Both sides now: The e-mails in the Harrah's endorsement flap
4:45 PM Mon, Nov 06, 2006 | Permalink
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A Journal story today reported that Harrah's has disciplined an "overzealous" staffer for sending out an e-mail over the weekend endorsing Democratic political candidates. The e-mail, entitled, "WHITEHOUSE, FOGARTY AND 'YES' ON QUESTION 1," was sent to various media outlets by someone who works for Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief, the Harrah's backed group. Three hours after the endorsements were released, the group sent another e-mail retracting the endorsement. Continue to read the full text of both e-mails. Original endorsement e-mail: WHITEHOUSE, FOGARTY AND "YES" ON QUESTION 1 "On November 7th, let's put an end to the failed Republican policies of George Bush and Don Carcieri, and let's ensure a better and stronger Rhode Island by voting for Sheldon Whitehouse, Charlie Fogarty and Question 1. "SOS has run the most dishonest negative campaign in Rhode Island history -- but what can you expect from a group of rich and privileged elitists? Many SOS members claim the casino is bad for the Rhode Island economy, the same gang that claimed that the Providence Place Mall, T.F. Green's modernization, the Warwick Mall, and other important projects creating thousands of new Rhode Island jobs, were bad for "SOS members don't want the casino because they're afraid of paying their employees a living wage. That's why they lie about the Narragansett Indian Casino -- to protect their own selfish interests. "Don Carcieri has a history of vetoing legislation benefitting working men and women, lives in East Greenwich, has a fat $200K a year pension, and doesn't give a whit about ensuring Rhode Islanders better wages and health care coverage. "In fact, Carcieri's policies, and his blind allegiance to George Bush, guarantee Rhode Islanders will continue to bear an exorbitant burden under his failed economic policies. "The worst job creation performance of any state in New England, the nation's 5th worst property tax rate, America's 8th worst local and state tax burden for the past two years in a row, ranked as the nation's worst state for business property taxes. That's the Rhode Island economic record under Carcieri! "So, with such a dismal economic performance, why would Carcieri still oppose a $1 billion economic development project that will create 3,500 construction jobs, 3,800 casino jobs, guarantee $144 million in property tax relief, and bring 3 million new visitors to Rhode Island each year? "Because he just doesn't care about helping working class Rhode Islanders achieve any economic benefits. That's only for his rich, elitist business friends. "And a vote for Lincoln Chafee promises more of the same. "A vote for Chafee ensures a United States Senate that will continue to support policies that put our young men and women in the military at risk, reward fat cat contributors like Halliburton, raise our energy prices while guaranteeing billions in profits for the oil companies, destroy our environment, and continue to pit American versus American. "That's why Sheldon Whitehouse's election is so important, so that we can bring a democratic voice to the United States Senate that ensure a strong commitment to helping working men and women -- not George Bush and his policies that reward the rich and connected. "On November 7th, please vote as if Rhode Island's economic future depends on it. Because it does. Please vote to elect Charlie Fogarty as Governor, Sheldon Whitehouse as United States Senator, and to approve Question 1, the Narragansett Indian Casino."
"Earlier this evening you likely received an unauthorized e-mail from takeaction@keepitinri.com and Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief that purported to endorse certain campaigns. While the e-mail originated from takeaction@keepitinri.com it was authored and distributed without the authorization of Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief, Inc. "Please accept this as a complete retraction of the purported partisan endorsement contained in that e-mail and a disavowment of all statements related thereto. "As a registered ballot question advocate, Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief is a non-partisan campaign in support of Ballot Question #1 and it does not advocate for or against candidates for any office - Republican or Democrat. The Campaign has adopted and followed strict policies implementing a prohibition against partisan activities unrelated to Question 1. Regrettably, in this instance, these policies were not adhered to and were not authorized. "We apologize for any confusion that the prior e-mail may have created. "Respectfully, 
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the -recorded calls- have Taken a very negative impact on us...Something needs to be done....
Not everyone can jump up to the phone each and every time it rings with 'canned speaches'
We will be happy when the election are over, and things are back to normal...Many (not all candidates have ruined things for themself).
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Business as usuual in RI politics...attack attack attack...then the short "I am sorry"....nice try. The bottom line is the Republicans are RI's only chance to reverse the years of special interests driving the state bankrupt...over inflated state and local pensions which must be paid with tax dollars....UNDERFUNDED retirement accounts which will all come due. It is amazing that one new RI casino will cure all the tax issues that face this state. The casino will only breed more corruption in a state that is already notorious for political and private sector corruption.
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