He changed his position when it became clear that some members of the community opposed quick recognition.
Even among those who said they opposed formal recognition of Vietnam, few held out much hope that any missing Americans were still alive.
He just meant that he opposed official recognition of homosexual marriages.
The Connecticut attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, who has long opposed federal recognition of the tribes, said that he would fight today's decision.
But the plan went on the back burner in coalition talks with the Liberal Democrats, who fiercely oppose special recognition for marriage.
The Cherokee Nation strongly opposes further federal or state recognition of other Cherokee groups.
