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Pundits Disagree Over Rhode Island Casino Fallout

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "The way Brown University Prof. Darrell West sees it, the West Warwick casino issue has made for a frustrated electorate.

"First there are the casino opponents, who didn't want it on the November ballot in the first place. They're angry at the General Assembly for trying to put it there over the governor's veto, he said.

"Then there are the supporters of the casino project being developed by Harrah's Entertainment and the Narragansett Indian Tribe -- or at least those who supported a November vote. As West sees it, they're angry that the casino proposal was yanked back to earth by a legal challenge from Governor Carcieri that led to its removal from the ballot.

"…Potentially, that may create a lose-lose situation for incumbent Assembly candidates who could be held accountable for how they handled this' by voters of all stripes, he said.

"Marc Genest, a political science professor at the University of Rhode Island, disagreed with West's analysis.

"…Genest argued that Rhode Island is so dominated by the Democratic Party, there are few competitive races around the state where the issue might be a factor.

"Maureen Moakley, URI political science department chairwoman, said that in her view Carcieri -- who is not up for reelection this year -- gets political points for 'outmaneuvering' lawmakers…"

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