Politics
Another $5 Million Check From Sheldon Adelson to Pro-Newt Gingrich Pact
Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson was reportedly sending yet another $5 million check to a pro-Newt Gingrich pact following the former House Speaker’s big South Carolina primary win.
From the New York Times:
The Ron Paul Online Gambling ‘Gaffe’ Good for Industry (Video)
During a post-South Carolina primary speech, Texas Congressman and US GOP Presidential candidate made mention of how US citizens had stood together, forcing politicians to essentially back off unfavorable policy as it relates to online gambling. The speech was widely broadcast on all three major cable networks (scroll down to watch the video of his speech below).
Ron Paul South Carolina Speech Mentions Online Gambling
While it appeared likely GOP Presidential hopeful Ron Paul was getting online gambling legislation confused with the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA), it was interesting to see the Texas Congressman mention online gambling and how the US people essentially got the issue off the docket.
Paul was a co-sponsor of a bill to legalize Internet gambling in the US along with Democrat Barney Frank.
Huffington Post: Where the GOP Candidates Stand On Gambling
The Huffington Post’s Ron Dicker published a piece this weekend on the four remaining US GOP candidates and their stance as it relates to gambling.
Gambling911.com founder Chris Costigan was quoted in the piece as it relates to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
"I can't see Romney supporting gambling. I just can't see it," said Costigan.
Newt Gingrich Ex ‘Open Marriage’ Claims, Rick Perry Out and the Latest South Carolina Primary Odds
Appearing on ABC’s ‘Nightline’, GOP US Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich’s ex wife claimed the candidate desired an “open marriage”. The network released excerpts from the previously recorded show scheduled for airing Thursday night at 11:30 pm EST.
Marianne Gingrich said her ex conducted his affair with current wife Callista "in my bedroom in our apartment in Washington."
"He always called me at night and always ended with `I love you,' " she said. "Well, she was listening."
Ron Paul Gambles on Nevada: Will Skip Florida
GOP candidate Texas Congressman Ron Paul will bypass Florida and focus in on the next state to hold a caucus, Nevada. Last time Paul ran for President of the US in 2008, he finished a distant second in the state of Nevada. It was one of his best showings during the 2008 campaign. The Congressman has so far come in a very close third in Iowa and second in New Hampshire.
From Time.com:
Ron Paul Pays 1 to 3 Odds With 2nd Place Win in New Hampshire
Ron Paul has been declared as the 2nd place finisher in the state of New Hampshire for their Republican Primary Tuesday night. Paddy Power had been offering the Texas Congressman with 1 to 3 odds of winning without Mitt Romney, who easily won the state he calls his second home.
At press time, Paul appeared to be grabbing over 20 percent of the state vote after finishing a very close third in Iowa (only four percentage points behind the co-winners, Romney and Rick Santorum). Santorum was not a major factor in the New Hampshire race.
Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Behind Super PAC Ad Blasting Mitt Romney
The casino billionaire magnate Sheldon Adelson is reportedly spending $5 million to a Super PAC group supporting Newt Gingrich. Adelson is said to be a huge supporter of the former House Speaker.
Odds to Wn the New Hampshire Primary Have Ron Paul Winning (Without Romney)
So certain are the oddsmakers at Paddy Power that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will win Tuesday’s Republican Primary in New Hampshire, they are offering odds without him and have Texas Congressman Ron Paul as the 1/3 favorite.
Paul finished a strong third in Iowa last week, just a few points behind the co-winners, Romney and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.
For most pundits, New Hampshire is about who will finish second and Santorum appears to be losing some steam while Paul gains.
No Political Betting For Nadex… For Now
If last night was any indication, the political betting arena should be an exciting one. Too bad the North American Derivatives Exchange (Nadex) won’t be able to take part, at least for the time being.
Three-Man Race in Iowa Caucus Overnight
It was Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul winning in the Iowa caucus overnight. All three were essentially favorites to win coming into Tuesday.
