Schwarzenegger still says Indians 'ripping us off'

Monday, October 25, 2004  

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is refusing to apologize for telling voters that "Indians are ripping us off" but says his comments don't apply to all tribes, and he doesn't mean that tribes are ripping the state off right now, but will be doing so in the future.

"Read my lips. The Indian gaming tribes with Proposition 70 are trying to rip off California," the governor was quoted as saying.

That's not what Schwarzenegger originally said two week ago. He didn't say the Indians were "trying" to rip off the state, he said they were already doing it.

Tribal leaders responded by demanding an apology but were rebuffed by the governor's office for being "shameless" in playing the "race card."

Get the Story:
Governor says he stands by tribe remarks (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 10/23)