100 Ways to Win

On Saturday more than 500 Oklahoma Democrats gathered to renew old friendships, develop new ones and commit themselves to action over the next 100 days. This gathering in Oklahoma was one of more than 800 events held across America.

Our gathering was a great success and I will recommend that the ODP make it an annual event. But before that happens we have some elections to win.

If you want to help elect Democrats, check out www.100actions.com. Let us know how you want to help.

Constitutional Convention

Young Democrats of Oklahoma president Alisa Cole presided over today's YDO Constitutional Convention held at the ODP HQ in OKC. These young people are serious about their organization and about electing Democrats. Thanks to their hard work and desire to things right.

I look forward to a growing organization that will provide our future leaders and legislators.

Thanks for letting me be an observer today!

Pottawatomie County Democrats Reunion

Pottawatomie County Democrats hosted their own family reunion Saturday evening at their annual banquet at the Elks Lodge in Shawnee. Probably two hundred or more folks attended, including First Lady Kim Henry, Jeff McMahan and his wife, Cody Graves, Lloyd Fields, Dianne Hunter (the doctor was on call in Oklahoma City), and Jari Askins and Pete and Amy Regan. Lifelong resident Ken Etchieson, who will relieve us of Shane Jett in the House in November, served as auctioneer. Both Guy Goodine and Joe Freeman, who edged out Goodine in the primary, were in attendance, promising to work together to send Kris Steele packing. Jim Townsend, Clif Scott, District Attorney Richard Smotherman and their wives were present. Attorney General Drew Edmondson gave the keynote address, making it clear that Republicans have no right to claim to superiority when it comes to issues of faith and values.

It was good to see old friends from my home county. 91-year-old Beulah Vernon flew in from her summer home in Colorado for the event; she's still the youngest one in the bunch! It was good to see Pat Bateman, Nita Magdalena and Tony Litherland, who are committed to returning Democrats to the legislature from Pott County. I ran into Shirley Slaten, with whom I worked on the census in Pottawatomie County in 1980. Cathy Collum, widow of one of my law school professors, Hugh Collum, was genuinely surprised to receive the Yellow Dog Democrat award for her loyal support of the party.

Congratulations to the Pott County Democrats for a successful event, and good luck in generating enthusiasm for November's elections!

Best,
Walt

Saturday Night Reunion

If you missed the family reunion with the Democrats last night you won't miss it again!!! I estimated 350 but security told me there had to be more like 500 people there last night at our first Democratic Family Reunion. It was a fun, fun evening for young and old and I hope that the party will make this an annual event. It was THE place to be for Democrats last night....we'll have photos soon to prove it! And we'll have memories forever.

Thanks to our fabulous ODP staff and volunteers for putting together this premier event. A special thanks to Jason McCarty, Courtney Ruark, Lindsey Cox and Chelsea Southerland for their hard work on this event.

Thanks also to vicechair Ben Odom and our emcee Rep. Ryan McMullen.

Rep. Joe Dorman provided watermelon and the Oklahoma State Building Trades cooked up some great hotdogs. AFSCME provided water for our guests, thank you --- especially Matt and Jane!

Thanks to The Oklahoma Lumbermen's Association for their assistance through their amazing ED Sharilyn Young.

Thanks to Charlie and Juanita King for providing a real tree stump for our candidates and officials to speak from! Oklahoma Democrats are serious about our heritage, our legacy and we are serious about November!

Thanks also to our other fabulous event sponsors Governor Brad Henry, Treasurer Scott Meacham, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, State Supt. Sandy Garrett, State Auditor Jeff McMahan, State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, and Corporation Commissioner candidate Cody Graves.

Thanks to all of our candidates, speakers, and surrogates who gave us something to fight for last night, something to think about, and now something to do....Elect Democrats!

Thanks to ALL of our wonderful volunteers and to ALL of the GREAT DEMOCRATS who participated in the evening. We are FIRED UP about the November elections and ready to MOVE this State FORWARD in the next 100 days.

Thanks to the musicians, Travis Linville, Dameon Allensworth of Briar Branch Road, and Mama Sweet.

Thanks to the superb staff at the Harn Homestead. If you haven't visited this site please do, it's a real jewel right in the heart of OKC.

Thanks also to the DNC and Chairman Howard Dean for initiating this event and mobilizing Democrats nationwide to commit to 100 Days of Action. We Democrats will fight in every precinct, in every county, in every state in 2006 and we will WIN!

Reunion Plans

FREE FREE FREE
Democratic Family Reunion
July 29th 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harn Homestead, OKC
For details call 405.427.3366 or register at www.democrats.org/events.html

Chicken Poop

Thank you Attorney General Drew Edmondson for protecting our water from the effects of chicken poop. Seriously, this issue is huge. Poultry companies are running commercials, and now newspaper advertisements, mostly in NE Oklahoma, challenging Edmondson's stand on protecting our environment and protecting our citizens.

Eat more beef and vote Democratic.

Middle-Class Life Under Bush Republicans: Less Affordable and Less Secure

July 28, 2006

For millions of hard-working middle-class families, life under Republican rule has grown less affordable and less secure. President Bush’s record of fiscal incompetence and mismanagement, and Republicans’ close ties with special interests, have helped lead to both lower wages and skyrocketing costs for basic necessities like gas, health care, and college tuition. Unfortunately, instead of producing solutions to the problems facing the middle class, Bush Republicans are ignoring them and pushing for policies that will make matters even worse. It’s no wonder Americans believe Democrats would do a better job handling the economy than Republicans by a 49 percent to 29 percent margin. (Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll, 7/13/06)

In addition to tightening the squeeze on families, Republican policies have made our entire nation less secure economically. Republicans have pushed to increase our debt to nearly $9 trillion and have insisted on spending billions of dollars every year on budget-busting tax breaks for special interests and multi-millionaires.

The Bush Administration also continues to compromise our economic security by increasing our reliance on foreign investors in China, Japan, and Dubai. Democrats have fought to reduce America’s dependence on foreign borrowing and foreign sources of oil, but the Republican majority, often at the behest of powerful special interests, repeatedly has blocked those efforts.

It’s time for a new direction. Middle-class families, and our nation, deserve better. Democrats will continue to offer the solutions that will bring back the fiscal responsibility and broad economic opportunity for middle-class families achieved during the 1990’s.

MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES SQUEEZED BY SKYROCKETING COSTS

Gas prices have increased 104 percent to over $3 a gallon. Prices at the gas pump have jumped 104 percent from $1.47 per gallon in January 2001 to $3.00. The price for a barrel of oil has more than doubled during the Bush Administration from $30.63 in January 2001 to $73.87. (Energy Information Administration, Household Vehicle Energy Use: Latest Data and Trends; Weekly Retail Gasoline and Diesel Prices, 7/24/06) The average household with children will spend about $3,815 on transportation fuel costs this year, an increase of 100 percent or $1,912 over 2001 costs. (Energy Information Administration, Household Vehicle Energy Use: Latest Data and Trends; Short Term Energy Outlook, 7/11/06) As summer temperatures reach record high levels around the country, the Bush Administration estimates that residential electricity prices will rise by 7.8 percent in 2006. Electricity costs have risen by about 18 percent since 2001. (Energy Information Administration, Short Term Energy Outlook, 7/11/06)

Health care premiums have increased by over 70 percent. The cost of family health insurance has skyrocketed 71 percent since the beginning of the Bush Administration. The typical family health insurance premium is now $10,880 a year compared with $6,348 in 2000. (Kaiser Family Foundation)

College tuition has skyrocketed by as much as 57 percent. Tuition and fees at four-year private universities have increased by almost $1,200 or 5.9 percent in 2005 and 32 percent since the 2000-2001 school year. At four-year public universities, tuition and fees increased by 7.1 percent this past year and 57 percent since President Bush took office. (College Board, 10/05) The cost of a college education is rising faster than family income, but key federal tuition assistance programs such as the Pell Grant program have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of college. While the maximum Pell Grant covered 51 percent of the cost of tuition, fees, room and board at a public four-year college during the 1986-1987 school year, it covered only 35 percent of those costs in 2004-2005. (Analysis of Department of Education data)

Housing affordability has reached a 19-year low. Housing affordability has reached its lowest level since 1987. Median monthly home ownership costs, including mortgage payments, have increased over 49 percent since January 2001. (National Association of Realtors, 7/06) According to the Wall Street Journal, “Soaring house prices and higher mortgage rates have put homeownership out of reach for more people than at any time in more than a decade…Affordability has long been a problem for low-income home buyers. But as home prices have marched steadily higher in recent years, many buyers with healthier incomes also are being squeezed.” (Wall Street Journal, 12/22/05)

MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES SQUEEZED BY DECLINING INCOME AND FEWER JOB OPPORTUNITIES

While families work harder, their wages continue to decline. Middle-class families are working harder and earning less today than they were at the start of the Bush Administration. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Since the end of the recession of 2001, a lot of the growth in GDP per person -- that is, productivity -- has gone to profits, not wages.” (Wall Street Journal, 3/27/06) Average household income has declined each year during the Bush presidency and median weekly earnings have fallen 0.9 percent since 2001 compared with 7.3 percent growth in the last five years of the Clinton Administration. At the same time that families have seen their real earnings decline, the productivity of the American worker is up 18.4 percent. Therefore, Americans have worked harder - and more productively - over the past five years and received none of the benefits of their hard work. (U.S. Census Bureau; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Joint Economic Committee Democrats, 6/06)

Earnings for workers with college degrees declining. “Wage stagnation, long the bane of blue-collar workers, is now hitting people with bachelor’s degrees for the first time in 30 years. Earnings for workers with four-year degrees fell 5.2% from 2000 to 2004 when adjusted for inflation, according to White House economists…Not since the 1970s have workers with bachelor's degrees seen a prolonged slump in earnings during a time of economic growth…trends for people with master's and other advanced degrees…have found that their inflation-adjusted wages were essentially flat between 2000 and 2004.” (Los Angeles Times, 7/24/06)

Worst job creation record since Hoover Administration. A growing economy should be good news for those seeking jobs. But over the course of President Bush’s five years in office, his Administration has the worst overall job creation record since Herbert Hoover more than 70 years ago. (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7/7/06) Overall non-farm payroll employment has increased by 2.8 million during the Bush presidency compared with 22.7 million during the Clinton presidency. (Joint Economic Committee Democrats, 7/7/06) Overall employment growth has averaged just 42,000 per month under President Bush—much lower than the approximately 150,000 jobs needed each month to keep up with population growth. It was not uncommon to see monthly job gains of 300,000 and even 400,000 during economic expansions under previous Administrations. (Economic Policy Institute, The Boom That Wasn’t, 12/19/05)

Private sector job creation has been especially poor during the Bush presidency, with an average annual job growth rate of just 0.3 percent per year since 2001. (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7/7/06) Just 1.6 million private sector jobs have been created during the Bush presidency, compared with over 20 million private sector jobs during the Clinton presidency. (Joint Economic Committee Democrats, 7/7/06) The manufacturing sector, often the source of jobs with good pay and benefits, has lost nearly 3 million jobs since the start of the Bush Administration. (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7/7/06) Nearly half of the jobs created since 2001 were part-time and freelance positions without benefits. (Los Angeles Times, 7/24/06) This slow pace of private sector job creation is particularly troubling given that we are so far into the economic recovery.

Unemployment has increased and long-term joblessness has increased by 57 percent. In part because of this failure to create a sufficient number of jobs, the national unemployment rate stands at 4.6 percent which is 10 percent higher than the 4.2 percent rate when President Bush took office. Unfortunately, once unemployed, America’s workers also are staying unemployed longer. In June 2006, nearly one in six of the unemployed had been out of work for more than 26 weeks. The number of long-term unemployed has increased 57 percent since President Bush took office. (U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7/7/06)

Bush’s deficit-financed tax cuts have widened the income gap between millionaires and middle-class workers. In his latest testimony before Congress, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned against rising income inequality: “to the extent that incomes and wealth are spreading apart, I think that is not a good trend.” (Testimony of Ben Bernanke before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, 7/19/06) The Wall Street Journal has attributed the widening income gap to President Bush’s tax policies: “it appears that the highest-salaried workers -- executives, managers and professionals -- are widening their lead on the typical worker… The Bush tax cuts appear to have widened the income gap, according to many analyses.” (Wall Street Journal, 3/27/06) President Bush’s capital gains and dividends tax cuts will cost $197 billion over ten years, with most of the benefits going to multimillionaires. In an analysis by the New York Times, “Among taxpayers with incomes greater than $10 million, the amount by which their investment tax bill was reduced averaged about $500,000 in 2003, and total tax savings, which included the two Bush tax cuts on compensation, nearly doubled, to slightly more than $1 million… Those making less than $50,000 saved an average of $10 more because of the investment tax cuts…few taxpayers with modest incomes benefited because most of them who own stocks held them in retirement accounts, which are not eligible for the investment income tax cuts.” (New York Times, 4/5/06)

Bush Republicans gave away more special interest tax breaks for Big Oil and multi-millionaire investors at the expense of tax relief for the middle class. The recent Republican tax reconciliation conference report included more expensive tax breaks for Big Oil companies and multi-millionaire investors, but eliminated the college tuition tax deduction, failed to adequately address the Alternative Minimum Tax, and failed to provide middle-class families relief from the rising costs of tuition, gas prices, and health care. “Republican lawmakers, facing the prospect that their power to cut taxes may soon be curbed, plan to extend breaks that mostly benefit the wealthy and Wall Street at the expense of reductions for middle-income households.” (Bloomberg, Republicans Set Aside Middle-Income Tax Cuts to Focus on Rich, 5/8/06)

More American families and children face severe financial problems. The number of Americans who are living in poverty has increased each year of the Bush Administration and is now nearly 17 percent higher today than in 2000. Thirty-seven million Americans were living in poverty at the end of 2004, an increase of 5.4 million over the 2000 level. Poverty has hit America’s children particularly hard. According to a UNICEF report on child poverty rates in 2005, more than one in five children in the United States live in “relative” poverty. (U.S. Census Bureau)

MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES SQUEEZED BY RECORD LEVELS OF DEBT

Bush Republicans turned record budget surpluses into record deficits. President Bush inherited a unified budget surplus of $236 billion from President Clinton, the largest surplus in American history. Budget surpluses were expected to continue for another ten years when President Bush took office in January 2001. By 2002, however, the unified federal budget had returned to a deficit of $158 billion and has since reached historic highs. This year, the budget deficit is expected to reach $296 billion—larger than any deficit before President Bush took office. (President Bush's Budget for Fiscal Year 2002, A Blueprint for New Beginnings, 2/28/01; Office of Management and Budget, Mid-Session Review, 7/11/06)

Bush Republicans, addicted to borrowing, increased the national debt by $3 trillion. President Bush is the most fiscally irresponsible American president, having presided over the largest explosion of debt in our nation’s history. For four years in a row, President Bush has asked Congress to increase the statutory debt limit, resulting in a $3 trillion, or 54 percent, increase. At the end of 2006, the federal debt is expected to reach an estimated $8.6 trillion. By 2011, the President’s budget would increase the public debt to $11.5 trillion. (U.S. Treasury Department, Bureau of Public Debt; Congressional Budget Office)

