Editorial: Congressman fishing to get 'right' answers

Rep. Frank Wolf, the Virginia Republican who authored legislation establishing the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, now wants the General Accounting Office to investigate gambling's impact on society and whether the gaming industry has a corrupting influence on politics. But for Wolf to call for another investigation -- before the commission's findings are released in June -- is a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Is it really necessary for Congress' investigative arm to possibly duplicate the same work the commission is doing? And if Wolf all along wanted a GAO investigation, why did he bother setting up a national gambling commission in the first place?

It is clear Wolf has little faith in the commission he helped create. The panel may not give him the kind of anti-gaming recommendations he desires, so he is trying to find anyone who will give him the answers he wants.

Any credibility Wolf had before has been destroyed by this latest gambit. The social conservative isn't looking for an objective analysis, he just wants ammunition to carry out his anti-gambling jihad.

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