Republican Party
Republican Party Update to this story here.

For the first time in over ten years the Republican Party Platform does not include language stating that online gambling should be restricted in the United States. Earlier in the month it was discovered that the Platform did include such language, but a loud outcry by the Poker Players Alliance, along with the rest of the online poker community, has forced the party to remove the nanny-esque language.

On the Republican Party platform site there was a spot for members to leave messages to the party who wanted to comment on issues. Much to the party's surprise, a majority of the comments came from online poker players.

"I don't think the Republican party leaders realized how many of their members are online poker players," said one irate Republican from Florida. "With the language in their platform about banning online poker and gambling they were losing thousands of voters that otherwise would vote Republican without a second thought."

Another online poker player had this to say: "Taking away online poker may seem like something insignificant to Republicans, but when you take away someone's hobby that is very significant. I work all week, I don't go to bars, I don't do drugs, I hardly have any social life; but on Friday and Saturday night I enjoy playing poker online with the new friends I have made. Although I believe in the majority of Republican party principals, if you take away my only hobby I will not vote for you."

Greg Raymer, a professional player who won the 2004 World Series of Poker commented as well: "Why has this party, that used to protect my rights, now become the party that wants to create a Nanny-state?"

Although the language was removed the Republican party is still held responsible for adding pork to a must pass Port Security Bill that forced legitimate publicly traded companies out of the US market.

"This is a very small move on their part, but they have quite a bit to make up for before poker players forgive them," said Joe Granger from West Palm Beach.