Enormous trade deficit is undermining U.S. competitiveness. Each year since 2001, the U.S. trade deficit has increased at double digit rates and in 2005 set an alarming record high of $725.8 billion—twice the size of the trade deficit in 2001. Even more troubling, our trade in Advanced Technology Products, a strong indicator of U.S. competitiveness, which was in surplus as recently as 2001, experienced a deficit of more than $44 billion in 2005. (U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis)

Debt owed to foreigners climbs to record levels. In order to finance record budget deficits, the United States has had to borrow at unprecedented rates from foreigners. In the five years of President Bush’s tenure, the United States has accumulated more debt to foreigners, approximately $1.2 trillion, than this country had accumulated in its first 224 years. By contrast, during the last three years of the Clinton Administration, the United States paid off more than $200 billion in debt to foreigners. (U.S. Treasury Department, Major Foreign Holders of Treasury Securities; Federal Reserve Board)

Record government and personal debt levels threaten economic future. Record federal deficits and debt create record interest costs. In 2006, interest costs on the federal debt will total nearly $400 billion and this figure will grow to nearly $597 billion by 2013. Record levels of personal indebtedness also limit choices and keep many Americans on the financial brink. In the last two quarters of 2005, Americans had the worst ratio of household debt and mortgage debt to disposable income in over 25 years. These record levels of personal debt cast an ominous shadow over the economic outlook for 2006, a cloud made darker as millions of adjustable-rate mortgages will reset over the coming year, forcing consumers to pay significantly higher interest rates. (Congressional Budget Office; Federal Reserve Board)

Average student loan debt soars to more than $19,000. Interest rates for Stafford student loans have risen substantially over the past two years, from 3.4 percent to 7.14 percent for outstanding loans and 6.8 percent on new loans. (Congressional Research Service) As a result, loan payments will be considerably higher for students taking out new loans and for those who did not consolidate loans in recent years. Without adequate federal grants funding, students and their parents must rely more on student loans to finance their college educations. More than 60 percent of undergraduates at four-year colleges have to take out loans, and the average amount of federal student loan debt upon graduation has increased from $8,946 in the 1992-1993 to $17,400 in 2003-2004. When private loans are factored in as well, average student loan debt in 2003-2004 was more than $19,000. (National Postsecondary Student Aid Study 1993 and 2004, National Center for Education Statistics)

Erosion of employer-provided pensions threatens Americans’ retirement security. Workers should be able to count on the retirement promises made by their employers. Increasingly, that is not the case. An analysis by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), the federal entity created by Congress to protect employee pensions, found that nearly 10 percent of pension plans halted benefit accruals in 2003 alone, the latest year for which complete data is available. According to PBGC Executive Director Bradley Belt, anecdotal evidence suggests that this number has been even higher since then. Unfortunately, Bush Administration proposals to expand tax-favored savings accounts that primarily benefit the wealthy risk further pension plan erosion. (PBGC, ; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/05)

Six in '06



July 27, 2006

Dear Friends,

With the country at a crossroads, facing a historic choice between the status quo and a change in course, House and Senate Democrats joined together today to call for a New Direction for America. After years of paying the price for a Congress that has favored the special interests and enduring the failed leadership and incompetent policies of Republicans in Washington, the American people have had enough, and they want change.

Today, following a special Joint Caucus, Democrats from the House and Senate reaffirmed their commitment to a Congress that serves all Americans and to providing leadership as good as the American people.

Democrats are charting a New Direction, one that unites our country and creates a better America, whether it's the war in Iraq, price of gas, affordable health care, or the cost of college, Americans know the country is going in the wrong direction. Our New Direction for America will address the real priorities of the American people, expanding opportunity and prosperity for all, not just the privileged few.

Following today's event, Democrats will be taking their message of change across the country for the August Recess, holding more than two hundred New Direction events across America. You will find the "Six for '06" message below or by clicking here. You can also watch video highlights from today at www.HouseDemocrats.gov. Standing united with the American people, Democrats have the right plan to take America in a New Direction


best regards,



Nancy Pelosi
House Democratic Leader



Congressional Democrats believe America should work for everyone – not just those at the top – by building opportunity and prosperity for all, and guaranteeing real security at home and around the world. We know that Americans can work together to meet the serious challenges facing our country, create a stronger nation, and build a safer world.

With a firm commitment to honest leadership and tough budget discipline to end record deficit spending, we propose a legislative agenda – A New Direction - that unites rather than divides our country. Beginning with our goal of an America that strives for the common good, these are our legislative priorities in the 109th Congress for a New Direction.


SIX FOR ‘06

REAL SECURITY AT HOME AND OVERSEAS
Reclaim American leadership with a tough, smart plan to transform failed Bush Administration policies in Iraq, the Middle East and around the world. Require the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country and begin the phased redeployment of US forces from Iraq in 2006. Double the size of Special Forces to destroy Osama Bin Laden and terrorist networks like al Qaeda. Rebuild a state-of-the-art military capable of projecting power wherever necessary. Implement the bipartisan 9/11 Commission proposal to secure America’s borders and ports and screen 100% of containers. Fully man, train, and equip our National Guard and our police, firefighters and other first responders. Honor our commitments to our veterans.

BETTER AMERICAN JOBS - BETTER PAY
Prohibit the Congressional pay raise until the nation’s minimum wage is raised. End tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs overseas.

COLLEGE ACCESS FOR ALL
Make college tuition deductible from taxes, permanently. Cut student loan interest rates. Expand Pell Grants.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE - LOWER GAS PRICES
Free America from dependence on foreign oil and create a cleaner environment with initiatives for energy-efficient technologies and domestic alternatives such as biofuels. End tax giveaways to Big Oil companies and enact tough laws to stop price gouging.

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE - LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE
Fix the Medicare prescription drug program, putting seniors first by negotiating lower drug prices and ending wasteful giveaways to drug companies and HMOs. Promote stem cell research that offers real hope to millions of American families who suffer from devastating diseases.

RETIREMENT SECURITY AND DIGNITY
Stop any plan to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part. Enact real pension reform to protect employees’ financial security from CEO corruption and mismanagement, including abuse of the bankruptcy laws. Expand personal savings incentives.


THE WRONG DIRECTION

The policies of the Bush Administration and the Congressional majority have taken the country in the wrong direction, making us less secure and putting the privileged few ahead of the common good.

WEAKENED SECURITY
Failed to capture Osama Bin Laden or destroy al Qaeda; rushed to war in Iraq on manipulated intelligence with no realistic plan to win the peace; failed to provide strategy to stabilize Iraq or begin the responsible redeployment of our troops; strained the U.S. military; wasted billions on no-bid Halliburton and KBR contracts; failed to protect our borders, ports, transportation systems, and chemical plants; received failing homeland security grades from the nonpartisan 9/11 Commission; cut veterans’ health care.

RISING ECONOMIC INSECURITY
No minimum wage increase for 6.6 million Americans since 1997; real family income down since 2001 as CEO compensation soared; support for subsidies for outsourcing American jobs; $5.6 trillion budget surplus turned into $3.2 trillion deficit; national debt doubled to $12 trillion by 2011.

RISING COLLEGE COSTS
$12 billion cut from college student aid; cost of loans increased; college Pell Grants frozen as tuition soars - 57% at public universities and 32% at private schools since 2000.

RISING ENERGY PRICES
Gas over $3 per gallon; growing dependence on foreign oil; billions in new subsidies for oil and gas companies despite record profits; blocked efforts against price gouging; opposed energy efficient technology and alternative fuels.

RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS
Family health insurance costs up 70% ($4,500 per family) since 2000; 6 million more uninsured; confusing Rx drug benefit prohibits negotiating lower drug prices; stem cell research obstructed.

RISING RETIREMENT INSECURITY
Promoting substantial privatization of Social Security and benefit cuts for millions of retirees; employee pensions collapse while CEOs get golden parachutes.

"Bush Republicans want to "stay the course" in America.
Democrats want to the "change the course" in America."

Dear Lisa,

The tide is turning in Democrats' favor. We have a strong chance of winning back the House in the 2006 elections. I've been working hard, traveling the country, and have already raised more than $6.65 million for Democrats. I've attended fundraisers for strong congressional candidates in more than a dozen states this election cycle [and he's coming to Oklahoma August 3rd to help raise money for our State House candidates] and I'm committed to helping as many candidates as possible before November. Now, I'm looking to the One America online community to tell me which competitive races should be my primary focus....

If we want to build One America, we need to change our country's leadership. George Bush and the Republicans have done everything in their power to increase the gap between rich and poor. It's time to replace them with Democrats who will build One America - One America that is committed to ending poverty, lifting more families into the middle class, and giving everyone who works hard something to show for it....

Your Friend,

John

GOP Falling, DEMS Leading

Republicans are waking up to some discouraging news this morning as two new polls from CBS/NYT and NBC/WSJ show Democrats in great shape less than four months before Election Day. Peter Hart, who conducted the NBC/WSJ poll, summed it up well saying: "I feel like Republicans are in a barrel and headed toward Niagara Falls" and are in "a python-like grip in terms of a negative mood."

DEMS LEAD BY 10 IN CONGRESSIONAL VOTE IN BOTH POLLS. According to the NBC/Wall Street Journal survey, Democrats have a 48-38 lead for Congress. The CBS/New York Times poll shows Democrats holding a 45-35 lead in the Congressional vote among registered voters. Among Independent voters, Democrats hold a 12-point lead.

BUSH IS A DRAG ON GOP CANDIDATES. According to the CBS/New York Times poll, 33% of Americans say their vote in the midterms will be a vote against Bush, while only 14% say it will be to support Bush. By a 19-point margin, Independent voters say their November vote will be a vote against Bush. The NBC/Wall Street Journal reinforces these findings, with 38% of voters saying their midterm vote will be a signal of opposition to Bush.

MAJORITY STILL VIEW GOP UNFAVORABLY. According to the CBS/New York Times poll, 51% of voters have an unfavorable view of the Republican Party and only 18% will be casting their midterm vote in order to keep the GOP in power. According to the NBC/Wall Street Journal survey, 60% disapprove of the GOP-led Congress.

DEMS LEAD ON THE ISSUES. According to the CBS/New York Times poll, Americans trust Democrats to make the right decisions about the War in Iraq by a 6-point margin and they trust Democrats on the economy by a 12-point margin.

Key Point: The Republican Congress (and Ernest Istook is part of it) is not taking care of America. (why should Oklahomans want him to bring DC values to Oklahoma?) Democrats believe Congress should work for everyone (not just the privileged few, and not just for their Republican cronies.) It's time for a New Direction. It's time for Democratic leadership.

The American people have had enough of the failed leadership and incompetent policies of Republicans, like Ernest Istook, in Washington.

1. Failures that put our security in doubt and incompetence that put our soldiers at risk
2. Economic polices that have left Americans working harder to make less.
3. Cuts student loans at time when families can barely afford college at all.
4. Handouts to oil companies making record profits while Americans pay $3 gas.
5. Giveaways to drug companies while health care costs skyrocket.
6. Threats to seniors' retirement security while CEOs get golden parachutes.

It is time for leadership that works for ALL Americans, not just those at the top. It is time for a new direction.

Democrats stand against those who put America's security at risk with blind faith in failed policies. We stand against those who put the middle class at risk by putting the special interests before America's interests.

Democrats stand united, we stand with the American people, and we stand for change.

1. Real Security, at home and overseas
2. Better jobs for the American people-for better pay
3. College access for all
4. Energy independence
5. Affordable health care and life-saving science
6. Retirement security and dignity

Democrats are putting the Republican Congress on notice: the status quo in DC will not continue. It is time for leaders as good as the American people deserve.

It is time for a New Direction in DC.

Elect Oklahoma Democrats to Congress in November.
Elect Alan Gentges, CD 1
Elect Dan Boren, CD 2
Elect Sue Barton, CD 3
Elect Hal Spake, CD 4
Elect David Hunter, CD 5

SEND A MESSAGE TO THAD BALKMAN

Inviting ALL DEMOCRATS to support Wallace Collins, D, for House District 45 with your participation in a fundraiser for him Thursday night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Glenn Floyd's Barn in Norman. (The barn is at the west end of Main Street in Norman.) Guest speaker is Frosty Troy. For more information about supporting Collins and defeating Balkman call 405.329.3830.

Results from the Oklahoma State Election Board

Our staff spread out tonight to make as many watch parties as possible in the metro area while vicechair Ben Odom sat in as an analyst for OETA-TV. Elaine Dodd, former Tulsa County Democratic Party chairman, also appeared on OETA election coverage tonight.

Our candidates and their families, their staffs and volunteers are to be congratulated for weeks and months of hard work and positive campaigning that will serve them well as we move into the runoffs and general election in November.

Congratulations to Governor Brad Henry.

Congratulations to Jari Askins and Pete Regan who will face off once again in the runoff for Lt. Governor after edging out Cal Hobson and Jim Rogers.

Congratulations to Lloyd Fields winning our party's nomination for Labor Commissioner.

Kudos to incumbent Senator Connie Johnson and incumbent Representative Rebecca Hamilton. We need more women in the legislature and may get another one with Dana Orwig's primary win over Joe Hartman in HD 87. Also winning a primary was Kimberly Fobbs in HD 80. Melinda Johnson Ryan won the primary in HD 30 as did Kathryn Thompson in HD 29. Sue Barton took 53% in the CD 3 primary. Anastasia Pittman earned a runoff in HD 99. Women are on the move in the Democratic Party!

More tomorrow!

Polls are officially closed - now it's time to go watch the results. Here's a partial list of Candidate Watch Parties. If I left you off, leave a comment or email me at cruark@okdemocrats.org.

