Wanna bet?

Gambling has received a lot of press this legislative session in Minnesota. Recently, much has surrounded the GOP platform and whether that platform can accomodate two different positions--1)opposition to gambling; 2)breaking the tribal monopoly on casino gaming.

This issue has been debated because two GOP leaders--the state party chairman and our national committeewoman--stand to profit personally from this issue. Our state party chair has formed a political consultancy which has partnered with an anti-gambling group (itself funded by the tribal casinos). Our committeewoman has herself become a paid lobbyist in favor of increased gaming.

Much of the public debate misses the point. I don't much care whether gaming is increased or not--i understand both sides of the issue and each raises legitimate points. To me the bigger issue (which hasn't really received much attention) is the fact that party leaders who have an ability to influence state legislators because of the power which they have in the GOP are now being paid to lobby those same legislators. I think that's wrong...plain and simple.

Our elected party leaders make great sacrafices to serve the party. If they require compensation to make up for those sacrafies, fine. Ask for a salary and I'll support giving you one.  And, if you want to use your connections to become a lobbyist after you leave the party office, also fine. But, I do not think it is appropriate for party leaders to become lobbyists while they hold a position in the party.  Put it this way--when our state party chair calls a legislator on an issue, which hat is he wearing?  Can he really wear just one and ignore the other?  If he calls as a lobbyist the legislator has to realize that this is the person who has the ability to send money and volunteers to him during his next campaign. 

Our party is a big tent party in which activists and elected officials alike will have different positions on a number of issues.   Our party leaders need to be able to communicate with those elected officials without wondering whether the leader's self interest is involved.