Native Vote

American Indians Not Mentioned by Either Candidate in Presidential Debate

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

DENVER – The first of three presidential debates between President Barack Obama and GOP nominee Mitt Romney is now history.

Last night in the presidential debate held at the University of Colorado in Denver, as expected, neither candidate mentioned American Indians during the course of the debate. The debate was geared to reach middleclass Americans, with much discussion around the economy and the middle class.

University of Colorado Hosted the First Debate.

One topic that is of high interest to many American Indians is the Keystone XL pipeline. Neither candidate mentioned it by name. However, Romney said he would increase efforts to ensure the nation becomes independent of foreign oil.

“If I'm president, I'll double them, and also get the – the oil from offshore and Alaska. And I'll bring that pipeline in from Canada,”

Romney said, referring to the Keystone XL pipeline that he has frequently said in campaign stump speeches he would approve by issuing an executive proclamation the first day as president.

Another topic of interest to American Indians is the Affordable Health Care Act, commonly known now as Obamacare, which President Obama said during the debate he has come to like being called such. Romney argued he would eliminate Obamacare. Part of the Affordable Health Care Act that was upheld in late June by the US Supreme Court includes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Since American Indians were not mentioned, it is unclear where Romney stands on eliminating Indian Health Care provision of Obamacare.

Many pundits declared Romney won the Denver debate. This morning, the Obama team, led by David Axelrod, held a telephone press conference, which the Native News Network participated in.

“Last night we had a very, very interesting debate,”

said Axelrod.

“The president tried to have an honest and thoughtful way to present a way to have a stronger middle class. Romney was untethered from the truth. Romney may have been effective in the short term, but is very vulnerable in the long term.”

The vice presidential debate will be held on October 11 in Danville, Kentucky. The next presidential debate will be on October 16 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.

posted October 4, 2012 5:30 pm edt