Indian Country Could Back Obama on Super Tuesday
New America Media, News Analysis, Ketaki Gokhale, Posted: Jan 24, 2008
Editor's Note: Barack Obama is doing well with Native American voters, but - perhaps more significantly - the exciting race is having an empowering effect on Native communities across the country. Ketaki Gokhale is an editor with New America Media.
Barack Obama is big in Indian Country, even though he’s done everything wrong.
He hasn’t attended the annual National Congress of American Indians meet, or rolled out a comprehensive Native American agenda, or even addressed the rumors of his own Native heritage—but he has still, somehow, managed to capture the imagination of Indian Country, say Native American commentators and community activists.
Whether that wave of goodwill is enough to carry him to “Super Tuesday” primary victories in the states of Alaska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Arizona, remains to be seen.
“Obama represents a break from the old—something fresh and new,” says Paul DeMain, managing editor of the Northern Wisconsin-based newspaper News from Indian Country. “Native people are looking at him as someone who can empathize with other people of color.”
DeMain has a hunch that those coming out in support of Obama are the young and the highly educated. The younger generation is trying to define itself in new political terms, he explains. “When I looked at who’s on his list, I saw lots of family names I recognized,” he says. For example, the daughter of LaDonna Harris, an outspoken Comanche leader who donated to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson’s presidential campaign last year, is now involved with the Obama campaign, says DeMain.
Over in Nebraska, Kevin Abourezk, a reporter with the Lincoln Journal Star and a prominent Native affairs blogger, agrees. “Obama is appealing to younger voters across the ethnic spectrum. He’s just exciting, and he harkens back to people like John F. Kennedy.”
DeMain has been watching the polls on his newspaper’s website for the past few months, and has seen a recent spike in the number of people selecting Obama as their preferred Democratic Party candidate.
Over 140 readers have weighed in on the candidates since the poll was launched, and Obama has captured the lead with 30 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton has 22.1 percent of the vote. But a significant portion of Indian Country, DeMain says, remains uncommitted.
Among Republican-leaning Native Americans, who experts say are in the minority, Sen. John McCain is a perennial favorite. He was the only candidate to attend the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) convention in the 2000 election and has proved that he has a firm grasp on Native issues from the many years he’s served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Hillary Clinton is the default choice for many, as over 30 tribal leaders—most of them women—paid homage to former President Bill Clinton’s Native-friendly agenda and policies, by endorsing her campaign early in the race. “The fact is, many people trust that Hillary will do the right thing; they see her as part of the old guard,” DeMain says.
Bill Clinton created a much-touted tribal government liaison position in the White House during his presidency, which President George W. Bush later eliminated, and Hillary Clinton, in her address at the NCAI convention last November, vowed to resurrect the post.
The very fact that she made a telecast appearance at the NCAI meet last year, when none of the other White House aspirants did, made Native Americans sit up and take notice, Abourezk explains.
Last September, Obama met with Eastern Band of Cherokee leaders and won the support of several members, but Sundust Martinez, of the San Jose, Calif.-based Native Voice TV, says that Obama needs to meet with more groups and come up with a clear Indian Country agenda.
“There’s just nothing out there,” he says. “[Obama] hasn’t really taken a stance on a lot of issues.” Every Native American nation has its own treaties and policies with the government, he explains, and Obama needs to address the specific interests of many tribes, rather than meeting with just one, or speaking broadly about Indian issues.
“Most people have seemed more supportive of Hillary,” Abourezk concedes, “but it’s not a cut and dried issue. There are a lot of Native people who want to believe in Obama.” Many in Indian Country are testing the national winds, to see if Obama has what it takes to be a viable candidate in the general election. “They want to be on the winning side of this,” Abourzek says.
A recent column in Indian Country Today, however, argued that Obama is reaching out to Native Americans, and that he is the only candidate to have a page on his website dedicated to his Native American supporters. The site, First Americans for Obama, includes a post on a bill Obama cosponsored last year that aims to improve the Indian Health Service, a federal program that operates medical clinics and hospitals on Indian reservations.
The close race between Clinton and Obama—they’ve beaten each other by mere percentage points in the Iowa and New Hampshire—has, according to several observers, had an empowering effect on Native communities across the country.
In states like Alaska, where 16 percent of the population is Native Alaskan, New Mexico, where 10.2 percent of the population is Native, and Oklahoma, where is 8.1 percent of the population is Native, the way Indian Country votes, if it votes as a bloc, could influence the Democratic Party pick for a presidential nominee.
Compounding the political strength of Indian Country is the strong Democratic streak that runs through it. Denny McAuliffe, a University of Montana journalism professor and the director of Reznet, an online journalism program for Native American college students, says South Dakota, which won’t hold its Democratic primary until June 3, is a state in which Natives have a real shot at swaying the election.
