U.S. MORAL CRUSADER GIVING UP GAMBLING

William J. Bennett Says He Set Poor Example

New York Times

WASHINGTON - William J. Bennett, who is known as one of the United States'
pre-eminent moral crusaders, said Monday that he was walking away from the
gambling table, saying he had ``done too much gambling'' and had been
setting a poor example.

Two magazines reported last week that Bennett, the author of ``The Book of
Virtues,'' had lost $8 million at casinos over the past decade.

In a statement Monday, Bennett said he was calling it quits.

``A number of stories in the media have reported that I have engaged in
high-stakes gambling over the past decade,'' the statement said. ``It is
true that I have gambled large sums of money. I have also complied with all
laws on reporting wins and losses.''

He added: ``Nevertheless, I have done too much gambling, and this is not an
example I wish to set. Therefore, my gambling days are over.''

Dr. James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, a conservative group
often allied with Bennett, said in a statement Monday: ``We were
disappointed to learn that our longtime friend Dr. Bill Bennett is dealing
with what appears to be a gambling addiction. One of the reasons Focus on
the Family continues to be strongly opposed to any form of gambling is
because it has the power to ensnare and wound not only its victims, but
also those closest to them.'' He called gambling ``a cancer on the soul of
the nation.''