Sunday, February 25, 2007

The Wampanoag Indians, among others connected to the gaming industry, are
talking to Doug Rubin, one of Governor Deval Patrick's top campaign
advisers, about representing their interests. Rubin, who is in the process
of setting up his own consulting business, said he has not "finalized
anything" with any gambling client. If he signed on with one, he said, it
would be as a communications strategist, not as a lobbyist. "I'm not
lobbying. . . . That's a bright line," Rubin said. "When I talk to people, I
tell them, if they are looking to hire me for direct access, we shouldn't be
having this meeting." The pressure for new sources of state revenue comes as
the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe fulfilled its quest to win recognition as a
sovereign Native American nation. This historic designation sets the tribe
down a path that could lead to a casino -- if the state legalizes casino
gambling. Without that change, the tribe would be limited by current law,
which permits only bingo, the lottery, and table games such as poker and
blackjack within strict limits. According to published reports, the tribe is
searching for property on which to build a resort-style casino within 50
miles of land it owns in Mashpee. Meanwhile, Patrick's first state budget is
due Wednesday. One draft submitted for his consideration included
hypothetical revenue from gambling. "We put gaming revenue on the table, "
said Leslie A. Kirwan, the secretary of administration and finance. She said
Patrick took it off the table for the fiscal 2008 budget debate. But it's
not off forever. "The governor wants to hear both sides," Kirwan said. "He
has not made up his mind." According to Kirwan, Patrick told his budget
staff that "emotions are so high on both sides, we need to engage more in
that conversation. But he is not morally opposed" to gambling. Daniel
O'Connell, the secretary of housing and economic development, is leading the
administration's study group on expanded gambling. During the gubernatorial
campaign, Patrick expressed concern about the negative consequences of
gambling. But as governor, he is signaling an openness to considering it as
a revenue source. Wampanoag spokesman Scott Ferson recently said the tribe
is optimistic because "the Patrick administration has indicated they are
more willing to explore gambling." Patrick called the tribal council to
extend his congratulations moments after the tribe won federal recognition
and issued a statement that said: "For a tribe that greeted the Pilgrims
when they landed on the shores of Massachusetts, this recognition is long
overdue. I look forward to working with the tribe to move Massachusetts
forward."

Historically, expanded gaming faced opposition in the Legislature,
especially in the House where Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi opposes it.

The stakes on this are obviously high for gambling interests -- and for the
Patrick administration. With Rubin potentially in the mix as an advocate for
gambling interests, the governor could have an appearance problem bigger
than a leased Cadillac and expensive new office drapes.

Rubin is not a state employee. He has a right to make a living. But he
sounds naive when he talks about a "bright line" between lobbyist and
communications strategist. The line might be bright to him, but it's not
that bright to anyone else. His closeness to Patrick is part of his appeal
to any client.

If someone as close to Patrick as Rubin takes on a gambling client, it will
be another example of this administration not understanding perception and
its critical role in politics.

Symbolism means everything in politics. The leased Cadillac, the $10,000
damask drapes, and new office furniture were the wrong symbols for a
candidate who ran a populist campaign, and now heads an administration
grappling with a $1 billion budget deficit.

It took a while, but Patrick finally got that message. He announced he would
contribute $543 each month to the lease of the Cadillac DTS he uses for
state business, bringing the cost to the public in line with the Ford Crown
Victoria used by Governor Mitt Romney. He also said he would repay the state
for the draperies and new furniture.

Patrick promised a new order of business on Beacon Hill. Having a close
political associate such as Rubin represent a gambling client represents a
very old order of business.