Moore American: Lawmakers react to Governor's budget veto

Governor Brad Henry’s veto of a $7 billion budget deal drew praise from two Cleveland County Democrats.

For Rep. Bill Nations, D-Norman, the budget deal and its subsequent veto were a good example of the Legislature’s cumbersome nature. “This is my ninth year here,” Nations said. “And whether it’s policy issues or budget issues, there’s a process involved. It’s often cumbersome; in fact, almost always. There are checks and balances.”

Rep. Wallace Collins, D-Norman, said he was proud of Henry’s veto and “encouraged the governor to do so” in a letter he sent to Henry earlier this week. “While I originally voted for the bill, I thought there were many things left out,” Collins said. “Not knowing the future, I voted ‘yes’ but I held my nose doing it.”

Collins said the measure contained several problems, including a $5 million funding shortage for the Norman Veterans Center. “They have problems with water seepage, mold and outdated technology,” he said. “And their pay rate is too low. They have a high turnover rate which prevents veterans from getting top quality care. These issues need to be addressed, and vetoing the bill would be the way to take care of them.”

Read the full story.

It’s A Race for Money

As the first quarter for presidential hopefuls’ fundraising comes to a close tomorrow at midnight, Democrats hoping for the party nomination are all out to make sure the voting public knows they’re serious.

Calls for action on websites, emails sent to supporters on mailing lists, and telephone calls have been made by the candidates asking for monetary support.
“As we approach March 31, when campaigns have to file their quarterly fund-raising reports, the press and pundits start to obsess over the chase for money,” Senator Barack Obama said in an e-mail appeal that went out to potential donors on Thursday. He added, “I’m asking you to stand up and be counted — will you make a donation now?”
Since states are moving up primaries to gain attention from the hopefuls, the campaigns are forced to spend more money on staff, offices and preparing for huge television advertising budgets.

Just as campaigns have turned to grassroots methods of gaining support, they have also used this strategy to aid in fundraising. By reaching out to donors with smaller budgets, they are able to give many more supporters a chance to donate, and although they may not be able to afford the $2,300 per person private fundraisers, they have proved to be helpful to each of the campaigns.

“This Saturday is our first major test – our first end-of-quarter fundraising deadline is midnight March 31. The pundits will use the number we report to measure our campaign’s commitment to long-term success,” Bill Richardson’s website states. “We need to send a clear message that we won’t back down and have resources for the long haul.”

For more information on donating to your favorite presidential hopeful’s campaign, visit their website. There is an opportunity to donate immediately to help reach first quarter goals, and also an address where you can send a check, which will not count for the initial quarter.


--Lacey Earls

Dean: "President Bush Should Keep His Word On Katrina Funding"

Today the Senate passed Iraq legislation to change course in the war. Democrats included a provision that would waive the 10 percent federal match requirement for areas devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and provide $1.3 billion in funding for levee repair. Unfortunately, President Bush has decided to use divisive rhetoric promising to veto the funding and refusing to waive the match requirement which has been waived in previous disaster situations.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:
"Democrats are fulfilling our promises to make the Gulf Coast recovery effort a priority and doing what President Bush should have done in the first place. President Bush should stand with the people of the Gulf Coast and support this important funding that addresses the needs of our American families who remain homeless and displaced. President Bush's refusal to help the people of the Gulf Coast rebuild their lives and his decision to be combative will not accomplish anything. These are our fellow Americans and the President should put aside his harsh partisan rhetoric and do what's right for families in the Gulf Coast. Furthermore, he should once and for all honor the promises that he has made by leading the federal effort to help rebuild the Gulf Coast."

Democratic Caucus Chair Calls for an End to “Name Calling” and a Start to Renewed Budget Negotiations

Less than fifteen minutes after Governor Brad Henry and the House Democratic Caucus announced the veto of a $6.87 billion dollar spending package, supporters of the spending proposal began what Democratic House Leaders described as “childish name calling.”

The comments were made Wednesday afternoon during a press conference criticizing the Governor for using his veto authority and the House Democrats’ declaration that the 44-member caucus would vote to sustain the veto of much of HB 1234.

“The Governor and House Democrats have criticized the process, we’ve criticized the policy, but we have not stooped to name-calling of those we believe crafted a flawed budget bill,” said Democratic Caucus Chairman, Ryan McMullen. “We are about to embark upon a renewed round of budget negotiations. I can scarcely think of anything more detrimental to the negotiations process than firing cheap shots at those you’re about to have to sit down and negotiate with.”

