to use his final days in congress pushing for more meaningful legislation? Why internet gambling? Has gambling become a pet issue for him? Does he owe someone a favor?

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

Do you mean "this is bad news; I would prefer they attach it to the DoD bill and pass it now." ?

What exactly were you expecting in terms of good news?

It seems to me that living to fight another day is the best one can hope for, given our constraints. That can't be bad news.

[img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Congress will return for a “lame duck” session in mid-November where this issue may take center stage again. “The Senator has made Internet Gambling a priority before he exits the Senate and I will confirm that he is actively searching for a way to succeed.”

[/ QUOTE ]

I sincerely don't mean to be a killjoy, but this is really bad news. Like I mentioned in another thread, I fear Frist will have a vastly easier time getting this attached to some other piece of legislation than he did with the DoD bill. We got lucky on this one in that some of the more powerful members in the conference were staunchly opposed to unrelated riders, but it's going to be tougher sledding when a lame duck session considers something more pork-filled with all sort of other miscellaneous stuff attached.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, we will see. One thing that Tim Curran (editor of Roll Call) speculated about when I saw him on C-SPAN today is that if the Democrats take over in one or both chambers, they could simply fillibuster everything, pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through January, and take everything up again in the next Congress. Absent that, I think it goes without saying that the work of lobbyists is going to be very important in the next 6-8 weeks. There are certainly a lot of political favors handed out in lame duck sessions and omnibus spending bills, but sometimes these favors are to corporoate interests rather than constituents. I suspect that if the gaming and banking lobbies (no offense to grass-roots groups like NROG, but I'm thinking AGA/ABA here) really want to stop this then they have a good chance of doing so.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

NROG originally said in the other thread that, while Frist will continue to push during the lame duck session, he is unlikely to succeed.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
NROG originally said in the other thread that, while Frist will continue to push during the lame duck session, he is unlikely to succeed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Big picture, there are basically three ways that we can "win" the lame duck session.

1. Frist just doesn't bother because of some combination of the following:

a. He's demoralized/discredited after a loss in the midterms.
b. He gets too much negative feedback from lobbying groups.
c. He identifies other pet issues that will buy him more votes with less political capital expended.
d. He didn't care that much to begin with and was really just posturing.

2. Frist tries, but is rebuffed by interests on the Senate Appropriations Committee, e.g. Harry Reid.

3. Democrats take over and hold everything up, or otherwise insist on keeping non-germane [censored] to a minimum.

A fourth way we can win, I suppose, is if favorable bill langauge is inserted, e.g. "credit cards only" or "study". If I were a lobbying interest here, I would be spending at least some fraction of my time exploring that outcome.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

nate thanks for all the great updates. along with berge and mr.k you guys have done an unbelievable job keeping us up to date. with all the new information that has come out in the last 24 hours, i'm wondering what you think the current % chance of some online gambling law passes before the 109th congress adjourns. (i realize it may just be rank speculation or a guess, but it is a much more informed estimate than i could make.)

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

Anyone know the chances of the Dems taking the lead?

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know the chances of the Dems taking the lead?

[/ QUOTE ]

If the Dems can't take control of the House this year, I don't see how they will ever get control.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know the chances of the Dems taking the lead?

[/ QUOTE ]

According to Tradesports, House - 43%, Senate - 18%.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

i'd google the cook political report to see the races and who they think will win. this should give you an more exact idea, but from what i've heard is that the house will go +/- 5 in either direction and that the republicans should maintain control of the senate by 1 or 2 seats.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
nate thanks for all the great updates. along with berge and mr.k you guys have done an unbelievable job keeping us up to date. with all the new information that has come out in the last 24 hours, i'm wondering what you think the current % chance of some online gambling law passes before the 109th congress adjourns. (i realize it may just be rank speculation or a guess, but it is a much more informed estimate than i could make.)

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know. I think these estimates were much easier to make back when it was a game of holds and the amount of time left in the session. Now it all comes down to discussions in smoke-filled rooms, and it's much harder for an outsider to make an informed estimate.

The Tradesports contract last traded at 17.7%. There were times when I thought that contract was clearly too high or too low, and I don't think it's clearly too high or too low right now. I guess I'd feel more comfortable saying that the probability is somewhere between 5% and 35%, and that whether it edges toward the greater number or the lesser one is fairly strongly dependant on what happens in the midterms.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know the chances of the Dems taking the lead?

[/ QUOTE ]

GOP has a 29 seat lead in the House, and a 5 lead in the Senate (Independents caucus with Dems)

So Dems need to go +15 in the House and +6 in the Senate

House- The only prediction I can find is by Larry Sabato who says Dems will get +12-15.

Senate-Sabato says +3-6 for Dems.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

According to www.electoral-vote.com, which is a conglomeration of recent polling data, its real close. The projected Congress is:

Senate: Dems 50, GOP 50 (GOP winning the tiebreak)
House: Dems 216, GOP 218, 1 tie

Quick plug for the Dems

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
According to www.electoral-vote.com, which is a conglomeration of recent polling data, its real close. The projected Congress is:

Senate: Dems 50, GOP 50 (GOP winning the tiebreak)
House: Dems 216, GOP 218, 1 tie

Quick plug for the Dems

[/ QUOTE ]

If Lieberman wins, is he going to call himself a democrat?

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

Yes. Lieberman is counted as a Democrat for purposes of these assessments. If he won, he would almost certainly vote with the Dems for purposes of picking the majority leader and my guess is, he would reaffiliate himself with the Democratic Party.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
According to www.electoral-vote.com, which is a conglomeration of recent polling data, its real close. The projected Congress is:

Senate: Dems 50, GOP 50 (GOP winning the tiebreak)
House: Dems 216, GOP 218, 1 tie

Quick plug for the Dems

[/ QUOTE ]

If Lieberman wins, is he going to call himself a democrat?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably not, but he would caucus with the Democrats, meaning that he would count for them for purposes of determining chamber leadership. The same is true for Bernie Sanders in Vermont, who will get elected as an independent.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

Elections will be up in the air til the votes are counted. Only thing for sure (barring something unforseen) is that both the House and Senate will have narrow majorities on either side.

Personally think the House and Senate will be controlled by the Republicans, but barely.

Re: Just spoke to a Frist aide
 

that is sweet statement [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]... do i believe him ???