Poker Group Elated Following Overwhelmingly Positive Reception at CPAC

The Poker Players Alliance — a million-member strong grassroots organization that defends poker rights — cosponsored the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for the second consecutive year. Poker players, still reeling over past efforts to ban online and other forms of poker, have been actively reaching out to conservatives for support for their right to play, and cosponsorship of CPAC is part of this outreach effort. They were pleased at their reception at this year’s event and feel support for their position within the broader conservative movement will continue to increase.

Displaying the confidence that a year of solid wins on Capitol Hill has earned them, the PPA went to CPAC ready to take on the dwindling minority who would ban poker as well as those who believe poker rights ought not be a conservative concern. They came armed with handouts on why principled conservatives ought to oppose a big government prohibition on online poker, copies of pro-poker articles by George Will, Walter Williams, and Jacob Sullum, free t-shirts, and 2004 World Poker Champion Greg Raymer, who was on hand to sign autographs.

They also showed off the alliances they have with many within the conservative movement, including FreedomWorks, CPAC straw poll winner Rep. Ron Paul (video of Rep. Paul backing PPA’s position), and Americans for Tax Reform.

Attendees were very supportive of the agenda of the poker group. PPA Executive Director John Pappas said hundreds of attendees stopped by to offer their support, while only one person expressed opposition. Pappas further stated that poker players have sent hundreds of thousands of letters to Congress in support of their rights, an amount that often eclipsed issues like health care and banking reform.

Following the events of the first day, PPA, BigGovernment.com, and Americans for Tax Reform co-hosted what Time called the “coolest” party of CPAC. Held at Medaterra, a restaurant within walking distance of CPAC, it included Andrew Breitbart, Michael Flynn, James O’Keefe, Grover Norquist, and Greg Raymer. Time reported that the open bar got quite a workout. From the event:

The second day was equally positive for the poker rights group. 100% of attendees who stopped by the PPA booth that morning were supportive of the group’s agenda. Then, a college-age attendee from Focus on the Family — who advocate for a national prohibition of all forms of poker (online, card rooms, home games, etc.) – stopped by the booth. Expecting opposition, I asked him for a comment. Requesting anonymity, he told me that he supports the right to play poker but supports Focus on the Family in other matters. Curious, I went to the Focus on the Family booth and asked the two youthful (under 40) representatives there if they personally wished to ban poker. They replied, each with a smile, “no comment.”

Unlike older social conservative leaders who grew up in progressive eras and who seem to cling to their belief that big government can bring about positive changes to society, perhaps younger social conservatives are learning from their experiences with the problems caused by big government. One imagines that they have seen the corrupting impact of big government and that they would rather protect values from big government than entrust big government with them. Only time will tell.