The Man of Virtues Has a Vice (Bill Bennett gambles)

Newsweek ^ | 1/2/03 | Jonathan Alter and Joshua Green

[Callahan]

May 2 — In his best-selling anthology, “The Book of Virtues,” William J. Bennett writes: “We should know that too much of anything, even a good thing, may prove to be our undoing…[We] need to set definite boundaries on our appetites.”

DOES BENNETT? The popular author, lecturer and Republican Party activist speaks out, often indignantly, about almost every moral issue except one-gambling. It’s not hard to see why. According to casino documents, Bennett is a “preferred customer” in at least four venues in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, betting millions of dollars over the last decade. His games of choice: video poker and slot machines, some at $500 a pull. With a revolving line of credit of at least $200,000 at each casino, Bennett, former drug czar and Secretary of Education under Presidents Reagan and Bush, doesn’t have to bring money when he shows up at a casino.

(link for full article)

[Callahan]

Earlier liberal blogger Josh Marshall was touting the "unpleasant information" about to exposed about a "leading conservative moralist." I guess this is it. Bennett has to know that speaking out about morals is going to make him a target for the left-wing hypocrisy police. Apparently his fondness for casinos was fairly well known in Washington. Bill never complained about gambling, so this shouldn't hurt him too bad. Michael Jordan loses more on a single golf shot. I'm sure there are alot of disappointed Democrats wishing he got caught with a naked Girl Scout.

[bedolido]

so sad. I really like him. I hope he can get some help.

[BrooklynGOP]

Who cares? It's *his* money.

[Hildy]

I don't see what the big deal is...it's legal and he can afford it. So what?

[amused]

Well I think Bennet has made comments in regards to gambling when discussing the overall moral decay in this country. This is a shame but hey when you preach, you also better follow. Hope he gets help if indeed he has a problem.

[My2Cents]

I have a vice too. I'm eating my second bag today of peanut M&Ms.

[Morgan in Denver]

First, it's his money to do what he wants to do.

Second, I'll believe it some other time. Newsweek is not the standard for truth or honest reporting.

[kesg]

This hit piece is so September 10th.

[Callahan]

My approach to personal morality is to ask myself "If everybody behaved like me, what would the world look like and would I want to live in it?" Bennett fails on this count.

[NativeNewYorker]

Politics of personal destruction never goes out of style, does it?

As vices go, this is fairly harmless, given he's not impairing his family's finances.

I assume there's an inside-the-beltway reason this is coming out now...perhaps to keep him out of a W2 administration?

[goldstategop]

If you like gambling occasionally, I don't see it as being a vice. On the other hand if it becomes an obssession and you lose your shirt along with the stakes, that's a whole 'nother story.

[JFC]

Witch Hunt. Liberals are in a tail spin.

[Shermy]

His games of choice: video poker and slot machines

And a sucker to boot.

[willieroe]

Did a search on Google. There is a "William Bennett" who has been a figure in the gambling industry in Vegas since the 1960's.

[GunRunner]

Good for him. Glad to see he's enjoying himself.

If I ever get that rich, I'm gonna try the Vegas VIP treatment.

Although I've never understood the fascination with slot machines; video poker maybe. But I don't see the point.

Liberal neo-Puritans are going to try to exploit this while at the same time stumping for pornography, homosexuality, and child sexuality. Let'em try, Bennett is doing nothing immoral, illegal, or wrong. And he's having a good time doing it.

[goldstategop]

Awww... of course if Bill Bennett were reading Playboy I tell ya, the liberals would be shocked, shocked and shocked!!!

[Callahan]

The lefties hate Bennett because he can come across as sanctimonious. He had to know this would come out. It's funny to me, how many devout Catholics are gamblers. I got to the Italian festival sponsored by the local diocese and people are betting up a storm. It's wierd to me because my (Methodist) parents hate gambling and think it a massive character flaw. For years I couldn't bring myself to stick a quarter in a Pac Man machine because they ingrained in me that even that was a waste of money

[BrooklynGOP]

There's a texas holdem tournament on www.pokerroom.com, only $1 to get in. Top prize $2500. I am tempted :P

[Foamfollower]

Jonathan Alter and a hit piece on a republican. Why am I not surprised...