Candidate Watch Parties

Brad Henry For Governor-
Time: 7:00 – 11:30
Location: Sheraton Downtown, Oklahoma City

Jari Askins For Lt. Governor-
Time: TBA
Location: Faculty House, 601 NE 14th, Oklahoma City

Cal Hobson For Lt. Governor-
Time: 7:00 – 10:00p.m.
Location: Legends Times Two, 1333 West Lindsey, Norman

Peter Regan For Lt. Governor-
Time: 8:00 – 10:00
Location: Santa Fe Train Depot, 100 S E.K. Gaylord Blvd, OKC

Frank Shurden for Labor Commissioner
Time: 6:30
Location: CWA Local #6012 Union Hall, 4174 S. 118th East Ave, Tulsa

Lloyd Fields for Labor Commissioner
Time: 8:00 – 10:00
Location: Remington Park, Suite 6, OKC

Bert Smith For Congress CD5-
Time: 6:oo – 9:00
Location: Democrat Headquarters Upstairs, 4100 North Lincoln, OKC

Dr. Hunter for Congress CD5-
Time: 6:30 – 11:30p.m.
Location: Remington Park, Eclipse Room, OKC

John Coffee Harris For CD3
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Location: His Home

Sue Barton For CD3
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Location: Gilcrease Hills Homeowners Association, 1919 W. Seminole, Osage Co

John Sparks For State Senate 16-
Time: 7:00 – whenever
Location: Texadelphia, Corner of Lindsey and Berry, Norman

Derrick Ott for State Senate 16-
Time: 7:30pm to 10pm
Location: Ott Headquarters, S.E. Corner of Jenkins and Lindsey, Norman

Tim Emrich for State Senate 16-
Time: 8pm to 10pm
Location: Pepe Delgado’s on Campus Corner, 752 Asp Ave., Norman

Wayne Walters For State Senate 26-
Time: 6:30 – 9:30
Location: Holiday Inn Elk City

Andrew Rice For State Senate 46-
Time: 7:00 – 11:00
Location: Café de Brazil, 440 NW 11th, OKC

Rhonda Rudd For State Senate 46-
Time: 7:00
Location: Her House

Connie Johnson For State Senate 48-
Time: 6:00 – 10:00
Location: YWCA, OKC

Willa Johnson For State Senate 48-
Time: 6:00 – 10:00
Location: Plaza Hotel, Seminole Room, 4345 North Lincoln Boulevard, OKC

Jeff Potts For State Rep. 14-
Time: 7:00
Location: Campaign Headquarters, Muskogee

Brain Renegar For State Rep. 17-
Time: 5:00 – 10:00
Location: Windmill Cove

Connie Dodson For State Rep. 23-
Time: 7:00 –10:00
Location: Comfort Suits Behind K-mart

Melinda Johnson Ryan For State Rep. 30-
Time: 8:00 – 10:00
Location: 121 Lee Circle Sapulpa

Wallace Collins For State Rep. 45-
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Location: Los Dos Amigos, 2130 East Alameda, Norman

Estelle Cash For State Rep. 45-
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Location: CCDP HQ, 402 W. Main, Norman

Kimberly Fobbs For State Rep. 80-
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Location: 1324 West Inglewood Street, Broken Arrow

Dana Orwig For State Rep. 87-
Time: 8:00 – 10:00
Location: 7317 NW. 113 Terrace

Joe Hartman For State Rep. 87-
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Location: Campaign Headquarters, 4525 N. May, OKC

Casey Davis For State Rep. 88-
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Location: Galileo’s Bar and Grill, 3009 Paseo, OKC

Al McAffrey For State Rep. 88-
Time: 7:00 – 9:00
Location: Home of Jeff Erwin & Sam Blackstock, 401 NOW 18th St, OKC

Nathan Powell For State Rep. 88-
Time: 6:30
Location: Amerisuites North West, 1511 Northwest Expressway, OKC

Pam Cross for State Rep. 89-
Time: 7:00 – 10:00
Location: Hog House restaurant

Anastasia Pittman For State Rep. 99-
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Langston University/OKC

WE The PEOPLE

Open thread...talk back here about "We the People".

From the DGA*

OK - Henry Earns Newspaper Endorsement: In the Democratic primary, the clear choice is incumbent Gov. Brad Henry. The governor has earned the right to receive his party's nomination for a second term. He has fulfilled his promises to get a lottery passed and to get pay raises accomplished for teachers. He's reached across the aisle many times in a bipartisan effort. http://www.enidnews.com/opinion/local_story_203235149.html?keyword=topstory

*Democratic Governors Association

Record-High Gas Prices: Had Enough?

Democrats believe America should work for everyone—not just Big Oil. As energy prices have risen, the Bush Republicans’ do-nothing approach to the squeeze American consumers feel has taken its toll on American families, farmers, businesses, and our economy. Instead of taking steps to reduce demand, which would quickly affect prices, Republicans have used current high energy prices as a reason to support new oil and gas drilling, which would not reduce prices for many years, if at all. America needs a new direction that will free America from dependence on oil, end giveaways to Big Oil companies making record profits, and enact tough laws to stop price gouging.

Gas Prices are High and Rising

Gasoline now costs more than $3 a gallon. Prices at the gas pump have jumped 104 percent from $1.47 per gallon in January 2001 to $3.00 today, with prices rising by 40 cents in four weeks this spring. The price for a barrel of oil has more than doubled during the Bush Administration from $30.63 in January 2001 to $73.87 today. (Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update 7/24/06)

Transportation costs for families have doubled. The average household with children will spend about $3,815 on transportation fuel costs this year, an increase of 100 percent or $1,912 over 2001 costs. (Energy Information Administration, Household Vehicle Energy Use: Latest Data and Trends 11/05; Short Term Energy Outlook, 7/06)

Summer vacationers squeezed from all sides. The average price of gasoline this summer is estimated to be $2.88 a gallon, 51 cents higher than last year’s average and almost double the price of $1.53 in the summer of 2001. At the same time, airlines have raised ticket prices to compensate for skyrocketing fuel costs; customers are paying 11 percent more for airline tickets than they paid a year ago. (EIA Short Term Energy Outlook 7/06 and 9/01; Air Transport Association)




Oil Company Profits are High and Rising

Oil companies still making record profits. While Americans pay more at the pump, the five largest oil companies reported a record $110 billion in profits in 2005. Exxon Mobil alone raked in $36 billion in profits, the largest annual profit of any American company. The five largest oil companies have increased their annual profit by 158 percent since 2001. Energy analysts estimate that profits for these companies in the second quarter of 2006 will be $33.6 billion, 32 percent higher than the second quarter of 2005. (Based on annual profits from ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, ChevronTexaco, and ConocoPhillips company financial reports for 2001 and 2005; Associated Press 7/21/06)

Refiners demanding more tax breaks. “Despite public frustration over high pump prices and flush industry profits, major refining companies are seeking and winning large local tax breaks for their refinery-expansion plans with little political opposition. The various incentives, combined with a federal tax-break package last year, can offer refiners savings that reach hundreds of millions of dollars...” (Wall Street Journal, 7/18/06)

Companies not putting their record profits toward new investment. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) found that the eight top oil and refining companies have $57 billion in cash on hand, a sixfold increase over the $9.5 billion they held in 2001. The rate of return on equity has also increased sixfold. At the same time, these companies’ exploration costs and capital investment have only doubled from their 2001 level. Despite what oil companies are saying, the CRS report demonstrates that they are not reinvesting their record profits in activities that could bring down the prices of oil and gasoline. Moreover, oil companies’ investments of these profits in non-petroleum alternatives has been “negligible.” (CRS Memorandum to Senator Wyden 7/5/06, ExxonMobil response to Questions from the Record of Joint Committee Hearing regarding Energy Pricing and Profits with Senate Energy and Natural Resources and Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committees 11/9/05)

Economic Volatility, Driven by Energy Costs, is High and Rising

Threatening economic growth and consumer spending. “…The anticipated moderation in economic growth now seems to be under way… That moderation appears most evident in the household sector…one likely source of this deceleration was higher energy prices, which have adversely affected the purchasing power of households and weighted on consumer attitudes.” (Testimony of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, 7/19/06)

Increasing the risk of a recession. “With oil prices surging, financial markets gyrating and consumers turning cautious, the risks of recession are rising… A big worry is surging oil prices, which have contributed to several past recessions.” (Wall Street Journal 7/16/06)

Putting pressure on inflation. “Much of the upward pressure on overall inflation this year has been due to increases in the prices of energy and other commodities and, in particular, to the higher prices of products derived from crude oil.” (Testimony of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, 7/19/06)

Bringing down the stock market. “Surging oil prices pulled stocks sharply lower for a third straight session Friday…” (Associated Press 7/15/06)

Increasing the trade deficit. “The U.S. trade deficit widened to $63.84 billion in May, thanks to a big increase in the nation's monthly bill for imported petroleum. For the month, oil imports reached a record $27.88 billion, up $4.03 billion, or 17 percent, from April, the Commerce Department said. Overall, the trade imbalance for May expanded 0.8 percent from April's revised gap of $63.34 billion, as the U.S. stayed on pace to far exceed last year's trade deficit, which came in at a record $716.73 billion.” (Wall Street Journal 7/13/06)

Sending more American dollars overseas. “Petroleum imports hit a record $27.9 billion as the average price of imported crude oil hit a record $61.74 a barrel in May, rising $4.92 from April for the biggest month-to-month gain since Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. May imports from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries hit a record $13.6 billion, pushing the United States' petroleum trade deficit that month to a record $25.4 billion.” (Los Angeles Times, 7/13/06)

America Needs a New Direction

Because they can’t “snap their fingers” to bring down gas prices, Bush Republicans have no plan to confront the problem. Instead of convening a bipartisan energy summit as requested by Senate Democrats or taking actions to reduce the price at the pump today, President Bush has lamented, “I told the people, if I could lower gasoline prices with a snap of the fingers, I’d do it.” Bush Republicans have only proposed smokescreen solutions that would not lower the price at the pump but would subsidize new refineries, waive environmental laws, usurp state and local authority, and open up sensitive areas to oil and gas drilling. (Senate Democrats letter to President Bush, 5/18/06; Bush Press Conference, 7/9/06)

Senate Democrats’ Clean EDGE Initiative would protect American consumers.
S. 2829, the Clean Energy Development for a Growing Economy Act, would move America quickly in the direction of energy independence. The bill includes an oil savings target of six million barrels per day by 2020, requires immediate increases in the availability of alternative fuels and flex-fuel vehicles, increases energy market transparency, repeals tax breaks for the oil and gas industry, makes price gouging a federal crime, and invests heavily in making America’s energy future more sustainable and secure.

NEW DIRECTION QUOTES OF THE DAY

Proof positive that America is going in the wrong direction...


"It didn't work. . . . We didn't prepare for the peace." -- Anonymous Republican Senate Candidate on the Iraq war [Washington Post, 7/25/05]

"It's an impediment. It's a hurdle I have to overcome . . . I've got an 'R' here, a scarlet letter." -- Anonymous Republican Senate Candidate on being a Republican [Washington Post, 7/25/05]

Monday Night

In less than 24 hours we'll be getting results for the primary elections. The last 24 hours have been difficult for the candidates and the next 24 will be emotional. The sign wars began over the weekend and the last minute attacks are in full force - on both sides. For the most part the negative campaigning has been done by the Republicans. It comes real easy for them, Karl Rove is their hero. He learned dirty tricks as a College Republican and has mentored a generation of CRs who do the bidding of their masters.

On Wednesday we will start a new round of campaigning; some will be invigorated by the process while others will be irritated by the results. We must all focus on the goal - remember November. And we must keep our eye on the real enemy - politicians who so loathe government by the people, for the people that they will do anything, yes, anything, to win and then do everything within their power to eliminate effective government.

Diplomacy is not a finish line, it's a process

Confused about what's going on in the Middle East? Wondering where this is all leading? Consider the conversation on Daily Kos about Wes Clark's ideas. Then talk back here. Your comments are welcome. And remember, this is a "process" it is not an accomplished mission.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/24/92929/9761

Inhofe and the Third Reich

Read it for yourself. How embarrassing!

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/07/24/inhofe-third-reich/

TABOR petition thrown out!!!

Supreme Court referee recommends spiking TABOR petition

By Staff reports

7/24/2006 3:14:00 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY - A state Supreme Court referee recommended Monday that a Taxpayers Bill of Rights question, commonly referred to as TABOR, should not be placed on the November ballot because of insufficient signatures.

The measure would limit state government spending growth to a formula that takes state growth and the inflation rate into consideration.

Supreme Court Referee Greg Albert said that more than 56,000 signatures were collected by ineligible circulators, invalidating those signatures.

Combined with other improper signatures, Albert said the initiative petition was left with 218,223 signatures, 1,341 fewer than required by law.

His recommendation will now be considered by the entire court, which has the final say in the question.

Wister Lake Fish Fry Was Great!

Hats off to John Locke and the crew in LeFlore County this weekend for all their hard work on the fish fry held at beautiful Wister Lake. If you have never been there, it is one of the most scenic places for a political rally in the state. How pretty is it? I have a painting of the lake in my office! It was good to see Commissioner Freddy Cox and his wife there, as they are my Dad's next-door neighbors on Pine Mountain, and my brother Gerald Odom made an appearance as well. It was fun to introduce him to all the candidates. I was honored to lead off the speaking, and several folks in the crowd had kind words afterwards. There will be a huge turnout there on Tuesday, as there are many local races.

Primary Colors

A review of Tuesday's ballot choices indicates that Democrats are making a move toward victory in November. I expect to see strong nominees emerge from some of the primaries and that we will see a runoff or two ahead of us.

Interesting Democratic primaries include the one for Lt. Governor with a large percentage of voters undecided last weekend. The push is on from Jari Askins, Cal Hobson, and Pete Regan to convince Democrats that they alone can beat the Republican nominee in November. All three are on TV and have websites. All three have crisscrossed the state seeking votes on Tuesday. Jim Rogers placed his name on the ballot but has done little to no campaigning.

There are two interesting Democratic primaries for the State Senate. In Senate District 16, Cleveland and McClain counties, three men are vying for the opportunity to follow Cal Hobson to the State Senate. (Hobson is term-limited after 28 years of service in the Oklahoma Legislature.) I have relatives who live in the district and they have received a LOT of mail from the candidates: Tim Emrich, Derrick Ott, and John Sparks. All three have some tv up and all three have websites. This is a real contest if you look at the number of doors knocked and signs placed in residential yards. With the intensity of campaigning and high quality of candidates I expect a runoff in this district.

In Senate District 26, out in western Oklahoma, three men are vying for the opportunity to follow Gilmer Capps to the State Senate. (Capps is term-limited after serving three decades in the Oklahoma Legislature.) Voters there have a tough choice among the three candidates Tom Ivester, Larry Peck, and Wayne Walters. They all three have websites and Ivester has a tv commercial. I have family that lives in that district too and the candidates are doing a good job covering the district. There's a possible runoff in this district too.

In Senate District 46, home of term-limited Senator Bernest Cain, there's also a three-way primary for the party's nomination. Campaigning hard in that district are Andrew Rice, Rhonda Rudd, and Drew Dugan. Again, they each have websites and a lot of signs throughout the district. This metro district is totally walkable and I heard that one of the candidates has knocked the doors in the district three times. We'll see what campaign style and message pays off there. The Republicans have a runoff there too, but given the nature of the district and their weak candidates, this is a definitie hold for Democrats.

Both Lloyd Fields and Frank Shurden have been campaigning hard this month for the party's nomination. I know Lloyd Fields has visited all 77 counties. Frank Shurden has been building a base from home territory in the 2nd District. We'll have a nominee Tuesday night and then will launch a campaign to take the State Labor Commissioner's office in November. Bye bye Brenda.
There's a five-way race for the Democratic nomination in HD 99 in NE Oklahoma City. This is Opio Toure's seat, one he's leaving due to term-limits. Competing for the nomination are Wayne Chandler, Larry Foster II, Tom Nash, Greg Nelson, and Anastasia Pittman. Rumors are one of the candidates will earn enough votes to avoid a runoff, but with this many candidates, who knows for sure? Again, it will be interesting to see the results based on the very different campaigning styles of these candidates.

Incumbent Democrat Mike Shelton has three challengers in HD 97, also NE Oklahoma City. Seeking their first win are Christine Byrd, Jesse Jackson Jr., and Lorenzo Thompson. This is a shoe leather campaign and will be interesting to see the strength of the candidates' messagegs with these important voters. No Republicans filed for this seat, so it will stay in the Democratic column.

House District 95 is an open seat with two Democrats and two Republicans. Either Lee Roy Tucker or Max Wolfley will be the Democratic nominee. Previously held by a Republican, this is a possible pick up for Democrats so we'll keep our eye on this one for sure.

Larry Gooch and Scott Inman are seeking the Democratic nomination in HD 94. Kevin Calvey vacated this Del City seat to run for CD 5. Gooch, a retired firefight, has run for this seat before, and Inman, an attorney, ran for the Senate seat that overlaps the district. This is another possible pick up for Democrats so we'll be watching closely.

In HD 89 incumbent Rebecca Hamilton is being challenged by newcomer Pam Cross. This is a strong Democratic district in south OKC. There is no Republican in the race so this one will stay with the Democrats and with a woman!

