Kentucky Governor Race Fueled by Casino Gambling Debate

The Kentucky Governor's race is hotly debated by both parties trying to win the seat. Current Governor, Ernie Fletcher, is pandering to the right wing Christians of that state. Coming out strong against legalized gambling in Kentucky, Fletcher is taking a strong stance against Democratic challenger, Steve Beshear.

Fletcher, who was indicted on charges that he misused his office by awarding political supporters with protected state jobs, is playing hard to his base by insisting that the residents of Kentucky should not have the opportunity to vote on whether or not there should be casino gambling in the state, saying of Beshear, "He wants to make sure your kids are blackjack dealers and they can only count to 21."

Beshear, who is a proponent of casino gambling, is trying to direct the issue to what he thinks it should be. Speaking of Fletcher regarding his indictment, Beshear said, "It's time that the word 'illegal' no longer describes the actions of our governor."

Currently, Beshear enjoys a 17-point lead in the latest poll conducted by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Fletcher is taking the biased and inaccurate stand that is promoted by Focus on the Family, a religious group led by powerful lobbyist James Dobson, that wrongly states that gambling would contribute highly to bankruptcies, divorce, and crime. Fletcher, who seems to change his opinion like the wind, in the past has said that he would not oppose efforts to put a gambling measure on the ballot, though he quickly changed his stance after the primary and now says he will fight any effort to change the state constitution.

Beshear has more faith in the public and believes that the voters of Kentucky should have the right to make that decision stating, "People have a right to vote on that issue. We want to give people a right to vote because we trust Kentuckians..."

Fletcher is an ordained Baptist minister, who four years ago was what the people wanted, a fresh face with a promise to clean up the mess in Frankfort. Soon after taking office, a special grand jury investigated a complaint that Fletcher's administration violated state hiring laws in a scheme to reward his political supporters with secure jobs. Fletcher and 14 of his associates and aides were indicted. Fletcher issued pardons for everyone but himself and his lawyers worked out a deal to have the charges against him dropped.

Beshear is using this scandal to garner the support he needs to wipe out the corruption that is perceived in the state capital.

"The bottom line," said Beshear, "is they love to talk the talk, but they don't like to walk the walk."

Fletcher is clearly running scared and is making accusations of Beshear that are completely incorrect on issues such as partial-birth abortion, same-sex marriage, and gun control.

Beshear said he always has been against partial birth abortions, supports traditional marriage and the right to bear arms. Fletcher's only somewhat correct statement is that Beshear supports gambling. Beshear has said that he supports the peoples right to decide this issue.

Beshear, who built his primary election campaign around his support for casinos, says taxes from legalized gambling could help fund education, health care, economic development and other initiatives. He said Kentuckians already spend huge amounts at casinos over the state line in Indiana and Illinois.

Fletcher is gambling his entire campaign on lies, inaccuracies and the support of the religious right.

It is Beshear's hope that Kentuckians can put the fact that Fletcher is a minister behind them and look at all the facts and issues before them so they may be able to make an educated decision on who should lead them.

September 15, 2007
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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