He recalls another close contest—the 2002 congressional face-off between the Democratic incumbent Rep. Tim Johnson and John Thune, in which Johnson won by 524 votes, because of late returns from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Over 90 percent of the votes cast there were for the Democrat.
“The balance of power rests in their hands,” DeMain says. “In Northern Wisconsin, we know that we can impact the presidential candidate. It’s a good position to be in politically.”
Flexing its newfound muscle, the Navajo Nation has for the first time called on its members to participate in the Feb. 5 primaries. “I’ve never see that before,” DeMain notes. “There’s been a lot of get-out-the-vote efforts made in the past, but this is the first time I’ve seen people encouraging their people to participate in the primary process.”
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User Comments
Jay Mack on Feb 18, 2008 at 13:52:00 said:
To the person who's voting for Obama because he got a quick response to his e-mail...grow up. You're voting for someone because his website is run better. That's just plain dumb. As for the person voting for Obama because he has an anti-genocide advisor... how many candidates do you think have a PRO-genocide advisor? That's about as bogus a rationale for giving someone your vote as I've seen. Vote on the issues people; casting your vote for someone who gives a better speech (one that he didn't write by the way) makes as much sense as voting for someone based on the level of melanin in his or her skin.
Roy on Jan 28, 2008 at 12:25:48 said:
Hi Inaru,
I do respect your views and with host of others who are well informed, It is therefore our duty to let have the belief and stay strogly with Obama come Feb 5 2008 and beyond.
The eduacated young ones and the well informed middle and Old shall not go astray im their overwhelming and great support they have been buliding accross the board all over america.
Our fl;ag bearer shall succeed where his conterpart had failed or where they need to do more.
It is obvious his Change is more demanded that that of hers, they know for sure and that is the only Reason they have resulted to bring Race, Gender and Defomation of his character still forcing the hjand clock of clock back in the development anals of fellow american, who have decide to move one if not two steps above the Clintos, Political Eggimony.
Definitely the people of America of any race or gender will not be onced fool, moreso the Clintons we no in the past have chaged allm of a sudden only because of a wll keenly contested Democratic Primary nominee for the White House, Why should that be, if not for letting us know how they will be banboosing us once again if ever she gets the Democratic nomination.
As such fellow American refuse to be decived and face the belief of Real effectiove changed as mentioned by Obamma in his presidency campaign.
Long Life American Democrat, Long Live Independents, Long Liove Converted Rerpublicans
The Truth on Jan 25, 2008 at 07:38:56 said:
The article states that Senator Obama has not "rolled out a comprehensive Native American agenda."
This statement is not true. In fact, Sen. Obama has issued the most comprehensive Native American agenda of any Presidential candidate. His plan was issued last summer - far before any other campaign and goes much further than other candidates are willing.
Sen. Obama has pledged to appoint a National Indian Policy Advisor in the White House. He has strong stances preserving and improving urban Indian health, and strengthening tribal jurisdiction. Both stances far and above the other candidates for President - from both parties. It is therefore incorrect to say that Sen. Obama has not issued a "comprehensive Native American agenda."
More information is available at:
my.barackobama.com/page/content/firstamissues
If you would like a copy of Sen. Obama's more comprehensive First Americans Fact Sheet, email firstamericansfactsheet (at) gmail (dot) com
Ray on Jan 25, 2008 at 05:57:00 said:
Obama or Clinton, tough pick, they both seem too caught up in the bigger AMerican issues to focus much on Natives with any intelligence.
Putting institutionalized Natives on staff really doesn't cut it either, its so much window dressing.
However, Bill does have a decent history in Indian country and Hillary and Richardson are the only two that spoke intelligently on certain Native issues. Plue, Hillary played a big role in ensuring that the DNC deposited a portion of their Campaign war chest in the Native AMerican Bank ($2 million). Action speaks louder than Obama's words.
I don't think it matters much is Obama has some native blood - tribal blood (Keyan roots). Without a Tribal mentality or experience what good is he to us? Many Native had gone to Washington and acted no more Native than Pat Buchanan.
My two cents.
Rezzdog,
Louis gray on Jan 24, 2008 at 22:40:42 said:
The candidates with a true history of helping the Indian is Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel. Clinton, Obama and Edwards are turned down an invitation to woo Indian voters during Prez on the Rez. Websites are one thing (a little thing) but going to talk to Indians and tell them to their face why they should vote for them is quite another.
To Obama, Clinton and Edwards credit they finally addressed Indian issues in nevada. Obama and Clinton actually visited an Indian reservation in Elko and Edwards answered questions about the Indian situation. By the way Indians voted heavily on their reservations last weekend.