Democrats will continue to hold HD 88 after Tuesday. The seat is being vacated by Rep. Debbie Blackburn due to term-limits. Al McAffrey, Casey Davis, and Nathan Powell are seeking the nomination. Each have websites and have knocked a lot of doors in the district.

Joe Hartman and Dana Orwig both want to take on Trebor Worthen in November. One of them will get the chance on Tuesday. HD 87, another metro district, was a pick up for the Republicans in 2004, Joe or Dana will take it back in 2006.

Over in eastern Oklahoma incumbent John Auffett is being challenged by Mike Wininger for HD 86. There was a three-way contest in 2004 for this seat that was previously held by Speaker Larry Adair. The district covers Adair, Cherokee, and Delaware counties. This will stay with the Democrats Tuesday night, one way or the other.

Stan Brooks, Wayne Guevara, and Carl Weston are vying for the Democratic nomination in HD 74 where incumbent Republican John Smaligo is leaving office. This is a potential pick up for Democrats in the Owasso area.

Estelle Cash and Wallace Collins are both campaigning hard against Thad Balkman in HD 45 in Norman. Cash or Collins will win Tuesday and again in November. Balkman's support in the district is diminishing despite recent newspaper advertising in the Norman Transcript - more about this in a separate post. Balkman, like his heroes Grover Norquist, Ernest Istook and Ronald Reagan is not good for this district.

Pierce Jones and Doyle Lewis are eager to take out freshman legislator Mike Jackson in Enid's HD 40. What an improvement we'll have in November when a Democrat takes that seat!

Scott Big Horse and Jack Rankin are working hard in HD 36 to replace Joe Sweeden who is leaving his House seat to run for the Senate. The district is predominantly Democrat and should stay that way in November.

Dennis Campbell and Melinda Johnson Ryan will face off Tuesday for the opportunity to represent the Democrats in HD 30. This Sapulpa area seat should move back into the Democratic column this time. The Creek County Democrats are mobilized and ready for victory.

Ah, sweet revenge! It's possible in HD 29, home of Jimmy Todd Hiett, where Democrats Famous Tankersley and Kathryn Thompson are working to turn that district back to the people in November.

Joe Freeman and Gary Goodine are fighting to replace Kris Steele in HD 26 over by Shawnee. The Democrats are excited about this one too.

Connie Dodson and Steve Gallo are giving the Tulsa County Democrats something to fight for in their efforts to unseat Sue Tibbs in HD 23. Both Dodson and Gallo are out knocking doors and running strong campaigns. Tibbs better start looking for another profession.

Democrats in Pittsburgh County will choose their representative Tuesday to replace term-limited Mike Mass. The choices are Barbara Gilbertson, Allen Harshaw, and Brian Renegar. This district is true blue and will remain that way with a Democrat in HD 17.

The Democrats lost a great legislator when Ray Miller, HD 15, decided not to run again. Asking to replace him are Edward Cannaday, Brian McLaughlin, Doyle Rose and Gary Updyke. Don't know why the Republican even bothered to file there. This is the heart of Democratic country.

Dianne Barker Harrold and Jeff Potts are lined up to be the Democratic nominee to replace term-limited Barbara Staggs in HD 14 in the Muskogee area. The winner will face a Republican, to be determined, in November. We should keep this one and continue the strong Democratic representation we've come to expect from Muskogee County.

Henry Flanders, Chuck Hoskin, and Kenny Weast are seeking the nomination in HD 6 where Joe Eddins is leaving under term-limits. Turn out should be good there and the Democrats will turn out strong in November to hold this seat.

For candidate profiles check out www.okinsider.com and the candidate page at www.okdemocrats.org.

Job Approval

Survey USA showed Democratic Governor Brad Henry with a 67% job approval last week.

The Tulsa World showed Democratic Governor Brad Henry with a 75% job approval in Tulsa last week and 69% in OKC.

At the same time Survey USA showed Republican President George W. Bush with a 42% job approval in Oklahoma last week.

Majority Control

Oklahoma Democrats are working statewide to hold our historic majority in the State Senate and to build a new majority in the State House of Representatives.

Why is control of the state legislature so important? Because control of the legislature affects a range of issues, budget priorities, taxes and government services --- as well as congressional district boundaries. The majority party controls the conversation and the agenda at the capitol.

If you care about wages, roads and bridges, schools, healthcare and hometown security, vote Democrat. Majority matters

Oklahoma Leads the Nation

Under Governor Brad Henry's leadership Oklahoma's early childhood education programs are rated #1 in the nation and our state's anti-methamphetamine law is the model for vitually every other state and the federal government. Governor Henry's Insure Oklahoma initiative, is a first-of-its-kind program to help small business provide health insurance to employees. People are looking to Oklahoma for ideas, and they are finding excellence --- thanks to Governor Brad Henry.

Voter Guide

Here's the link for the Oklahoma League of Women Voter's Election Guide http://lwvok.org/VoterService/2006VoterGuide.htm

Please let us know about other online voter guides.

Hocus Pocus

In their big scheme to rule the world the republicans have hired on with Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform. Grover sent me a letter this week "hoping that you would call on those who haven't signed the Pledge yet to make this important commitment." (You gotta be kidding!@#$%^%$#)

The pledge is more hocus pocus and that's putting it nicely. This group "sounds" good, it uses the buzzwords but in reality is dedicated to reducing the size of government which means it wants to reduce or eliminate services to seniors, services to children and essentially destroy our form of government.

Democrats stand for effective government that meets the promises of our Constitution and the needs of our people. I am proud to say that ONLY ONE DEMOCRAT has signed "the pledge" and he is term-limited this year. I am sad to say that 30 Republicans have signed it; four of whom are running for Congress, two for Lt. Gov. and one for Governor. Something is wrong here. They want to govern but they hate government. That's hocus pocus.

Rubber Stamp Republicans

We've had two Republicans contact us this week, sick and tired of the culture of corruption, the lying, buying, spying and bullying that dominates the Greedy Old Party. Both announced they have had enough of today's GOP and will change their registration as soon as possible.

Which brings up the fact that voters all over this state, and this nation are sick and tired of the antics of Bush's Rubber Stamp Congress. Check out this website for examples of the Rubber Stamp Congress and then add your own Oklahoma examples as comment to this blog entry. Jimmy Todd and the boys at 23rd and Lincoln are doing their best to play like the big boys in DC, following the lead of such ilk as Grover Norquist and others who hate government. These Republicans hate our government so much they want to destroy it and the Rubber Stamp Congress just goes right along with them. Say NO to this kind of leadership. Say NO to the Republicans and say YES to DEMOCRATS for Oklahoma and for America!

Quote of the Day

"The penalty for not participating in government
is to be governed by your inferiors."

Plato

Yellow Dog Dispatch


Read the Summer 2006 edition of the Yellow Dog Dispatch at
http://www.okdemocrats.org/summer2006.htm

Back to School

"In today's increasingly competitive economy, the best guarantee of a good, secure job is a quality education. But not everyone has that opportunity.

I know what it's like to have a tough time affording college: With the help of federal Pell Grants, and a lot of hard work, I was the first in my family to graduate from college.

A college education today costs a small fortune and it's harder than ever to find help. Since 2001, tuition has increased by over 30 percent at the average four year public school. Over the same period, family incomes have increased less than six percent.

As the cost of college continues to rise and family incomes stagnate, more and more students are qualifying for Pell Grants and other federal student aid programs. BUT there's just less money to go around and the Pell Grant award hasn't kept up. IN 1986, the Pell Grant covered 51 percent of the cost of tuition, fees, room and board. In 2004, it covered only 35 percent of those costs. WE can't let a college education become a privilege just for the wealthy.

We must ensure that famiies and students can afford college, regardless of their financial resources. That's why the Democratic Women For Change are challenging this Republican Congress to take a new direction."

They need your help. Join and stand with thousands of Americans who believe that we can get America moving in the right directions. We can hep families and students afford to go to college. The Democratic Women for Change have a checklist for change:

First and foremost, increase the maximum Pell Grant to $5,100 - an amount that actually keeps pace with costs.

Second, Congres can act to make the $4,000 College Tuition Tax Deduction permanent. On July 1, the largest interest rate hikes on college loans went into effect. We need this now more than ever: the typical undergraduate student graduates with $17,500 in debt.

Third, we should help families as they save for college. Let's permanently increase the Coverdell Education Savings Account contribution to $5,000, and make it possible for families toput aside enough money to put their kids through school.

Finally, flexibility is critical for non-traditional students returning to school. We ought to give America's servicement and women the opportunity to attend college anytime they choose by making the GI Bill more flexible.

Get involved with the Democratic Women for Change.

Primary Elections and Signs

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs.

We've had stacks of signs in our lobby for weeks now and all of a sudden the supplies have greatly diminished...we love it that people are coming in and out all day grabbing signs and literature in support of our great Democrats!

While the State Party absolutely does not endorse candidates in a primary, we are allowing area Democratic primary candidates to place two signs in our front yard through the primary. We'll see how long they last! (Note, if you are a primary candidate and haven't yet placed your two signs out front, you may do so from now through the election on Tuesday - but only two.)

And always remember, signs don't vote, people do.

Primary Elections

Early voting for the Primary Elections started this morning at 8 a.m. Early voting continues until 6 p.m. today and will continue tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Monday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. prior to election day on Tuesday. Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting is at your county election board. For locations check out the listing at the State Election Board site.

Key Point: Do Nothing Republican Congress

The Republican Congress has ignored rising gas prices, the rising cost of a college education, and rising violence in Iraq. It has made middle-class life more difficult and America less safe. Democrats believe we need a new direction.

Do Nothing Congress

Washington Republicans have put the wishes of the right wing above the interests of the American people.

Instead of working on the issues that matter to all Americans, the Republican Congress has spent its time on divisive partisan issues and gotten nothing done.

The record of Washington Republicans is one of inaction and incompetence, and it is time for a change.

A New Direction

Democrats are fighting to take this country in a New Direction, with leadership that serves all Americans.

Democrats are ready to give America better jobs at better pay, energy independence, and real security.

Democrats believe it is time for the Do Nothing Republican Congress to finally get to work.

Before the August recess, the Senate still must address gas prices and education costs, and have a real debate on Iraq.

Parallel Universe

Republican leaders and their followers seem to live in a parallel universe where truth and reason get turned inside out. Some examples:

* President Bush vetoes the stem cell research bill because he won’t “destroy a life to save a life.” Yet, he sends more than 2,500 American soldiers to their deaths in Iraq to protect the rest of us from terrorism (fighting them there so we won’t have to fight them here.)

* Republican politicians shamelessly use the flag to support their policies, and vote for an Amendment to the Constitution to prevent others from using the flag to oppose their policies.


* Republicans say they are “pro-life,” yet President Bush uses his veto pen to prevent medical research that would save millions of lives from a wide range of diseases and the Republican Congress fails to override his first veto.


* Our country is attacked by terrorists from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, trained in Afghanistan, and the United States attacks Iraq.


* Many of the terrorists came into the United States over the Canadian border. And Republican politicians are proposing to build a wall along our border….with Mexico.


* President Bush bemoans the fact Americans are “addicted to oil” and need a national energy policy to end that addiction. Yet, the only energy policy he has offered proposes drilling for more oil, and was written by oil companies.


* The Bush administration sends our troops to Iraq to “promote democracy.” Yet, his own government policies consistently attack our own democracy and Constitutional rights. We are “spreading freedom around the world” while limiting the freedom of Americans.

Do you have more examples where Republican politicians say one thing and do another? Where their rhetoric doesn’t match their actions? Let us know.

Lincoln County is Looking Forward to a Great Turnout of Democrats on Friday Night

Location Change

Tony Perna sent this over about the location change for Friday's event in Lincoln County:

Due to the extreme heat, we have moved the location for our Candidate Speaking on Friday July 21 inside to the air-conditioned American Legion Hut in Tilghman Park. We will still start at 6:30 P.M. Please pass the information on. If you have any other questions, e-mail me or call me at (918)374-2651 or Debi Thompson at (405)258-5002.

Our latest information is that State Treasurer Scott Meacham , Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, Sen. Frank Shurden, Sen. Cal Hobson, Cody Graves, Rep. Danny Morgan, County Commissioner Ted O'Donnell, Wayne Corter, Greg Wilson, John Coffee Harris and Sue Barton will be on hand.

Gov. Brad Henry, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, Rep. Jari Askins and Pete Regan are sending campaign representatives.

DNC Training in Chicago

Well, today was my first full day of training. I must say a 7am wake-up call and listening to speakers for 11 hours was not my initial idea of fun in Chicago. A city so full of history and interesting places to go. I thought my first trip would be filled with museums and blues clubs. However, I am not disappointed in the things I am learning. The DNC is providing the voter file training and made all arrangements.

One comment that is repeated over and over is we "are here for our candidates and our state". It is true. Every piece of knowledge that I take with me this week will be relayed to each candidate willing to listen from county levels up to statewide candidates.

46 states are represented this week and I am happy to be the representative for Oklahoma. I have met many people from around the country (my roommate is from Utah) and many DNC staffers. ALL Democrats so at least I am comfortable among friends.

Tomorrow is another full day of learning, and I am personally hoping I can make it to the Art Institute before it closes on Friday!

Pawnee County Democrats

This young Democrat enjoyed the watermelon most while the "old guys" discussed politics in the background at this week's Pawnee County Democratic Party Watermelon Feed.

Word is that Greg Wilson, Sue Barton, and John Harris were there looking for votes for Tuesday's primary election for the CD 3 Congressional seat. Good luck to each of you! If you are a CD 3 voter and still haven't made up your mind, please visit the websites of these fine candidates for information about their campaigns.

www.bartonforcongress.com
http://wilsonforcongress.us/
www.johncoffeeharris.com

Tribal Summit and Native Vote

Today our ODP Communications Director Jason McCarty and I attended a Tribal Summit at the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Mound Auditorium in Okmulgee. The morning agenda was dedicated to candidates for statewide and legislative offices. Democratic candidates and/or elected officials I heard or saw today included State Treasurer Scott Meacham, Pete Regan, Cody Graves, John Mark Young, Diane Barker Harrold, Wade Rousselot, Kathy Thompson.

I saw representatives for Jeff McMahan and Kim Holland.

Kalyn Free spoke briefly about her work with INDN's List to recruit and support Native American candidates for state and federal office.

I spoke about the longstanding relationship between the Democratic Party and tribal nations and our strong support for tribal sovereignty and cultural traditions of Oklahoma's 39 tribal governments. I also announced that a new Federation of Oklahoma Indian Democrats will submit a constitution and by-laws at our next central committee meeting to initiate the process of expanding and formalizing the Native American voice and vote in our party. This effort has been lead by Kalyn Free (Choctaw) and Margo Gray (Osage). Sue Johnson (Creek) currently serves on the central committee as an affirmative action member and Kalyn serves as a DNC member at-large. Once approved by the committee the elected president of the Federation would serve as an ex-officio member of the committee. I look forward to working with these women and their tribes and others who will participate in this effort as we move forward together to expand the Native Vote in Oklahoma and to elect Democrats!

Thanks to Muscogee Nation Speaker of the House George Tiger for the invitation to participate today.

Remember your first time. . . .

President Bush will surely remember his first time, his first time to use his veto. The word is out that Bush is poised to VETO his first piece of legislation - HR810.

The Senate approved HR810 after two days of emotional debate to expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research and sent the measure to President Bush for a promised veto, the first of his presidency.

