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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2003

"Just days before the November election, the three tribes with the most to lose - or win - in state casino negotiations dumped $700,000-plus of soft money into Democratic coffers to help elect Jim Doyle governor. Previously undisclosed federal election reports show that the Ho-Chunk, a tribe that has long wanted to open a full-fledged casino in Madison, made a $500,000 donation to the Democratic National Committee on Oct. 29. The very same day, the Potawatomi contributed $200,000 to the same fund. Two days later the Oneida, which just signed a tentative deal allowing it to offer a wider array of casino games 24/7, sent $25,000 to the Democratic fund.

Did the tribes use their money to help ensure that Doyle - who was sympathetic to the Indians during the campaign season - would be on the other side of the table during compact talks, which are now under way?

Well, duh."

Get the Story:
Spivak and Bice: Tribes directed big money to Democrats (The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2/21)

Related Stories:
Oneida Nation reaches new deal with state (2/20)
Wis. tribe announcing new casino compact (2/19)