Campaign shocker: Gambling executives criticize union' Endorsement of Obama

[Emit]

From a LV blogger:

Campaign shocker: Gambling executives criticize union

By Steve Sebelius
January 11, 2008
In a shocking development today, gambling industry executives criticized the Culinary Union Local 226.

Oh, wait. That's actually not all that shocking. Our bad.

Anyway, it seems that Harrah's Vice President Jan Jones and ex-Harrah's CEO Phil Satre think the Culinary Union was wrong to give its endorsement to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, because Obama has made statements critical of the gambling industry. (The pair spoke to reporters in a conference call set up by the Hillary Clinton for president campaign, emceed by Clinton Nevada chairman Rory Reid.)

Obama allegedly called the gambling trade "socially and morally irresponsible," Jones said, and even cast doubt on its usefulness as a tool of economic development. Satre helpfully noted that the industry has commercial casinos in 11 states, pays $5.2 billion in taxes to those states. In Illinois alone, he said, there are 9,000 employees making $330 million in payroll, with casinos paying $800 million in taxes.

Message: We pay lots of money to your state, and therefore we own you and all your elected officials, who must shut up and never say anything bad about us!

Actually, the message was more along these lines: If Obama has so many problems with the Culinary, shouldn't the union have endorsed somebody else, say, for example, Clinton? And do rank-and-file Culinary members know Obama hates their industry?

We're guessing no, but then again, we're guessing it doesn't matter, since the Culinary's decision wasn't based on who says the nicest things about the gambling industry, but rather who they think could win the Nevada caucus and thus cement the union's rep as the coolest kingmakers in town.

And besides, what could be more socially destructive and morally irresponsible than opening a bunch of casinos, making a bunch of money, paying a bunch of taxes (not to mention a bunch of political contributions) and then trying to use that clout to silence and/or intimidate politicians?

We're not endorsing Obama, mind you. It seems he may have to explain himself to the Culinary rank and file. But if we were him, our explanation would run along these lines: Yeah? So?

http://www.valleyblogs.com/sebelius/2008-01-11/id_2619

For more background on the Culinary issue here in NV:

Sour Grapes for Clinton? Plaintiffs in NV Teachers' Union lawsuit approved State Party's caucus plan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2671111

Hillary's Lawyer Supporter Kummer Sues 4 Union To DISENFRANCHISE HISPANIC, UNION VOTE IN LAS VEGAS!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2669841

Las Vegas/Hispanic Vote: "Campaigning here, Clinton goes over Culinary’s head"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2670484

Nevada Politics: Obama v. Clinton? Culinary Workers v. Teachers?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2669291

Edited to add more info

[HeraldSquare212]

1. He also said the way it was run in Nevada was a model for other states

another Clinton presentation that leaves out the relevant part of Obama's statements. This one will get caught out quickly and add to the evidence of Clinton's distortions, which will turn people off to her campaign. So keep it up, Hillary - we Obama supporters thank you!

[Emit]

2. kick

"Anyway, it seems that Harrah's Vice President Jan Jones and ex-Harrah's CEO Phil Satre think the Culinary Union was wrong to give its endorsement to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, because Obama has made statements critical of the gambling industry. (The pair spoke to reporters in a conference call set up by the Hillary Clinton for president campaign, emceed by Clinton Nevada chairman Rory Reid.) " from the link