The bill passed 63-37, four votes short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override Bush's veto. The president left little doubt he would reject the bill despite late appeals on its behalf from fellow Republicans Nancy Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

And then there's our Republican Senator . . .

Today, Senator Coburn repeated the argument - debunked by leading scientists - that adult stem cells offer a research substitute for embryonic stem cells. Of the measures being considered by the Senate today, only H.R. 810, which expands federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, holds promise for expanding medical breakthroughs.

Senator Coburn: " . . . cures are here with adult stem cells." [7/18/06]

FACT: Research Team Headed by William Neaves, President and CEO of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Debunks Claim That Adult Stem Cell Research Treats 65 Diseases - Only Nine Conditions Respond to Adult Stem Cell Treatment. "'In fact, adult stem cell treatments fully tested in all required phases of clinical trials and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are available to treat only nine of the conditions on the Prentice list, not 65,' Neaves` team wrote. 'Most of his cited treatments remain unproven and await clinical validation. Other claims, such as those for Parkinson's or spinal cord injury, are simply untenable.'" [(Review of research originally appearing in Science), UPI, 7/14/06]

Today's Talking Points


Key Point: For five years, Republicans in Congress have mismanaged the government to serve their campaign needs. From stem cell research to the Voting Rights Act, it is time to get to work for all Americans.

Stem Cells
For Americans suffering from debilitating illnesses, for the scientific community, and for the majority of Americans who support expanding stem cell research, there is no alternative to HR 810.

Other bills give political support to Republicans, but only HR 810 gives medical support to Americans.

Democrats are fighting to give millions of Americans the hope of new cures and treatments that stem cell research provides.

Voting for HR 810 is not enough. Americans waiting on stem cell research expect Congressional Republicans to convince the President to sign it.

President Bush and Senate Republicans should put sound science over ideology, and America's future ahead of their own political futures.

Americans want a new direction, where their health and the health of their families are put first.

You Are Invited

Custer County Democrats

I visited the Custer County Democrats in Weatherford last night at their regular monthly meeting. County Chair Jonathan Carter announced his resignation as he will start law school at OU next month. The group will host a county convention in the next 90 days to elect a replacement for Jonathan who can lead the group's efforts to mobilize Democrats for the November election in Custer County.

Emily Hall was guest speaker from the Holland for Oklahoma campaign. She outlined some of Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland's achievements since taking office in 2005. Integrity, trust, professional, consumer advocate. These are words to describe the commissioner and her work for Oklahoma citizens. For information about Holland visit her campaign website at http://hollandforoklahoma.com/index.php.

I was delighted to see my former history professor, Dr. Mel Fiegel, at the meeting and to meet Ed Smith, Clinton Police Chief. Smith and I were both recently selected for Leadership Oklahoma Class XX.

Also attending were CD 3 Chairman Mack Miller and State Representative James Covey. (photo included)

I look forward to the county convention and meeting Democrats from across the county and helping them re-organize for a strong GOTV effort in November. I invited all Custer County Democrats to the ODP's Democratic Family Reunion on Saturday July 29th at the Harn Homestead in OKC from 6 to 9 p.m. (So Tom, Bonnie, Leroy, Ed, Jill --- that means YOU!)

MARCH TO THE POLLS!

MARCH TO THE POLLS!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
A group of concerned African-American women will spearhead a march
from Mt. Olive Baptist Church located at 1020 NE 42nd to the Oklahoma
County Election Board on Saturday, July 22, 2006 to vote from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The purpose of the march is to rally Oklahoma’s African-
American women and others to the polls during the 2006 elections. We will also have information booths to empower our community.
THIS IS A NON-PARTISAN AND NON-POLITICAL EVENT
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL:
Blondene Taite at (405) 670-2169 or
Tammy Bass-LeSure at (405) 401-3868 or (405) 301-4586
VOTE to EMPOWER

Rogers County Picnic

I was honored to attend the Rogers County Democratic Party picninc and candidate speaking that was held this weekend in Claremore. It was hot, but no one seemed to mind much. There was a good group of democrats enjoying hamburgers, hot dogs, and lots of water!!

As soon as I got there I spoke with Angela Wilson, the County Chair and was promptly introduced to Jim Blouch Vice-Chair. I was also priveleged enough to meet Kalyn Free DNC At-Large Member and Founder/President of INDN's List as well as Freida Wilcox, Congressional Distict 2 Vice-Chair.


Lloyd Fields, candidate for State Labor Commissioner, was busy going around the state, so he gave his speech first thing from the top of a picnic table and then left for the next event on his calendar.

We then mingled around until the rest of the speakers were going to begin. That is when I met John Cummings, County Commissioner candidate in District 1; Randy Baldridge, County Commissioner (incumbent) in District 3; Ken Froese, County Commissioner candidate in District 3; and Bruce Long, County Commissioner candidate in District 3. There are a lot of candidates for the different Commissioner seats and they have a lot of work ahead of them for the next week.

The incumbent for County Treasurer, Kathy Pinkerton Baker, was also there with a lively speech to get everyone excited.

I was also pleased to see the incumbent for County Assessor, Melissa Anderson, there with all of her supporters.

Sean Burrage Senate Candidate in District 2, was met with a round of applause as he talked about how difficult the race would be, but also how important their district was for majority control.

House District 6 candidates, Kenny Weast, and Chuck Hoskin were also there to pump the crowd up for the Primary and upcoming general election.

Congressman Dan Boren sent well wishes to the crowd through County Chair Angela Wilson, and apologized for not being able to attend the picnic.

I had a great time at this event and I cannot wait until this group gets together again!!

Retired Teachers Shortchanged

(For a look at senior issues and especially those related to retired educators check out Dr. Ed Vineyard's work with the Oklahoma Retired Presidents' Council and on his blog at http://militantmod.blogspot.com/. Dr. Vineyard also is a blogger for the Enid News and Eagle at http://www.enidnews.com/Militant%20Moderate. The following excerpts are from an article written by Vineyard and Dr. Joe Struckle and published in the Daily Oklahoman. Dr. Vineyard contacted me recently so I wanted to start a discussion thread here at OK Blue Notes just for him!)


By Edwin E. Vineyard and Joe J. Struckle

The politics of greed was the winner in retirement legislation this year. Active administrators and the highest-paid school personnel reaped a windfall in future benefits from the recently adjourned Legislature, while all current retirees got the shaft.

Current administrators will see a jump in their average salary base to $60,000 this year, $80,000 the following year, and then unlimited. Their personal benefits will increase by tens of thousands as a result, creating millions in new liability for the retirement system.
All current education retirees will receive a miserly 2 percent increase from stipend levels set two years earlier. And a new law (Senate Bill 1894) prohibits any change for another two years. This is grossly unfair and insulting!

The benefit grab by the high-paid actives is at the expense of an additional payroll assessment against schools, subsidized by the state, from 7.05 percent to 8 percent in two years. The windfall for this special group took the money needed to shore up the solvency of the Teacher Retirement System, and to enable it to give decent cost of living adjustments to all retirees.
The leadership and members of both political parties ought to feel the shame of bowing to such naked greed. The Oklahoma Education Association should be ashamed for supporting excess benefits for one special sector at the expense of the system that serves all educators. Leadership and members of both parties ought to be ashamed for showing their elderly teacher retirees such disrespect. Greedy administrators may know no shame.

A 1 percent increase for each of the last two years (and nothing for two more years) is insulting to teacher retirees. (This translates to one-half of a percent per year for four years.) Retirees, and others interested in fairness, should remember all those who perpetrated this travesty.
It is duly noted, of course, that school and vo-tech administrators donate to campaign funds and host fund-raisers for candidates, while retirees have little to offer other than their votes. This give-away program has been touted among administrators endlessly this past year. Teachers report being called into meetings in their schools to push it.

And what about the older, lower-paid retirees? They expected fairness and got the shaft. Let us hope they become angry and militant. Some of these older retirees are cutting their medications just to get by. They're tired of being told there is no money for COLAs. This unholy mixture of politics and greed has a stench to it.

Vineyard is executive secretary, and Struckle is chairman, of the Oklahoma Retired Presidents' Council, which has had an ongoing project to promote fairness and equity in benefits while moving the system toward solvency.

75% Solution --- Brad Henry

OK - Three-Quarters of Oklahomans Approve of Henry: Incumbent Gov. Brad Henry enjoys a 75 percent approval rating, according to the latest Oklahoma Poll, and a 28-point advantage over both GOP Rep. Ernest Istook and GOP Businessman Bob Sullivan in head-to-head polling. Against Istook, Henry was favored 57 percent to 29 percent. Against Sullivan, Henry led 54 percent to 26 percent. http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=060716_Ne_A1_Istoo12283_0

And these accomplishments are why he's so popular. Check it out at http://www.henryforgovernor.com/accomplishments.htm

Do Nothing Congress

For months, Americans have paid more and more for gas. Even with all-time record prices approaching, this Republican Congress still does nothing to help. [BTW, have you noticed the Pruitt for Lt. Gov signs in front of the Shell gas stations around town? Right next to that $3 per gallon gas price; he ran for Congress once, didn't make it, and now he wants to be our Lt. Governor....I don't think so...vote for the Democrat of your choice next Tuesday and send a message to the Greedy Old Party....your priorities are not our priorities.]

Republicans have mismanaged the government, and wasted Congress's time with a partisan agenda. [Reminds me of the old joke, what's the opposite of progress? Congress. Let's send some Democrats to Congress from Oklahoma for a change and for real progress.]

With only 20 legislative days left in the 109th Congress, it is time to begin working for all Americans, not just the privileged few.

Democrats believe the Senate must address these critical issues before the August recess: stem cell research, the price of gas, college affordability, and an honest debate on Iraq. [No more bait and switch, no more emotional public relations pitches, let's deal with the real issues facing our country.]

Thank You Mr. Senior Citizen

(Ed Waits wrote this as a song and gave it to me Saturday at the Eastern Oklahoma County Democratic picnic. I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but the message is very good, and straight from the heart. Thanks for sharing this Ed.)

Thank you Mr. Senior Citizen,
Thank you Mr. Senior Citizen.
Thank you for doing all the things that you've done.
You fought for your country back in WWII,
And if Someone needed a helping hand
They could always count on you.
So thank you Mr. Senior Citizen.

Thanks Mr. Senior Citizen
Thankd you for doing all the things that you've done.
You came through the depression when things were very bad
You worked your fingers to the bone just to keep your family fed.
But you never gave up hope
You always looked ahead.

Thank you Mr. Senior Citizen
Thank you for doing all the things that you've done.
You just kept right on working when things were very hard
But now you're finally made it
Today you're just retired.

So thank you Mr. Senior Citizen
Thank you for doing all the things that you've done.
I'll keep trying mom and dad to measure up to you.
And someday if God be willing
I'll be a Senior Citizen too.

(To see what Democrats are doing for Seniors and Retirees go to http://dnc.org/a/communities/seniors_and_retirees/.)

Burgers, Dogs and Politicians in Eastern Oklahoma County

Congratulations to Eastern Oklahoma County Democrat of the Year Phyllis Haivala. She and the other volunteers who put together today's picnic at the IBEW did a bang up job. I know Phyllis and she is a true blue yellow dog Democrat. Thanks to Chuck Allen for his leadership in promoting the local and statewide Democratic candidates.

Governor Brad Henry, State Treasurer Scott Meacham, and State Auditor Jeff McMahan each took a turn speaking to the crowd of more than 150 at the noon event. After speaking they hit the road for some of the Eastern Oklahoma events held today. Surrogate speakers included Pat Hall for Jari Askins and Kyle Dean for Pete Regan. Lealon Taylor and Wendy Pratt were there to represent Sandy Garrett.

Both Democratic candidates for the 5th Congressional District post spoke, with both generating numerous rounds of applause for their efforts. Dr. David Hunter and Bert Smith each have dedicated supporters and volunteers who are working the voters hard in advance of the July 25th primary election. Good luck to both!

Fifth District Chair Jeremy Hendricks spoke on behalf of Democrat David Prater who is running for Oklahoma County District Attorney against Wes Lane. Go David!!!!

Sheriff John Whetsel was there keeping law and order. We are so proud of Sheriff Whetsel and the great job he's doing at downtown OKC's renowned "bed and breakfast"!

I saw several Jim Roth supporters at the event also. The commissioner is doing a fine job taking care of the business of the district and NOT being sidelined by made up issues. Thanks for a great job Jim!

While it's not technically in the 4th District, candidate Hal Spake was there to meet with good Democratic activists. He told me he had been in Stratford earlier visiting with voters there about his campaign for the 4th Congressional District. One thing about it, our congressional candidates aren't afraid to expose the Republican culture of corruption, and polls show that voters are listening.

Area candidates I saw working the crowd included Anastasia Pittman, Al McAffrey, Jennifer Seal, Larry Gooch, and Richard Morrissette. House Democratic Leader Danny Morgan from Prague stopped by to encourage all of us in our efforts to create a NEW MAJORITY in the House of Representatives. Even Carol Ruth, who is running in Canadian County, had a representative at the event -- good job Karen! (With all the star power there, it tells me that Democrats in Eastern Oklahoma County are serious about their politics.)

Was good to see Ron Wasson, Jody Harlan and Tim Wagner, Chris Bryant, Juanita Sykes, Glen and Jane Hightower, Turner Mann, Mike Fuller, Harley and Anne Venters, Jim Huff, Esther Baltierrs, Victor Gorin, Linda Wade, Cris Davis and James Baggett there also. So many hard-working Democrats!

Rex Hogan, Calvin Rees, and Ellen Stevens were there too. Joe and Polly Forgy had some good advice for me today. Saw Debbie Hogue-Downing and her husband Carl Downing, Forrest Rush, and Valerie Allen.

I met Ed Waits for the first time. I'll post the lyrics to a song he wrote on a separate entry. Thanks Ed for your ideas!

And thanks again to all those who hosted the event!

Northwest Oklahoma Democrats -- Alive and Well

Thanks to all the Democrats who came out for last night's speaking and watermelon feed hosted by the Alfalfa County Democratic Party Chair. Thanks especially to County Chairman and County Commissioner AJ Rexroat who emceed the event. Also, a special thanks to John Herold, Ann Murrow, Milt Lehr and Becky McCray. And hats off to all who attended. When Anita Norman and I arrived at the Carmen City Park the thermometer said 108 degrees. 3rd District Chairman Mack Miller arrived a few minutes after we did, bringing a load of Henry for Governor signs for distribution throughout the area.

Fortunately a breeze came along about 6:45 and cooled things off to a balmy 104. When we left at 9:30 the temperature was 95. And the temperature wasn't the only thing that was HOT last night. That 3rd District Congressional race is HEATING up. Sue Barton, Greg Wilson, and John Harris are serious as a heart attack about earning the right to face off with Frank Lucas in November. Each bring some significant experiences to the table related to the real issues that the folks in this rural district face - and each are true public servants. Barton has experience with youth and family services, Wilson is a veteran and law enforcement professional, Harris is an attorney. I am personally very proud that they are each willing to fight the fight and carry the message that Democrats CARE about people and that we must restore some common sense to Congress. (BTW Americans agree with that, the latest AP IPSOS poll indicates that 57% of Americans prefer a Democrat candidate for Congress. This is THE YEAR for Democrats to show up with a vision, a plan, and a good fight.)

In between speeches we were served ice cold watermelon. Nothing better on a hot summer night than ice cold melon!