“The time for selling their budget is over,” said McMullen, D-Burns Flat. “Yesterday’s announcement puts HB 1234 behind us. Despite their claims and as evidenced by its failure at this point in the legislative process, this proposal was not a legitimate bi-partisan agreement.”

“An agreement by definition would indicate all parties agree. That is clearly not the case. We simply do not believe that it adequately addresses the priorities of education and public safety,” said McMullen. “The Senate and House Republicans should move past the defeat of their budget proposal, and begin meeting with the remaining leadership to craft a truly bi-partisan budget agreement.”

“We have half the session remaining, but the clock is ticking,” said McMullen. “Folks need to quit the whining, quit the name-calling, roll up their sleeves and get to work.”

BOREN ANNOUNCES TOWN HALL SCHEDULE FOR APRIL

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The public is invited to join U.S. Congressman Dan Boren at town hall meetings across the Second District during Congress's April district work period:


Monday, April 2, 2007

12 to 1 p.m. - Grove Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Cowskin Prairie Restaurant & Motel (26301 S. 655 Road)

2 to 3:30 p.m. - Vinita Chamber of Commerce Town Hall Meeting

Vinita City Hall, Council Room (104 E. Illinois)

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Pryor Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Pryor Elk's Lodge

Monday, April 9, 2007

9 to 10 a.m. - Muldrow Town Hall Meeting

City Hall (100 S. Main)

12 - 1 p.m. - Roland Town Hall Meeting

Roland Nutrition Center / City Hall (801 S. Roland Road)

Dean On Senate Democrats' Passage Of A New Direction For Iraq

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the passage of the Iraq supplemental spending bill in the U.S. Senate:

“The Democratic Congress has done its job, and it’s now up to the President to support a new direction in Iraq. Democrats are providing support for our troops and resources for our veterans. This bill also sets a date certain for the redeployment of our forces to better fight terrorism. Our country can no longer afford an open-ended commitment to keep our troops in the middle of a civil war.”

Governor vetoes bulk of 2008 spending bill


The Oklahoman's Jim Lange penned the cartoon at right earlier this week. According to the Associated Press, Democratic Governor Brad Henry vetoed most of a controversial appropriations bill today at the State Capitol. Read the story below:


By The Associated Press

Gov. Brad Henry vetoed most of a $6.9 billion general appropriations bill Wednesday and renewed criticism of the ''flawed process'' in which the spending measure for 2008 was negotiated by House and Senate leaders without his input.

A day after Henry used his line-item veto authority to strike $1 million from the measure for an external audit of state prisons, the Democratic governor slashed $6.8 billion from the legislative budget plan, saying it did not represent the best interest of Oklahoma taxpayers.

The measure was passed by a wide margin in the House and unanimously by the Senate last week.

''If I had approved this as a blueprint for the final budget, our prison system would be in danger of coming under federal control, and public safety would be jeopardized,'' Henry said.

He also said college students would be facing double-digit tuition hikes and teachers ''would once again be left wondering whether their pay would ever reach the regional average as promised or whether they would have a pension when they retired.''

The bill also did not address the underfunded teacher's retirement system, Henry said. The system is underfunded by more than $7 billion and state officials have said it threatens the state's bond rating.

Henry said he signed supplemental spending measures that were inserted into the general appropriations bill that will help public schools and state prisons pay their bills through the end of the current fiscal year June 30.

Legislative leaders have said they will attempt to override Henry's veto. An override requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature.

Party Offices

If you are a candidate for a state party office, or a congressional district office in the Oklahoma Democratic Party please use this space to provide information about your candidacy. Please limit your response to 500 words or less. Comments from candidates only, please.

You do not have to be registered on this website to comment.
Anonymous comments will not be accepted.

State Convention Rules Committee

The Oklahoma Democratic Party State Central Committee approved the following individuals to serve on the 2007 State Convention Rules Committee:

Rules Committee
Gordon Melson – Chair
• Dave Ratcliff, CD 1
• Rae Weese, CD 1
• Rep. Mike Brown, CD 2
• Cerita Morley, CD 2
• Jody Harlan, CD 3
• Sen. Tom Ivester, CD 3
• Mike Weddington, CD 4
• Laura Boyd, CD 4
• Margaret Phillips, CD 4
• Rep. Anastasia Pittman, CD 5
• Debbie Thompson, OFDW
• Kevin Cameron, YDO
• Rhonda Rudd, Stonewall
• Rep. Joe Dorman, Convention Co-Parliamentarian *
• Sen. Debbe Leftwich, Convention Co-Parliamentarian *

State Resolutions Committee

The Oklahoma Democratic Party State Central Committee appointed the following individuals to serve on the resolutions committee for the 2007 State Convention.

