Three groups that have tried for decades to be recognized as Connecticut Indian tribes in order to build and operate casinos are still trying. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is apparently doing what it can to help them and aspiring casino owners. But the bureau went too far when it proposed changing the rule that requires tribes seeking recognition to prove they were part of the American landscape when George Washington was president. Under the change, they would only have to prove they were around for Franklin Roosevelt's first term.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut's congressional delegation were not amused and have now reminded the Obama administration on two occasions that they strongly and unanimously oppose any easing of requirements for tribal recognition. And this is a nonpartisan issue in the campaign. Gov. Malloy's Republican opponent, Tom Foley, also thinks the rule change is a bad idea.

All agree the Eastern Pequots of Stonington, Golden Hill Paugussetts of Colchester and Trumbull and the Schaghticottes of Kent should still have to prove they were functioning tribes when the nation was founded in 1789, not when the New Deal was in its second year in 1934.

In a letter to the Department of the Interior this month, the state's two senators and five House members echoed Gov. Malloy, who had earlier told President Obama that easing the recognition requirements and allowing additional casinos "would be devastating" for Connecticut. We agree.