Mike Stake asked the folks there for their vote for district attorney, pledging to be a full-time servant of the people. Makes me wonder what's going on at the courthouse! Sounds like the good people out there aren't getting their money's worth from the current district attorney. Like a good Democrat, Mike believes in a fair pay for a day's work, a full day's work.

I was also proud of the young campaign staffers who are making the rounds representing the statewide campaigns. They are getting a great head start on learning the ropes of politics....you should shake their hands when they come to your town, because some of them will be future senators, representatives, mayors, commissioners, and maybe a governor. Cal Hobson and Pete Regan both sent young representatives who both did a fine job speaking on behalf of their bosses. Brad Henry sent a duo who are logging some serious miles in support of the governor. I had the privilege of speaking briefly about the governor's numerous accomplishments and about the other statewides who are making this year's Democratic ticket the best in decades. I am shameless when it comes to proclaiming the great job being done for our state by Treasurer Scott Meacham, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, State Superintendent Sandy Garrett, State Auditor Jeff McMahan, and State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland. Now we just need to add Democratic Lt. Governor and Labor Commissioner nominees and get moving toward November.

One thing for sure, the voters are ready to hear from our candidates. While surrogates are good, nothing beats that handshake from THE CANDIDATE. I know ours are busy, busy, busy in the run up to the primary.

It was a good trip; I visited with the editor of the Enid News Eagle on the way up then we toured the Sod House north of Cleo Springs. I also took a photo of a Heroes' Wall in Aline with my phone, when I figure out how to get it onto the computer I'll share that with you. Next time I'll make time to visit the Great Salt Plains too.

It's the Conservatism Stupid - Part 2

Conservatism is the ideology of the past—a past we don’t want to return to.

"Liberals need to embrace the culture war, because we’re winning. The story of American history is that of conservative ideas and prejudices falling away as our society grows more progressive and thus more true to our nation’s founding ideals. Conservatives supported slavery, conservatives opposed women’s suffrage, conservatives supported Jim Crow, conservatives opposed the 40-hour work week and the abolishment of child labor, and conservatives supported McCarthyism. In short, all the major advancements of freedom and justice in our history were pushed by liberals and opposed by conservatives, no matter the party they inhabited at the time.

Conservatism is Bill Bennett lecturing you about self-denial, then rushing off to feed his slot habit at the casino. It’s James Dobson telling you that children need regular beatings to stay in line. It’s a superannuated nun rapping you on the knuckles so you won’t think about your dirty parts. It’s Jerry Falwell watching “Teletubbies” frame by frame to see if Tinky Winky is trying to turn him gay. Conservatism is everyone you never wanted to grow up to be."

[From Paul Waldman. For the entire article go here.]

It's the Conservatism Stupid - Part 1

Conservatism has failed.

"The overwhelming majority of the American public now sees the Bush administration as a failure. They failed in Iraq, they failed after Hurricane Katrina, they failed on health care, they failed to deliver rising wages, they failed on the deficit, they failed, they failed, they failed. Why? Liberals need to argue that it wasn’t a product of incompetence, it was a failure of conservative governance. As Alan Wolfe put it in a recent Washington Monthly article, “Conservatives cannot govern well for the same reason that vegetarians cannot prepare a world-class boeuf bourguignon: If you believe that what you are called upon to do is wrong, you are not likely to do it very well.”

Conservatives had their chance: a Republican president, a Republican Congress, Republican-appointed courts—in short, the perfect environment for enacting their vision with little to stand in their way—and they failed. Should we be surprised at the level of corruption? Of course not; they don’t think government is there to serve the people, so why shouldn’t they raid it for whatever they can grab?

In short, progressives should start talking about the Bush administration’s failures not as those of a president, but of an ideology. "

[From Paul Waldman. For the entire article go here.]

How have the status quo Bush Republican conservatives in power failed you and your family?

Conservatives without Conscience
Worse than Watergate

Former Nixon aide and author John Dean is making the talk shows discussing his latest book "Conservatives without Conscience". I watched his interviews with Keith Olbermann and with Jon Stewart yesterday. The blogosphere is electric with excerpts highlighting his research on authoritarianism in democracy. In essence he's talking and writing about the "kool-aid drinkers" who control the conservative movement in DC and now at the state level.

Scary. Read or listen for yourself. This should be of particular interest to Oklahoma voters since every Republican is trying to "out conservative" the others in their campaigns for primary votes. They don't even refer to themselves as Republicans, just conservatives. Maybe a better word is kooks, except that their worldview is frightening, just how they like it. Fearmongering.

http://lincmad.blogspot.com/2006/07/john-dean-on-daily-show.html
http://www.crooksandliars.com/posts/category/keith-olbermann/

About 75 folks braved heavy rains to attend the Creek County Democratic Party Third District Congressional candidate forum July 10 in Sapulpa.
Giving a stump speech over and over is one thing, but giving candid responses to voters' questions really tests the abilities of a candidate. Sue Barton, John Coffee Harris and Greg Wilson spent 90 minutes answering a broad range of questions including Iraq, energy and farm policies, budget deficits, and nuclear waste disposal. They were unanimous in their complaints that the incumbent Republican congressman is a do-nothing officeholder who is unknown to most voters in the Third District. The race is more challenging because the district includes 32 counties stretching from Sapulpa to Colorado, New Mexico, and the Red River.
The candidates did an outstanding job of answering questions honestly and directly. There's no question any of the three has the ability to outperform the incumbent if given the opportunity to serve.

Thanks to Creek County Chair Willene Wright and her team for putting on a great event. Third District Chair Mack Miller and Vice Chair Anita Norman drove half-way across the state to attend, as did Jody Harlan from Canadian County. All three County Commissioners were present, along with other county officers and candidates. It was good to see locals Charlie and Juanita King and Lincoln County's Debie and Robert Thompson as well -- great people who personify the Democratic Party!
Every county should consider hosting events like this, to give folks a chance to meet the candidates and get fired up about their campaigns!
Best,
Walt

“You are not alone.”

Last night, a group of Democratic women candidates met at the ODP Headquarters to discuss the issues facing women running for office. We were lucky enough to have First Lady Kim Henry give an introduction and have Laura Boyd, Senator Debbe Leftwich, Representative Debbie Blackburn and Hannah Brenner as panelists. Our chair, Lisa Pryor, served as moderator and facilitator.

“People can tell if you are sincere.” – First Lady Kim Henry

Kim Henry, who spoke of her experiences running campaigns said, above all else, the candidate must believe in herself. In 2002, when her husband was running for governor, she said the only person who thought he would win was Brad. Even she didn’t think that he would be our next governor. And he won.

She also gave pointers on knocking doors, and reminded the women that they absolutely must raise the money necessary to win.

“I had no problem asking for money. I’m not doing this for me – I was asking to do a job for people I care about.” – Representative Debbie Blackburn

Representative Blackburn talked to the women about the necessary evil of fundraising. Men do not have a problem asking for money, so women should not either. She also reiterated the importance of knocking doors. In her first general election, she didn’t walk much, and earned the nickname “Landslide Blackburn” for pulling out a victory of 33 votes. Now she talks to candidates about the “just 5 more houses” syndrome. She told the women that if they were out walking, and were supposed to stop at 9 pm, and if they didn’t have the compulsion to walk just 5 more houses, then they shouldn’t be running.

She concluded with reminding Democrats that we should be Democrats, stating, “Don’t equivocate. Don’t be something you aren’t.”

“People want to vote for you – you just need to give them a reason.” – Laura Boyd, Ph.D.

Laura impressed upon the group the importance of having a succinct, strong message. She told the candidates that they needed to be able to tell a voter why they were running in 25 words or less. The message needs to be genuine to the candidate, and needs to matter to the constituency. She also spoke about the importance of a woman candidate’s ability to talk about the budget, taxes, homeland security and war – so she reaffirms her credibility as a candidate.

She talked about the importance of raising money – and that women needed to ask their friends and family first, and that they need to ask big. People (including women) are less likely to give money to women candidates, so those candidates have to fight for every penny.

“Your presence has an impact.” – Hannah Brenner, J.D.

Hannah provided incredible statistics about women running for office across the county – and how in every instance – “more Democratic women seek office than Republican women.”

She reminded the candidates that they were blazing a path for young women, and that they were not alone. She encouraged us as a party to continue to embrace women as candidates, and to continue bridging the leadership gap.

“Roosters Crow, Hens Deliver.” – Senator Debbe Leftwich

Senator Leftwich addressed the group and talked about her experiences both as a candidate herself and as a spouse to a candidate. She stressed targeting in direct voter contact, and reminded the group about the all-important tool the party provides – the voter file (Oklahoma VAN).

“THANK YOU!” – Courtney Ruark and Lindsey Cox

For all who attended, thank you for putting your name on the ballot. Thank you for sitting in the hot seat, so that women after you will have less difficulty in seeking office. Thank you to Kim Henry, Laura Boyd, Senator Leftwich, Representative Blackburn, Hannah Brenner and Lisa Pryor for sharing your time and expertise with our women candidates. Thank you to our volunteers Erin Langford and Kathrene Hewett for helping us set up and contact the candidates. And thank you to the Women's Leadership Fund for sponsoring the first of many events to energize women.

And, Lisa, thank you for encouraging the staff to create a much-needed forum for women. We are all looking forward to the next event!

Oklahoma Women Vote, Run, Lead

Thanks to First Lady Kim Henry, Senator Debbe Leftwich, Representative Debbie Blackburn, Laura Boyd, and Hannah Brenner for an evening of inspirational stories and information about political campaigning by and for women.

And double thanks to the more than 20 female candidates, along with a few women who are thinking about running for public office, who took some time from their busy schedules last night to attend a first ever campaign workshop just for women at the ODP.

With 33 Democratic women on the state ballot and dozens more on our county ballots this year, my staff and I thought it was important to bring these women together to discuss some of the issues of the 2006 campaign season and to share some tips on successful campaigns. We did it and we are already planning another conversation to assist other women interested in public service.

Inspired by The White House Project, a non-partisan effort to mobilize women into the political process, our staff and officers are encouraging women to participate at all levels of government and public service. We know that women often wait for someone to invite them to run for office, so we are establishing now, from this point forward that YOU are invited to vote, to run, to lead. Don't wait, because when women vote, when women run, when women lead, Democrats win!

OLD FASHIONED FUN

Staurday I was pleased to keynote the Democratic rally in Madill. It was held on the courthouse lawn from a gazebo, and a pie auction was held as well...I bought the pecan pie. Senator Jay Paul Gumm thanked the crowd of abouty 60 for keeping the tradion alive of "speakin's", and the hit of the night was the Brad Henry for Governor headwear. Every man in the crowd seemed to have on a Henry hat by the end of the evening. County officers could not have been more helpful, and John Carter was a good emcee. It was nice to visit with Monte Womack, who went to high school with my wife, and who did a good job speaking for Frank Shurden. The folks there are still proud of favorite son Governor Raymond Gary, and he would have been proud of them as well.

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Mack Miller tells me it was raining in Sapulpa last night at the CD 3 Candidate forum; and it was raining in Hobart also at the SD 16 forum in Hobart. Don't know about Sapulpa but the farmers in Hobart were rejoicing over the rain out here. And it didn't stop a crowd from attending the events either. Thanks to to organizers of both forums! And thanks to the candidates for putting themselves and their families out there for us.

Lt. Governor Candidate Forum Audio Links

If you missed the ODP's Lt. Governor Candidate Forum last week you can listen to the audio at
http://kgou.org/content/mp3/20060709_democratic_ltgov_pt1.mp3 and http://kgou.org/content/mp3/20060709_democratic_ltgov_pt2.mp3.

And the winner is?

Leadership on the Ballot

Leadership is on the ballot in Senate District 26 where three Democrats are vying for the opportunity to face an opportunist Republican from Cordell in November. Sayre attorney and combat veteran Tom Ivester, veteran ag teacher and magazine publisher from Sentinel Larry Peck, and Canute insurance agent and businessman Wayne Walters addressed an audience of about 50 Kiowa County voters at a candidate forum in Hobart tonight. Each of the candidates is seeking votes to fill the seat being vacated by long-time Senator Gilmer Capps.

The three Senate candidates spoke following a forum that highlighted four candidates for Kiowa County Commissioner District 1: Tim Binghom, Stan Bredy, Steve Hooper, and Donnie Squires. There's no Republican in the race so one thing's for sure, the district will be represented by a Democrat!

Ivester spoke briefly of his experience as an Army officer and said that the district deserves extraordinary leadership. He said the bulk of his campaign contributions have come through independent grassroots fundraising. He said if minimum wage became an issue in southwest Oklahoma he would certainly listen wholeheartedly to concerns about the issue and acknowledged that "you can't raise a family on minimum wage." Rural communities need two things to succeed , he said, and that is access to healthcare and a school. Like the other two candidates in the race he said it would be "over our dead bodies" that we would vote for forced school consolidation. And like the other two candidates, Ivester noted that economic development is the top issue for rural southwest Oklahoma. The key, however, he said, is how do you do it? He told the crowd that extraordinary leadership would make the economic development a reality. "I want to make things happen in southwest Oklahoma," Ivester said. "I'm running for State Senate because we need leadership that offers opportunity and demands responsibility, a health insurance system that's fair to middle class families, and practical ideas for jobs to give our economy a shot in the arm." As to practical ideas, Ivester said he thinks it's going to take more than prayers to get a new sewer system for one community in the district. "It will take leadership, and working together."

Larry Peck told the audience of his leadership experience as an ag teacher and FFA advisor for 27 years in Sentinel. Also a farmer and rancher, Peck and his wife Mary publish Ag Youth magazine. "I will speak up for the citizens of this district, I will take your voice to the state capitol," he said. "I was raised right, as a Democrat, believing in hard work and common sense, I have western Oklahoma values." Peck said the most important issue was keeping the schools strong and rural economic development. "No one does a better job teaching kids and making good citizens than our rural schools. I will fight to the bitter end to protect our rural schools from forced consolidation." He suggested that expanding the career tech centers would be a key to economic development for the region that would also help keep young people in the area.

Wayne Walters said he is committed to bringing quality jobs, affordable health care and the best education to Western Oklahoma families. Walters thanked his wife, a Canute school board member, for her strong support and for being an active part of the campaign build on the power of faith and personal responsibility. He told of the rewards of hard work and perseverance through tough times for his family and for the region, and vowed to take that experience to the state capitol. Walters said if elected he would do whatever was needed to help raise the minimum wage, noting that you can't raise a family on $5.15 an hour, not in the city, and not in rural Oklahoma. A one time instructor in farm and ranch management at Western Oklahoma Vo-Tech, Walters said the #1 issue facing the district is economic development. "We have to stop the out migration of our kids" through economic development. Walters said "partisan politics and special interest groups are killing us, we've got to do what's right for Oklahoma. I am a Democrat and I will do what is right for southwest Oklahoma." He finished by saying that his father taught him that you should always leave things a little better than you found them, "I feel that responsibility to do what we can to make healthcare accessible" and to do something about economic development for the people in SD 26.

State Representative Ryan McMullen moderated the forum that was organized by Kiowa County Democratic Party chair Bobbie Dacus-Osmond. Senator Gilmer and Wanda Capps attended the forum. Some of my favorite area Democrats were there also, including Patty Johnson, Bill Metcalf, Dennis and Linda Binghom, Joe Hancock, Jan Celsor, Sam Pfenning, Kiowa County Sheriff Buck Jones and Reid Davis. Governor Brad Henry was represented by Field Coordinator David Floyd.

