‘Sopranos’ theme will be pulled from anti-Rossi ad

Thu., June 26, 2008

Richard Roesler Staff writer

OLYMPIA – In the sharp-elbowed race for governor, an Italian-American group Wednesday blasted Democrats for using “The Sopranos” TV theme song in a video critical of Republican Dino Rossi.

The Italian Club of Seattle is unhappy with what it views as an attempt to link Rossi’s Italian-American heritage to mobsters. President Brian DiJulio likened it to running an image of “Little Black Sambo” in an ad about an African-American candidate.

The group wants the video yanked from the Internet and demanded an apology. It also called for the resignation of state party Chairman Dwight Pelz.

“Italian-Americans are the only ones who seem to be discriminated against, and it’s seen as OK,” DiJulio said. “There’s just right and there’s wrong, and it’s time for Italian-Americans to say we’re not mobsters. We’re governors and lawyers and doctors and priests.”

DiJulio said he doesn’t consider himself either a Republican or Democrat.

State Republican Party Chairman Luke Esser echoed the criticism, sending out a press release pronouncing the use of the song shameful, insulting and outrageous.

“What’s next?” he asked. “Dino is also part Tlingit, Alaskan Native. Are they going to attack him for that, too?”

The state Democratic Party on Wednesday evening issued an apology – sort of – and said it will replace the ad’s audio track.

“Our video is in no way meant to allege or imply that Republican Dino Rossi or his extremist, right-wing developer allies have ties to the mafia or organized crime,” spokesman Kelly Steele said. “That being said, we’d like to apologize to Rossi’s friend Mr. DiJulio, his organization, and anyone else we may have inadvertently offended,” Steele said.

The video will remain the same, he said, but with a different song.

Steele also noted that Rossi himself has repeatedly referenced “The Sopranos” while campaigning. He cited a Rossi speech Tuesday on Mercer Island, in which Rossi criticized the state’s high taxes.

“If we raised them any more,” Rossi reportedly told the crowd, “Tony Soprano would want to get some of that action.”

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