...where Rick Perry's true allegiances lie...
AUSTIN — A proposed lottery game that would allow players to become instant winners (or losers) without so much as scratching a ticket is under fire from critics who contend it would be a giant step toward slot machines.
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Other foes include Cathie Adams of the Texas Eagle Forum. Such opposition makes the subject touchy for Perry, who is counting on his conservative base as he faces a GOP primary challenge from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Perry years ago backed the idea of slot machines at racetracks to help fund public schools, but since has emphasized opposition to gambling expansion.
I know I'm probably going to sound like a flaming lefty here, but what's more important to Perry? Furthering the financial interests of the state of Texas or his own standing with his evangelical conservative base? He's a politician, which means we probably already know the answer to this question, but it's still a crying shame. I know we're not talking about real expansion of gambling here, but since it was mentioned as was Perry's current opposition, I think it's relevant to observe that it seems all that talk about self-reliance only goes so far with him. And apparently all the talk about personal responsibility and freedom only goes so far with certain segments of the conservative base. I remember reading a story yesterday about Rudolph Giuliani coming to Texas to raise funds for Perry's reelection campaign, and the reporter said something about Giuliani's views lining up more with Hutchison's than Perry's. From what I've heard that sounds about right...and Hutchison's views on the RKBA do leave a lot to be desired, but it would be interesting to see where she stands on casino gambling in Texas. Not that I'd vote for even if she supported that, but if she'd pull her head out of her fourth point of contact vis-a-vis the "assault weapon ban" she would make for a much more attractive choice for the Governor's Mansion, especially if she did support gambling expansion.
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