by Kate
4. June 2010 04:42
In a country that could be well on its way to banning poker it seems rather ironic that the very system that these politicians are part of has a rich history of poker playing. Poker and politics have always seemed to enjoy each other’s company, so why is it suddenly such a taboo game amongst politicians?
Gambling has become a controversial topic throughout the US and is even a felony in some states where the ability to transfer money has been restricted resulting in players shying away from playing because they could face severe penalties.
There are some within politics and law who are contesting the anti-poker campaign, but most people in the Senate and other political circles vehemently oppose gambling.
Historically, it has been noted that presidents and other political figures liked spending their down-time playing golf, drinking and playing poker. Why do our present day political figures oppose gambling when it is in their political blood to play it? Are they denying their rich heritage and perhaps missing out on a game that could forward their careers?
Presidents Harding, Nixon, Truman and Obama all enjoyed or enjoy a good session of poker, cigars and whiskey into the early hours. Harding is reported to have played poker at least two times every week and once, when times were tough, gambled away a set of the White House’s valuable china.
President Truman played poker on his extended boat vacations. Nixon played poker during World War II and it is said that “he became such a dedicated player that he once turned down a chance to have dinner with Charles Lindbergh when it conflicted with a poker game.” It is also rumoured that a great deal of the money he used to finance his first congressional campaign was funded by poker winnings.
It is said that President Barack Obama has a passion for poker. He is reported to have the ultimate “stone face” and never stays in hands if he doesn’t think he'll win it.
Other powerful people who enjoy the game include Bill Gates who was an avid player during college and once said to his college roommate that he “believed poker marathons were at least as productive and intellectually stimulating as time spent in class...”
So the question is once again raised: why are so many contemporary politicians fighting pro-poker legislation? Is it a bid to take the ‘moral’ high ground to gain popularity and votes in these uncertain times? It seems sad that these politicians are blatantly denying the importance of poker in US political history.