MARYLAND Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend -- who has more than a little money riding on her chances of becoming the next governor -- won't roll out any red carpet for the gambling industry lobbyists already stalking Annapolis to bring on slot machines. Ms. Townsend said Monday that she vigorously opposes the introduction of slots in the state and would veto any legislation allowing them. Her strong stand is good news; gambling promoters were hoping that her failure up to now to say no outright might be parlayed into an opening for slot machines at the racetracks, which eventually could lead to casinos. But Ms. Townsend says that she does not believe that slot machines would solve state money problems, and that any efforts to save horse racing in Maryland should steer clear of slots as the savior.
 
 Gov. Glendening's stand against slots has kept the gambling lobbyists at bay, waiting for a new governor. Whether that successor is Ms. Townsend or someone else, the lobbying will intensify; some key legislative leaders are soft on slots and are talking about putting the issue to referendum. But states ought not get hooked on heavy gambling revenue. The last age of slot machines in Maryland produced corruption that gave state politics a bad name for decades. Maryland can live without slots, and Ms. Townsend is right to say so without equivocation.