The resolutions committee will:
1) Review resolutions proposed to the Convention,
2) Propose resolutions on the initiative of its own members,
3) Revise and draft resolutions and
4) Recommend the adoption of resolutions in its report to the Convention.
5) All resolutions recommended by the committee shall be printed and made available to delegates at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the Convention date with copies available at the meeting site at least one (1) hour prior to convening the meeting.

2007 State Convention Resolutions Committee
Sen. Cal Hobson - Chair
• Demetrius Bereolus, CD 1
• Martha Hardwick, CD 1
• Elaine Dodd, CD 1
• Cheno Kennedy, CD 2
• Pat Frank, CD 2
• Hugh Graham, CD 2
• Don Faulkner, CD 2
• Kathy Houston, CD 3
• Carol Ruth, CD 3
• Rep. Ryan McMullen, CD 3
• Jim Davis, CD 3
• Sen. Paul Muegge, CD 3
• Billye Van Schuyver, CD 4 (2005 Committee Chair)
• Sandra Rose, CD 4
• Vicky Langford, CD 5
• Rep. Ryan Kiesel, CD 5
• Christie Breedlove, OFDW
• Kathy North, YDO
• Kevin Cameron, YDO
• Karen Parsons, Stonewall
• Jim Nimmo, Stonewall
• Carl Downing, Affirmative Action
• Ed Romo, Affirmative Action

2007 State Convention Credentials Committee

The credentials committee will
o Prepare a list of delegates certified by the State Secretary as delegates to the Convention,
o Hear challenges to any delegate’s right to be seated at the Convention meeting,
o Make prior arrangements for an orderly process in distributing credentials, including arranging credentials tables at district and state conventions to group counties in alphabetical order without regard to congressional district,
o Prepare a credential’s “badge” to present to each certified Convention delegate,
o Report to the Convention on the number of delegates issued credentials and or the resolution of any dispute,
o Review and record valid proxy statements,
o Remain open until the adjournment of the Convention meeting; and
o Make revised reports to the Convention as may be required.

2007 State Convention Credentials Committee
Vickie Williams - Chair
• Darla Howe-Pierce, CD 1
• Jack Boyte, CD 1
• Freida Wilcox, CD 2
• Sen. Jim Wilson, CD 2
• Edna Brookfield, CD 2
• Gene Moses, CD 3
• Juanita King, CD 3
• Linda Wade, CD 4
• Brent Wilcox, CD 4
• Juanita Sykes-Vasquez, CD 5
• James Baggett, CD 5
• Lillie Buckner, CD 5
• Rose Ann Jenny, OFDW
• Mark Floyd, YDO
• Victor Gorin, Stonewall

IRAQ and U.S. Attorney Scandal

Iraq

KEY POINT: Here's what America needs to know: The supplemental appropriations bill makes America more secure and makes it more likely that we will succeed in Iraq. The Democratic-controlled Congress is listening to the American people and fighting to give our troops the resources they need and a strategy in Iraq worthy of their sacrifices. We have crafted a defense supplemental bill that provides our men and women in uniform the resources they need going into combat and the care and treatment they deserve when they come home. We also offer our troops something that this Administration and Senate Republicans refuse: a plan to change course in Iraq in order to increase America's security, more effectively fight terrorism and bring our troops out of the middle of a civil war.


Support for our troops does not stop at funding. We must ensure that they have a strategy for success.

Democrats are proposing that we change course in Iraq in order to increase America's security, more effectively fight the war on terror and bring our troops home from a civil war.

Thus far President Bush has only offered a flawed policy to escalate the war, and Republicans have offered nothing at all other than support for the President.