Do you have a favorite in this race? If so, comment on this entry, let us know why you support one or the other candidate. This will undoubtedly be a tight race, so check out the websites for these candidates soon.

Kiowa County Hosts SD 26 Candidate Forum Tonight

Three Democratic candidates will speak tonight at a candidate forum at the Western Technology Center, 1000 S. Bailey, in Hobart at 7:30 p.m. The forum will feature candidates Tom Ivester, Larry Peck, and Wayne Walters who are vying for the Democratic nomination to fill the term of outgoing Senator Gilmer Capps.

Also appearing at the forum will be candidates for Kiowa County Commissioner.

I expect that the Bearcats will turn out for this event knowing how important it is to the future of western Oklahoma and the Democratic Party. As a former Bearcat myself, I am eager to hear what the candidates have to say so I am road tripping down there today.

Tom Ivester
State Senate 26
(580) 928- 5322
114 N Adams Ave
Elk City, OK 73644
www.ivesterstatesenate.com

Larry Peck
State Senate 26
(580) 393-4472
P.O. Box 339
Sentinel, OK 73664
www.pickpeck.com

Wayne Walters
State Senate 26
580-225-8466
PO Box 404
Canute, OK 73626
www.waltersstatesenate.com
wayne@walterstatesenate.com

From the DGA

OK - Henry Sends Guard to Border: Gov. Brad Henry has decided to send National Guard troops from his state to New Mexico and western Texas beginning July 15 to help in a federal effort to improve security along the U.S. border with Mexico. “We have to secure our borders and beef up enforcement to protect our country, particularly in the post 9-11 world,” Henry said. “I’m proud to send Oklahoma troops to improve border enforcement and stop the flow of illegal immigrants.” http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/46098.html

ODOM on KTOK

Oklahoma Democratic Party Vicechair Ben Odom discussed the gubernatorial primary race and the 5th District race with Republican State Representative Doug Miller this morning on KTOK. The discussion was primarily about the mudslinging by Republican candidates.

Odom and Miller will both provide some analysis for OETA-TV on primary night, July 25.

State Representative Ryan McMullen and State Representative James Covey enjoy beans and cornbread before the speaking began at Saturday's Canadian County Democratic Party Candidate Forum in El Reno. Covey was re-elected since he was unopposed and McMullen will face a challenger in November.

Former State Representative Anna Belle Weidemann listens to Karen Parsons discuss the issues of the 2006 election cycle while waiting for the candidate speeches to begin at Saturday's Canadian County Democratic Party Candidate Forum.

State Treasurer Scott Meacham spoke about his friendship with Governor Brad Henry and his role in saving Oklahoma tax payers millions of dollars since he began working with the Office of State Finance and serving as State Treasurer. As Senator Cal Hobson said, Scott Meacham is the smartest guy to work in the state capitol in decades --- and Governor Henry is smart for appointing him as State Treasurer. I'd say they are a dynamic duo and are responsible for moving Oklahoma forward.

Meacham is not afraid to make tough decisions and is seen here listening intently to Zahid Jabar talk about rising health care premiums.

For more information about Meacham check out his campaign website at http://www.votemeacham.com/index.htm. The State Treasurer's website is at http://www.oklaosf.state.ok.us/~sto/.

Juanita, Glen, Linda, and Larry enjoyed the candidate forum in El Reno Saturday night. Juanita serves on the ODP Affirmative Action committee and Larry has been attending the ODP Veterans Committee meetings. Glen is a trusty volunteer at the ODP.

Esther Baltierra and Marjean Mitchell chatted about the great turnout at the Canadian County Democratic Party Candidate Forum Saturday night in El Reno and about the great candidates who were on the program.

Part of Governor Brad Henry's advance team Matt Latham and Alex Ratliff were at the Canadian County Democratic Party Saturday night in El Reno. Matt is the new president of the University of Oklahoma Young Democrats.

Henry was introduced by State Treasurer Scott Meacham and accompanied by First Lady Kim Henry. For more information about the Henry campaign visit http://www.henryforgovernor.com/.

Senator Cal Hobson and his wife Elaine were all smiles at the Canadian County Democratic Party Candidate Forum in El Reno last night. For more information about Hobson's campaign for Lt. Governor visit his website at www.calhobson.com.

Representative Jari Askins visits with area voters at the Canadian County Democratic Party Candidate Forum in El Reno last night. For more information about Jari's campaign for Lt. Governor go to her website www.jariaskins.com.

CD 3 Chair Mack Miller and Vicechair Anita Norman attended the Canadian County Candidate Forum last night in El Reno at Redlands Community College. They are on the road organizing Democrats throughout the district and helping House and Senate candidates as well as hosting a forum for the three CD 3 Democratic candidates next week. Thanks Mack and Anita!

Canadian County Counts

Congratulations to Jody Harlan and her excellent volunteers who put on a great candidate forum last night in El Reno. The candidates were in full force as were the Canadian County Democrats with more than 200 people enjoying the beans and cornbread and political speeches. Governor Brad and First Lady Kim Henry, Treasurer Scott Meacham, and Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland were there as were Lori McMahan (wife of State Auditor Jeff McMahan) and Pat Hall (representing Attorney General Drew Edmondson). Senator Cal Hobson and Representative Jari Askins both charmed the crowd and asked for votes in the July 25th primary for Lt. Governor. Amy Regan represented husband Pete Regan who was attending another function as a candidate for Lt. Governor. Very impressive were first time candidates Carol Ruth, Richie Oaks, and Will Andrews! Representative Ryan McMullen was very animated, truthful, and inspiring --- he is an excellent speaker and is doing a great job on the House Democrats leadership team. It's also exciting to hear long time Democrats like Earline Smaistrla talk about their vision for the region. CD 3 chair Mack Miller and vicechair Anita Norman were beaming at the turnout knowing how important Canadian County is for the 3rd District. And all three CD3 candidates were there, Greg Wilson, Sue Barton, and John Coffee Harris. Hal Spake was there also from the 4th District. With more than 200 folk there and I bet 20 cameras, I'll leave room for others to comment and send photos of the event to add to the ones I took. I got away without a program so I'll depend on Jody and her crew to fill in the rest of the details from last night's successful event.

True or False? Negative attack ads work only because we allow them to work.

What Will It Take to Improve the Dialogue of Democracy?

(The following came to me from the Center on Congress at Indiana University. It was written by Lee Hamilton. I've previously posted about this topic and believe that Hamilton says it best. If you agree with this idea, make a comment, if you don't agree, make a comment, and please consider your comments as a beginning in improving the dialogue of democracy.)

As this election season gets underway with its television ads, debates and non-stop campaigning, I've been struck by something I keep hearing as I talk to people about our political system: They're disappointed.

Generally, election years are hopeful times, but people now are sour not just about this year's elections, but about politics in general. They're unhappy with the quality of the political discourse they hear: in House and Senate debates, in comments from our elected leaders, in arguments on the campaign trail. The dialogue of democracy is not measuring up to their expectations.

In part, this is fed by the public's weariness with the partisan, vituperative, posturing, blame-fixing- or blame-ducking- nature of much of what passes now for political conversation. People feel taken for granted and manipulated, as though their leaders, along with the pollsters and consultants they rely on, see them as little more than a series of little hot buttons to be pushed or suppressed.

But there's more to it than that. Americans are missing a sense of really serious engagement by our political leaders with the difficult issues that face us; they don't see politicians grappling with them in thoughtful ways, nor do they feel challenged by their political leaders.

It is hard, watching recent presidential campaigns and listening to the latest crop of statements from this party leader or that, not to think back to events like the Lincoln-Douglas debates, in which two great minds wrestled with the problem of slavery and all of its nuances over seven appearances together. Or to remember that our founders, for all their skills as practitioners of the political arts, also addressed the political challenges of the day with intellectual brilliance, competing for public support both as politicians and as thinkers about how their new democracy ought to work.

There is very little to compare with such substance in the contemporary political dialogue. Too often now, politicians flit from one topic to the next, brushing over three or four issues at a go. They may feel strongly about these issues, even passionately, but it's hard to escape the sense that everything they say has been focus-group-tested to within an inch of its life. Their speeches, which you'd think would give them a chance to explore matters in depth, often lack serious content or evidence of deep thought.

Instead, they are filled with sound bites carefully crafted to make it onto the evening news, and with much tut-tutting about the problem but precious little about the solution.

There is a cost to this, and we all pay it. Pollster Richard Harwood has been talking to Americans since the early 1990s about their feelings about public discourse. What he has found is unsettling. "People cannot find in the current public realm a sustained force for truth-seeking and the promotion of the public good," he wrote recently. "Noticeably missing is a sense of possibility and hope. In their place stands a politics and public life driven by manipulation, personal positioning, and material gain."

A key and disturbing result of this, he believes, is that many Americans have simply given up on participating actively in public life, retreating into their own lives in search of some sense of normalcy, control and, I suspect, truth.

So what can we do about this?

First off, I believe that we should expect disagreement, vigorous debate, and even passion. We face very tough public policy problems as a nation, and the more points of view that grapple with them, the better. I realize that a segment of the American public is uneasy in the presence of discord and controversy. But these are natural parts of a democracy that is working. Robust debate is healthy. Competition for power lies at the heart of our system, and an intense struggle for votes that is marked by the clashing of ideas, respect for the facts and a certain humility is to be encouraged, not feared.

This is true, however, only if it is carried on under certain rules. Healthy debate is characterized by the collision of strongly held views, of course, but also by politeness, graciousness, respect for one's adversary, reasonableness, tolerance, and a basic integrity. It is also marked by a search for pragmatic solutions, consensus, and the public good.

When the next set of attack ads appears on your television screen, remember that. How public discourse is conducted makes all the difference in the quality and effectiveness of governing.

So now is the time to act. As in all things in a democratic government, it is up to us as voters to make it clear to politicians if we are dissatisfied with how they carry on the public debate. Attacks and negative advertising work only because we allow them to. But if you let your politicians know that you don't like excessive partisanship, superficiality or name calling, and that you want to hear about solutions, not just a statement of the problem, they will hear you.

I think it's probably too much to expect our political leaders to reach the heights that Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln or Stephen Douglas did. But it is not too much for us to expect them to try.

Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Calls For
Supplemental Funds to Pay Teacher Benefits

Senator Johnnie Crutchfield
Appropriations Chairman
Senate District 14
Carter, Garvin, Love and Murray Counties

July 7, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator Johnnie Crutchfield
State Capitol: (405) 521-5607
Email: crutchfield@lsb.state.ok.us

(Oklahoma City) – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield said Friday that the first priority for 51st Oklahoma Legislature next year should be to provide a supplemental appropriation to help public schools cover the cost of social security taxes and benefits associated with the $3,000 pay raise given to state teachers.

Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, said school districts across the state need an additional $21 million to cover those costs, which include additional the employer portion of FICA taxes and districts’ contributions to teacher retirement. Lawmakers appropriated $136 million to fund the $3,000 pay raise during a special session in mid-June.

“In the Senate we tried to convince the Republican leadership in the House that we needed the additional funds for schools, but they refused to budge and opted instead to leave revenue un-appropriated,” Crutchfield said. “As a result of the unwillingness of the House to address this issue, many districts are scrambling to cover the additional costs associated with the $3,000 teacher pay raise. Providing additional monies when the next regular session convenes will ease the pressure.”

Crutchfield said funds to cover the supplemental appropriation should be available from the so-called spillover when the state’s Rainy Day Fund is filled to its Constitutional capacity.

He explained that through the first 11 months of Fiscal Year 2006 state revenues have exceeded official projections by more than $486 million. Only $34.4 million of that can be added to the Rainy Day Fund. Lawmakers appropriated a majority of the spillover funds during the special session, but June collections have still not been announced. It is expected, Crutchfield said, that $75 million to $100 million in additional spillover was collected in June making that money available for the Legislature to appropriate to fill needs like the one facing school districts.

“The Senate tried to address this issue during special session, but House Republican leaders were so focused on providing tax cuts for the wealthy that they wouldn’t listen. I suspect over the next several months, while they are at home in their districts, they’ll come to understand the need for additional funds and will be willing to join us in providing a supplemental appropriation for our schools as our first item of business next February,” Crutchfield said.

Additional Lt. Governor Candidate Forum Questions

Due to time constraints the following questions were not asked at the forum last night. Each of the candidates who participted are invited to respond to any or all of these questions online by commenting on this blog entry.

"Have you seen the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth"? What efforts can the Oklahoma government do to contribute to decreasing pollution and increasing energy efficientcy, such as light rail in urban areas?"

"The U.S. still lacks 3 states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. What is your position on the ratification of the ERA? Would you speak out in support of Oklahoma ratifying the ERA?"

"What is your plan to lower the cost of healthcare?"

"What is your plan to improve education?"

"What is your plan for economic development?"

"Why should we vote for you and not your opponents?"

Check back here to read the candidates' comments and attend as many speakings as possible in the next 18 days to determine which of these fine candidates will best represent the Democratic Party on the ballot in November and which candidate will be Oklahoma's best choice for Lt. Governor.

Governor Henry featured in Democratic Governor's Association newsletter today

OK - Henry Poised to Continue Tremendous Progress: Gov. Brad Henry is seeking re-election to the state's highest office, though the governor says he's so focused on running the state he's had little time to think about the campaign season. Henry spoke about the upcoming race. "I want to continue the things I'm working on now -- that is building the best educational system in America, paying our teachers at least at the regional average and we're in the middle of that commitment. We're also doing some great things in the area of health care trying to make Oklahoma's health care system the most accessible, affordable and quality health care in the United States." http://www.sapulpadailyherald.com/news/local_story_187115224.html?keyword=secondarystory

For more about Governor Brad Henry visit his campaign website at http://www.henryforgovernor.com/

Lt. Gov Forum -- More than a Stump Speech

Last night's Lt. Governor Democratic Candidates Forum provided listeners with an opportunity to hear more than a stump speech and view the distinct personalities of three Democrats who are each very serious about their campaign for the party's nomination and berth on the November ballot.

Moderator Scott Gurian, KGOU news director, approached his role by first questioning people in downtown OKC about the role of the Lt. Governor. Unfortunately, he said, the responses were not very enlightened, many knew who the Lt. Governor is, but few could describe the responsibilities of the constitutional office --- and these are the people who work in tall buildings and make big decisions. Gurian then provided the audience with some context about the actual duties and then he asked Rep. Jari Askins, Sen. Cal Hobson, and Pete Regan to explain why they are uniquely qualified for the office. (Candidate Jim Rogers declined the invitation to participate.)

Their opening and closing statements and answers to some very serious questions regarding religion and politics, veterans affairs, immigration, light rail, seniors, the Americans with Disabilities Act, affirmative action, campaign finance reform, and economic development can be heard on KGOU radio on Sunday morning. Check out their website for details on this VOICES program at http://www.kgou.org/ok_voices.php?#179. (Bill Bateman from KTOK was also there recording so if you are a KTOK listener, check in there to get his version. In fact, I saw reporters there from the Daily Oklahoman, the Tulsa World, the Journal Record, OKinsider, Mid-City Advocate, Univision, and OETA. )

The candidates answered questions for nearly two hours and still there were more questions. I will post the questions on this blog later today that were submitted for all of the candidates but were not asked due to time limits on the forum. Comments will be accepted to those questions by the candidates only.

