Tribal leaders in Wisconsin don't think Democratic congressional candidate Steve Kagen offended them when he said he was late to a meeting because he was on "Injun time."

"I had to laugh. I didn't give it much more thought than that," said Gerald Danforth, chairman of the Oneida Nation.

"It's not at all derogatory," said Menominee Nation Chairwoman Karen Washinawatok. However, she did take issue with the use of the word "Injun."

Kagen apologized for his remarks after they were publicized by the National Republican Congressional Committee in hopes of drumming up controversy. The GOP got Lakota candidate Bruce Whalen of South Dakota, who is trailing Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D) in the polls, to demand an apology.

Get the Story:
Pol sorry for 'Injun time' remark (AP 10/24)
Kagen apologizes for Indian comment (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 10/24)
Kagen apologizes for remark (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 10/24)