As of 10:30 pm EST, Santorum was winning by a very slight margin. Mitt Romney came in second. Ron Paul came in two percentage points behind but was still very much in the race. By 11 pm EST, Paul was determined to have finished in third place.
On Tuesday, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum were engaging in a nasty little tift.
Iowa Caucus Odds of Winning Have Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney in Dead Heat
Rick Santorum has become the “new flavor of the week” at just the right time with the Iowa Republican Caucus taking place Tuesday evening. The former Pennsylvania Senator is in a dead heat among the oddsmakers with Ron Paul and Mitt Romney to win it. This promises to be one of the most exciting Caucuses to watch the results flow in. Paddy Power, which does not accept bets from US citizens, had Santorum and Paul at 15/8 odds while Romney was listed at 5/4.
Kelly Clarkson Twitter Endorsement of Ron Paul
GOP candidate Ron Paul got an unusual endorsement from none other than American Idol Season One winner Kelly Clarkson.
She tweeted on Thursday:
"I love Ron Paul. I liked him a lot during the last Republican nomination and no one gave him a chance. If he wins the nomination for the Republican party in 2012 he's got my vote. Too bad he probably won't."
Clarkson fans don’t appear to be Ron Paul fans. She came under their wrath for her endorsement.
Michele Bachmann Calls Former Iowa Campaign Chairman “Sell Out” to Ron Paul
GOP Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann called her former Iowa campaign chairman, Kent Sorenson, a “sell out” after he jumped ship Wednesday and headed over to the Ron Paul campaign. She accused Sorenson of essentially being paid off by the Paul camp. Texas Congressman, Ron Paul, is leading in some Iowa caucus polls while Bachmann trails far behind.
Commission Must Act on NADEX Political Betting Request by January 4
The North American Derivatives Exchange (NADEX) has filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to permit offering of betting on the upcoming political elections. The deadline for a decision is January 4 and should the Commission fail to act, NADEX could begin offering such bets (or trades) within the next couple of weeks.
Three of those on the Commission must vote against the proposal for it to be discarded. So far, only one Commissioner has come forward to oppose the NADEX request.
Ron Paul Surging in Iowa: 4 to 5 Odds Favorite to Win Caucus
GOP candidate Ron Paul continues to climb in Iowa state polls. His odds of winning next week’s Caucus were now at 4 to 5 at PaddyPower.com, which does not accept bets from US citizens at this time.
Fox News noted that Paul’s success places him first in line to become the primary political punching bag.
Nadex Derivative Exchange Asks Permission to Trade Political Contracts
Intrade.com has been doing it for years, but now Nadex wants to get in on the act. The popular derivative exchange Nadex asked the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission for permission to sell contracts involving the predicted outcome of next year’s US Presidential race as well as which political party will control the House and Senate come next November.
Barney Frank Has Joined the Infamous Club of Celebrity Nip Slips (Video)
Yes it’s true, Democratic Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank has joined the infamous club of celebrity nip slips.
Frank, who has been a huge supporter of one’s right to gamble online, appeared in a CSPAN video recently with a wardrobe malfunction.
From PerezHilton.com:
Online Poker Felon Bill Sponsor Senator Marquerite Prentice May be Gerrymandered Out
A Washington State Senator, Marguerite Prentice, may lose her seat due to so-called gerrymandering. Prentice helped co-sponsor a controversial bill that made playing online poker in the state a Class C felony with the punishment comparable to that of a multiple drunk driving offender and child molester. Washington is the only state that criminalizes actual online gamblers.
The Seattle Times noted that Prentice, a Democrat, will have to compete with other Democrats to remain in the legislature.
Ron Paul Iowa Ads: We Got ‘Em (Video)
Ron Paul is going strong in Iowa and many believe he can take that state in its Caucus a few weeks from now.
His ads are slick and they are airing virtually nonstop throughout Iowa.
