Most Indians are Democrats

In What Has McCain Done Lately? Kiowa writer Russell Bates claimed that "over 60% of Native American voters are Republicans." My response:

Where did you get this "fact" from...a Crackerjack box? Your so-called fact is anything but. You were wrong about most Oklahomans being Democrats and you're wrong about most Indians being Republicans.

As everyone but you knows, most Indians register and vote Democratic these days. Here's what one report says about the Indians of New Mexico, the 4th largest Native state. I believe it's a fair estimate for Indian country as a whole:

The Forgotten Minority in the 2008 VoteThere are 60,000 registered American Indian voters in the state of New Mexico, making up 9.5 percent of all voters. More than two thirds of those American Indians are registered as Democrats. Only 15 percent are registered Republicans.More evidence--national

Group leads effort to protect Native votersAs a voting bloc, Natives tend to vote for Democratic candidates.Obama's Play for Indian CountryBut for McCain the problem of history remains. Native Americans are traditionally Democratic voters, so he is automatically at a disadvantage when trying to convince a poor, rural population with scant access to information to back him. In many traditional homes (known as "hogans") in Navajo country, it's common to see pictures of John F. Kennedy. "I can't explain why John Kennedy resonated with traditional Navajo people going back all the way to the early '60s," Hardeen says. But he did.Native Vote 2008:  Tacoma rally shows support for DemsTraditionally, American Indians have favored Democratic candidates over Republicans, largely based on Democrats’ policies on Indian issues, funding and rights.The Minutest Minority:  Don't Count Out Native RepublicansShawn White Wolf offers a simple explanation for why most Native Americans call themselves Democrats: They have forgotten.Yes, Native Republicans ExistMost Native leaders peg the percentage of Natives who consider themselves Democratic at 80 percent.Searching for Signs of Native American Life at the Republican ConventionNative Americans traditionally vote Democratic and seem to be seeking a more active, equal role in that party’s politics, as evidenced by the 143-member native caucus at the Democratic Convention last week in Denver.First Nations gaining political influence in U.S.Native Americans tend to vote Democrat, much like the First Nations in Canada that tend to vote Liberal or NDP.More evidence--states and tribes

Diné showing high interest in Obama, McCainBut while Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than five to one in Dinétah, McCain supporters have not given up on Navajos.Obama leads pursuit of Native American vote"Some of the reservation counties are pretty tough areas for Republicans," Wetz said, noting that party affiliation among voters in Shannon County on the Pine Ridge reservation is 10-1 Democratic.The Minutest Minority:  Don't Count Out Native RepublicansRed Eagle said the Osage Nation, like most tribes, sways Democratic.Convention Notebook:  Delegate celebrates 81st birthdayThere was no doubt the post would accept the invitation, even though Red Lake is heavily Democratic, Rocky Cook, Bemidji said.What's Palin's Record on Native Issues?Stebing said the majority of her state's Native population votes Democratic and likely won't support McCain, despite Palin being on the ticket.