Reposted for today, Election Day.
Hey Shrink, check it out ... I started putting together an election cheat-sheet a few days ago over at Pokerati with the names of distinctly pro-poker candidates who probably deserve our votes. (We'll bring it back to the top of the blog on Tuesday.)
I started with Texas because that's the ballot I know ... but eventually added other states. Am reprinting it here with hopes that PokerBlog's broader readership might also find it useful and can help fill in some blanks, as I am sure I didn't get everyone who might have an important say on the future of "America's Game":
On the Ballot: Poker Referendum
Election Day is upon us. Don't know about you, but we're still a little on tilt here, politically at least ... so the plan is to vote aggressively. Below are candidates for public office who have affirmatively shown themselves to be on the right side of poker. Remember, it's your duty as a citizen/player to remain mindful of position as you cast your ballot.
NOTE: This is a growing list, so please let us know via comment or email of any other candidates who might deserve either a Pokerati endorsement or electoral scorn for their specific poker-related actions. For a detailed list of those whom you should vote against for their clearly disrespecting the game and/or close ties to known anti-poker extremists, click here. The PPA also contributed to this report.
The Pokerati Voters' Guide
A non-partisan informational reference
for non-felons and legal immigrants in America
November 2006
GOVERNOR
Kinky Friedman (I) -- all about building casinos for the sake of education and personal freedom; has repeatedly mentioned Texas Hold'em by name.
Carole Keeton Strayhorn (I) -- state comptroller / feisty grandma recognizes the dollars and sense behind legal gambling.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Ron Paul (R) -- District 14 -- spoke vehemently against the Goodlatte Bill on the House floor/YouTube.
Charles Gonzalez (D) -- District 20 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Sheila Jackson Lee (D) -- District 18 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Eddie Bernice Johnson (D) -- District 30 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Ted Poe (R) -- District 2 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Silvestre Reyes (D) -- District 16 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES
Rafael Anchia (D) -- District 103 -- Lavigne in Austin and TBR tell me he's good poker people.
JUDGES
Bruce Priddy (D) -- Dallas County, 116th Civil District -- have actually played poker with him before; loves the game; proven ability to generally make good decisions (which seems important for a judge).
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Terri Moore (D) -- Tarrant County -- sources say she wanted to throw a big-dollar poker tourney as a campaign fundraiser; reportedly dismayed to discover illegality of rebuys.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Don Young (R) -- At Large -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Jeff Flake (R) -- District 6 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Raul Grijalva (D) -- District 7 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Jim Kolbe (R) -- District 8 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Ed Pastor (D) -- District 4 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Joe Baca (D) -- District 43 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Xavier Bacera (D) -- District 31 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Howard Berman (D) -- District 28 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Lois Capps (D) -- District 23 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
David Dreier (R) -- District 26 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Anna Eshoo (D) -- District 14 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Sam Farr (D) -- District 17 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; name sounds like "Sam Farha".
Bob Filner (D) -- District 51 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Mike Honda (D) -- District 15 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Barbara Lee (D) -- District 9 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Zoe Lofgren (D) -- District 19 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Doris Matsui (D) -- District 5 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
George Miller (D) -- District 7 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Grace Napolitano (D) -- District 38 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Loretta Sanchez (D) -- District 47 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Richard Pombo (R) -- District 11 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Dana Rohrabacher (R) -- District 46 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D) -- District 34 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Adam Schiff (D) -- District 29 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Linda Sanchez (D) -- District 39 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Hilda Solis (D) -- District 32 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Pete Stark (D) -- District 13 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Ellen Tauscher (D) -- District 10 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Lynn Woolsey (D) -- District 6 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Diane Watson (D) -- District 33 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Corrine Brown (D) -- District 3 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Alcee Hastings (D) -- District 23 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Connie Mack (R) -- District 14 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Cynthia Mckinney (D) -- District 4 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Neil Abercrombie (D) -- District 1 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Danny Davis (D) -- District 7 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Jesse Jackson (D) -- District 2 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Bobby Rush (D) -- District 1 -- voted against Goodlatte bill;
Jan Schakowsky (D) -- District 9 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Julia Carson (D) -- District 7 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Elijah Cummings (D) -- District 7 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Steny Hoyer (D) -- District 5 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Michael Capuano (D) -- District 8 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Barney Frank (D) -- District 4 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling; spoke vehemently on Congressional floor against UIGEA.
William Delahunt (D) -- District 10 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Edward Markey (D) -- District 7 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
James McGovern (D) -- District 3 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Richard Neal (D) -- District 2 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
John Olver (D) -- District 1 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
John Tierney (D) -- District 6 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
John Conyers (D) -- District 14 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Dale Kildee (D) -- District 5 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Carolyn Kilpatrick (D) -- District 13 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
William Clay (D) -- District 1 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Russ Carnahan (D) -- District 3 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Shelley Berkely (D) -- District 1 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Jim Gibbons (R) -- District 2 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Jon Porter (R) -- District 3 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Robert Andrews (D) -- District 1 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Frank LoBiondo (R) -- District 2 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Steven Rothman (D) -- District 9 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Gary Ackerman (D) -- District 5 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Eliot Engel (D) -- District 17 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Steve Israel (D) -- District 2 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Charles Rangel (D) -- District 15 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Jerrold Nadler (D) -- District 8 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Major Owens (D) -- District 11 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Jose Serrano (D) -- District 16 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Edolphus Towns (D) -- District 10 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
Nydia Velazquez (D) -- District 12 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Anthony Weiner (D) -- District 9 -- voted against Goodlatte bill; sponsoring bill to study internet gambling.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Melvin Watt (D) -- District 12 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Dennis Kucinich (D) -- District 10 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Robert Ney (R) -- District 18 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Pat Tiberi (R) -- District 12 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Tim Holden (D) -- District 17 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Patrick Kennedy (D) -- District 1 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Robert Scott (D) -- District 3 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Doc Hastings (D) -- District 4 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Jay Inslee (D) -- District 1 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Jim McDermott (D) -- District 7 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
US REPRESENTATIVES
Tammy Baldwin (D) -- District 2 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
Ron Kind (D) -- District 3 -- voted against Goodlatte bill.