Thanks to each of the campaigns, members of the press, and to the audience members for participating in this very democratic process.

More information about each of the candidates is available on their websites and each candidate will be appearing at many more events during the next 18 days. Check out the calendar at www.okdemocrats.org and check out the candidate websites at www.jariaskins.com, www.calhobson.com, and www.votepeteregan.com.

If you attended the forum last night, post your thoughts here about the candidates' answers.

PROJECT REBUILD

Kudos to the Oklahoma Lumbermen's Association's executive vice-president Sharilyn Young and State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland for making Project Rebuild a present reality. (Holland, left, is pictured here with one of the Project Build participants.) The project is providing housing assistance to qualified families whose homes have been destroyed through wildfires or tornadoes since November 27, 2006. Truly, home is where the heart is and these leaders are helping to make home sweet home a reality to needy families.

Young and Holland joined Governor Brad Henry, First Lady Kim Henry, and country singer Blake Shelton today in a press conference in the Blue Room at the State Capitol to announce a $108,000 donation from Shelton toward Project Rebuild.

Other partners include the Mennonite Disaster Services, F.E.M.A., the Oklahoma State School Board Association, Volunteers in Mission (Oklahoma UNited Methodist Conference), the Baptist General Conference, Chapel Hill United Methodists, Catholic Charities, America Red Cross, Oklahoma State Home Builders Association, Oklahoma Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors, I.B.E.W. 1141 Electrical Union, National Electrical Contractors Association, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 344, American Subcontractors Association, Oklahoma Manufactured Home Association, National Association of Credit Managers, and numerous private corporations and companies who have committed funding and support for the unmet needs of the families involved.

For more information about the project contact Young at 1.800.444.1771.

3rd Congressional District

Three candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas in November. All three have traveled thousands of miles talking to voters about their vision, goals, and qualifications and now they will face off in a forum sponsored by the Creek County Democrats in Sapulpa on Monday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Vo-Tech, 1720 S. Main.

If you cannot attend the forum to hear the candidates in person, check out their websites:

Greg Wilson
Sue Barton
John Coffee Harris

TODAY'S TALKING POINTS


Key Point: Five years of Bush Republican incompetence has put America's security at risk. From Iraq, to North Korea, to the security of our borders and comprehensive reform of our immigration system, it is time for a new direction.

North Korea
The North Korean leadership made a mistake by engaging in multiple missile launches, including the launch of a long-range missile. They broke an eight year moratorium that had held since the Clinton Administration, undermined regional security, and must understand that the US and its partners in the region strongly condemn these steps.

These new provocative actions are another setback to an already stalled diplomatic process. It is time for the White House to finally exercise some leadership.

The Bush Administration has badly mismanaged North Korea. Since 2002, North Korea likely has quadrupled its plutonium stockpile for nuclear weapons without penalties.

The Senate recently unanimously passed defense legislation that would require the Bush Administration to appoint a high-level policy coordinator to conduct a full interagency review of its failed North Korea policy. It is time for a fresh, bipartisan look at all the options.

Iraq
Bush Republicans invaded Iraq with no plan for success, and now their incompetence has left that country on the brink of all-out civil war.

Bush Republicans bungled the reconstruction, wasting billions on failed contracts and holding no one accountable for their failures.

Democrats have offered a plan for Iraq that is in line with the Generals and the Iraqi government. In the fourth year of the war, Bush Republicans' unity behind a failed policy is no longer acceptable.

Immigration
Five years of Bush Republican incompetence has left America's borders unsecured and our immigration system broken.

Our national security demands a solution that works. After five years on the job, the Bush administration has failed to secure our borders or enforce our laws.

Unfortunately, House Republicans are putting politics ahead of border security with publicity stunt hearings and other tactics to block immigration reform.

Democrats know it is time for tough, comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, enforces our laws, brings 12 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows, and deports those who threaten our security.

Comprehensive reform is both a tough AND smart way to secure our borders, strengthen workplace enforcement, provide a guest worker program, and establish an earned path to citizenship. The Senate's bill achieves those goals.

President Bush told the American people he supports comprehensive immigration reform. Now he must rein in his Republicans in Congress to get the job done.

Democrats are offering a new direction that will make us more secure. We are ready to move forward-the ball is in the Republican court.

Twenty Days

Twenty days until the primary election. Twenty days for the candidates to make their arguments and twenty days for voters to make a decision.

Get a head start on the decision making by attending the Lt. Gov candidate forum tomorrow night at Langston University-OKC campus. the doors open at 6 p.m. and the moderated forum begins at 6:30. It's a great opportunity to hear Jari Askins, Cal Hobson, and Pete Regan answer questions related to substantive issues. Don't miss it!

(Check out the candidates' websites before you come; each reflects their personality and achievements: www.jariaskins.com; www.calhobson.com; and www.votepeteregan.com.)

For more information or to submit a question for consideration call the ODP at 405.427.3366 or email Jason at jasonmccarty@okdemocrats.org.

Hang Together

As we celebrate the 4^th of July and charge headlong into campaign season, this is a good time to remember the famous words of one of our founding fathers. It was Benjamin Franklin who said at the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, “we must all hang together or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

Old Ben was right, and so it is with Democrats. We will hang separately if we do not hang together. Majority matters. The majority sets the agenda. The majority gets its legislation heard. The majority gets its bills passed and written into law. Republican politicians do not care about your issues. Democrats care.

If you do not agree with the ideas of a Democratic candidate – don’t support them. Don’t give them money. Don’t vote for them. Get behind their opponent or put your name on the ballot and do the hard work it takes to campaign yourself. But, don’t forget: anyone who shows the courage to make the commitment to run for office and put a “D” behind their name deserves our respect. I’ve long believed that civility, tolerance and compassion are Democratic virtues. Even if you disagree with them, our Democratic elected officials and candidates deserve as much. My guess is that, in return, they will at least listen to your concerns.

That cannot be said for the GOP. They do not care about you. Republican politicians do not care about your issues. Under a Republican majority your ideas will not be heard. Your policies will not become law. Your state will be red, not blue.

Our mission at the Oklahoma Democratic Party is to ELECT DEMOCRATS. The Republican strategy is to divide and conquer. It’s easy to criticize – hard to do the heavy lifting that enables us to pull together and achieve our common goal. If you attack and defeat Democrats and get Republicans elected you hurt our party, our state and our people. You will be helping to move our state backward, not forward. You will help ensure that we all hang separately.

We must do better. Obviously, we are in the middle of the primary election season where Democrats have to take sides. But, let’s respect the other Democrats in the race. And, after the primary and the runoff, if you have the desire to defeat candidates for office, I challenge each of you to channel your time, money and energy toward defeating Republican politicians. That’s what real Democrats do. On this 4^th of July I invite Oklahoma Democrats to plan now to work together to form a Democratic majority by electing Democrats from the courthouse to the Congress. Our ideas are better, but we must have the majority for it to matter. Majority matters. So, let’s hang together.

Grover -- the Bag Man or
ATR's ATM

As if we needed another reason to distrust Washington right wing gadfly Grover Norquist, now word comes that indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff secretly funneled campaign contributions through Norquist’s tax-exempt organization, Americans for Tax Reform.

According to a report on Abramoff’s lobbying tactics, released in late June by the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Abramoff sent money to various grassroots lobbying campaigns, using Washington, D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform and another Norquist group, the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy, as front organizations. And, while “passing through” the donations, Norquist skimmed off part of the money for Americans for Tax Reform.

The San Francisco Chronicle is one of several news organizations reporting that the federal probe into a string of Republican bribery-related charges is now investigating the possible misuse of tax exempt groups such as Americans for Tax Reform.

In e-mails Abramoff called the technique, “pass-through.” Another phrase for it might be “money-laundering.” Either way, the Chronicle reports, “Tax experts said that it is impermissible for a tax-exempt organization to act as a pass-through for money destined for private business purposes. ‘It’s not a tax-exempt activity to act as a bag man for Jack Abramoff,’ said Marcus Owens, a tax lawyer at Caplin & Drysdale and a former Internal Revenue Service official.”

Oklahoma Republican politicians who have signed a “pledge” of allegiance to Grover Norquist are:

• Mary Fallin
• Cliff Aldridge
• Randy Brogdon
• Glenn Coffee
• Todd Lamb
• Jonathan Nichols
• Scott Pruitt
• Kathleen Wilcoxson
• James Williamson
• Dennis Adkins
• Thad Balkman
• Kevin Calvey
• Lance Cargill
• Odilia Dank
• Dale Depue
• Todd Hiett
• Sally Kern
• Doug Miller
• Fred Morgan
• John Nance
• Jim Newport
• Fred Perry
• Ron Peterson
• Randy Terrill
• JohnTrebilcock
• Sue Tibbs
• Paul Wesselhoft
• Mike Wilt
• Trebor Worthen
• Damon Harris
• Ernest Istook
• Bob Sullivan
• John Sullivan
• Frank Lucas
• Tom Cole
• Tom Coburn
• Jim Inhofe
  
  We invite you and your friends to call these Oklahoma Republicans and ask them why they care more about conservative Washington, D.C. power broker Grover “Bag Man” Norquist than they do the people of the state of Oklahoma. While you’re at it, find out from them how much money they’ve taken from the ATR ATM. And let us know what they tell you so we can post the findings on OK Blue Notes.

What Are You Reading?

This Democrat has been reading from a variety of books this weekend. . . .including Madeline Albright's "The Mighty and the Almighty" and Joe Klein's "Politics Lost." Also taking a look at Fawn Brodie's "Thomas Jefferson". Still trying to finish "Take it Back" by Carville and Begala. Read a few excerpts from "The Revolt of the Elites" by Christopher Lasch. And then of course, the usual online newspapers and blogs.

The result of reading widely is that it causes one to think discerningly, to challenge long held beliefs and even to move thought into action. At least that's the result I see associated with reading; not so for the conservatives who are scheming ways to eliminate funding for libraries and public television. It seems they would shut down access to information to relieve us all of the painful exercise of thinking and doing. It also seems that they attack libraries and public television and public radio to score points with their status quo , close-minded base supporters.

"We the People"

I required my students to memorize the Preamble to the US Constitution - they didn't like doing it, but I believe it will "haunt" them and they will be better citizens for it....as you gather with your friends and family to celebrate our nation's independence on the 4th of July consider these words:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Which candidates are doing the most to accomplish these goals? Examples?

Women and Elected Office

We are proud of our 33 Democratic women running for elected office on the state ballot this year and we are also very proud of the Democratic women who are running for election to county elected office. The ODP is hosting a panel discussion for our candidates on July 11th in our HQ. If you know a woman who would like to run for public office in the future, please contact us at the ODP.

Here are some national facts about women and elected office:

Women and Elected Office

• There are only eight women governors, a decrease from the record nine women governors who served before the 2004 Election.
  
  
• Washington is the first state to have a woman governor and two women senators all serving simultaneously.
  

• Five states- New Hampshire, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, and Vermont- have never sent a woman to Congress!
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• Women make up 51% of the US population, and only 14% of the US Congress.
  (The White House Project, www.thewhitehouseproject.org)
  

• In total, 79 of the 535 members of Congress (both houses) are women (14.7% overall).
  

• Looking at the young elected leaders of today- 86% are male!
  (Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University, www.eagleton.rutgers.edu)
  

• Strong majorities of young people believe that having more young people (62%), more women (59%), and more people of color (55%) in office would make government & politics better.
  (The White House Project, www.thewhitehouseproject.org)
  

• Of the nearly 600 people who have served in the President’s cabinet or as cabinet-level officers since Washington’s term, only 29 (or approx. 5%) have been women.
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• There have only been 26 women governors in American history, including those serving now.
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  
  
• The proportion of women in the state legislatures has increased very little in the past eight years-from 20.8 percent in 1996 to 22.5 percent in 2004.
  

• No women of color have ever been governor of a U.S. state.
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the House Democratic Leader, is the first woman to lead her party in Congress.
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• Loretta Sanchez (D-CA 47) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA 39) are the first sisters to serve together in Congress.
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• Victoria Woodhull, a stockbroker, publisher, and protégé of Cornelius Vanderbilt, ran for president of the United States in 1872 on the Equal Rights Party ticket.
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• Third-term Congresswoman Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-NY), was the first woman ever to run on a major party's national ticket as Walter Mondale’s Vice Presidential running mate in 1984 (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• Of the 11,744 members of Congress, there have only been 223 women elected in the history of the United States.
  

• If congress and governorships are the pipelines to the presidency then those lines are only sprinkled with women- with 86% of Congress and 84% of governorships held by men. (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• Half of all of today’s top elected officials- from big city mayors to president- were elected BEFORE they were 35!
  (Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University, www.eagleton.rutgers.edu)
  

• 12 of the 19 presidents were elected to office at 35 and younger!
  (Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University, www.eagleton.rutgers.edu)
  

• Americans are ready for gender diversity in leadership.
  (The White House Project, www.thewhitehouseproject.org)
  

• 2 strong reasons why women don’t run for office in the same numbers as men- we need to be invited in to the political system and we downplay our own qualifications!
  (Entering the Arena: Gender & the Decision to Run for Office, American Journal of Political Science, Volume 48, Issue 2, April 2004).
  

• Women public officials do have a gender-related impact on public policy and the political process.
  (The Impact Of Women In Public Office, Edited By Susan J. Carroll, Indiana University Press, 2001.)
  

• Gender differences among public officials are not limited to their impact on public policy but in the way they conduct political business.
  (The Impact Of Women In Public Office, Edited By Susan J. Carroll, Indiana University Press, 2001.)
  

• Women are significantly more likely than men to say that a bill focusing on women was their top legislative priority.
  (The Impact Of Women In Public Office, Edited By Susan J. Carroll, Indiana University Press, 2001.)
  

• Women are more likely to be involved in Women’s Rights Bills, by supporting or signing on to the legislation.
  (The Impact Of Women In Public Office, Edited By Susan J. Carroll, Indiana University Press, 2001.)
  

• 37% of men self identify with politics, while that many women need to be invited in. (Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University, www.eagleton.rutgers.edu)
  

• Young women, as well as young men, see politics as something ‘old white men’ do -‘old white men’ who are driven by money and are largely corrupt.
  (The White House Project, www.thewhitehouseproject.org)
  

• All 14 women Senators are white, with only one woman of color ever elected to the Senate, Carol Moseley Braun from Illinois.
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)
  

• Women of color constitute 3.4% of the total 535 members of Congress.
  (Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu)

Additional Resources:

• Center for American Women and Politics, www.cawp.rutgers.edu
  
  
• The Impact Of Women In Public Office, Edited By Susan J. Carroll, Indiana University Press, 2001
  
  
• The Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, www.eagleton.rutgers.edu
  
  
• The White House Project, www.TheWhiteHouseProject.org

The Oklahoma Democratic Party invites you to

Running Against The Odds:

A Training for Female Democratic Candidates

on Tuesday, July 11, 2006
from 6 pm to 8 pm

at the Democratic Party Headquarters
4100 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

with an Introduction by
First Lady Kim Henry
and Panel Discussion with
Women Elected Officials at All Levels of Government

Question and Answer Session Moderated by
Lisa Pryor, Chairman
Oklahoma Democratic Party

Sponsored by the Women’s Leadership Fund


To RSVP, Please contact Courtney Ruark at 405.427.3366 or cruark@okdemocrats.org