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DECEMBER 6, 2000

As the dispute over the Presidential race continues, a new name has emerged among the potential members of Texas Governor George W. Bush's unconfirmed administration: Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell.

Along with Montana Governor Marc Racicot, the Republican from Colorado is being mentioned as a potential choice for Secretary of Interior. Campbell would replace Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat who has held the position since 1993. He would also be the boss of the new head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs as Kevin Gover is leaving the Interior, no matter who turns out to be the new President.

But should Campbell be chosen, the Northern Cheyenne politician would be the first Native American to hold such a high position. That is, except for Charles Curtis, a Kaw-Osage Republican who was elected Vice-President in 1928 along with Herbert Hoover. And President Bill Clinton, who has claimed remote Indian ancestry.

Campbell's choice would reflect the apparent sense of diversity present in the Bush camp. Bush counts two African-Americans, Condoleeza Rice and retired General Colin Powell, among his closest advisers and both are considered top choices for positions in his potential Cabinet.

At the same time, Campbell's choice would emphasize the lack of diversity in the Senate. With Campbell as the only Native American, Daniel Akaka as the only Native Hawaiian, and Daniel Inouye as the only Asian-American, the Senate, in the words of Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), is still an "old white men's club." The election of Hillary Clinton and Maria Cantwell have helped increase the presence of women in the Senate, however.

And while the mention of Campbell's name may help alleviate the worries of tribal leaders who fear the defeated Slade Gorton might instead take the position, his critics point to "flip-flops" in his political career. In 1995, he jumped ship from the Democrat Party after the GOP gained control of Congress.

Yet Campbell has been praised for supporting Leonard Peltier, calling for more funding to improve tribal and BIA schools, sponsoring bills to recognize and ensure the remembrance of the Sand Creek Massacre, and for supporting the self-determination rights of tribes. But here too, critics say there are problems, most recently with his push for a $334 million water project in Colorado.

Although Campbell has argued that the proposal be approved by Congress in order to fulfill the water rights of Ute tribes in the state, he has changed the bill over the months to require that the tribes spend more of their settlement money with non-Indian communities. Campbell's own biography praises him as "a leader in public lands and natural resources policy. . . recognized for the passage of legislation to settle Indian water rights, and protecting Colorado’s natural resources."

At this point, the Bush camp is mum on the issue. Bush on Monday, however, met with Colorado Governor Bill Owens. Owens said he will help Bush choose his Cabinet members.

Related Stories:
Ute settlement held up in Congress (Enviro 11/06)
Cost of Ute settlement questioned (Enviro 11/2)
Campbell changes Ute bill (Enviro 11/1)
Massacre bill passes Congress (Indian U. 10/24)
Vote on water project stalled (Enviro 10/20)
Ute settlement threatened, fears Campbell (Enviro 10/13)
Sand Creek bill approved by Committee (Indian U. 09/21)
Massacre focus of law, letters (Indian U. 9/15)

Relevant Links:
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell -www.senate.gov/~campbell
The Animas-La Plata Project - www.uc.usbr.gov/special/alp/index.html
Congressional Testimony, Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement - www.senate.gov/~scia/2000hrgs/alp_0607/alp_wit.htm
Charles Curtis: Indian Vice-President -students.washburn.edu/andrewsa/ksstudies/index.html