GOP activist says his gambling days are over

Sac Bee ^ | 5/5/03 | AP - Washington

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (AP) - William Bennett, the Republican Party activist, former Cabinet secretary and "Book of Virtues" author, said Monday he was giving up the high-stakes gambling that has cost him millions over the past decade.

"This is not an example I wish to set," he said in a statement responding to news reports.

[NormsRevenge]

Good luck .. err.. We wish you well, Mr. Bennett.

Now , if only the demRatic Obstructionists would stop gambling with America's future.

[xrp]

Good for him. However, I believe that this issue was his own personal business as he infringed on no one else's civil rights, nor did he commit a crime.

[witnesstothefall]

I was one poster who felt the revelations of Mr. Bennett's gambling were disappointing. If Mr. Bennett means what he now says in the spirit in which its written, then I want to be among the first to say we have before us a good and decent man and even exemplary man. This has been an object lesson for the public as well as for Mr. Bennett.

[rotstan]

this reminds me of what happened to John Tower back when drinking allegations undermined his nomination for Defense Secretary under GHWB. Sad thing is, Bennett's promise to give up gambling sounds too strikingly similar to Tower's promise not to drink.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I'm glad for him. I just hope it was his own decision and not one he was forced into by the morality police within the right.

[You Dirty Rats]

Somehow I'm not very happy that all the money he made from the "Book of Virtues" ended up with the fine upstanding gentlemen that own America's casinos.

It's his money, his choice, but this shows VERY bad judgement.

[billorites]

Guy's pretty weird.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Precisely. And if every conservative everywhere gave up their scotch and their cigars (you know who you are), they'd have a leg to stand on, too...

Oh, and what about those affairs, boys...

(not that I'm perfect)

[Alwayswatching]

This whole thing stinks! Bennet never said he didn't gamble.He gambled where it was legal.So what is the problem??It was his own legal money,in a legal place.......Hey......back off.!There is no harm or no foul here! Sorry, Dems.

[Yak]

The point isn't gambling is wrong or that he broke any laws . . . he let it control him. The "I didn't hurt anybody" argument is counter everything he stands for. Bennett would argue the same arguement is not valid for a host of other activities, both legal and illegal (pornography, drugs, sodomy, adultry, beastiality, etc). What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

I agree with the message he's spread over the years. Too bad he let his personal behaviour tarnish his message. Hard to argue "made a mistake" when this has been going on for years to the tune of $Millions.

Plus, spending all this time and money at casinos can't encourage a strong marriage (the "family" thing).

[HIDEK6]

video poker and slot machines are his favorite games, the magazines said.

???

I've wondered about Bill's judgment ever since I found out that he preferred rock music over swing.

But slots?

Video poker???

A guy with his brains should be counting cards at the blackjack table.

[Irish Eyes]

This whole thing stinks

I agree......and I am a little disappointed that he has given up gambling, what's next????????????

[Hugin]

Somehow I'm not very happy that all the money he made from the "Book of Virtues" ended up with the fine upstanding gentlemen that own America's casinos.

America's casinos are by and large owned by publicly traded corporations. The end result is not much different than if he spent his money on anything else.

However, it does seem to hypocritical behavior coming from the former drug czar, and self-appointed virtue expert. But then I've always thought Bennett was a pompous gasbag, even when I have agreed with him on some things.

[Hugin]

A guy with his brains should be counting cards at the blackjack table.

Or playing poker. That I could respect.

[Cathryn Crawford]

You should check out this thread....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/905759/posts

...started last night.

[sakic]

Yeah. He'll stop. Sure.

It's his business but he can't stop.

[Alwayswatching]

If you have multi-milions and you play with a few of those..how different is that from when we play with a few hundreds of our dollars...you know..just blow a few hundred for fun?
But that is not my point.He never, never claimed to be a non-gambler.If he had done that..I would say he was a hypocrit..But he didn't.I for one don't think gambling is a sin.If it is legal money,played in a legal forum,what is the problem?He didn't NOT pay his bills or make his family suffer so what is the problem?
I'm actually uneasy with his promise to quit.Why? He was doing nothing wrong.

[Graewoulf]

Thanks for this post. "The Media" only mentioned "millions" or "8 million." Your post gave us enough facts to make a reasoned opinion on the behavior of Mr. Bennett. Thanks again.

[NormsRevenge]

You're most welcome.