Gov. Janet Napolitano on Winning the West during 2008 elections

The Democratic Convention is shifting into high gear. On the day that Michelle, Malia, and Sasha landed in Denver, Sunday, August 24th, the Westerm=n Majority Project made Governor Janet Napolitano available to the media prior to the official start of the Convention in Denver, Colorado on Monday the 25th. Governor Napolitano did a number of brief one-on-one interviews with mainstream media, and then conducted a short, somewhat informal press conference with bloggers who were on hand, too. So a number of us got the chance to ask her questions, snap photos, etc. There should be video available on Zennie’s Zeitgesit soon, although I know he had many video segments to edit and upload.

When asked about the addition of Senator Biden as Obama’s running mate, she was enthusiastic, saying Biden was a “great addition” to the ticket who would compliment Obama’s skills and experience. She noted Biden is not a yes-man, and cited this because, “Obama thrives on hearing different voices.”

Beyond the economy, which is clearly a key issue, she thinks the Native American voters will play a significant role in the 2008 election, noting the the Democratic Party has a very strong platform on Tribal Sovereignty and Treaty rights, which are “not just a phrase” to Senator Obama. Obama’s campaign has featured extensive communication with Tribal Leaders, who respect his stand on the need to leave the decision about the Cherokee Freedmen to Tribal processes rather than drag them into the U.S. Courts – based on the existing treaty – which has earned Obama some negative feedback from the Congressional Black Caucus. Napolitano said that the Native American vote could very well prove decisive in key southwestern states, where participation is running high.

When asked about the match-up with McCain, Napolitano pointed out that 25% of those eligible to vote in Arizona this November will never have seen McCain on a ballot, that Arizona is a younger demographic in terms of median age than many people realise, and the new Democratic voter registrations are running well ahead of Republicans. She says Obama can win Arizona by doing what she did, carry 60% of the independent voters.

She’s looking forward to the Convention, including the speeches from the Clintons, and expects that the voters at large will start to take a renewed interest in the election as the summer draws to a close with the two conventions.