McCain won't accept tribal money for 2008

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) won't accept tribal donations for his 2008 presidential campaign, The Hill newspaper reports.

McCain, who is seeking the Republican nomination, believes tribes can spend their money in other ways, a spokesperson said. But he hasn't taken a stance on whether other candidates or political action committee should accept tribal donations.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), the only Native American in Congress, is eager to tap into tribal cash. He is spearheading efforts by the National Republican Congressional Committee to raise more money in Indian Country.

So far this year, the NRCC has accepted $82,000 from three tribes: the Chickasaw Nation, of which Cole is a member; the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a former client of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff; and the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians of California.

Get the Story:
NRCC woos Indian tribes for 2008 campaign money (The Hill 4/18)

$rl John McCain, campaign site - http://www.johnmccain.com

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