2007 Kentucky Governor’s Race – Awesome opportunity for us!!!

[TheEngineer]

Every Kentucky PPA member will receive an email early next week concerning Gov. Fletcher's position on poker. I'll post the letter here once we send it. I look forward to everyone's support.

[snagglepuss]

the engineer,

i appreciate all of your effort put into this. i live in louisville, and the thought of a nice poker room at churchill downs has been a hope of mine ever since i began playing. especially as caesers indiana is run by morons, and treat their poker players worse than everywhere else in the country.

keep it up, and i look forward to shipping "little ernie fletcher" out of office.

[fnurt]

The polling on this race continues to look like a blowout :

[ QUOTE ]


Steve Beshear still has a huge lead over Ernie Fletcher in the latest Survey USA/WHAS11 News poll released this morning.

Beshear has a 58%-39% lead over Fletcher, with just 2% undecided in the survey of likely Kentucky voters. The poll was conducted Sept. 8-10 and has a margin of error of 4.3%.

Beshear had a 21 point lead last month, so Fletcher has sliced a little off his lead. But with just 8 weeks until election day, Fletcher still trails by double digit margins in every area of the state. The one piece of good news for Fletcher is that he has made significant and statistical gains among voters 65 or older and is now tied with Beshear (49% apiece) among those "mature" voters. It seems clear that Fletcher's "Say No to Casinos" TV campaign has had virtually no impact on voters except those who are 65 or older. I'm still wondering what poll numbers Fletcher's folks have been looking at in deciding that the anti-gambling issue was a winner. The Survey USA polls have consistently shown more than 70% of Kentuckians say there should be a vote on expanding gaming. It's 79%-20% in this month's poll.

[/ QUOTE ]

Things usually tighten up somewhat for the incumbent by election day, but at this point it looks like an uphill struggle for Fletcher just to get it into the single digits.

My only fear is that it might end up as such a trouncing that it will be hard to point to gambling as the dispositive issue when we look back.

In other words, people are willing to believe that George Allen lost by a few votes because he said that stupid "macaca" thing; but they're not going to believe Ernie Fletcher lost by 20 points because he opposed gambling. Or at least that's my concern.

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]
The polling on this race continues to look like a blowout :

[ QUOTE ]


Steve Beshear still has a huge lead over Ernie Fletcher in the latest Survey USA/WHAS11 News poll released this morning.

Beshear has a 58%-39% lead over Fletcher, with just 2% undecided in the survey of likely Kentucky voters. The poll was conducted Sept. 8-10 and has a margin of error of 4.3%.

Beshear had a 21 point lead last month, so Fletcher has sliced a little off his lead. But with just 8 weeks until election day, Fletcher still trails by double digit margins in every area of the state. The one piece of good news for Fletcher is that he has made significant and statistical gains among voters 65 or older and is now tied with Beshear (49% apiece) among those "mature" voters. It seems clear that Fletcher's "Say No to Casinos" TV campaign has had virtually no impact on voters except those who are 65 or older. I'm still wondering what poll numbers Fletcher's folks have been looking at in deciding that the anti-gambling issue was a winner. The Survey USA polls have consistently shown more than 70% of Kentuckians say there should be a vote on expanding gaming. It's 79%-20% in this month's poll.

[/ QUOTE ]

Things usually tighten up somewhat for the incumbent by election day, but at this point it looks like an uphill struggle for Fletcher just to get it into the single digits.

My only fear is that it might end up as such a trouncing that it will be hard to point to gambling as the dispositive issue when we look back.

In other words, people are willing to believe that George Allen lost by a few votes because he said that stupid "macaca" thing; but they're not going to believe Ernie Fletcher lost by 20 points because he opposed gambling. Or at least that's my concern.

[/ QUOTE ]

This seems to be the crux of the issue. As it looks like he’s going to win now will any money invested generate a positive ROI?

You all know my feelings.

1. I think the exercise is worth it if nothing else but to see how well we can operate before primary season and the next cycle starts.

2. The increase in practical knowledge of what works for us and what doesn't in regards to having Dec-Feb to fine tune training materials and use the knowledge to build other state organizations is what tune up races are all about.

3. Visibility in regards to legislators is worth a decent investment in this race, IMO this will pay off in future lobbying efforts.

4. Visibility with existing members. Given the criticisms of the past actions of the PPA, fair or not, the impression is the PPA is only working behind the scenes. You've all read the various criticisms of the PPA, posted here and elsewhere. Some of you are the biggest critics of the PPA. I think concrete high profile action will go a long way in proving to many critics that the PPA is what we want it to be.

