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Unlucky in politics, lucky in gambling?
Fox News Channel commentator Bob Beckel, who once ran a presidential campaign that lost in a 49-state landslide, is apparently better at sports betting than presidential politics.
He confessed on television Monday that he won $6,000 betting on Sunday's Super Bowl, which saw the underdog New York Giants make pinheads out of the favored New England Patriots.
It's not the first time Beckel had made a reference to sports gambling on air.
Several months ago, during another live telecast of "The Five," a daily political discussion show on FNC, Beckel's cell phone rang.
He glanced at the phone's readout, declared "It's my bookie, I'll call him back later," and then continued participating in a lively discussion about the 2012 presidential race.
On Monday's edition of "The Five," after talk turned to the previous day's Super Bowl (the show is telecast from New York City), Beckel was asked by another panelist if he bet on the big game.
"Yes," replied Beckel. "I bet on the Giants and won $6,000."
Although he freely admits he bets with an illegal bookie, Beckel himself is not doing anything illegal under the laws of the State of New York.
Under state law, the bookie accepting the bet is breaking the law, the person making the bet is not.
Most states have similar sports gambling laws.
Beckel was the campaign manager for former U.S. Vice-President Walter Mondale when he ran for President against incumbent U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
In the worst landslide in American political history, Reagan won 49 states and Mondale just one, his home state of Minnesota.
Sports gambling is not the only vice Beckel has turned to since being embarrassed out of national politics.
Several years ago, he was arrested after ordering a prostitute from the phone book and having her come to his hotel room.
In addition, last year on "The Five," he admitted he is a recovering alcoholic and cocaine addict.
By Tom Somach
Gambling911.com Staff Writer
