Philip Klinkner, associate professor of government and associate dean of students, was quoted in a USA Today article on Wednesday, Aug. 23, titled "Few Dems show for 'Prez on the Rez.'" The article focused on the anticipated absence of top-tier candidates — U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois and former U.S. Senator John Edwards of North Carolina — from Thursday's "Prez on the Rez" debate at the Morongo Band of Mission Indians' reservation in Southern California.
Some Native Americans are pondering whether the leading contenders are taking the Indian vote, called "small and usually Democratic" by the paper, for granted. Top contenders said they could not attend because of scheduling conflicts. Klinkner speculated that if California's primary had been earlier in the race, candidate participation at the debate might have been different. The event is the first attempt to bring a presidential debate to Indian country.
Some Native Americans are pondering whether the leading contenders are taking the Indian vote, called "small and usually Democratic" by the paper, for granted. Top contenders said they could not attend because of scheduling conflicts. Klinkner speculated that if California's primary had been earlier in the race, candidate participation at the debate might have been different. The event is the first attempt to bring a presidential debate to Indian country.
