Right, if the federal law says you MUST do something, then your state laws don’t matter. However, if the federal law says it’s up to each individual state, then it’s up to the state.
For instance, if federal law says gambling via communication devices is permitted as long as the gambling is in-state, then it’s up to each state to decide how to proceed.
As to lobbying, there was lobbying on both sides of the issue. Frist is leaving Congress to go on a presidential run. He wanted to look like he was “moral” for his upcoming campaign.
The Republican party used to stand for limited government. Now, we have two parties set on controlling every aspect of our lives.
I guess gambling online was far more important than stopping the next 9-11 from happening. If only the terrorists were as ignorant and selfish as our politicians.