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ON SUNDAY MORNING, NINE days before the primary, the Woonsocket Star and the Newport Record endorsed Cardella for governor on the Republican ticket. They split on the Democratic side. The Star came out in favor of Bruce Singer, while the largest newspaper on Aquidneck Island supported June Bates with a strong editorial.

Cyril Berman called Fiore at home that morning with the news, but told him not to worry about it. “I’ve already spoken to some key people about it. They assured me it won’t make any difference at the ballot box. There was a lot of infighting at both papers and you had your share of editors pushing for you. The mayors in those towns are strong backers of casino gambling. Someone has deluded them into believing they’ll see big bucks flowing back into their treasuries from a State operation. So they lobbied the papers not to support you. It would be good to have them on our side, but you’ll get endorsements from others. Wait and see, it will pretty much balance out.”

“What about the Herald ?” Fiore asked. “Does anyone know what they’re going to do?”

“Not yet,” Berman answered, “but I’m getting good vibes from what I’m reading there.” He knew the paper sided with them on the gambling issue but didn’t have any idea whether that was enough to get its endorsement. “I know they’re publishing their choices in all the races next Sunday. That means the forums on Tuesday and Thursday night will be real important, especially the first one. The Providence Organization of Women has a lot of clout. P.O.W.? really stands for pow.” He smiled at his own joke.

“I’ll be ready,” Doug assured him.

“Of course you will. See you at 2:30 at the Biltmore.”