"For the first time in memory, every state will play a role in choosing a nominee for the nation's highest office.

Some of those parts are small, but not ours: as one of the last two primary elections, South Dakota Democrats suddenly and improbably find themselves in a starring role.

That's an unlikely turn of events, as our state has improbably become a battleground in the long, hard race between two Senators seeking a spot at the top of the Democratic ticket: Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York.

Clinton has demonstrated a real commitment to Native American issues and will have visited several South Dakota reservations before the race is over. Clinton is precisely correct when she says that people outside the region have a poor understanding of the troubling trends on our reservations. Federal attention could help. That includes but is not limited to higher-ranking posts in the federal bureaucracy.

Her truly universal health care plan would be welcomed by thousands of South Dakotans. Even on reservations, where health care is nominally universal already, such a plan would be welcome. The federal government would never be allowed to subject everyday Americans to the kind of care Native Americans living on reservations routinely receive."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Clinton is top candidate for Dems (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/30)
Obama vs. Clinton on the issues (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/30)

Related Stories:
Sen. Obama started Indian outreach early (5/29)
Early voting pushed on South Dakota reservations (5/29)
Pine Ridge Republican backs Clinton over Obama (5/29)
Column: Indian vote courted in presidential year (5/29)
Column: Clinton campaigns in the Badlands (5/29)
Sen. Clinton campaigns on Flathead Reservation (5/28)
Sen. Clinton interview with South Dakota paper (5/28)
Sen. Clinton to campaign on Pine Ridge Reservation (5/27)
Sen. McCain meets with tribal leaders in New Mexico (5/27)
Sen. McCain touts Indian experience over Obama (5/27)
Eastern Shoshone teen endorses Sen. Obama (5/27)
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)