Republican Bruce Whalen, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, says Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York) is a better candidate than Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois).

Whalen, who has run for Congress, said Clinton and Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), the former chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, are the more conservative candidates. He said he hopes Clinton will win the Democratic nomination for president.

If that happens, Whalen said he isn't sure whether he would vote for Clinton or McCain. But if Obama wins the nomination, he said he is voting for McCain in November.

Clinton campaigned on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota yesterday her second visit to Indian Country this week. She said she would be a "champion" for Indian issues if she becomes president, citing her plans to improve Indian health care and veterans' services. She also said she is the better candidate to beat McCain.

The South Dakota primary takes place June 3.

Get the Story:
Clinton pledges help for Native people (The Rapid City Journal 5/29)
Clinton courts Indian Country (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/29)
Clinton touts electability in South Dakota (AP 5/29)

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