 |
 |
Speaking in Missoula Montana on April 5th, Senator and Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama promised “to appoint a high-level adviser on American Indian issues if elected president.”
This may be too little too late, however, as John Ruberry of the Marathon Pundit writes:
John McCain has been doing that for over twenty years. Who is the one ‘reaching across the aisle’ to build a consensus? As for Indians, it appears to be McCain.
Ruberry also points out that the only Native American currently serving in Congress is Tom Cole, a Chickasaw, is Republican.
American Indian activist Kayln Free is quoted by The Oklahoman:
Sen. McCain [a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs] has a record with Indian country. He has carried a lot of water for tribes over the years. I think it is a grave mistake for the Democratic nominee or these two candidates to think that Indian Country will be there for them just because they are the Democratic nominee.
[...]
Tribal leaders have a different standing. We are sovereign nations and there is a government-to-government relationship. The Democratic candidates vying for our support should meet with tribal leaders and hear our concerns…Republicans are reaching out to tribal leaders because of the new economic power that the wield. Tribes are playing at a different level than they were even a decade ago.
“UnitedNative,” a senior member on the Indianz.com discussion forum, points out that although Native Americans largely have a problem with the policies of the Republican Party, John McCain has stood up to member of his own party to defend Indian rights:
As president, John McCain would be the eight hundred-pound political gorilla against anti Native American groups.
Also see:
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) last week received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Enterprise Award” for his support of pro-growth legislation during the 110th Congress. Accepting the award, Inhofe said:
I am honored to receive the ‘Spirit of Enterprise Award’ from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This organization provides an invaluable service to businesses nationwide. I will continue to fight for legislation that helps grow our nation’s economy, keeping America’s businesses the most competitive in the world.
Dan Boren, the only Democrat in the entire House of Representatives to receive the award, said:
I am honored to receive this award. The small business community, energy industry, and other manufacturers are an integral part of Oklahoma’s economy. I am committed to doing everything I can in Congress to help them grow our economy and create additional jobs in Oklahoma.
Tom Donohue, Chamber president and CEO, stated:
Senator Inhofe has proven to be an effective ally to the business community, supporting legislation that helps grow the economy and creates new jobs for hardworking Americans. The Chamber is grateful for Jim’s commitment to these important issues and is proud to present him with this award.
[...]
Representative Boren has proven to be an effective ally to the business community, supporting legislation that helps grow the economy and creates new jobs for hardworking Americans. The Chamber is grateful for Dan’s commitment to these important issues and is proud to present him with this award.
The Oklahomans who were honored were:
The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses of every size, sector, and region. A complete list of the 2007 Spirit of Enterprise recipients is here.
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) shared on The Hill’s Congress Blog this morning:
It would take a willing suspension of belief to ignore the progress that has been made as a result of the surge. The consequences of failure as well as the benefits of victory were laid out brilliantly in compelling testimony from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker.
By every objective measure security in Iraq is better, political progress has occurred and we have positive as opposed to negative momentum. I just hope my Democratic colleagues do not manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Probably not the best metaphor Congressman Cole could have used to describe how difficult it will be to defeat Congresswoman Fallin:
Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the NRCC, shows no concern about the Democrats’ fundraising lead. “Most of our freshmen, frankly, are not in vulnerable seats,” he says. “They won in an awful year. You couldn’t beat Mary Fallin [an Oklahoma Republican] with a baseball bat.” Read more…
The Hill is reporting that U.S. Representive from Oklahoma, and National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) is standing by his friend and colleague Rep. Rick Renzi’s (R-AZ), who has been indicted on 35 Federal charges. The two have worked closely in Congress on Native American issues.
In Tucson, KVOA News is reporting that Renzi appears in court for the first time today:
He’s accused of choreographing a deal to swap federally owned mining land for his and an ex-business partner’s benefit, including demanding that potential buyers buy his former partner’s property if they wanted Renzi’s backing on needed legislation.
He’s also accused of embezzling more than $400,000 in insurance premiums from clients of his family-owned insurance business.
If Renzi were to bow out before May 4th, it would force a special election, but if he sticks it out past then and then resigns, the seat would remain vacant until November. In any case, Renzi himself is in no hurry to leave, and his case is unlikely to go to trial for many, many months.
