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Could Vice President Daschle Help Tribes?
Chuck Jacobs was there in 1999 when former President Bill Clinton visited the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Clinton did a lot for Jacobs' tribe during his term in office, said the Oglala Sioux tribal council member. And he believes former first lady Hillary Clinton would be good for Indian people as well.
But he sees something in Sen. Barack Obama, a depth of character and a level of respect for Indian interests that he finds appealing. Even more so now that he knows former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle is one of the Illinois senator's closest advisers.
"He's had some ups and downs with the tribes, but I think he's learned from it," Jacobs said of Daschle. "He's evolved into an advocate for tribal interests."
By all accounts, Daschle is signed on to the Obama campaign, giving the senator his much-coveted political support, list of donors and even former members of his staff.
According to Newsweek columnist Howard Fineman, no less than six former Daschle staffers now are working for Obama, including Steven Hildebrand, who ran Daschle's last Senate campaign and is now serving as Obama's senior campaign adviser.
Could Obama's sensitivity to Indian issues be due, in part, to his many connections to Daschle?
Some, including Fineman, believe those connections could become even more tangible in the coming months.
And whispers of a possible vice presidential nomination for the longtime South Dakota politician are on the wind.
If his track record in South Dakota is any indication, Daschle could bring an enormous level of access to the American political establishment for Native people should he gain such a nomination.
Here's just one example of Daschle's support among tribes: Back in 2004, as Daschle stared down the full weight of the Republican Party in his race for the Senate against John Thune, all nine of South Dakota's Sioux tribes endorsed his candidacy.
Why? Because of his commitment to Indian issues and support for increased tribal health spending, tribal leaders said at the time.
While some questioned just how effective Daschle had been in fighting for Indian needs in the Senate, others brought up his efforts to increase funding for Indian schools and colleges, as well as economic development on reservations.
As he pondered a possible Obama-Daschle ticket, Jacobs of the Oglala Sioux Tribe couldn't help but think of the possibilities for Indian people.
"I think Senator Obama is taking it to the next level," he said. "I think we're excited here."
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Comments?
Dash hole
One thing is for sure when it comes to election time all candidates take a stab at Indian advocacy, well not all of them but you see my point. I think Daschle should have done something about the Buffer Zone that is requested for Bear Butte to ward off tourists that only want to come amd party near the sacred Butte. Gov. Rounds says he doesnt want to get involved with local zoning laws but in the face of losing out on millions during Sturgis bike rally, Indian interests are overlooked. There should be no thought about it what so ever it is sacred protect it. South Dakota is the most racist state I have ever been to without a doubt for an Indian. I was stationed in Mississippi and that didnt feel half as bad as Southdasippi.
Daschle as VP
Why is it only after Tom is out of office is he being referred to as a "Indian Advocate" and does Mr. Jacobs consider Clinton's welfare reform, which ended general assistance to many tribal members of all tribes one of the good things arising from the 1st Clinton administration. As for Obama's sensitivity to Indian causes, I suspect that having a member of the Rosebud tribe on his campaign staff has more to do with that than knowing Tom.
Tom wasn't so sensitive to Indians in 1990 when he voted against a Senate Resolution (a purely symbolic gesture) apologizing for Wounded Knee massacre along with Sen. Pressler and then Rep. Tim Johnson. This despite then Gov. Mickelson's campaign towards reconciliation within the state of SD between Indians and Whites, that unfortunately died with him in 1993. Let's not even consider the 1998 Water Migation Bill that returned treaty land to the state, which many tribal members either opposed or were wary of.
This isn't to imply that Tom or Tim are racist, but rather moral weaklings who like too many politicals take the easy way and not stand on the supposed ideals of the Democratic Party. They also take for granted the Indian vote, choosing to throw scrapes of money at tribal governments rather than work on real issues (like return of lands or adequate funding for IHS).
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