TWO NEW “GATES”-"MINE GATE AND CRAPS GATE"

MINE GATE:
The Washington Post
Palin's Stand on Mining Initiative Leaves Many Feeling Burned
By Alec MacGillis
Washington Post Staff WriterSunday, September 28, 2008; A12
For months, the confrontation mounted, a face-off that arguably held in the balancethe fates of two of Alaska's biggest industries. On one side were companies hoping to open Pebble Mine at a huge gold and copper reserve adjacent to one of the world's largest salmon runs, Bristol Bay. On the other side were fishermen and environmentalists pushing a referendum that would make it harder for the mine to open.
The two sides spent more than $10 million -- unprecedented for such efforts in Alaska -- and throughout it all, the state's highly popular first-term governor, Sarah Palin, held back. Alaska law forbids state officials from using state resources to advocate on ballot initiatives.
Then, six days before the Aug. 26 vote, with the race looking close, Palin broke her silence. Asked about the initiative at a news conference, she invoked "personal privilege" to give an opinion. "Let me take my governor's hat off for just a minute here and tell you, personally, Prop. 4 -- I vote no on that,"
MORE AT:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/27/AR2008092702834.html?nav=hcmodule

CRAPS GATE:
The New York Times
September 28, 2008
McCain and Team Have Many Ties to Gambling Industry
By JO BECKER and DON VAN NATTA Jr.


Senator John McCain was on a roll. In a room reserved for high-stakes gamblers at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, he tossed $100 chips around a hot craps table. When the marathon session ended around 2:30 a.m., the Arizona senator and his entourage emerged with thousands of dollars in winnings.

A lifelong gambler, Mr. McCain takes risks, both on and off the craps table. He was throwing dice that night not long after his failed 2000 presidential bid, in which he was skewered by the Republican Party’s evangelical base, opponents of gambling. Mr. McCain was betting at a casino he oversaw as a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and he was doing so with the lobbyist who represents that casino, according to three associates of Mr. McCain.

The visit had been arranged by the lobbyist, Scott Reed, who works for the Mashantucket Pequot, a tribe that has contributed heavily to Mr. McCain’s campaigns and built Foxwoods into the world’s second-largest casino. Joining them was Rick Davis, Mr. McCain’s current campaign manager. Their night of good fortune epitomized not just Mr. McCain’s affection for gambling, but also the close relationship he has built with the gambling industry and its lobbyists during his 25-year career in Congress.

MORE AT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/us/politics/28gambling-web.html?hp


Both “Mine Gate” and “Craps Gate” mean trouble for the Republican Campaign.

McCain’s base in the extremist fringe of the evangelical community will learn that McCain is a high roller craps player.

In my opinion it also means more inquiry into influence peddling of both McCain and Palin that could lead to criminal prosecutions.