Whalen explains his mission

From the Mitchell Daily Republic:

Republican U.S. House candidate Bruce Whalen pledged Thursday in Mitchell to work on behalf of American Indians if he is elected, saying economic growth on reservations would benefit the entire state and region.

"Five of the poorest areas in the entire United States are right here in South Dakota, and that’s a disgrace," Whalen said. "And I know that’s not what the people of South Dakota want, because I’ve talked to them."

Whalen, a 44-year-old American Indian from Pine Ridge, spoke to about 25 people in the McGovern Library at Dakota Wesleyan University. The library has hosted several speakers recently as part of the McGovern Political Forum and Speakers Series. Whalen’s opponent, Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth, has been invited to speak but has not confirmed a date.

Whalen used about half of his hour Thursday to deliver a lecture on American Indian history, explaining what he believes led to the current conditions on many reservations.

He said some reservations in South Dakota have 75 to 80 percent unemployment, including his native Pine Ridge. This is despite the $200 million in mostly federal money that passes through Pine Ridge every year, he added.

What little employment there is in Pine Ridge, according to Whalen, is 90 percent supplied by the federal government. He said that’s the reason many Indians are Democrats — they’re afraid that if they don’t vote Democrat, they’ll lose that 90 percent.

"They’re threatened all the time with their jobs," Whalen said. "… I know this because I’ve sat and listened to them."

To improve conditions, Whalen said, reservations must decrease the percent of employment supplied by the government and increase the percent supplied by private businesses. He said Republican leaders are more likely to make that happen.

Whalen touched briefly on his background, saying he was born in Pine Ridge but moved away with his family when he was a child. As an adult, he served in the National Guard, worked in the private sector and then began to make life changes when he became a born-again Christian in 1995. He moved back to Pine Ridge in 1999 and earned a degree from Oglala Lakota College. In recent years, he has actively campaigned for several Republican candidates.

"I’m living proof that you can leave that 90 percent unemployment, the poorest areas in the entire United States, and make something of yourself," Whalen said. "I’m the person not supposed to be standing here in front of you saying I’m running for the United States House of Representatives, but I’m here."

Whalen listed numerous conservative causes as the basis of his campaign, saying he is pro-life, anti-gay marriage, protective of the right to bear arms and in favor of making President Bush’s tax cuts permanent. He also spoke about his family.

"I think it’s very appropriate to let you know that I’m married and I love my family and that my campaign is based on family values," he said.