Will Schlesinger, the Republican, drop out of CT Senate race ?

[kentuck]

On C-SPAN this morning, Brian Lamb read an article (I did not get the name of the paper)that Alan Schlesinger had used a fake name in some manner with the NJ Casinos in some illegal activity? Did anyone else here the details of that?

However, if it is true, and Schlesinger had to drop out, it seems that would leave the Republican voters an opening to vote for the Independent candidate, whomever that might be?? This is an interesting development, nonetheless..

[wordpix2]

1. I heard this too, on NPR last week. Schlesinger used a fake name while

gambling at a casino. I believe he was a public figure when it happened, sometime in the '90's. His excuse now is he used the fake name "for privacy."

That sounds like a coverup to me. :evilgrin:

[kentuck]

3. He also mentioned something about "card counting"...

which is illegal in casinos, I think??

[Atman]

4. It's not illegal.

Just not allowed. Any casino that catches you will kick you out. That is why he used the fake name. They were apparently on to him, so he gambled under an alias.

Maybe he and Bill Bennet should team up for a presidential bid?

[kentuck]

5. Thanks for the info...

How can you not think of Bill Bennett with this history?

[Atman]

2. Schlesinger is in big trouble. He is toast. More than just a fake name...

He not only used a fake name, but he was sued by two casinos to get their money back.

Story here, in the Hartford Courant

.

[Jim Lane]

9. Why is this big trouble?

There's no indication of fraud involved. Schlesinger would have had to use his real name at the New Jersey casinos that granted him credit privileges. (In fact, he would have had to authorize the casinos to obtain information from his bank.) Once he'd done so, two New Jersey casinos extended short-term loans to him -- that's what a "marker" is. Then he was late making the repayment. They sued and he settled up. So what? A few months ago, I was late transferring money into my checking account and my rent check bounced. My landlord sued me. Am I now permanently disqualified from public office? I don't see this as any big deal.

As for the fake name he used when gambling in Connecticut, what's the harm? There's no allegation that he received credit under a fake name, which would have been very hard to do anyway. If he didn't get credit, and never engaged in cash transactions of more than $10,000 in a single day, then he wasn't required to give any name at all. Some people don't want to give their real names and addresses (and thus be continually pestered with offers to come back), but also don't want to refuse to give a name (and thus be continually pestered with requests to give a name). So they give a fake name.

I don't think this is a maneuver to get the Republican line for Lieberman. It might be a maneuver to get the Republican line for a Republican who'll be a stronger candidate than Schlesinger. A head-to-head race against Lieberman looked hopeless, but a three-way race, with Lamont and Lieberman splitting the Democratic vote, might look much more promising. Perhaps some prominent Republicans who passed up the race would now like to back into it.

If Lieberman is re-elected as an independent, he'll still caucus with the Democrats. No matter how much the Republicans like Lieberman, their highest priority would be to oust him and elect someone with an "R" after his or her name. They want to keep their majority. They'd written off Connecticut until Lamont surged, but now they may see an opportunity.

[Atman]

10. Your first two paragraphs are positively dumbfounding!

You do realize this is an election for SENATOR, right, and not Dog Catcher?

You don't get sued when you're late. There are collections laws...you can only sue after certain collection methods have been tried. You make it sound like he received a polite phone call after he missed his payment by a day. Anyway, what the hell sort of personal character does this demonstrate in a would-be SENATOR??? I am astounded that anyone can think all this stuff is nothing as it pertains to a potential senator!

Oh...and I notice you didn't even address the phony name because of getting banned for card-counting. Real man of integrity, that Schlesinger. BTW, what is your official role in his campaign? Just curious.

[Jim Lane]

16. Look, this wasn't a DUI conviction like Dim Son's

How would you feel if Schlesinger had filed for bankruptcy, using that to stiff the casinos entirely? Would a bankruptcy fifteen years ago disqualify him for public office? I don't think it should.

Anyone can have money problems. According to the article, Schlesinger worked through his problems and paid all his debts, with interest. If this kind of history comes to be considered a big problem, then people who are independently wealthy will have even more of an advantage in running for office (an advantage that's already great enough to be troubling).

As for the false name, what I've read is contradictory about whether he was a card counter, which is why I didn't want to go out on a limb. My understanding is that the casinos catch card counters by having a computer analyze their play. The computer doesn't care what the player's name is. Perhaps, though, the computer capabilities were less advanced back then.

Your question about my role is more than a little strange. I hold no position in the Schlesinger campaign, official or unofficial. I'm a New Yorker who's rooting for Lamont. I just don't trust the Republicans, and I wouldn't be surprised if they're trying to maneuver Schlesinger out of the race so that someone else can sneak in. There are some similarities to the DeLay situation.

Bear in mind that, whether Schlesinger is in a two-way race against Lieberman or a three-way race against Lamont and Lieberman, the polls show him trailing badly. Do you want the Republicans to push him out of the race so that they can nominate a stronger candidate and perhaps take the seat?

[H2O Man]

6. Republicans always

stick together. They will cut him out, to clear the field for their boy Lieberman.

[kentuck]

7. I suspect that may be the case...

Then Joe can get the Repub vote and a few lingering Dems...

[tanyev]

8. It's getting to be easier to list all the Republicans who HAVEN'T

been involved in some illegal activity.

[calico1]

11. The Gov. and other Republicans have

tried to dissuade him from running. They aren't happy. However, if he does drop out they will not not run a candidate. Some Republicans like Lieberman but a lot don't. I don't know where people have gotten the idea that all CT Republicans adore him. Most of the ones I know like him as much as they like Hillary or Bill Clinton! The Republicans will have a candidate. We just don't know for sure now if it will be Schlesinger. My guess is they are trying to find a way to force him out. And afterward they will put up someone they consider more acceptable.

[SensibleAmerican]

13. Let's say they run Chris Shays ... and Lamont wins

Well, let's put it this way, the Deans just handed the Republicans a Senate seat in Connecticut.

[calico1]

15. Do you live in CT?

I do and haven't heard or read anything at all about Chris Shays running. He didn't have that easy a time winning reelection last time, by the way. Compared to a lot of other Republicans he is a good guy. For that matter, compared to Lieberman he is good. But it doesn't mean he'd be a shoe in. I think we will have a better idea after the primary of how strong everyone's odds are. That is when people will start paying attention.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. He's a KNOWN Card Counter and used the bogus name

so he could count cards at a casino. Card counting at casinos is a no no.

[Bake]

14. So what's so bad about "card counting?"

NOTE: This is not a defense of the Puke. Just a request for information.

Seems to me that card counting is just a smart way to keep up with what's come out of the deck. The casinos obviously don't like anything that gives the patron more of a chance (if it were really "gambling" -- as in a "fair game" -- the casinos wouldn't be the cash machines that they are! KA-CHING!).

The card counter is not (as I understand it) using any kind of mechanical device. Not taking written notes. Nothing other than paying attention to the cards. Or am I wrong?

Hell, I wish I knew how to do it!

Bake
Not a Gambler

[CK_John]

17. Schlesinger willingness to deceive and not think this info

would become public just shows how far the GOP has come since * has taken over. They truly think they are the true heirs and should not be accountable to anyone. They are true members of the "Tory" party and believe in Kings and wigs.

I assume he will act upset and stay in the race out of spite and the gambler bravado.

[SoCalDem]

18. Look for Chris Shays to step up..and probably win

:(