Barnett lost bet on gambling

State Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, an opponent of expanded gaming, rolled the dice Wednesday in requesting that the Senate vote on approving the House gambling bill. He was betting that supporters didn’t have the 21 votes needed. Turns out they did, so now the bill is headed for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ signature.
"I never really thought I’d be making the motion to concur for our state to expand gambling to the extent we’re about to step into," he told the Topeka Capital-Journal. "That’s life. That’s one of those risks we all take."
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

11 Comments

  1. political_mom
    Posted March 30, 2007 at 5:54 pm | Permalink

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

    Now that’s the funniest stuff I’ve seen since Karl Rove’s rap.

    Psst, Mr. Barnett. Don’t count your casino votes before they hatch.

  2. J M Walker
    Posted March 30, 2007 at 8:43 pm | Permalink

    Uh . . . gee occifer, I thought it was grape juice.

  3. kelly
    Posted March 31, 2007 at 5:58 am | Permalink

    This well-thought out decision reminds me also of his decisions to become a flip-flopper, and run for governor, and his decision to bring on Susan Wagle as his Lt. Gov. candidate. Brilliant political assessments.

  4. ronald
    Posted March 31, 2007 at 1:08 pm | Permalink

    Maybe he thought there would not be enough votes because this is such a stupid bill. The state has NO business in owning a casino. That is not a legitimate function of government.

  5. JWink
    Posted March 31, 2007 at 3:18 pm | Permalink

    OK Barnett, that’s two strikes … one more and you’re out.

  6. NE Heartbreak
    Posted March 31, 2007 at 3:26 pm | Permalink

    Serves him right for betting on Susan Wagle… they are both losers.

  7. Dennis
    Posted March 31, 2007 at 4:43 pm | Permalink

    Maybe the good doctor should heal himself.

    Doesn’t seem to be much of a politician.

  8. Dave
    Posted March 31, 2007 at 8:50 pm | Permalink

    LOL! I knew Kansas Republicians were good for something! All joking aside I am SO glad the state is moving toward expanding gaming. Kansans now have a choice whether to cross the border into Oklahoma or Missouri and spend money in those states doing a little gambling, going out to eat, fill up their tanks with cheaper Missouri or Oklahoma gas or stay in their own state and support these casinos. Expanding gaming will help stop Kansans from spending their money in other states and support Kansas casinos and other businesses. Lets quit fighting over who is going to run these casinos and let get these built. Bring it on!!

  9. Art Vandalay
    Posted March 31, 2007 at 11:37 pm | Permalink

    And this dipshit wanted to be governor.

  10. Dave
    Posted April 1, 2007 at 7:43 pm | Permalink

    I went down to Bartlesville and went to that Osage casino and I had a great time. It was a very new nice clean place. A nice buffet, all you can eat, slots, poker, etc, etc. I heard a rumour that a Native American tribe owns land west of Caney, KS and I really hope that tribe and the city of Caney works together to make a casino a reality in Southeast Kansas!!

  11. Dave
    Posted April 2, 2007 at 7:16 am | Permalink

    Barnett now supports gaming? I thought he was against gaming. Shame on any member of the Kansas Legislature who voted against expanding gaming in Kansas. Now that we know their is more good in gaming than bad, suddenly evil gambling could become a money making machine for the state. Any responsible adult who wants to go to a casino or whatever and waste their money or try to win the big one is none of our business. That is their money, not ours and they can do whatever they want with it. While other states see the economic plus in gaming, and have gone forward, certain member of the legisature fought expanding gaming. Why didn’t certain members of the legislature get of their high moral horse and do what the public wanted?