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Democratic Presidential Candidates Say 'No' to Prez on the Rez

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by Brad Jolly, Partner

July 21, 2007

All top three Democratic Presidential candidates have said they will not attend the Prez on the Rez debate to be held at the Morongo Reservation in August. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and former Senator John Edwards all turned down the debate, citing scheduling conflicts. On the other hand, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, former Senator Mike Gravel and Congressman Dennis Kucinich all have agreed to attend.

Prez on the Rez is a historic debate - the first ever presidential debate to focus solely on Indian issues and be held in Indian country. It is very disappointing that the top three Democratic Presidential candidates will not participate. However, the move should also be viewed in terms of the candidates' dedication to Indian nations and Indian peoples. While Senator Obama has begun trying to court the Indian vote by circulating a well-versed letter purporting to support Indian nations, not participating in the historically first and only debate on Indian issues in Indian country detracts very heavily from such claims. The same is true of the other candidates who do not appear for Prez on the Rez: claims of support for Indian nations are a bit empty when they cannot take a day to actually address the nations and people they claim to support.

It is difficult to understand how candidates can expect Indian peoples to make informed decisions among candidates when those candidates do not directly address the issues facing Indian nations and their peoples. Perhaps the candidates fear that they do not truly understand or comprehend the issues involved in Prez on the Rez. But, in an presidential primary that includes candidates with demonstrated leadership and support on Indian issues, such as Governor Richardson and, though perhaps not so recently, Senator John McCain, the leading Democratic presidential candidates cannot take the Indian vote for granted, a vote that could be a critical swing vote in many areas.

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