At a hearing this week in Washington, 2008 US Presidential hopeful Ron Paul defended online gambling and the rights of individuals to bet over the Web. The long time Republican Texas Congressman is the only candidate to have voted against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act last year. That piece of legislation was slipped into an unrelated Port Security Bill later signed by President George W. Bush.
US lawmakers listened intently as individuals were brought in to both support and argue against online gambling at the Washington hearing.
Gambling911.com has encouraged online poker and other gambling enthusiasts to submit their own video questions to the upcoming Republican CNN/YouTube Debate related to the UIGEA passage and each politicians position on the matter. Since the YouTube debate espouses "Internet freedom", the subject matter (and responses) could have a lasting impression on viewers.
"Wouldn't it be great if they aired a question about the UIGEA or Online Poker during the debate," commented Poker enthusiast, Scott Shuller. "Really put them (the Republicans) on the spot."
Ron Paul is proving to be a viable candidate. Only six months ago he was not even on the radar. Last week, Paul managed to raise just over $4 million in a single day via an Internet fundraising campaign, all from mostly small contributions.
Oddsmakers across the globe now place Ron Paul 3rd only after Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, the later of whom he has closed in on at a number of Internet bookmaking establishments offering betting odds on the 2008 Presidential race.
Paul wants to abolish federal income taxes, blames U.S. foreign policy for global terrorism and calls for an end to foreign aid.
Ron Paul Defends Online Gambling at Hearing