Obama's Play for Indian Country
Barack Obama has vowed to expand the electoral map for the Dems. Turning out the politically neglected Native American vote may be the key to doing so.
If Barack Obama wins New Mexico on November 4, he may want to thank Wizipan Garriott, the vote director of what the Obama campaign calls its "First Americans" voter outreach program. The effort targets the politically neglected but heavily Democratic Native American vote, which Obama strategists believe could be critical to putting some historically red states into play for Obama.
The Obama campaign is reluctant to discuss the details of its ground game, but it's clear the campaign's Native American outreach strategy is extensive. The campaign has two Chicago-based staffers devoted to coordinating the nationwide effort, and Garriott has recruited locals on reservations around the country to serve as paid organizers. Montana, Alaska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New Mexico have all been targeted at points in the campaign.
"If you're going to compete in traditionally red states as a Democrat, if you're going to expand the electoral map, then you're going to have to compete in places where native voices are of some considerable significance," says Keith Harper, a member of the Cherokee Nation who serves as the chair of Obama's Native American Policy Committee. "From time to time has a Democratic candidate opened an office on a reservation? Yes. But we have native outreach directors in numerous states. Before, it was hit or miss, little bit here, little bit there. Right now it's a comprehensive effort."
One of Obama's signature promises during the primary was that he could expand the electoral map for Democrats. And the Obama campaign sees an opening to do so in several reliably red states in the American West that have sizable Native American populations. Native Americans make up only about 1 percent of the population in the crucial swing states of Nevada and Colorado. But they're a significant presence in North Dakota (4.8 percent) and Montana (6.4 percent). And Indian country comprises nearly 10 percent of the population of New Mexico, which George W. Bush won by only a few thousand votes in 2004.
"Within many of these western states, particularly those who have over the last couple decades elected Republicans, one of the ways in which Democrats have been competitive is to ensure that they have been responsive to tribal communities," Harper says. "Democrats who have made a concerted effort to reach out to Indian country have solidified their base."
Mary Bowannie, a lecturer in Native American studies at the University of New Mexico who teaches a course called "The Native Vote," says she's noticed the Obama campaign has placed more of an emphasis on Native American voters than past Democratic candidates. "There's really been a push to get out the vote in Native American communities," she says. "There's a lot of participation and excitement. When [John] Kerry ran, he had people on the ground, but it was very much focused on getting the tribal leadership behind them. They did have some focus on community and getting out the vote, but not as much as they have recently."
It seems that the Obama campaign may be making its move for the Indian vote at just the right time, too. George Hardeen, the communications director for Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr., who has endorsed Obama, says that Navajos appear to be paying more attention to politics this year than ever before: "Access to information in a place as geographically isolated as the Navajo Nation is as great as it ever has been, and that alone has moved the message in. So even traditional Navajo people like my mother-in-law, who speaks no English...she knows who Obama is, and she knows who John McCain is. They're not watching Fox and CNN, but they are forming opinions."
Next page: One race in particular exemplifies this bloc's ability to determine an election...
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Very glad to see this posted. My personal decision to support Obama was a result of a conference call for Tribal leaders and Tribal organizations, in which he outlined his plan to include a cabinet-level Native affairs position, and invite Tribal leaders to the White House on an annual basis. He also demonstrated a clear understanding of Tribal sovereignty, an understanding that has been absent in the White House since 2000 (while advocation has been absent since Nixon).
I voted early for Obama. One of the main reasons is his inclusion of a cabinet level postition for an American Indian.
It's so depressing as an Oklahoma native that the Obama campaign isn't even addressing our native communities--we're just too red, I guess.
I think he is addressing our issues to some extent. He sided with the Cherokee Nation on NAHSDA and that bill passed. Its a victory for self-determinism and honoring tribal law. Plus, he's for Nation to Nation status and a cabinet-level post and annual convention of all tribes. In Oklahoma, a state so red that its at about 63%, I see that as a way to peel about 10% (roughtly the state's Indian population) of voters out of the McCain camp. Now, most of those voters were democrats to begin with, but Oklahoma has more registered Democrats than Republicans. Oklahoma is just not a strategically "at play" state so Obama Native American volunteers in Oklahoma can either travel to help in surrounding swing states or give money. That's all we can do from here. McCain has been good, ie the Akaka Bill. But I think Obama can think in terms of respecting sovereignty as an inherent starting point. He doesn't have anti-Indian constituents making up his base, like some of the fringe groups that in the past have had some input via the conservative ideology. I think he will be fair.
i was phone HARASSED by the nra last week asking why i was not voteing mcbush & neo-cons, they called me un american & told me i hate guns thats really stupid considering i was a "fedrally liscenced firearms dealer in the ninteys? & own firearms myself!!!
