Republicans let rip in presidential debate

Wednesday’s Republican presidential candidate televised debate saw New Jersey governor Chris Christie decrying mainstream media focus on the daily fantasy sports furore when more important international issues were in play.

Asked by CNBC moderators about his position on daily fantasy sports, Christie forcefully opined to audience applause:

“Are we really talking about getting the government involved in fantasy football? We have $19 trillion in debt. We have people out of work. We have ISIS and al-Qaida attacking us. And we’re talking about fantasy football? Can we stop? Can we stop? Enough on fantasy football. Let people play! Who cares?”

Other candidates appeared to agree that not enough attention is being given to individual policies on major international issues, withSen. Marco Rubio pledging to avoid attacking other Republican candidates, but characterising the US mainstream media as being a “super PAC for the Democrats “.

Ted Cruz appealed for more attention to major issues, and the always controversial Donald Trump railed against the influence of Super Political Action Committees and said they should be stopped as organisations that encourage dishonesty and benefit lobbyists and special interests.

That would have caught the attention of land casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, a massive source of donations to Republican politicians.

Nevada’s Democratic Party Senator Harry Reid was in the news Wednesday as well, telling the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call that daily fantasy sports constitute gambling and opining that Congress should impose regulation on the vertical.

“I think we should do something here legislatively, but you know, I don’t get much done around here with my Republican colleagues,” Reid said. “If not, state attorney generals and other state entities should take a look at this, because it’s really unfair.”

Related and similar