From the Washington Post:
Public Policy Polling Has Ron Paul One Percentage Point Behind Gingrich
Most of the national polls have GOP candidate Ron Paul tied with Mitt Romney in the Iowa Caucus but at least one poll now has Paul closing in on Newt Gingrich.
The long time Texas Congressman is coming in one point behind Gingrich the Public Policy Polling.
Ron Paul Can Win Iowa (Video)
Don’t look now but GOP candidate Ron Paul is gaining on Newt Gingrich and has passed by Mitt Romney in some recent Iowa caucus polls.
The mainstream media is starting to hint at a Ron Paul upset.
The Texas Congressman, who has not only supported legalizing online gambling in the US, but has co-sponsored bills with the likes of Democrat Barney Frank, is considered the dream candidate for those in the poker community.
Somach: Romney Wouldn’t Be First Gambling President
Much fuss is being made about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's offer to bet fellow contender Rick Perry $10,000 during a live televised debate this past weekend.
Fellow Mormon Jon Huntsman Mocks Mitt Romney $10K Bet in Latest Campaign Ad (Video)
GOP candidate for US President and former Utah Governor, Jon Huntsman, was quick to release an ad mocking Mitt Romney’s $10K bet offer to Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Like Romney, Huntsman is a Mormon. And like Romney, Huntsman is not supposed to gamble based on Mormon doctrine.
Nets Owner to Challenge Putin for Presidency: Odds to be Released
The New Jersey Nets billionaire owner could soon become the new President of Russia.
Mikhail Prokhorov will run against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the March presidential election. Putin has come under fire in recent weeks for alleged widespread fraud during Russia’s December 4 parliamentary election. His party only won around 50 percent of the vote compared to 64 percent four years ago.
Romney Flip Flops on 10K Bet
US Presidential candidate Mitt Romney stirred up controversy Saturday evening during a nationally televised GOP debate by offering to bet fellow candidate Rick Perry $10,000 over his assertion that the former Massachusetts Governor had broadly supported requiring individuals to have health insurance.
“I’ll bet you 10,000 bucks,” Romney said, denying Perry’s claims.
Perry replied, “I’m not in the betting business.”
By late Sunday, Romney tried to laugh off the bet.
Mormons and Gambling: The Mitt Romney $10,000 Bet
One of the most searched terms coming to the Gambling911.com website during the overnight hours of Saturday and early morning Sunday: “Mormons and Gambling”. The flurry occurred following Saturday evening’s GOP debate on ABC where US Presidential candidate and Mormon Mitt Romney challenged fellow candidate Texas Governor Rick Perry to a $10,000 bet over the assertion that Romney had broadly supported requiring individuals to have health insurance.
Ron Paul Says Newt Gingrich “Flavor of the Week” (Video)
GOP candidate Congressman Ron Paul of Texas appeared on CNN Wednesday afternoon to discuss Iowa, Donald Trump and more.
During his interview, Paul referred to Newt Gingrich as “the flavor of the month” when asked if he was concerned about the former House Speaker leading in the Iowa polls.
Not that Congressman Paul should be too concerned, some polls have him in 2nd place ahead of Mitt Romney.
Bachus Proposes “Blind Trust” After Insider Stock Trading Expose
Following a segment on the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes” claiming that Alabama Republican Congressman Spencer Bachus engaged in “insider stock trading” during the height of the financial crisis, Bachus himself has now proposed legislation that would require all members of Congress to place all their stocks, bonds and other securities into a blind trust that would be managed without their consent as long as they are members.
CNN Introduces Intrade.com Monitoring for its Political Power Rankings
CNN on Friday introduced a new weekly segment, Political Power Rankings.
Contributor John Avalon presented the segment while a panel came on to discuss the trending related to the GOP candidates, referencing the betting exchange intrade.com.
Intrade is a prediction market that attempts to act as an indicator of possible outcomes for specified events such as Presidential elections.
So who was on top of the CNN Political Power Rankings?
