Dems to drop Sopranos theme from ad

SEATTLE, June 26 (UPI) -- Democrats in Washington state say they will remove the theme from "The Sopranos" from a video attacking Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi.

The Italian Club of Seattle, in a letter to Gov. Christine Gregoire, described the video Wednesday as "beyond offensive," the Seattle Times said. It accused the Democrats of "negative ethnic stereotyping."

The song, "Woke Up This Morning," by an obscure British group, Alabama 3, was played over the opening titles of "The Sopranos" the Emmy-winning HBO series about a New Jersey mob family.

Kelly Steele, a Democratic Party spokesman, said the party had no intention of suggesting that Rossi has ties to the mob. The video attacks his relationship with the Building Industry Association of Washington.

"It's a catchy song, which we thought jibed stylistically with our communication about Rossi's designated attack squad -- the BIAW -- who continue to pour millions into false and misleading attack ads against

Gov. Gregoire," Steele said.

Steele said the video will be back up with new music.