Republicans must decide between keeping our troops mired in an open ended civil war or voting with Democrats and the American people to give our troops a strategy for success

This bill addresses some of our country's most urgent needs. Democrats are funding priorities that Republicans have long ignored:
$96 billion in war funds to ensure troops have the resources they need
$4.3 billion to ensure that returning troops receive the health care they deserve
$2 billion in port, mass transit and airport security
$6.7 billion to help rebuild the Gulf Coast and put people back to work


U.S. ATTORNEYS

KEY POINT: The Bush Administration manipulated the criminal justice system for its own political gain. They ruined the careers of good prosecutors, interfered in the criminal justice process and then tried to cover it up when they got caught. As always, Bush Administration officials refuse to be held accountable for their actions. Democrats must stand up to the White House until the truth, the full truth and nothing but the truth emerges.


Administration officials involved in the firings must openly testify, publicly and on the record. The only reason to refuse public testimony is if the administration has something to hide.

Calling this a partisan witch hunt is a distraction tactic that will not work. This is about accountability. The American people have a right to know whether its justice system acted unjustly and whether its leaders manipulated the criminal justice system for political gain.

All presidents have the right to nominate their own U.S. Attorneys. But they do not have the right to fire prosecutors for pursuing corruption cases on the merits or for other improper partisan motives.

Such political manipulation would cause Americans to lose faith in the justice system. The preservation of an independent judicial system depends on a full investigation of the facts.

The Administration was given ample opportunity to tell the truth. No one forced this Administration to mislead Congress and the American people.

But they repeatedly changed their stories about why these U.S. Attorneys were fired. They have long since lost the benefit of the doubt. Testifying on the record is the only way accurate and complete statements can be collected.

Jesse L Jackson Coming to Oklahoma This Week

Rev. Jesse Jackson will be the guest speaker for the Ninth Episcopal District Spring Convocation. The event will take place at the Sheration Midwest City Reed Conference Center, Wednesday, March 28-Saturday, March 31, 2007. 5800 Will Rogers Road Midwest City, OK . The theme for the occassion is; "From Good to Great - The Jesus Challenge: Building Leaders for Today and Tomorrow"

Guest Speakers:
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson
National President of
Rainbow Push
For more information

Oklahoma Delegate Selection Plan

for the 2008 Democratic National Convention
issued by the Oklahoma Democratic Party
Lisa Pryor, Chair

Distributed for Comment March 27, 2007
(ODP State Central Committee Approveed for Public Comment March 24, 2007)



THE OKLAHOMA DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN
FOR THE 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION


Table of Contents

I. Introduction & Description of Delegate Selection Process
A. Introduction
B. Description of Delegate Selection Process

II. Presidential Candidates

III. Selection of Delegates and Alternates
A. Selection of Delegates and Alternates
B. Unpledged Delegates
C. Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegates
D. At-Large Delegates and Alternates
E. Replacement of Delegates and Alternates

IV. Convention Standing Committee Members
A. Introduction
B. Temporary Standing Committee Members
C. Permanent Standing Committee Members

V. The Delegation

VI. General Provisions and Procedural Guarantees

VII. Affirmative Action and Outreach Plan
A. Statement of Purpose and Organization
B. Efforts to Educate on the Delegate Selection Process
C. Efforts to Publicize the Delegate Selection Process
D. Representation Goals
E. Obligations of Presidential Candidates to Maximize Participation
F. Inclusion Programs

VIII. Challenges
A. Jurisdiction and Standing
B. Challenges to the Status of the State Party and Challenges to the Plan
C. Challenges to Implementation

IX. Summary of Plan
A. Selection of Delegates and Alternates
B. Selection of Standing Committee Members
C. Selection of Delegation Chair and Convention Pages
D. Presidential Candidate Filing Deadline
E. Timetable

