Don't write off the Indian vote

A battle is brewing in South Dakota and other Western states with large American Indian populations. Twenty years ago, few politicians considered the Indian vote. Democrats spent more time with the people of the Indian reservations because of tradition. One seldom saw a Republican visit a reservation. The Indian people have tended to be Democrats. This didn't seem to matter until several years ago, when Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., squeaked out a very narrow margin over his opponent, mainly on the back of the Indian reservations. But even then, Daschle was considered more lucky than calculating. [more]