5. Money. Money and budget for a non-profit are always a concern. I have no knowledge of the PPA's books, nor do I want to know. Sorry if just doesn't concern me; I know this is a BIG issue for some people here. But given that John has taken over mid year I doubt he has as much control over this year’s budget as he would like. I doubt he's completely hamstrung but he's not operating, IMPO (In my PERSONAL opinion) on his own budget. I doubt he has the leeway he will next year.

6. Fundraising. Look at the open offers of donations for an activity like the poker chips for 10/13 idea. I have received many private messages both here and on the other forums for this idea as well as other offers of support. You do best in fundraising when you have a concert action plan that your donors feel has a chance of success. Personally I think I could run a KY race effort that was self supporting. Given all the other positives that the PPA in future advantages I think it is a no brainier, even if I or anyone else didn't run a break-even effort.

The wealth of talent and resources out there is amazingly untapped IMPO. I visited a bar league last night. My first time playing live I'm ashamed to say. It wasn't very big maybe 35 ~ 40 people all told, not bad for a Monday night, but the response was amazing to me. While most had never heard of the PPA, and there were some critics among the PPA members, the over all response and my "call to action" messages were well received.

On personal note, I didn't mean to do so, as my desire was simply to last long enough to pimp the PPA, but I final tabled in both sessions and took the top prize in the late one.

D$D

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
My only fear is that it might end up as such a trouncing that it will be hard to point to gambling as the dispositive issue when we look back.

In other words, people are willing to believe that George Allen lost by a few votes because he said that stupid "macaca" thing; but they're not going to believe Ernie Fletcher lost by 20 points because he opposed gambling. Or at least that's my concern.

[/ QUOTE ]

They may not believe he lost solely because of his gambling position, but they will see that he couldn't win (or even close the race much) by using it. The favor he's doing us is that he's airing many commericials, and 100% of them are about his opposition to gambling expansion in KY. When he loses, that will be remembered here for some time.

This is an incredible gift to us.

[TheEngineer]

Our email request to write to Fletcher and to our state reps/senators went out to every KY PPA member today:

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http://links.emessages.pokerplayersallia...0MjkS1&mt= 1

Dear Kentucky PPA Member:

The Poker Players Alliance needs your help!

Poker has become an issue in the Kentucky governor's race. I imagine you have heard by now that the candidates have VASTLY different opinions concerning your right to play poker in the state. Gov. Fletcher, the incumbent, is running on a staunch anti-gaming platform. He has pledged to oppose ALL gaming in the commonwealth...including even poker!

I ask you to do the following:

Click here to automatically send pro-poker letters to Gov. Fletcher and your local elected officials. Please note that you will be asked to send two letters, one to the governor and another to your elected officials. With only a few minutes effort, you can tell all of them all how much you value your freedom and liberty. You will tell them you are not willing to give your freedoms away to politicians looking to scapegoat you and our honorable game for political gain.
Write to your newspaper. Kentucky newspapers have been publishing many gaming-related letters to the editor, as it has become the focus of the election. Please consider writing a letter in support of our game.
Vote on Election Day. A victory for poker in Kentucky will really set the tone for the 2008 national elections, so your vote this year means a lot.
If you have not yet registered to vote, please do so as soon as you can. From the KY State Board of Elections Website:


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Q: Where do I register to vote?
A: You can register at one of the following locations:

County clerk's office
Driver's license office, if you are applying for or renewing your driver's license
K-TAP
Food Stamp
Medicaid
WIC, and state-funded offices serving those with disabilities, if you are a client of these offices
Armed forces recruitment offices, if you are a prospective member of the armed forces
High schools, if you are a student or staff member
Kentucky mail-in Voter Registration Card
Federal mail-in Voter Registration Card
The completed voter registration card must be mailed or returned at least 28 days prior to the election.


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If you'd like to discuss this with your fellow poker players, please visit our PPA forums.

Thanks you for your support. Let's keep poker legal!

Proud to Play Poker,
Rich Muny
Poker Players Alliance Kentucky State Director
KY@pokerplayersalliance.org


To opt out of future mailings like this, please click here.

Please click here to forward to a fellow Kentuckian.

[TheEngineer]

Automailer letter to Fletcher:

Dear Governor Fletcher,

As a Kentuckian and as a proud poker player, I am writing to let you know that I strongly disagree with your anti poker position. Poker is an enjoyable game of skill, much like golfing or fishing.

