Native delegates at the Democratic National Convention dropped a resolution that linked Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) to jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Delegates were concerned that the focus on lobbyists could hurt their standing in Capitol Hill, Indian Country Today reported. So they decided to let state parties take on the issue instead.

"'We should not have to go out on the attack,'' Frank LaMere, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska who serves as chairman of the Native caucus, told ICT.

McCain's investigation of Abramoff revealed the lobbyist's extensive ties to Ralph Reed, a conservative Republican. Reed was never implicated or charged in connection with the scandal but the Abramoff issue helped kill his bid for political office in Georgia.

Get the Story:
Caucus leaves attack on GOP lobbying to states (Indian Country Today 8/29)

Related Stories:
Blog: Rosebud Sioux leader delivers proud moment (8/28)
White Earth chair works on Indian policy at DNC (8/28)
Arapaho man denied time to deliver votes at DNC (8/28)
Opinion: No one pays attention to Indians at DNC (8/28)
Gipp addresses Indian issues at Democratic convention (8/27)
California tribes a presence at Democratic convention (8/27)
Mike Graham: Sen. Obama fails on Indian issues (8/27)
Jodi Rave: UTTC president to address convention (8/26)
Howard Dean slams McCain for treatment of Cobell (8/26)
Kalyn Free excited to attend Democratic convention (8/26)
Native Democrats tie Abramoff to McCain campaign (8/26)
More than 140 Indian delegates in Denver for DNC (8/25)
UTTC president to speak at Democratic convention (8/22)
Mankiller: Obama an advocate for Indian Country (8/22)
Navajo Code Talkers to present colors for Democrats (8/21)
Rosebud Sioux leader to sing national anthem at DNC (8/21)
North Dakota tribe headed to Democratic convention (8/21)
Alaska Natives rally for Sen. Obama in Fairbanks (8/20)
Sen. Obama set to announce running mate this week (8/19)
Indian women organize for Obama in South Dakota (8/18)
No Native reporters on the presidential trail (8/18)
Sen. Obama opens campaign office on Navajo Nation (8/11)
Native journalists cut from Obama event at UNITY (8/1)
Obama addresses UNITY convention in Chicago (7/28)