President Frist: Don’t Bet on It
Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced that he would not seek a 2008 presidential bid. The prevailing wisdom held that the Tennessee Senator did not run for re-election in the 2006 mid-term elections to free himself up for the demanding role of presidential contender.
The news comes as a bittersweet consolation prize to those opposed to the October signing of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act. Unlike Senator Kyl and Congressman Leach who had a long history of attempting to push anti-internet gaming, Frist’s involvement was short in duration, but decidedly pivotal.
Just after the House passed HR 4411 in July 2006, Frist promised the bill’s sponsor, Jim Leach, that he would take it to the Senate floor. That Frist made this public promise in Leach’s home state of Iowa, the site of the first presidential caucus, was not a coincidence. Many saw Frist’s move as merely catering to a conservative base that he perceived would support him in his bid for president - in the state that might matter most.
Many prior attempts to introduce anti-online gaming legislation to the Senate had failed and HR 4411 was expected to suffer the same fate. Frist realized that his ability to deliver on his conservative promise hinged on being able to attach the bill to other “must pass” legislation. His first attempt to tack it on to important Department of Defense legislation failed. His subsequent attempt to attach it to the Safe Port Act was successful; a Senate voice vote and Bush’s signature on October 13th made the UIGEA law.
Congressman Leach was narrowly defeated during the mid-term elections. Leach’s defeat mirrored a national trend that delivered a Democratic majority to the House and Senate. It also greatly diminished the conservative power base; an erosion that had to play into Frist’s announcement yesterday. Frist said, “God tells us for everything there is a season, and for me now, this season of being an elected official has come to a close.” In poker lingo, Frist was ahead on the flop, but sensed he was now drawing dead on the turn.
In sad irony, the sponsor of HR 4411 is gone. The presidential motivation behind Frist’s involvement in the bill is moot. Like the smile of the Cheshire Cat, only the law remains.
Indeed…..Frist gave us a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’me and now he’s gone like a thief in the night. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass Mr. Frist.
Joe said this on November 30th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Yes, yes, I agree with your analysis and all that … like always. But here’s what I want to know —
Who took the photo of the Cheshire Cat’s smile? Was that you? If you took the picture with the Cheshire Cat in mind, you’re a genius. If you took the picture because it looked cool, and only later realized it looked like the Cheshire Cat, you’re still a genius, but slightly less.
If you found the photo online in a different context, and repurposed it as the Cheshire Cat, you’re STILL a genius.
Finally, if someone else took the picture, and previously used it to represent the Cheshire Cat’s smile, then it’s just derivative.
You’d still be a genius of course, but not because of this.
Can you tell that I’m impressed by that photo and your use of it?
BJ’s Lingering Smile –>
BJ Nemeth said this on November 30th, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Maybe, just maybe, pissing off online poker players is -EV. I have to believe it was a part of Leach falling in his reelction bid and ultimately hurt The Cat Killer, Frist.
I’ll admit, there was a small part of me wanting to see Frist have his arse handed to him in the early ‘08 primary season.
(Amy, would you mind changing your link to my blog to www.countingmyouts.com? Thx!
)
Michael said this on December 1st, 2006 at 8:58 am