Wayne Holland on McCain's Gambling Ties

Statement by Wayne Holland, chair of the Utah Democratic Party, on John McCain’s extensive long-term ties to gambling promoters:

“I am sure even Utah Republican supporters of John McCain’s presidential bid, such as Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., were surprised by the extent of McCain’s ties to gambling interests over the past 20 years,” said Wayne Holland, chair of the Utah Democratic Party.

“McCain may be a Westerner but it’s now clearer than ever that McCain is not a Utah kind of Westerner. After recently suggesting that our allotment of the Colorado River should be renegotiated and perhaps sent to Nevada and Southern California, it’s clear where his sentiments lie – with McCain's good friends and contributors who run Las Vegas, The Mirage, The MGM Grand, The Sands, the Donald Trumps and Steve Wynns of the world.”

“Gambling is based on the idea that we can get something for nothing. It is destructive to families and society in general. It diminishes the value of hard work.”

Background:

John McCain portrays himself as a Washington maverick not influenced by special interests, referring recently to lobbyists as “birds of prey.” Yet in his current campaign, more than 40 fund-raisers and top advisers have lobbied or worked for an array of gambling interests — including tribal and Las Vegas casinos, lottery companies and online poker purveyors. McCain has a long record of supporting gambling interests across the U.S, according to the New York Times and Harper’s.