Exhibits to the Affirmative Action Plan

Attachments to the Delegate Selection Plan

SECTION I
INTRODUCTION & DESCRIPTION OF DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Oklahoma has a total of 47 delegates and 6 alternates. (Call, I. & Appendix B.)
2. The delegate selection process is governed by the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (“Rules”), the Call for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (“Call”), the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (“Regs.”), the rules of the Democratic Party of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma election code, and this Delegate Selection Plan. (Call, II.A.)
3. Following the adoption of this Delegate Selection Plan by the State Central Committee, it shall be submitted for review and approval by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (“RBC”). The State Party Chair shall be empowered to make any technical revisions to this document as required by the RBC to correct any omissions and/or deficiencies as found by the RBC to ensure its full compliance with Party Rules. Such corrections shall be made by the State Party Chair and the Plan resubmitted to the RBC within 30 days of receipt of notice of the RBC’s findings. (Regs. 2.5, 2.6 & 2.7)
4. Once this Plan has been found in Compliance by the RBC, any amendment to the Plan by the Oklahoma Democratic Party will be submitted to and approved by the RBC before it becomes effective. (Reg. 2.9)
B. DESCRIPTION OF DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
1. Oklahoma will use a proportional representation system based on the results of its Presidential Preference Primary for apportioning delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
2. The “first determining step” of Oklahoma’s delegate selection process will occur on February 5, 2008 with a state run Presidential Preference Primary.
3. Voter Participation in Process
a. Participation in Oklahoma’s delegate selection process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats.
A person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, a citizen of the United States and a resident of Oklahoma may register to vote by contacting their County Election Board. When a person registers to vote he or she will be required to declare his or her affiliation with a political party or as an independent. To participate in an election a person must register to vote at least 24 days prior to the day of the election. (Rules 2.A. & 2.C. & Reg. 4.3.)
b. At no stage of Oklahoma’s delegate selection process shall any person be required, directly or indirectly, to pay a cost or fee as a condition for participating. Voluntary contributions to the Party may be made, but under no circumstances shall a contribution be mandatory for participation (Rule 2.D. & Reg. 4.4.)

c. No persons shall participate or vote in the nominating process for the Democratic presidential candidate who also participates in the nominating process of any other party for the corresponding elections. (Rule 2.E.)
d. No person shall vote in more than one meeting which is the first meeting in the delegate selection process. (Rule 3.E. & Reg. 4.6.)
Oklahoma is participating in the state government-run Presidential Preference Primary that will utilize government-run voting systems. The State of Oklahoma uses accessible precinct based optical scan systems.
SECTION II
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
A. BALLOT ACCESS
A presidential candidate gains access to the Oklahoma presidential preference primary ballot, by filing with the Secretary of the State Election Board (http://www.elections.state.ok.us/; located in the Oklahoma State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City; Post Office Box 53156, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73152; (405) 521-2391) an oath stating that the candidate has filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and has raised or expended not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for said office. Said oath shall be signed BY THE CANDIDATE and the signature shall be witnessed by a notary. Said filing begins 8:00 a.m on the second Monday in January (January 14, 2008) and ends at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday of that same week (January 16, 2008). The statement of candidacy must be accompanied by a petition supporting the candidate’s filing, signed by one percent (1%) of the registered voters in each congressional district, or one-thousand (1,000) registered voters in each congressional district, whichever is less, or by a cashier’s check in the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred dollars ($2,500.00). Candidates should review Title 26 of the Oklahoma Statutes, section 20-101 et seq. for further information.
Oklahoma election law does not allow for write-in votes in the Presidential Preference Primary, nor is there any method for a voter to cast a vote for “uncommitted”.
B. Each presidential candidate shall certify in writing to the State Party Chair, the name(s) of his or her authorized representative(s) by 5:00 p.m. on January 4, 2008. (Rule 12.D.(1))
C. Each presidential candidate shall use his or her best efforts to ensure that his or her respective delegation within the state delegation achieves the affirmative action goals established by this Plan and is equally divided between men and women. (Rule 6.I.)
SECTION III
SELECTION OF DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES

Delegates to the 2008 Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention (and congressional district caucuses held therein) are elected in the following manner:

Registered Democrats attending Precinct Meetings held on March 8, 2007 will elect three officers in each precinct who will also serve as delegates to their respective County Convention held on March 31, 2007. The delegates to each County Convention will elect delegates to the State Convention (and congressional district caucuses held therein) for the years 2007 and 2008.

There will be no secret ballots at any stage of the national delegate selection process.

A. DISTRICT-LEVEL DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
1. Oklahoma is allocated 25 district-level delegates and 4 district-level alternates. (Rule 8.C., Call, I.B. & I.I.)
2. District-level delegates and alternates shall be elected using a Presidential Preference Primary/Post-Primary Caucus system. Allocation of delegates and alternates to each district will be determined by the results of the Presidential Preference Primary held on February 5, 2008. District-level delegates and alternates will be elected at the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention held in Oklahoma City on February 23, 2008 by congressional district caucuses composed of delegates elected pursuant to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.
As the State delegates enter the State convention, they shall register their presence according to congressional district, declare their presidential candidate preference, sign a statement of support for that preference and receive a color-coded ballot (one containing the names of male delegate candidates and one containing the names of female delegate candidates which have been approved as delegate candidates by the presidential candidates or their authorized representatives). Only delegates declaring a given presidential candidate preference shall be given a ballot and may be permitted to vote at this stage for national convention delegates pledged to that preference.

