Richardson speaks to National Congress of American Indians

[bigtree]

02/26/2007 3:11:48 PM
By: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson says he will accept an invitation to American Indians’ “Prez on the Rez” debate this summer.

The debate is slated for Aug. 23 at the Morongo band of Mission Indians reservation outside Palm Springs, Calif.

Richardson spoke on Monday to the executive council of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C.

He says that if he’s elected in 2008, he would create the first-ever Cabinet-level Department of Indian Affairs, which would be headed by an Indian.

He also promised to resolve a lawsuit over Indian trust lands.

Indians claim the government has mismanaged more than $100 billion in oil, gas, timber and other royalties from their lands dating back 120 years.

http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=30673&cat=NMTOPSTORIES

[oldtimecanuk]

1. I really like Richardson and I sure hope that somehow he gets a...

fair shot at the Presidency... He is I would say, the most experienced person out there for the job.

ww

[AtomicKitten]

2. Richardson could be a contender.

[BayCityProgressive]

3. I don't know enough about him yet

to know if he is a progressive or an insider...

[bigtree]

4. he's an insider, like the rest of the candidates

but he has a record from which to judge

here's a site with links to his record, history, and accomplishments and current events surrounding his candidacy: http://www.freenewmexican.com/richardson

The Richardson File

The http://www.freenewmexican.com staff has assembled this comprehensive news and archive index to "everything Richardson".

There is also a photo gallery, and a list of outside links to public statement transcript archives, voting and veto records, campaign finances, political supporters and detractors, and other information.

To find the most current news about Governor Richardson, go to the state news section at: http://www.freenewmexican.com/santafenm.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Native Americans are a big voting bloc.....I'm glad that

They are being listened to.

Good thing! :headbang:

[catnhatnh]

7. Actually, I believe the Indians...

as a self-identified majority ethnic group (ie:claiming more than 50% Indian blood)is quite small...But they are a huge "force multiplier" for a Democratic candidate. Almost no true democrat would deny that American Indians have been hosed by the federal government. So I worry that this early appeal to a small minority of highly regarded target people may be a mere grab at a cheap early boost to a less well covered campaign. I hope this is not the case...

[bigtree]

8. to believe that you would have to believe the folks in the community who support him

are playing 'cheap' politics.

The fact is that these are the ways a candidate highlights his intentions. I don't think you are saying he should just shut up about it? He does have a record in his state with these folks.

[bigtree]

6. photo

Democratic presidential hopeful, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, left, talks with Joe A. Garcia, President of the National Congress of American Indians, during the 110th Congress Executive Council Tribal Nations Legislative Summit, Monday, Feb. 23, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)