Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the presumptive Republican nominee for president, said he has more experience with Indian and other Western issues than Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois).

McCain has served two terms as chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Besides sponsoring key legislation such as the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, he defended tribal sovereignty during the 2000 presidential campaign and opposed former Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Washington), a noted tribal foe, as a possible Bush judicial nominee.

"I believe as a Western senator I understand the issues, the challenges of the future for these ... states, whether it be land, water, Native American issues, preservation, environmental issues," McCain told the Associated Press. He said Obama "has no experience, no knowledge or background" on these issues.

Obama is a first-term senator whose campaign has drawn a lot of support in Indian County. He is a co-sponsor of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Get the Story:
Obama signaling he will fight for Western states (AP 5/27)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Candidates refuse Indian contributions (5/23)
Editorial: Lobbyists run McCain and Obama campaigns (5/23)
Jodi Rave: Sen. Obama eyes Democratic nomination (5/22)
Sen. Clinton to campaign on reservations (5/22)
The Native Voice: On the trail with Sen. Obama (5/21)
Sen. Clinton courts Indian vote in South Dakota (5/21)
The Native Voice: On the trail with Sen. Obama (5/20)
Jodi Rave: Sen. Obama first to visit reservation (5/20)
Crow Tribe welcomes Sen. Obama to reservation (5/20)
The Native Voice: On the trail with Sen. Obama (5/19)
Oregon Tribal Leaders: Why we support Sen. Obama (5/19)
Sen. Obama to hold rally on Crow Reservation (5/19)
Sen. Clinton reiterates Indian health support (5/16)
Bill Clinton campaigns on Pine Ridge Reservation (5/15)
Jodi Rave: A candidate for the youngest generation (5/15)
Jodi Rave: Clinton and Obama court Indian vote (5/14)
Clinton and Obama eye Indian vote in South Dakota (5/14)
Column: Russell Means predicts Obama win in 2008 (5/14)
Bill Clinton to campaign on Pine Ridge Reservation (5/13)
South Dakota Indians back Clinton for president (5/12)
Indian superdelegate backs Obama for president (5/12)
Cherokee chief praises Obama as 'good president' (5/12)
New Mexico selects Indian superdelegate (5/9)
Kevin Abourezk: Obama and McCain on Indians (5/9)
Counting the Indian vote in North Carolina (5/8)
Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton share primary victories (5/7)
Jodi Rave: Obama secures Indian superdelegates (5/6)
Sen. Obama welcomes Kalyn Free's endorsement (5/6)
Clinton and Obama back Lumbee recognition (5/6)
Superdelegate Kalyn Free endorses Sen. Obama (5/5)
Abourezk: Crow man spreads Obama's message (5/2)