Goals & Objectives of a New Poker Lobbying Organization

[MasterLJ]

To be honest, I think a successful poker lobby will have to distance themselves from Sports Betting. It's an anchor in the discussion. Online poker is a virgin to direct legislative scrutiny, whereas sports betting is not (it's the low-hanging fruit, as it were).

They are separate issues that should be handled separately. In order to give a lobby the best chance possible it should be focused 100% on poker.

[griffe18]

Ok...I made a post about this last night but I got awful responses. I think overall its pretty awful how everyone is discussing the responses and loopholes in the system rather than solutions and ways to get online poker back to its full potential. At 2+2, although we do all make a good amount of money playing, we don't really have enough money to adequetly adress the problem. However, companies like Harrahs and Las Vegas Sands should be extremely interested in getting online poker legalized on a national or even state level because then people would be able to play online rather than in their casinos which is obviously much cheaper. I think we need to try hardest to get these big companies to back our plans rather than trying to raise a compartively tiny amount of money from donations from cheap online poker players (yes, most of you are). I got shot down once for this idea which i do admit isn't even mine but I don't see why it isn't worth a shot. So far, I can't find a better idea and people that are simply looking for loopholes are ignorant to the fact that the games get tougher everyday.

[permafrost]

We need a sharp focus on online poker being made lawful and regulated for one State, then two, etc. Then we can go the route of Powerball (MUSL?) or the horse racing crowd. I don't see what can be done at the Federal level until State law is friendlier, but maybe I am not imaginative enough.

[Burno]

[ QUOTE ]
Ok...I made a post about this last night but I got awful responses. I think overall its pretty awful how everyone is discussing the responses and loopholes in the system rather than solutions and ways to get online poker back to its full potential. At 2+2, although we do all make a good amount of money playing, we don't really have enough money to adequetly adress the problem. However, companies like Harrahs and Las Vegas Sands should be extremely interested in getting online poker legalized on a national or even state level because then people would be able to play online rather than in their casinos which is obviously much cheaper. I think we need to try hardest to get these big companies to back our plans rather than trying to raise a compartively tiny amount of money from donations from cheap online poker players (yes, most of you are). I got shot down once for this idea which i do admit isn't even mine but I don't see why it isn't worth a shot. So far, I can't find a better idea and people that are simply looking for loopholes are ignorant to the fact that the games get tougher everyday.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hate to take this slightly OT, but I've been saying for a decent interval that the big casinos may very well be behind this. Clear the playing field, talks of legalization with heavy regulation begin and then come to fruition, and this time next year we're all playing on Harrah's.

Either way, I'm in for some money if we manage to assemble a PAC. I don't have the know-how. But realistically we probably need a trusted 2+2'er to run it for salary, lest we end up PPA part deux. So who's a DC insider? Isn't Berge?

We sure as hell need much better information than we currently have.

[deepdowntruth]

I think the goals of such an organization are simple to state: To keep poker legal where it is, and to make it legal where it isn't.

To this end, a two-fold strategy is required: Education and action.

Education takes the form of op-eds and opinion pieces, letter-to-the-editor campaigns, pamphlets, TV and radio commercials, websites, speakers, guest appearances on "talking head" shows. The message? Poker is an American tradition, and a game that the American people have a *right* to play.

Action takes the form of getting educational materials directly into the hands of lawmakers, organizing events and rallies, fundraising, and possibly publicly promoting (and contributing to) or opposing candidates who support a favorable legal status for poker.

It is not the case that the organization under discussion has to do everything on this list, particularly, in the realm of direct political action with regard to supporting, opposing, or contributing to candidates. Much depends on what legal status we wish such an organization to have.

My opinion is that the organization should be primarily an educational one, which takes whatever political action is possible without directly contributing money to or promoting particular candidates or parties. There are benefits to this status, and limitations to being classified as a lobby or PAC. I'm not a lawyer though, so consulting one should be an early step.

As far as op-eds are concerned, I do know an experienced writer, a Ph.D. in philosophy, with many published op-eds to his credit, particularly ones promoting pro-freedom causes, who has expressed a willingness to get involved.

I myself have written a good number of letters to the editor and other writing, and consider myself a fairly articulate and knowledgeable defender of pro-freedom causes.

First off, however, I think a key question is: how much direct political action do we wish to take, and given our answer to this question, what is the best legal status of the organization?

[Leader]

This all sounds pretty good to me as long as "incidentally" means we through token support behind sportsbooks without actually doing anything.

[gringo]

Bluff, I like the goals you stated and appreciate your post. As far as the sports betting, I would be careful on supporting strongly or even in mentioning it as a goal. Instead an approach like: "We favor an individuals right to choose."

Although I do not post that often, I have enjoyed reading the posts in this Legistlative section since last September. I do appreciate the good information this site provides, but grow tired of reading the personal insults.

I donated to the PPA and some other PAC (name escapes me) and spent 8-10 hours making phone calls to congressmen. I hope an organization like the one you suggest can flourish. I would be happy to support it.

Gringo

[Little_Luck]

If 2p2 endorsed a PAC, I would make a contribution. PPA sounds like some guy who made a website and took in, at least, 6 figures from PP.

Where is my shirt [censored]!

[ChexNFX]

[ QUOTE ]
If 2p2 endorsed a PAC, I would make a contribution. PPA sounds like some guy who made a website and took in, at least, 6 figures from PP.

Where is my shirt [censored]!

[/ QUOTE ]

NO [censored] [censored]! I never got anything them promised to me in the mail(not really why I joined), this actually angers me and further question their motives.

[addictontilt]

As the idiot that seems to be taking on putting this together, because to be honest, I am pissed about what is going on.

That being said - I am not looking for a paid position with this org.

That being said x 2 - We - the members need to have bigger input, bigger control, and the only org that I can think of (PPA) does not offer that. With that, I favor building our own, but I have always been a rebel.

The idea behing the ACTBLUE website only supports democrats, my problem with that, is that narrows our audience, I don't want to go down the partisan road, that nearly derailed us in October. I don't care at this point what party the candidates are - that is playing their game. We can raise the money, and make then play ours.

Keep the goals coming - here is my intent.

1. email transcripts from last night, and post in here for transaprency sake - I will remove SN and such because I do not want my details in a public forum.

2. Have another brainstorming session again, and post. that is realyl all we are doing at this point and all input is neccessary and needed, keep it coming.

PM if you need me, hopefully i don't run out of room, and everyone GREAT JOB!!!! Lets keep it going!!!