Reed: Gambling statements consistent

Candidate for lieutenant governor defends his lobbying efforts against Indian gambling casinos.

Larry Peterson
912.652.0367
larry.peterson@savannahnow.com

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Ralph Reed says he's been consistent in discussing what he knew about the money his public relations company earned from Indian gambling interests.

Wearing cowboy boots and an open-necked blue shirt, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor discussed the issue Tuesday in an interview during a campaign visit in Savannah.

Controversy over his role in the ongoing tug-of-war between rival Indian gambling interests has dogged his efforts in a state where anti-gaming sentiment still runs strong.

News accounts indicate that Reed has said he had "no direct knowledge" that money he received to shut down casinos came from tribes with competing gambling interests.

But e-mails released recently by a Senate panel looking into Indian gambling operations suggest Reed knew a lot.

The e-mails also show that lobbyist Jack Abramoff sought Reed's advice on how to disguise tribal funds sent to anti-gambling campaigns whose leaders were wary of accepting casino cash.

"There is nothing inconsistent between what I've said in the past ... about ... (Abramoff's law) firm and my knowledge of the firm and those e-mails," Reed said Tuesday.

Reed said he's acknowledged "from the beginning" that he knew the business he got money from "had tribal clients."

But the candidate also said he added that he "wasn't aware of every single specific client or their interests."

"The salient point," he added, "was that I was a subcontractor of the firm. I never worked for their client, nor did I have a relationship with their client. I was hired by the firm as a grass roots subcontractor to prevent casino gambling expansion, which I was happy to do."

After speaking with pride of his efforts to shut down operations in Alabama, Reed guided the interview in another direction.

"This is largely an attempt ... to distract the voters from the important issues, which are educating our children, creating jobs ... economic activity and a better Georgia," he said.

Reed repeated his call for an overhaul of the state's tax system and his support for a governor-appointed commission to study the issue.

He said the panel should "tell us what we can do to make our tax code more job-friendly, family-friendly and homeowner friendly."

He also said the state should emulate Oregon's successful efforts to reduce high school dropout rates and emphasize technical and vocation education at the high school level.

Reed steered clear of discussing State Sen. Casey Cagle of Chestnut Mountain, his principal rival for the GOP nomination.

Challenged to say something nice about Democrat Mark Taylor, the current lieutenant governor who is running for governor, Reed said, "he looks good at a barbecue."

"He works a room well," Reed added. "He's been around the horn and worked the state for a long time. I don't have anything but good personal regard for him. Our differences are (on) public policy."

Earlier in the day, Reed visited the Georgia Ports Authority and the Bethesda Home for Boys. Those stops were part of the candidate's "Heartland of Georgia Tour," which began Monday in Effingham County. He said he hopes to visit 40 counties by the end of summer.

As he left the newspaper building, the candidate greeted employees at the front desk.

"Hi, I'm Ralph Reed and I'm running for lieutenant governor. You're going to see me often."