US News and World Report is quoting Tom Cole:
He’s got every right to do what he thinks. I wish him well. I didn’t elect Rick Renzi.
On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee, led by Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), held an oversight field hearing on “Oklahoma Indian Issues: Proposed Regulations Governing Economic Development.”
Links to Audio Clips of the hearing are available on Indianz.com.
The National and Oklahoma Indian Gaming Commissions were represented, as were the Choctaw, Quawpaw, Peoria, Cherokee, Osage, and Chickasaw tribes, as well as the city of Miami, Ottawa County, and the Miami Community and Economic Development Department.
Tony Thornton NewsOK.com gives some background:
The National Indian Gaming Commission, which regulates the industry, wants to clarify the difference between Class II, or bingo-based electronic machines, and Class III slot machines such as those found in Las Vegas. Technology developed over the last two decades has blurred that distinction, regulators say.
Most experts agree the proposed changes would make existing Class II games illegal, forcing tribes to pay states a share of profits in return for the right to offer Class III games.
That’s already happening in Oklahoma, thanks to voters’ approval of tribal gaming compacts in late 2004.
Dan Boren (D-OK)and Tom Cole (R-OK), a Chickasaw, also attended, and supported the tribal chiefs in their opposition to the changes, according to the Tulsa World:
“The (proposed) regulations are a solution in search of a problem,” Cole said. “It will cripple economic development in Indian Country, not promote it.”
[...]
“We don’t want the equilibrium disturbed,” said Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith. “I find it quite interesting that the state and state officials have not complained about these changes.”
The changes being discussed would require bingo machines to be classified as slot machines and bring in extra revenue to the state governemnts, at the expense of the tribes.
Indianz.com explains:
In the case of Oklahoma, tribes have to share revenues with the state for Class III machines. Though tribes make less money on Class II machines, they depend on them to generate revenues at their casinos.
If enacted, the NIGC’s regulations would turn some Class II machines into Class III ones. A study predicted a loss of $1 billion across the nation.
by Loné BeasleyHillary Clinton’s now famous televised tears following Barack Obama’s Iowa caucus win perhaps had more appeal in New Hampshire than conservative pundits predicted. At any rate, they apparently didn’t hurt.
What may have been more important in the New York Senator’s victory last night is changing her message from one of experience to questioning Obama’s ability to bring about the change he is promising. This switch in emphasis may be critical to whether or not she gets to finish her campaign for the highest office in the land.
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole visited Ada last week and had an interesting take on the subject. Cole is chairman of the National Republican Committee. In this capacity his job is to inherit whichever Republican candidate survives the fray and lead the effort to get him elected President.
Oklahoma Conservative Specializes in the ‘Hold’; Stopping 90 Bills in 2007
By Sarah Lueck
On Tuesday afternoon, when most senators were preparing to leave Washington for the holiday recess, Tom Coburn was declaring his intention to stick around.
“The floor’s going to be open,” said the 59-year-old Oklahoma Republican. “I’m going to have to be here…to try to stop stuff.”
Stopping stuff is Sen. Coburn’s specialty. In a Congress that has had trouble passing even the simplest legislation, Sen. Coburn, who proudly wears the nickname “Dr. No,” is a one-man gridlock machine. This year, the senator, who indeed is a medical doctor, single-handedly blocked or slowed more than 90 bills, driving lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to distraction.
He blocked a ban on genetic discrimination by health insurers. He thwarted a bill to set up a program to track patients with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Also nixed: an effort to promote safe Internet use by children and a resolution to honor the late environmentalist Rachel Carson on the 100th anniversary of her birth. Read more…
There will be at least three major ceremonies Friday commemorating the 66th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the traditional National Park Service and Navy joint memorial service, which will begin at 7:40 a.m. at Pearl Harbor Naval Station’s Kilo Pier.
Speakers at the Oklahoma memorial dedication will include Inouye; Adm. Timothy Keating, head of the Pacific Command; Gov. Linda Lingle; Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry; U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie, Mary Fallin and Tom Cole; and Assistant Secretary of the Interior Lyle Laverty.