American Indian activist backs Thune for Senate (instead of Daschle)

AP ^ | Fri, Feb. 06, 2004

[jwalburg]

RAPID CITY - Republican John Thune has received the backing of American Indian activist Russell Means as Thune challenges Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle in this year's election.

''I'm going to work with Sen. Thune's staff and the state Republican Party, and that will open doors to work with the National Republican Party to completely change Indian policy in America,'' Means said.

He made the announcement Wednesday during a Pennington County Republican luncheon, where he declared himself a ''Lakota Libertarian Republican.''

Thune, who met privately with Means, later said he plans to seek ideas, support and voters from Indian people across South Dakota.

''I want to work really hard to earn support out in Indian country,'' said Thune, who unsuccessfully challenged Democrat Sen. Tim Johnson in 2002. ''I think this year is going to be a different year. And I'm hoping people in Indian country will give me their support.''

During the 2002 election, Johnson overwhelmed Thune at the polls in reservation communities. The support helped Johnson slip past Thune by 524 votes.

Steve Hildebrand, Daschle's campaign manager, said Daschle was ready to discuss issues important to Indian people with Thune, Means and Indian people across the state.

Thune, a former member U.S. congressman for South Dakota, said he has always worked with and for American Indians on needed projects, such as water development. He already has visited a number of reservations and will make regular stops to discuss key issues, Thune said.

[jwalburg]

With another prominent Indian spokesman running against Daschle in the primary, Daschle's support from the reservation is waning. May be harder to pull off the dead Indian voting routine this time.

[PhiKapMom]

This is huge! This could help hand the election to Thune. For the first time in years, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is actually listening to the Indians. Never did under Clinton and they kept voting for the DemocRats anyways. Now maybe they have opened their eyes a little.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Indian spokesman running against Daschle in the primary, Daschle's support from the reservation is waning.

Daschle has opposition in the D primary? Fantastic!

[far sider]

Dasshole, Gepfart, and the Breck Girl...all out of office...2004 is going to be a great year.

[Joe Brower]

[mattdono]

I have admit, I am quite shocked.

I was under the impression that Mr. Means was a total liberal.

I guess there is that saying about being young and/or stupid = liberal; then you're libertarian; and then your a conservative.

Perhaps Mr. Means is "shapeshifting" his political views.

Can anyone in SD tell us the impact of this endorsement?

[Wait4Truth]

This is great news! I would love to see Daschle lose his Senate seat to Thune! That would be very big news!!! The media would cry bigtime!

[FreedomPoster]

Ping.

[mattdono]

The media would cry bigtime

...would cry about a "vast right-wing conspiracy" or some other lunacy, eh?

Hmmm...where have we heard that before?

[Paradox]

I was under the impression that Mr. Means was a total liberal.

I remember him as a libertarian, back many years ago. Pretty outspoken guy too, in a "liberal" sort of way. Seems he has gone through some of the same shifts in ideology as I have.

[JohnnyZ]

Means, a co-founder of the American Indian Movement, gained national attention when AIM members and supporters took over the village of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in 1973.

Means was convicted of a felony, riot to obstruct justice, stemming from an April 30, 1974, clash between police and American Indian Movement supporters in Sioux Falls.

He was pardoned by Gov. Janklow in 2002.

Lawyer Charles Abourezk, Means' longtime friend, wrote Janklow, asking him to evaluate a pardon.

"Because times have changed, because the world changed and the fact that I have led an exemplary career, he thought I deserved consideration,'' Means said.

http://www.press-on.net/articles/1-3means.htm

[Recovering_Democrat]

Tom Daschle is saddened, deeply saddened.

[appeal2]

Prediction, election night and the biggest upset will be Tommy Boy Dashole's defeat. Picture him standing on a milk crate giving his concession speech. Its a beautiful thing.

[Republic Rocker]

Where can we donate to THUNE....??? My biggest wish for 2004 is to OUT BOXER and DASHOLE in a double whammy historic event!

Please help my dream come true.....donate to the Repubbies running against these two Haters!

[1Old Pro]

Dasshole, Gepfart, and the Breck Girl...all out of office...2004 is going to be a great year.

Yep, if only Lieberman and Kennedy retired and Hillary and Schumer moved out of the country we'd have a good start.

[tkathy]

Maybe our minorities are starting to realize how degenerate the democrats have become.

[Freebird Forever]

Steve Hildebrand, Daschle's campaign manager, said Daschle was ready to discuss issues important to Indian people with Thune, Means and Indian people across the state.

Rats are always ready to discuss important issues, but are never willing to affect any change that would reduce dependency on the FedGov.

The Lakota are Daschle's constituents. If their concerns were of any import to him, he wouldn't need to sit down and learn about them at election time.

[jmaroneps37]

So now the only group that is still hanging on to the rope and being dragged behind the evil donkey, is the Blacks. Even the American Indians get it. In SD there support the Indians have given the rats has given them this in return:
70% unemployment 70% out of wedlock births 70% alcoholic rate.

[cat lover too]

"Where can we donate to THUNE....??? "

Go to http://www.johnthune.com/ and you can donate there.

[fish hawk]

This is a shock. In my tribe, and I would be in almost all tribes, the Indians are about 90% liberal, if not higher. I don't know of any conservatives in my tribe except members of my immediate family. Russell Means has always been a rebel rouser and quite often an outlaw. He was great in "Last of the Mohicans" though with Danial Day Lewis.
To me, this is really great news, maybe the pendulum is swinging a little back to the right. ( I am from the Yurok Tribe of N. Calif.)