but on the flipside, all the neos gettin guns now cant & couldent pass a brady so im not feeling bad in any way. those psychos dont deserve to own firearms its a privilege that citizens once enjoyed, now any felon can buy a gun anywhere in tx so sad, im a registered republican & ashamed to say that! there are no true conservatives anymore just neo-jerkers
who call themselves conservative & churches want you to vote that way, i thought voteing was a right for law abideing CITIZENS OF AMERICA? not anymore now church votes neo, and so
does most of the so called conservative party that put bush/cheney in, now even NON AMERICANS & CRIMINALS can REGISTER to VOTE IF THEY REGISTER REPUBLICAN!!!this
really shows you where our country & the republican lawmakers have gone, might as well call the republican party the skinheads cause thats the beliefs that are followed by republicans now i guess, in america, crime really does pay just ask WALL st. the banking system, and of course their
GODS BUSH / CHENEY & THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!! WHERES THE DEVIL ??? IN CONGRESS & THE WHITE HOUSE & of course crawford tx.
And who was the last fiscal conservative who managed the budget like we all have to do? Not Bush. Clinton. I want out of this national debt, which already added 2 years before I can retire with SS. Each generation should pay for their own government. It would make people vote.
The demographic in Eternally Red Utah is becoming little more purple. In the next couple of election cyles, we may 'Turn Utah Blue', with the help of our Ute, Piute, Gohsute and Navajo brothers and sisters. The problem is the Utah Indian tribes were tamed by Utah Pioneers, who became a local source of welfare support, through the Mormon Church and its Native American foster family program. The church's conservative political values have been adopted, through exposure in Utah schools and churches. Some enterprising tribal leaders, may lean Republican because of this past support, but hopefully the tribal members are democrats.
Tribes, I think, will be more free to branch out in businesses more healthy than gaming and tobacco, and I think it will be by free will and not coercion. Its a win-win, when tribes are not groomed into untenable paths by definitions of sovereign that suit the federal government instead of an authentic reflection that these are pre-existing nations. We are so shattered by the cultural losses and bumping up against mainstream ways of doing things. I don't say that with any kind of malice-- its an objective fact.
And maybe we can find a way forward which lets Native American people keep Native American values intact-- family, community, helping each other, sharing, teaching, mentoring across generations and across families, and being resourceful, respectful, innovative, stewardly, etc.
As a Native person I grew up in white bread Utah, thankfully my family aren't Mormons, I experienced racism up to my eyeballs and luckily left the state. I believe my life experience taught me to think critically and not accept things as face value. I'm for Obama, for once we have a leader who will listen to the needs of Native people and develop a respectful government to government relationship.
I've always enjoyed Mother Jones - when I saw a copy - and I usually learned something, too. So If it's free e-mail, I would like to see you more often!
It makes me sad that with 20 federally recognized tribes and the largest land mass of reservations/tribally owned land of any state (at least in the lower 48, not sure on Alaska), that Obama isn't reaching out here more.
However, I am also sad to see this article, which I liked overall, neglect the issues many tribes have with Palin's environmental policies. I think it's a valid point to make that while McCain did well with tribes, his VP pick undid those points for him. As governor of a state with many tribal communities, I think it speaks volumes that she does not have their support.
This old Cherokee-American is going with the candidate from the party that once featured Russ Means as a contender for their presidential slot, and as an EXCELLENT speaker at their convention.
I'm going Libertarian.
The rest of you can have Bush-Clone & Bush-Lite if you want 'em.
I would like to ask the Navajo who live near Black Mesa if they are supporting McCain? After what he and his Peabody Coal cronies did to those people I am totally surprised that anyone thinks McCain has a 'good relationship' with the tribes in Arizona.
Go here to read more about it - you will be horrified.
he may not be addressing you community directly, but rest assured your community will benefit under his administration, so don't be depressed!
This is great news for all people that North American Aboriginal people are letting their voices be heard, it is time!!
Kathy, if you are Tibbets (ex-Carter-White) I'd like to hear from you (same email address).
Please, someone tell me what Obama has accomplished or try to accomplish for the American Indian compared to Sen. McCain.
But sir, with due respect, what is his past history with the American Indian compared to Sen. McCain
Very interesting article. This is the first time I've seen anything posted about presidential candidates gunning for native american votes. If it works, (that is to say, if Obama wins and it can be shown statistically that the native american votes tipped the scale) then this probably won't be the last time we see men in headdresses sporting political propaganda online.
i guess this is what mccain has done, little grandmother:
John McCain has been a primary sponsor of legislation that set a new timetable for the forced relocation of a number of Dineh (Navajo) families who continue to live on their ancestral homelands of Black Mesa, AZ. During the 109th Congress McCain sponsored Senate Bill 1003, an amendment of the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-531, the relocation law), prematurely terminates the Federal government’s responsibilities towards those who “have lived through the nightmare of relocation” as testified by Navajo Nation president Joe Shirley Jr. Furthermore, S1003 disclaims any further federal responsibility for the relocatees and refuses to acknowledge the long lasting damage to the community and current need for rehabilitation and support. Although this legislation thankfully stalled on the House floor in April 2007, there are growing concerns that if McCain becomes the next U.S. president, S1003 would be at the forefront of the whitehouse agenda. The coal companies have a long history of and continue to fund both the Republican and Democratic parties because they have huge interests at stake. Read more about John McCain’s involvement with relocation on Black Mesa.
http://blackmesais.org/
i'm glad to see this article. i find it hard to understand why native americans would vote for mccain. i truly believe that obama is striving to change this government, to have it represent and support all of its citizens. i just don't see that with mccain. especially not with palin on the ticket.
