[woodguy]

Here are Harrah's top 5 political contributions for the record you linked to. They are also the only amounts above $10K. (edited typing error, "about" s/b "above")

[ QUOTE ]
Amount Date Description
Ensign Majority Committee, Las Vegas, NV $19,500 2/17/2006
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Washingt $15,000 12/9/2005
National Republican Congressional Committee, Washi $15,000 6/26/2006
Senate Majority Committee, Washington, DC $12,000 6/24/2005 4K Allen VA, 4K Burns MT, 4K Battle Born

[/ QUOTE ]


It seems that their largest donation is to the Ensign Majority Commitee. That's the same dollar nubmer that appears in Frist list as coming from Harrah's.

So $20K for the guy who gets it done and $15K for the sheep to remain sheep on both sides of the aisle.

In the article you linked to, it states that:

[ QUOTE ]
Gaming is still regulated primarily by states rather than the federal government. It's also subject to nonpartisan debate, unlike other large corporate interests that typically lean Republican. Many liberal Democrats oppose casinos or don't support gaming expansion alongside conservative Republicans.

[/ QUOTE ]

So why would an industry that is almost wholly governed by state law save their biggest donations for federal poltics?

They also state that:

[ QUOTE ]
"We support people who support our industry," said Frank Fahrenkopf, chief executive of the American Gaming Association.

[/ QUOTE ]

So why would Harrah's single biggest donation be to the precise person who helped stem the flop of $$$ to current online gaming sites, but who sees gambling as evil. That doesn't sound like someone who supports the gambling industry.

I suppose they could be trying to buy Frist's vote, but when would Harrah's needs Frists vote?

The Native Casino link would be the most obvious answer to the question, "Why would Harrah's try to buy a powerful federal politicians?" (aside from online $$$ tinfoilhattheory) What is Frists voting record and public stance on those issues?

I understand this all may well be a coincidence, but when large $$$ are involved, coincidence can be tough to swallow on the surface.


Regards,
Woodguy