How can Obama be for Native Americans and against casino gambling?

[Bobbieo]

I'm asking as a pro-Native American not as a pro or anti candidate. INDNs are finally making progress in this country, particularly in the health care field, as a result of tribal casinos.

And yes, we are the Invisible People!!!

[MADem]

1. Is that actually his position on the topic?

If so, he's FUCKED in California!

[Bobbieo]

3. I read it in one of the earlier DU threads where

Clinton is pro-casino gambling and Obama is against. If this is true he is also f--- ed in AZ. Strong conserative Democrats in the state, too.

[MADem]

14. I hadn't heard that he took that attitude.

It really is a HUGE mistake, IF, and of course that if is important, it is true.

There are four ballot questions with regard to casino gambling on the CA ballot. The issues, near as I can tell, have naught to do with "Is it good or is it bad?" but instead "Are those Indians ponying up ENOUGH dough to the state?" The people coming out to vote aren't going to be "anti-gambling" types--they're gonna be "That's enough money" or "Indians, You Give Us MORE" types.

How many delegates are up for grabs in CA? All politics is local, and CA has some challenging fiscal issues to contend with....that casino money is a funding stream to benefit the state's coffers...

[Honeycombe8]

24. You believe something you read here that is a diss on one of the candidates?

hahahahahahahaha!

You will read much here, my son. Always verify. Because (gasp!), a statement by an opponent's supporter may not be true.

[Mythsaje]

2. I'm not a big fan of gambling, as I've said before.

But, that said, I absolutely respect that the tribes finally have SOMETHING they can do that can help them escape the grinding poverty the government left them in.

[MonkeyFunk]

5. I think it's only fair

we give Native-Americans a chance to win the country back.

[Bobbieo]

10. Thank you, Mythsaje - I'm pro Native but I'm not a gambler.

Health care on the "rez" is one of the major targets - particularly with diabetes.

[Mythsaje]

12. I'm really glad it's helping.

Something had to.

[MADem]

17. I think it's the ultimate revenge. It took long enough--a dish served quite cold.

You take our land, we take your cash...toss that dice, spin that wheel, pull that lever....and would you like another drink, there, Whitey?

[adadem]

4. That bothers me

Here in Michigan the Ottawa and Potawatomi are finally able to improve their standard of living. In Mt Pleasant, Manistee, Traverse areas especially. Great improvements in the native communities.

I firmly believe they should be allowed to do so without sharing revenue with the state and without state approval.
That they must get approval/compacts really, really irks me. This is their land...land that was taken/stolen from them.

I don't have a drop of native blood but I stand with those that do.

[MethuenProgressive]

6. Links, please?

[rox63]

7. Not all Native Americans support casinos and gambling

Yes it is a financial boon to quite a few groups. (the ones that have Federal recognition) But it also comes with a huge subset of problems.

That said, I think it is a fine payback, getting all those white folks to willingly hand over their money.

[THUNDER HANDS]

8. from what I found...

LAS VEGAS -- Barack Obama has warned about the dangers of gambling -- that it carries a "moral and social cost" that could "devastate" poor communities. As a state senator in Illinois, he at times opposed plans to expand gambling, worrying that it could be especially harmful to low-income people.

Today, those views are posing a problem for Obama in the gambling mecca of Nevada, which holds its presidential nominating caucuses Saturday. While his top rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, also talks often about aiding low-income Americans, she has embraced the gambling industry and its executives, and her campaign has used Obama's past statements in an effort to turn casino workers and other Nevada voters against him.

The differences could also help shape the outcome of the primary election in California, where the Feb. 5 ballot will carry four high-profile initiatives that could either rescind or allow an expansion of slot machines at Indian casinos. Californians who turn out to vote on those initiatives may also be motivated by a candidate's position on gambling when they cast ballots in the presidential contest.

"There's a fundamental question here," said the Rev. Tom Grey, executive director of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. "Until this point, Obama's statements seemed to suggest that he did not buy into the industry arguments that this is a product like golf or Starbucks that should just go on Main Street. And Hillary, by attacking him, seems to have come down clearly on the side of the industry that this is economic development."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-gambling18jan18,1,3724244.story?coll=la-politics-campaign&ctrack=2&cset=true

[maddiejoan]

9. Same way he can be

pro-gay rights and still support people who cure gay teens with torture.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/21/9585/77975/958/440438

It's easy when you're Obama!

[ClericJohnPreston]

11. First

your question has stumped the faithful, who usually regurgitate his official website blogs. You see, they have great difficulty answering DIRECT questions, without a link, as that involves THINKING.

Obama is for something until it is a liability and then switches to an alternate response. Usually he is for something, until the votes are over.

In any event, you won't get an answer, certainly not a lucid one, from the Obamatons.

Best of luck. We Edwards supporters feel your pain.

[THUNDER HANDS]

16. ahem

*cough*

[jaysunb]

13. Is there a "Distortion" university in this country ?

Or is it just Rovian /Atwater school of politics being practiced by Democrats that want to win at all costs ??? :evilfrown:

[MADem]

18. Perhaps you can clarify the situation? NT

[grantcart]

15. Is he against casino gambling

or against expanding it? In San Diego we have 4 big casinos and I am happy for the tribes but they want to expand it 400% and I am against that.

[hayu_lol]

19. I'm afraid that with Obama we have a bible-thumping worry wart...

it is like his suddenly getting a 'moral' take on choice...how does moral and choice come into play. Now he is making those 'moral' statements again...about gambling.

The tribes finally have gotten something that pays off for them. The money goes right back into the tribes and is enriching their lives.

Obama gets a bit scary when he goes 'off' on things because of morals.

[grantcart]

20. While that is possible I am growing weary of people charachterising

positions of candidates and providing no citation. If he said he is against casino gambling 100% why not supply the link?

[Bobbieo]

21. This question was not based on any link but on a statement that was made

on DU about 2 pm this afternoon and you know how fast this thread moves. It was a statement that Clinton was for casino gambling and Obama was not for casino gambling and referred to the Nevada caucus.

[grantcart]

23. I dont know this is the only thing I could find

was this
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/group/NativeAmericansforObama


Barack was pleased to have the chance to meet with several members of Principal Chief Michell Hicks' executive staff.

"As a tribal member, I was greatly impressed with Senator Obama's willingness to discuss the finer points of tribal sovereignty and his awareness of issues that impact the daily lives of American Indians. I left the event feeling a sense of hope for the future of Federal Indian Policy. More importantly, I felt that we finally had a friend in Washington that we could count on."

-Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

[Honeycombe8]

26. No, he is not against casino gambling. Google it. This is a lie from HRC's campaign.

Think about it...two of the largest unions in Nevada, who earn their living from casinos, endorsed him.

Okay? Okay.

[peoli]

22. Hopi voters reject gaming

"Some tribal members said they believe gambling goes against Hopi cultural customs and would add another social ill to a community plagued by alcoholism and crimes linked to drug abuse. "Gaming is making money off other people's bad habits, and the Hopi way says we should not use other people's bad habits to benefit," tribal vice chairman Caleb Johnson told Associated Press. "

http://indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1085753502


Not all Native Americans support Gambling.

[Honeycombe8]

25. He is not against casino gambling. Here's what he said....

www.chicagotribune.com

"But an Obama spokeswoman said the Clinton campaign was "again distorting Barack Obama's record. "

"Obama has said that Nevada is a model for how states should regulate the gaming industry and he applauds the success of the state in harnessing gaming as an engine of economic growth while cracking down on illegal activities," said spokeswoman Jen Psaki."

Do you really think the two biggest Nevada unions, who earn their living from casinos, would have endorsed him, if he wanted to shut down their employers?

[pampango]

27. I don't know his position on tribal casinos, but I hope that ones' attitude

towards Native Americans is not solely determined by my position on casinos.