Senator Obama is the first Candidate for President that actually wants to be the President of all Americans and I applaud his efforts! His popularity abroad and his sincere desire to reach previously uncared about voters speaks well for his future administration!
People Obama has not and will not do any thing for the indian people first. it will be his people first. Obama has conection with a Indian attorney in Calif. who self enrich him and this posie against another tribe it is in sacramento bee 8/0/07. Howard Dickstien and Zerbie. if Obama is hanging around these kind of people who take from the indian people you better know who you are supporting go on the web!rumsey v's dickstein.
[deleted] that black [deleted] obama
that fu*king black @$$ n!gg@ obama
im white and i hate black people im a nazi n!gg@
erkwjfwejhbt.jhegfpwregt;qiiwpaWIefu;urtrt3rgUIYGRWutgwUGWugtwKUFGEIUTWYIPUWEGIQEGFPIEQRGRruroewfngvcy;KHEWGTFWHFBsgfsdg.DECODE THIS [deleted]ES
Burris: Jan/05/09
I don't doubt He will take office ..
It's not right he was not appointed in the right way..
He was appointed by a man that is in the middle of conflict about abusing his office..
From what I hear you all need a black man to fill this office.
Will I see this happen...
He will use RACE to get this office..
Barack Obama will kiss as. and put him in.
Congress will cower down and give in.
AND IT'S BECAUSE (BURRIS) IS BLACK.
See if I'm not right!
And I was RIGHT... JAN/19/09
Remember when this economic crisis hit, and Congress let Bear Sterns go under, pushed a bunch of forced marriages between banks, etc.? Then they bailed out AIG. At the time, I thought: "That's strange. What does an insurance company have to do with this crisis?" I think I just found the answer. Among other things, AIG INSURES THE PENSION TRUST OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS!! No wonder they got bailed out right away! To hell with the people, let's protect our future, said all our Senators and Congressmen. Nice to see where their loyalties lie! (I'm from the government and I'm here to help you!)
Obama: Jan/06/09
You people just can't wait to kiss as.
I hate to see what You and Your wife will do for the rest of AMERICA. After You have over taxed and run ILL into the ground.
Why hasn't anyone (The PRESS, MEDAN, and so on) ever talked or told anyone about this man and his wife being a hater of AMERICA and its people?
From what I understand the Obama's has always been "ashamed" at being Americans
The Obama's FLAG BURNING!
What a disgrace to all the veterans of AMERICA they gave there ALL for GOD and country....
Someone said (Obama and the democrats deserve the same respect they have showed President Bush over the last 8 years.)
For my self I also never had any for them!
I don't care if the Obama's were green with red dots.
They are still raciest toward AMERICA.
They have brought shame and disgrace to AMERICA.
And now we have this going to the White House!
This is a sad day for AMERICA.
So as they are ASHMED of AMERICA
So as I will be of You!
Thank You.
Isn't it illegal for you all to pad your own as.. with TAX payer MONEY, or do you all just pass a bill or Law to make it OK?
Stimulus Check ?
What a joke.
The IRS will just take it like last time and will screw everyone out of it..
Bush Stimulus Check, HE said was to be $1000.00 per adult and $600.00 per kid..
That happen .... One lie after lie.. what a screw JOB. Thanks ALL
I just would like to think You ALL that was for this ball out. These Corp's, Banks, And so on will never pay back anything..
Like the OIL CORP's it's free money, what the hell..RIGHT?
I just needed to thank You for putting this burden on my GRANDKIDs.
You all are making and giving away all this money and there is not even enough Collateral to cover any of the money being made..?????????
ALSO
Is our GOV, (YOU) ever going to anything about the OIL CORP,s giving America that screw job at gas pump? My guess is NOT.. ever going to happen, they will get away with it. See of I'M not RIGHT.
On Jan/05/09 Oil per barrel was $31.84 at that price gas at pump should be $0.45 maybe $0.50 per gal.. We're Still getting A screw job and it seems that no one gives a dam.
You all are supposed to be working for we the people of AMERICA. NOT acting like YOU'R our GOD. THAT YOU CAN NEVER BE.....
Hope to here from You all.Don't think I ever will!
But I would like to have some answers.
Harold Ard
Harold,
AIG does NOT insure the pension trust of the United States Congress:
http://askville.amazon.com/AIG-insure-Pension-Fund-United-States-Congres...
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