The State Convention shall divide into caucuses by congressional district and then by presidential candidate preference to elect its national convention delegates.

Each presidential preference caucus will be required to elect the numbers of male and female delegates and alternates to which they are entitled. In accordance with Rule 11H, a candidate for District-level delegate or alternate may run for election only in the congressional district in which he/she is registered to vote.

Voting for District-level delegates and alternates shall be conducted separately for male and female positions. Candidates for delegate or alternate must receive a majority of those votes cast in order to be elected. The State Party will designate uniform procedures (See Below) whereby the field of candidates may be narrowed and runoff votes taken in the event enough candidates do not receive a majority of the first ballot.

The First Ballot: Any male or female candidate for delegate or alternate who receives more than 50% of the vote from the congressional district presidential caucus shall be declared elected as a national convention delegate or alternate, provided that the number of candidates receiving a majority vote does not exceed the number of delegates and/or alternates of that gender allocated to the congressional district as reflected in the allocation chart in Section I of this Delegate Selection Plan. If the number of candidates who receive 50% or more of the votes is greater than the number of delegates and/or alternates allocated for their gender, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes and those receiving the next highest totals (in descending order) shall be elected until all allocated positions of that gender have been filled.

The Run-off Procedure: If a sufficient number do not receive a majority on the first ballot, a second vote will be taken, dropping the winner(s) and those receiving less than 20% off the list. On this and subsequent ballots, convention delegates shall have only as many votes as the number of delegate positions of the appropriate gender left to be filled. This procedure shall be repeated until a sufficient number of candidates of the appropriate gender have been elected by a majority vote to fill the allocated positions for that gender.

Alternates shall be elected through the same procedures as delegates after all delegates have been chosen.

The State Party shall be responsible for preparing ballots for the election of national convention delegates.

3. Apportionment of District-Level Delegates and Alternates
a. Oklahoma’s district-level delegates and alternates are apportioned among the districts based on a formula giving equal weight to the total population and to the average of the vote for the Democratic candidates in the two most recent presidential elections. (Rule 8.A.; Regs. 4.11., 4.12. & Appendix A)
b. The state’s total number of district-level delegates will be equally divided between men and women. Because Oklahoma has an odd number of delegates, the overall variance between men and women will not exceed one. (Rule 6.C.(1) & Reg. 4.8.)
c. The district-level delegates and alternates are apportioned to districts as indicated in the following chart:

District
Delegates
Alternates

Males
Females
Total
Males
Females
Total

CD 1
2
3
5
1
0
1

CD 2
3
2
5
0
1
1

CD 3
2
3
5
0
0
0

CD 4
3
2
5
0
1
1

CD 5
2
3
5
1
0
1

Total
12
13
25
2
2
4


4. District-Level Delegate and Alternate Filing Requirements
a. A district-level delegate and alternate candidate may run for election only within the district in which he or she is registered to vote. (Rule 12.H.)
b. An individual can qualify as a candidate for district-level delegate or alternate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention by filing a statement of candidacy designating his or her presidential preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate with the Oklahoma Democratic Party (Attn: Delegate Selection), 4100 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 24, 2008. (Rules 12.B. & 14.F.)
c. All candidates considered for district-level alternate positions must meet the same requirements as candidates for district-level delegate positions except that candidates who were not chosen at the delegate level may be considered at the alternate level]. (Rule 12.C.)

