White House Hates Native Americans (or at least thinks they vote for Democrats)

Tom Hamburger of the LA Times writes of YET ANOTHER White House attempt to suppress the voting rights of of a group perceived to vote for Democrats.

For more than 15 years, clean-cut, square-jawed Tom Heffelfinger was the embodiment of a tough Republican prosecutor. Named U.S. attorney for Minnesota in 1991, he won a series of high-profile white-collar crime and gun and explosives cases. By the time Heffelfinger resigned last year, his office had collected a string of awards and commendations from the Justice Department.

So it came as a surprise — and something of a mystery — when he turned up on a list of U.S. attorneys who had been targeted for firing.

Part of the reason, government documents and other evidence suggest, is that he tried to protect voting rights for Native Americans.

You might remember Minnesota's attorney's office for being in the news recently when 4 assistants to the new Bush appointee resigned.  Rachel Paulose apparently has a "dictatorial management style and general lack of management experience."  Hmmm, I thought we fired other prosecuters for "performance" reasons.

Back to depriving Native Americans of their voting rights.  Apparently Heffelfinger was concerned that recent attempts by the state GOP might actually DISCOURAGE Native American from voting:

At a time when GOP activists wanted U.S. attorneys to concentrate on pursuing voter fraud cases, Heffelfinger's office was expressing deep concern about the effect of a state directive that could have the effect of discouraging Indians in Minnesota from casting ballots.

Citing requirements in a new state election law, Republican Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer directed that tribal ID cards could not be used for voter identification by Native Americans living off reservations. Heffelfinger and his staff feared that the ruling could result in discrimination against Indian voters. Many do not have driver's licenses or forms of identification other than the tribes' photo IDs.

Why would the state GOP be so concerned about the Native American vote?

The issue was politically sensitive because the Indian vote can be pivotal in close elections in Minnesota. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area has one of the largest urban Native American populations in the United States. Its members turn out in relatively large numbers and are predominantly Democratic.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, Heffelfinger's outstanding performance wasn't considered when drawing up the list of firings, just the fact he wouldn't enable the GOP voter suppression effort.

Heffelfinger resigned last year for personal reasons and says he had no idea he was being targeted for possible firing. But his stance fits a pattern that has emerged in the cases of several U.S. attorneys fired last year in states where Republicans wanted more vigorous efforts to legally challenge questionable voters.

Politics have always played a role at Justice and other Cabinet-level departments. But, critics say, Bush administration strategists went beyond most of their predecessors — Democratic or Republican — in seeking ways to convert control of the federal government into advantages on election day.

And yes, he did have a "Monica" problem:

A hint at why Heffelfinger's name was on termination lists that Justice Department officials and Bush political strategists put together emerged when Monica M. Goodling, the department's former White House liaison, testified last week before the House Judiciary Committee about the firings.

Goodling said she had heard Heffelfinger criticized for "spending an excessive amount of time" on Native American issues.

I so hate this White House.

•  Not true, not true

  The White House hates Native Americans when they are voting.

  The White House loves Native Americans when they are being swindled of their casino revenues from the likes of Jack Abramoff, Ralph Reed, Grover Norquist and other GOP stalwarts.

  by citizen92 on Thu May 31, 2007 at 09:01:06 AM PDT

  •  They still hate the NA's

    But their dollars are fine.

    Manipulating their very strong patriotism and traditions of warriors is another plus as far as the repugs are concerned.

    by NCrefugee on Thu May 31, 2007 at 09:12:56 AM PDT

    •  the largest minority group in Iraq

      are Native Americans

        Where the sun sets today I will fight no more-forever- Chief Joseph o

      by winchelenator on Thu May 31, 2007 at 10:52:33 AM PDT

•  Klobuchar Story is up over at the Strib

  First the LA Times Story was printed in the Strib and now comes this response from our Senator Amy Klobuchar.  Together with my Congressman, Keith Ellison, they are keeping the Heffelfinger story front and center both in DC and in the media!  -eb

  Klobuchar seeks answers about new revelations in targeting of Heffelfinger

  Again the connection is Kiffmeyer and Lewis is referred to but not specifically named in this early copy.

  I say kudos to Klobuchar for her quick response and letter!  I'll post if a blogger has a copy of the letter.

  [Speaking to reporters in Minneapolis on Thursday, Klobuchar said the Times story tightened the link between Heffelfinger's appearance on the list and the allegation that the dismissal of U.S. attorneys was motivated by partisan politics. She expressed frustration that even though she has requested information from Attorney General Alberto Gonzales about the Heffelfinger question, she learned this information from the Times.

  By coincidence, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to question Schlozman on Tuesday. In her letter, Klobuchar asked Leahy to pursue the matter with him.

  The Times story also said that after Rachel Paulose was appointed as Heffelfinger's replacement, one of her first acts was to remove the Heffelfinger assistant who had sent e-mails to Washington about Heffelfinger's concerns about Kiffmeyer's policy.]

  by eartha on Thu May 31, 2007 at 06:15:51 PM PDT