Although critical of his communications director, the governor says the barbs lobbed at him by the Newport GOP chairman "were untrue and unfair."

01:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 23, 2006

BY SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
Journal State House Bureau

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri yesterday continued to stand by Steve Kass, his $111,487-a-year communications director, but distanced himself from the specific words Kass used to defend the governor on an Internet forum.

Kass was responding to comments by David Quiroa, Newport Republican chairman, that Carcieri's proposal to cut 3,000 undocumented children from state-subsidized health care was "truly sad" and that Carcieri "is insensitive to all minorities."

"While I stand by Steve Kass' efforts to defend my record . . . I disagree with some of the language he used," Carcieri said. "I have made it clear to Steve that, as government officials, we should always avoid using sarcastic language that may be subject to misinterpretation."

Carcieri also took aim at Quiroa for attacking "me personally by stating that I am insensitive to the concerns of Rhode Island's minority community, and also by comparing me to a plantation owner in the Old South. Those comments were untrue and unfair."

The exchange in question started when Quiroa wrote of the governor: "This shows how narrow-sighted a policymaker can become when he or she surrounds him or herself with a non-diverse group of advisors (the inner circle). Although the official name of the state is Rhode Island and Providence Plantations -- We are not a Plantation!"

Kass responded that: "Speaking for myself, I would suggest that all proud Latino-American Republicans like Mr. Quiroa, should step up to the plate, say thank you for all the support they have been given by Rhode Island taxpayers, and then start a fundraising effort to assist those that do live on a plantation until our finances improve. I would be glad to make a contribution. Please tell me where to send the check."

"My remarks were aimed at him, no one else," Kass said yesterday. "I'm sorry that people have taken my comments and twisted them around. I never intended to offend anyone."

State Democratic Party Chairman William J. Lynch placed the blame with Carcieri, saying: "People are judged by those they choose to surround themselves with and Don Carcieri needs to take immediate action to assure Rhode Island's Latino community that Mr. Kass' biased and hurtful words do not reflect the official position of his administration."

Carcieri responded saying: "It was never Steve's intention or mine to cause offense to anyone. And I apologize to any Rhode Islander who was offended by Steve's statement."

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