Sarah Palin’s Record on Alaska Native and Tribal Issues

“3. Palin has attacked Alaska Tribal Sovereignty

Governor Palin opposes Alaska tribal sovereignty.

Given past court rulings affirming the federally recognized tribal status of Alaska Native villages, Palin does not technically challenge that status. But Palin argues that Alaska Tribes have no authority to act as sovereigns, despite their recognition.

So extreme is Palin on tribal sovereignty issues that she has sought to block tribes from exercising any authority whatsoever even over the welfare of Native children, adhering to a 2004 legal opinion issued by the former Murkowski Administration that no such jurisdiction exist (except when a state court transfers a matter to a tribal court).

Both the state courts and the federal courts have struck down Palin’s policy of refusing to recognize the sovereign authority of Alaska Tribes to address issues involving Alaska Native children. Native Village of Tanana v. State of Alaska, 3AN-04-12194 CI (judgment entered Aug. 26, 200 (Ak. Super. Ct.); Kaltag Tribal Council v. DHHS, No. 3:06-cv-00211-TMB (D. Ak.), pending on appeal No 08-35343 (9th Cir.)). Nonetheless, Palin’s policy of refusing to recognize Alaska tribal sovereignty remains unchanged.”

http://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/palin-on-tribes/

No one should treat the Democartic Primary results as though Obama streaked to a one-sided victory. Hillary Clinton was extremely close. Few Obama supporters voted for him because he is black. Few Hillary supporters voted for her because she is a woman. Both sincerely believed that their favored candidate had the best chance to win the White House and put in place policies that will put this country back on the positive track where it was until 2001. In fact, many Hillary supporters expressed to me that they supported her despite the fact that they thought that a majority of Americans would vote for a black male before they would vote for a female of any ethnicity or race. On the other hand, many Obama supporters expressed their belief that a majority of Americans would vote for a white woman before they would vote for anyone who was black!

What’s the point? Both had a lot of support. Their supporters are deeply committed to each candidate. That’s why Palin was selected by McCain! The McCain people feel that a significant number of Hillary’s supporters are so committed to her as a female candidate that they will vote for McCain instead of Obama since McCain selected a woman to run with him. It’s just that simple! Does anyone really think that McCain would have selected Palin, or any other Republican woman for that matter, if Obama had selected Hillary to be his running mate? It’s a cold, calculated political move that has absolutely nothing to do with selecting the best Republican to be a “heartbeat away from the presidency”, and the heartbeat from an old heart at that! The goal is to win, period, end of sentence!

Just an observation. I think the race is now going to be really interesting. When do you think the “he’s inexperienced” commercials will get pulled off the media airways by the RNC?

Kate, tell that to all of the Clinton supporters/pundits/media who felt her candidacy was “inevitable”.