From The Rapid City Journal, 1/9/04:

CNN's Novak under fire for calling American Indians election thieves

By Denise Ross, Journal Staff Writer

Robert Novak, nationally known political commentator, has drawn
criticism from all corners of South Dakota for racially charged
remarks he made Tuesday on CNN's nationally broadcast program,
"Crossfire."

"In 2002, (Republican candidate John) Thune would have been elected to
the state's other Senate seat, but the election was stolen by stuffing
ballot boxes on Indian reservations.

Now, Tom Daschle may have to pay for that theft," Novak said in an
exchange with Democratic operative James Carville.

Carville called the statement "really out there" and said American
Indians are "very patriotic Americans."

"Has Thune said that the Native Americans are election thieves?"
Carville asked.

Novak replied, "No, I said it."

On Thursday, three people demanded Novak apologize.

They are state Democratic Party chairwoman Judy Olson Duhamel of Rapid
City, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Chairman Mike Jandreau and Frank LaMere,
treasurer of a political action committee.

South Dakota's governor, two U.S. senators, secretary of state,
Republican Party chairman and Thune's campaign also issued statements.

"I can't conceive of anyone making that debasing statement about
anyone in the human race," Olson Duhamel said.

"This kind of racist, insulting remark is outrageous. There's just no
excuse. I call on John Thune to repudiate that, and I expect other
political leaders in both parties to make statements, to join me in
demanding an apology."

Jandreau and LaMere sent letters to Novak's office.

Novak, who is in Iowa, did not respond to a telephone message from the
Rapid City Journal.

Jandreau took Novak to task for a series of anti-Indian remarks and
included an excerpt of a Dec. 13 "Crossfire" transcript in which Novak
said, "The Indians, they got the phony Indian votes out there."

Jandreau called Novak's accusations "outrageous, offensive and
factually wrong."

"Our people deserve to have a voice in the democracy you and I both
cherish, just like every other American," Jandreau wrote.

"When people like you characterize our participation as suspect solely
because you may not like the outcome, you undermine the fundamental
principle upon which our great republic is built."

LaMere said Novak is eager to "paint with a broad brush a whole race
of people who want what every American wants, a chance to be heard and
a chance to be counted."

"Indian people did not stuff ballot boxes on Indian reservations and
to even hint at that is insensitive and irresponsible at best and
blatantly racist at worst," LaMere, treasurer of the Four Directions
political action committee, wrote.

Thune's new campaign manager, ***** Wadhams, replied quickly to Olson
Duhamel's call for a statement.

"Robert Novak's comments were inappropriate and certainly do not
reflect John Thune's commitment to work hard for the Native American
vote in 2004," Wadhams said.

"The accusation overall is just off the mark."

Thune, a three-term Republican congressman, announced Monday that he
would challenge Sen. Daschle, a Democrat, in South Dakota's 2004
Senate election.

The race will watched by political pundits nationwide, just as they
did when Thune lost to incumbent Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., by 524
votes in 2002.

Johnson and Daschle each issued statements through staff members.

Johnson spokeswoman Julianne Fischer said: "For Bob Novak, a seasoned
political commentator, to throw around such allegations is yellow
journalism at its worst. Those that say the election was stolen have
been proven wrong and are serving up sour grapes over what was a very
successful grassroots effort."

Daschle spokesman Dan Pfeiffer said, "The false allegations and
efforts to intimidate voters on the reservations were a very dark
moment in South Dakota politics."

Novak's statement alludes to the increased voter turnout on South
Dakota's Indian reservations in the 2002 general election and to
criminal investigations into some forged and allegedly forged voter
registration applications that were detected before the election.

Secretary of State Chris Nelson, a Republican, said Thursday that
despite Johnson's razor-thin margin of victory and the attempts at
fraudulent voter registration, South Dakota's 2002 election was not
compromised.

"There were no stuffed ballot boxes in South Dakota's 2002 election,"
Nelson said.

"We all know there were attempts at voter registration fraud. I'm
confident our county auditors and the law enforcement of this state
were able to stop that and that no illegal ballots were cast."

Nelson said investigations into some obviously forged voter
registration cards could not be resolved.

Republican Gov. Mike Rounds focused on the practical political
considerations.

"I've made it very clear I want to compete for Native American votes.
The Democratic Party did a better job than the Republican Party of
activating forces on the reservations. Republicans have to work very
hard at pointing out our interests at reconciliation," Rounds said.

"We've got just as good a shot as the Democrats do in convincing them
we have good ideas and ways of improving life on reservations. I think
that's what Native Americans are interested in."

Asked whether he found Novak's statements offensive, Rounds replied,
"I find it ignorant."

State GOP Chairman Randy Frederick had stronger words, calling Novak's
statements "appalling" and "insane."

"There were problems, but they were attributable to one individual. To
attempt to tag an entire race is totally out of bounds, uncalled for,
discriminatory and shows prejudice," Frederick said.

"Voter turnout on reservations went up. That is a good thing."

One tribal official who watched Tuesday's broadcast said she fears
such charges could change that.

"That is slander to the Indian people of South Dakota. I hope it
doesn't make the people want to quit voting because of how we get
called down for what is our right. I would like an apology," Eileen
Janis, finance coordinator for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, said.

"He's a sore loser. They should quit crying around."

Political activist Mary Ann Bear Heels-McGowan of Pierre said her
people have suffered such slurs for generations.

"We have been talked about for generations as being the savage
heathens, prairie niggers and people that live off the government.
We've listened to all of this. We're still walking around. We're
survivors," she said.

"I think it's a lack of education. He needs to come out here and visit
us. I would send him a personal invitation."

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Yup, that's good ole Bob Novak, the treasonous outer of CIA agents and
right wing racist par excellence.

Harry