In fact, poker is one of the great American pastimes. Presidents, military generals, Supreme Court justices, governors, members of Congress, and average Americans everywhere have enjoyed the game for more than 150 years. It's an honorable game, as many Kentuckians know. The game we play around the kitchen table should be equally legal at a horse track, online, or at a card room.

I urge you to reconsider your position on this issue. Kentucky does not need politicians who promote a "nanny state" and want to protect us from ourselves.

I believe in liberty and personal responsibility. Your relentless anti gaming crusade runs contrary to what Kentuckians value most: freedom. Polls have shown that a majority in this state support expanded gaming, and overwhelmingly support a referendum on the issue. You were elected to represent and serve the citizens of Kentucky, so why would you oppose a referendum to gauge the public's position on this issue?

Please respond to this letter and let me know if you will trust the good people of Kentucky to vote on this important issue.

Thank you for your consideration.

[TheEngineer]

Automated letter to state reps/senators:

Dear ___________

As a Kentuckian and as a proud poker player, I am writing to let you know that I strongly support my right to vote on whether casinos or card rooms should be allowed in our state.

Poker is an enjoyable game of skill, much like golfing or fishing. In fact, poker is one of the great American pastimes. Presidents, military generals, Supreme Court justices, governors, members of Congress, and average Americans everywhere have enjoyed the game for more than 150 years. It's an honorable game, as many Kentuckians know. The game we play around the kitchen table should be equally legal at a horse track, online, or at a card room.

Kentucky does not need politicians who promote a "nanny state" and want to protect us from ourselves.

I believe in liberty and personal responsibility. Unfortunately, Governor Fletcher's relentless anti gaming crusade runs contrary to what Kentuckians value most: freedom. Polls have shown that a majority in this state support expanded gaming, and overwhelmingly support a referendum on the issue. You were elected to represent and serve the citizens of Kentucky, and I hope you will support a referendum to gauge the public's position on this issue.

Please respond to this letter and let me know if you will trust the good people of Kentucky to vote on this important issue.

Thank you for your consideration.

[Legislurker]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The polling on this race continues to look like a blowout :

[ QUOTE ]


The wealth of talent and resources out there is amazingly untapped IMPO. I visited a bar league last night. My first time playing live I'm ashamed to say. It wasn't very big maybe 35 ~ 40 people all told, not bad for a Monday night, but the response was amazing to me. While most had never heard of the PPA, and there were some critics among the PPA members, the over all response and my "call to action" messages were well received.

On personal note, I didn't mean to do so, as my desire was simply to last long enough to pimp the PPA, but I final tabled in both sessions and took the top prize in the late one.

D$D

[/ QUOTE ]

This is one point Ive cavilled the ninth part of a hair on.
Poker players are lying around out there in the tens of thousands. You want money, its their for the asking/doing.
Bar leagues. Mailing lists. Email lists. FREEPLAY tables.
NTN leagues. Im sure those guys would trade you an overlay on the NTN tables for a bit of lobbying/advocacy. Take out an ad in USAToday. The word is NOT out to the Joe on the street. If for nothing else but knowing you can have a high paying easy lobby job for life if you got a few million poker players organized, start the low level legwork of recruiting. Try it out in Kentucky if you want. Find all the local border rooms, and start sending a volunteer or rep. Recruit, get 20/person, send them a shirt. Have the website tweaked and ready to handle traffic. Have the phone capacity. Have something for them/us to do. If you have to borrow, borrow, sooner or later economies of scale will kick in as each neew member will pay the recruitment cost forward in getting more. Think of what 10 motivated college kids could do on campus in Louisville and Lexington. Especially on election day when you want them to call the RNC and tell them you voted against Fletcher over poker, and you will do the same for McConnell.

[fnurt]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My only fear is that it might end up as such a trouncing that it will be hard to point to gambling as the dispositive issue when we look back.

In other words, people are willing to believe that George Allen lost by a few votes because he said that stupid "macaca" thing; but they're not going to believe Ernie Fletcher lost by 20 points because he opposed gambling. Or at least that's my concern.

[/ QUOTE ]

They may not believe he lost solely because of his gambling position, but they will see that he couldn't win (or even close the race much) by using it. The favor he's doing us is that he's airing many commericials, and 100% of them are about his opposition to gambling expansion in KY. When he loses, that will be remembered here for some time.

This is an incredible gift to us.

[/ QUOTE ]

Okay, that's a solid point.