SEARCH NEWS:

 

Arnold Reaches Out to Gaming Tribes

SACRAMENTO, California – As reported by the San Bernardino Sun: "Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger may not want American Indian money, but he doesn't want to alienate California's gaming tribes, either.

"That's why the actor-turned-politician is reaching out to them, he said in a recent interview. Schwarzenegger has refused to accept campaign contributions from Indian tribes that own Las Vegas-style casinos, saying it would be improper for him to take `special interest' money from a group he might have to negotiate compacts and other agreements with if elected governor.

"But during a one-on-one interview Thursday in Riverside, Schwarzenegger took pains to stress his fondness for American Indians, noting he worked closely with gaming tribes and happily accepted their money while campaigning for Proposition 49, his initiative to fund after-school programs that passed in November.

"…`I want to have their endorsement, I want their support. But I don't want them to pay for it.'

"…Schwarzenegger recently contacted two major tribal lobbying organizations to dispel the notion that he harbors ill will toward the state's American Indian community…"

< Gaming News