A political ethics conference in … Vegas?

GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP

“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” or so goes the city’s motto. Which makes Sin City the perfect site for a convention on political ethics, of course—wouldn’t want anything getting out that could embarrass anyone.

Campaigns and Elections magazine, at least, seems to see the logic, and will be hosting a star-studded event, “All Things Ethical,” at the “fabulous” Flamingo Las Vegas. After all, what better environment could there be for the nation’s behind-the-scenes political movers and shakers to conscientiously study such topics as “Direct Mail Standards – How far can you go?” and “Negative Television Advertising – Is negative the new positive?” (The betting money says that it is.)

The tone of the weekend will be set in the keynote address, “The Ethics of Deception – What is the whole truth and when is it required?” (“Not often” would be a pretty safe wager.) And, if the speakers are insufficiently enlightening, there are of course a host of other ethical dilemmas in the city for attendees to ponder: Do you split on a double seven? Is it OK to check-raise? Who pays for the, er, entertainment? The possibilities for ethical education are endless.