It’s Presidents’ Day in the midst of a presidential election year and ICTMN has a host of information for readers to ponder.

First, ICTMN’s Rob Capricciso has an enlightening story on how some tribal members and officials are giving President Barack Obama their nod – through cash contributions – of approval for a second term.

A recent “Native-specific” campaign fundraiser may have brought in more than $2 million to the president.

The D.C. event ended with Obama saying: “And if you stick with me, I promise you guys I’m going to be sticking with you.”

In a sign of growing tribal political clout, 70 Indian officials attended a first-ever Native-specific campaign fund-raiser with President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. on January 27.

“I believe that one day we’re going to be able to look back on these years and say this was a turning point in nation-to-nation relations,” Obama said in a speech at the event. “That this was [a] turning point when the nations all across the country recognized that they were full partners, treated with dignity and respect and consultation; that this wasn’t just a side note on a White House agenda, but this was part and parcel of our broader agenda to make sure that everybody has opportunity.”

Also very interesting from ICTMN, a look at the “Best Presidents” for Indian Country. Capricciso ranks eight presidents going back to Ulysses S. Grant.

As for the fundraising event in Washington, D.C. last month, Obama stayed at the event for about 30 minutes.

In a telling sign about the current state of American campaign finance, tickets for this event started at $15,000. For $35,800, donors got dinner and a reception with Obama, where they got their picture taken with him. Under campaign finance law, $35,800 was the maximum allowable donation. All proceeds were said to go to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint committee authorized by Obama for America and the DNC.

If each tribal donor contributed the maximum amount, the president made $2.5 million from an event he attended. . .

Jenna Cederberg

Tags: Barack Obama, campaign finance, indian country today media network, President Barack Obama, presidents' day, rob capricciso