Navajo president endorses Clinton for president

[goldcanyonaz]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—The leader of the country's largest Indian reservation is supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton's Democratic presidential bid, saying she would best protect tribal sovereignty.

"We want so much to have Washington, whoever is the president, whoever is living in the White House, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Senate, we want them to recognize that, and I believe that Sen. Hillary Clinton has recognized that," Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. told The Associated Press ahead of a radio announcement Thursday.

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_8139264

[MoonRiver]

1. Wow, how cool!

:)

[goldcanyonaz]

3. This is a very big endorsement out West. Very happy with this one.

[King Coal]

2. Ya Ta Hey, What da heck.

Big Deal. How many votes is that?

[sunonmars]

5. lots and when one american indian chief gives the nod, the rest follow.

[Iktomiwicasa]

11. Bullshit.

A president of a tribal council isn't a "chief". They are politicians who typically do the bidding of the federal government, and do not represent the needs and wishes of the traditionalist people.

[troubleinwinter]

15. What utter shit.

There is no Navajo "indian chief". The President of the Navajo Nation is democratically elected.

The people do not "follow" any more than I would "follow" the "nod" of any endorsement by a governor, union leader or president.

What a remarkably despicable and ignorant post.

[Iktomiwicasa]

17. Yes

it is.

[troubleinwinter]

14. It is a very important number of votes, if the people follow along with the endorsement.

Navajo votes are around 180,000+. Navajo voted 67% for Kerry. Navajo voter turnout in Arizona was 90% in 2004, vs. 66% statewide.

Both repub and Dems agree that the Navajo vote is what made the difference in electing our Dem Governor Janet Napalitano for her first term (she is quite well liked and respected and has won re-election in this mostly red state).

The strong and important mainly Dem Navajo vote is a main reason for the repub-backed, most restrictive in the nation Voter ID law in AZ (under the false guise of preventing "illegals" from voting). The effect has been to disenfranchise Navajo voting. Many of the requirements in the Voter ID law here are simply and completely impossible for Navajos (and other Native Americans in AZ) to comply with.

[Rock_Garden]

4. That's refreshing.

[UALRBSofL]

6. I spent six months on the Navajo reservation

And I can tell you they are the poorest people in the US. I volunteered my time in a tiny dilapidated hospital and almost all the native americans have no running water or electricity. I'm proud they feel by endorsing Hillary they put there trust in her that she can pull them out of poverty. It makes me proud of them after spending time with them and learning there culture.

[King Coal]

18. LOL! You didn't learn much.

[LostinVA]

7. Clinton would -- she has a decent record on Native American issues

Hell, most US politicians don't even know what the hell a Native American is, I think!

I have friends on Pine Ridge, and they think alot of both Clintons. Bill was the only President to ever visit the reservation, which comprises THE poorest counties in the US. Many Third World countries have higher life expectancies and standard of living.

It's good that some of most disenfranchised and mistreated Americans are endorsing Senator Clinton.

[Iktomiwicasa]

13. I am...

an enrolled tribal member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe here on Pine Ridge. Yeah, Bill made a stop here, and guess what? He made alot of promises that he promptly forgot about as soon as the camera was shut off. Surprise!...He didn't honor a SINGLE ONE. Sure, Hillary will probably throw us a bone or two, so fucking what? Ask her if she is willing to restore full treaty rights, and you will watch her squirm like any other wasicu politician.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. o'hôô!

Joe Shirley is very well respected, this is an important pastoni-kchi sôgmô endorsement!

[CarolNYC]

9. Another nice one...

for Hillary.

[Alamom]

10. k&r

[bigtree]

12. noting this

:kick:

[Maribelle]

16. Congratulations, Hillary!

And congratulations to The Navajo Nation

[KennedyGuy]

19. Great endorsement..

[CreekDog]

20. And quit calling him Shirley.

WTH? Nevermind. :eyes: