We Need Democratic President for Indian Country: NM Dem. Party Chair
The Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico is Debra Haaland, who is from the Pueblo of Laguna. She is the first Native Americans ever elected as the state chair of one of the two major political parties. With the 2016 presidential election too close for comfort, Haaland is working hard to get New Mexico voters to cast their ballots for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and earn the state’s five electoral votes, which could sway the national election.
Haaland was elected as chairwoman of the DPNM in April 2015. She recently sat down with ICTMN to talk about the upcoming presidential election.
The vitriol in this year’s election is like nothing most people have ever seen. Have you ever seen anything like it?
No I haven’t. Let’s be clear. The vitriol and the animosity that is going on started on the Republican side and the Republican primaries.
New Mexicans voted for President Obama in 2008 and 2012. Why do you think Democrats can do more for the state and Indian country?
We’re the party of inclusion, for one thing. Look at the two presidential tickets. The Republicans have a vice-presidential candidate (Indiana Gov. Mike Pence) who passed a law to exclude gay people. Native American issues are just as important to Democrats as African American issues, or Hispanic issues. You don’t have to be rich and you don’t have to be white to have a seat at the Democratic table.
President Obama has been the best president Native folks have ever had. He’s done more for Indian country; put more land into trust. He’s done more for Indians than any president. He promised tribes better government-to-government relations and he kept his promise. He just finished his 8th White House Tribal Nations Conference. Why wouldn’t we still want that?
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Hillary Clinton recognizes the need to nurture government-to-government relationships that are necessary. Democrats want our tribes to share in the country’s successes. Hillary will continue meaningful tribal consultation. She will work to resolve long standing disputes. She will advocate for justice. She will make Native veteran’s issues a priority and push for better Indian Education policies.
Do you think Trump, if elected, will bring tribal nations to the White House?
No I don’t think so. He puts money first and people last. If you recall, he was in front of a Senate committee testifying and he made many disparaging comments about how people didn’t look Indian, therefore they couldn’t be Indian. He asked why they were getting special treatment when it came to casinos. He’s already shown his true colors when it comes to people of color.
New Mexico former Governor Gary Johnson, a Republican, is running as the candidate for the Libertarian Party. What do you say to his supporters?
The third party candidate vote is not the best option for Indian country. Hillary Clinton is the most qualified presidential candidate we’ve ever had, in my view. She has a lot of experience. So many people have agreed with that. Gary Johnson’s own vice-presidential candidate admitted on national TV that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate.
She knows how government works. She understands everything domestically and has relationships with world leaders already. They trust her. They know her. She did an excellent job as secretary of state. I don’t think anyone can deny that. When you have your own third party candidate saying she’s the most qualified, what else is there left to say?
If Hillary wins then tribes win because she understands tribes. Donald Trump doesn’t like Indians, he’s already said it. In order for us to do well, we need to have a Democratic President in the White House.