Demus Martinez on Jan 24, 2008 at 15:09:38 said:
I am in agreement about Barack Obama is big in Indian Country. I am a registered Republican, and although I do not agree with all of his positions, I do appreciate his agenda for Indian Country, if you read his website, it is descriptive of his plans when he wins the White House.
I emailed each campaign in regards to their stance on Indian peoples and his choice for the Secretary of Interior. Obama\'s campaign was the only to answer my request.
This shocked me! I thought John McCain would have responded to my request, with his track record in Arizona and the Senate. No such luck.
I recieved a response in a matter of minutes!!
That impressed me. Because of that, I will support Obama and have taken steps to pass the word on in Indian Coutry.
Being a person of color has nothing to do with this. It is his whole delivery to his contact with the people.
He is online, I am. He is a \"nobody\" in Washington D.C and I think America needs a new face.
With all due respect, we have had a Bush or Clinton in the White House since when? Since, 1988!!
I admire our POTUS, he came into office and carried out almost every plan he said he would. Although not always popular, he was handed a presidency that was bound to have problems such as Iraq and Bin Laden, just like he will pass on problems when he leaves office.
Obama in my book is a new young face. Washington D.C needs that. You are correct about who is paying attention.
It is the young and intelligent! You should listen to your youth once in awhile, we think with our hearts and that is what Obama is doing.
Obama 2008, from a Republican.
The Truth on Jan 24, 2008 at 14:30:48 said:
The article states that Senator Obama has not "rolled out a comprehensive Native American agenda."
This statement is not true. In fact, Sen. Obama has issued the most comprehensive Native American agenda of any Presidential candidate. His plan was issued last summer - far before any other campaign and goes much further than other candidates are willing.
Sen. Obama has pledged to appoint a National Indian Policy Advisor in the White House. He has strong stances preserving and improving urban Indian health, and strengthening tribal jurisdiction. Both stances far and above the other candidates for President - from both parties. It is therefore incorrect to say that Sen. Obama has not issued a "comprehensive Native American agenda."
More information is available at:
my.barackobama.com/page/content/firstamissues
If you would like a copy of Sen. Obama's more comprehensive First Americans Fact Sheet, email firstamericansfactsheet (at) gmail (dot) com
pourier on Jan 24, 2008 at 14:24:34 said:
For all of you claiming that he has no indian agenda or stance on Indian Issues, go to the First Americans for Obama website. There is more than just the blog. Click on "Learn Where Barack Stands" on the right side, and he has a whole variety of positions on several issues. They're actually quite good and pretty innovative.
California Native on Jan 24, 2008 at 13:05:08 said:
Nonsense!!! Obama has disrespected Indian Country and now he expects us to gather in his corner because... because... he's a person of color? I don't think so.
The Clintons have a history with Indian Country and that history will prevail.
Yes for Clinton in 2008.
Inaru on Jan 24, 2008 at 02:36:20 said:
I hope Indian Country stays in the Obama camp, I know I will. I'm 50 and a grand-aunt. I trained with Obama's people, Marshall Gantz of the United Farmworkers, SNCC and Bobby Kennedy's campaign, as a matter of fact. I've met Obama, he treats his grassroots organizers with much affection and respect, he's genuine. It's shocking, actually, but in a good way.
He's working mightily against the 21st century Clintons, the Clintons of Monsanto lobbyists, union-busting lawyers and military contractors and lobbyists. I have to undo lies told about him by the Clintons every time I phonebank and canvas on my cane.
These Clintons are not the same ones I voted for in the 90s.
We absolutely can bring Obama to the White House if we vote in a block for him, and he will treat us well. He's a civil rights and constitutional rights lawyer, a human rights advocate, a proponent of honor and respect among all people. How can we go wrong when one of his closest advisors is anti-genocide Pulitzer-Prize winning author Stephanie Power, of The Problem from Hell: America in the Age of Genocide?
This righteous multiracial man and his family can't even speak to the plight of black people without drawing fire. We, with our land, water and many human rights issues, will bring him certain failure if we demand highly visible proof of his loyalty. He's not white, it's not "magnanimous" when he does it - it's threatening to those who see us all as a threat.
Please, let's clear the path and get a true ally in the White House. We won't let you down. We trained to do this for the long haul.
Hispanic4Obama on Jan 24, 2008 at 01:52:15 said:
The article adds to fine points you made about Obama: \"Senator Barack Obama Calls on Senate to Swiftly Pass Indian Health Care Bill\"
-->www.allamericanpatriots.com/48741079_senator-barack-obama-calls-senate-swiftly-pass-ind