5. Presidential Candidate Right of Review for District-Level Delegates and Alternates

a. The State Party Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), not later than 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2008, a list of all persons who have filed for delegate or alternate pledged to that presidential candidate. (Rules 12.D. & 12.F.)
b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must then file with the State Party Chair by 12:00 noon on February 20, 2008, a list of all such candidates he or she has approved, provided that approval be given to at least three (3) times the number of candidates for delegate men and three (3) times the number of candidates for delegate women, and three (3) times the number of candidates for alternate men and three (3) times the number of alternate women to be selected. (Rule 12.E.(1), Reg. 4.23.)
c. Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate and alternate candidates submitted to the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate, or the authorized representative(s), signifies otherwise in writing to the State Party Chair not later than 12:00 noon on February 20, 2008.
d. National convention delegate and alternate candidates removed from the list of bona fide supporters by a presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), may not be elected as a delegate or alternate at that level pledged to that presidential candidate. (Rule 12.E. & Reg. 4.23.)
e. The State Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective district-level delegate candidates and district-level alternate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3) business days of returning the list of approved district-level delegate candidates and district-level alternate candidates as indicated in section III.A.5.b of this Plan.
6. Fair Reflection of Presidential Preference
a. Presidential Primary - Proportional Representation Plan (Rules 13.A., 13.B. & 13.D.)
The Oklahoma presidential primary election is a “binding” primary. Accordingly, delegate and alternate positions shall be allocated so as to fairly reflect the expressed presidential preference of the primary voters in each district. The National Convention delegates and alternates selected at the district level shall be allocated in proportion to the percentage of the primary vote won in that district by each preference, except that preferences falling below a 15% threshold shall not be awarded any delegates or alternates.
b. Within a district, if no presidential preference reaches a 15% threshold, the threshold shall be the percentage of the vote received in that district by the front-runner minus 10%. (Rule 13.F.)
c. Delegates to the District Caucuses held at the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention on February 23, 2008 will be required to sign a pledge of support for a presidential candidate in order to be able to participate in the election of delegates and alternates for the presidential candidate within their District Caucus. (Rule 12.G.)
7. Equal Division of District-Level Delegates and Alternates
a. In order to ensure the district-level delegates are equally divided between men and women, delegate positions within each district will be designated by presidential preference beginning with the highest vote-getting presidential preference. This assignment of delegate positions, alternating by sex as mathematically practicable, will continue with the next highest vote-getting preferences in descending order until the gender of each position has been assigned. (Rule 6.C.(1) & Reg. 4.8.)
b. The gender allocation of delegate positions shall be pre-determined so that the gender of the first position to be filled by the winning presidential candidate is pre-determined. Once the allocation of district-level delegates among presidential candidates has been calculated, the remaining delegate positions will be assigned to the presidential preference(s) in order of the vote won, alternating by gender.
c. After the delegates are selected, the alternates will be awarded, using the same process described above.
8. The State Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) the election of the state’s district-level delegates and alternates to the Democratic National Convention within three (3) days after their election. (Rule 8.C. & Call, IV.A.)
B. UNPLEDGED DELEGATES
1. Unpledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials
a. The following categories (if applicable) shall constitute the Unpledged Party Leaders and Elected Official delegate positions:
(1) Members of the Democratic National Committee who legally reside in the state; (Rule 9.A.(1), Call, I.F., J., K., & Reg. 4.13.)
(2) All of Oklahoma’s Democratic Members of the U.S. House of Representatives; (Rule 9.A.(3), Call I.G. & K.)
(3) The Democratic Governor (if applicable); (Rule 9.A.(4), Call I.G. & K.)
b. The certification process for the Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegates is as follows:
(1) Not later than March 1, 2008, the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee shall officially confirm to the State Party Chair the names of the unpledged delegates who legally reside in Oklahoma. (Rule 9.A.)
(2) Official confirmation by the Secretary shall constitute verification of the unpledged delegates from the categories indicated above. (Call, IV.B.1.)

2. Unpledged Add-On Delegates
a. Oklahoma will select 1 unpledged add-on delegate. (Rule 9.B., Call, I.I. & Reg. 5.1.)
b. The procedures to be used in selecting the 1 unpledged add-on delegate will be as follows:
(1) Selection of the unpledged add-on delegates will occur at the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention in Oklahoma City on February 23, 2008, following the election of district delegates and alternates and prior to the selection of the pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegates. (Rule 9.B.(1))
(2) This delegate will be selected by delegates to the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention, which is the same selecting body used to select the PLEO and At-Large delegates and alternates. (Rule 9.B.(1))
(3) The equal division and affirmative action provisions of Rule 10.A. apply to the selection of these unpledged add-on delegates. (Rule 9.B.(2))
(4) Individuals are nominated for these positions from a list of persons submitted by the State Chair. (Reg. 4.14.)
(5) The list from which the selecting body chooses the unpledged add-on delegate shall contain at least one (1) name for every unpledged add-on position to be filled. (Rule 9.B.(3))
(6) Unpledged add-on delegate candidates may be selected whether or not they previously filed a statement of candidacy for a delegate position or submitted a pledge of support for a presidential candidate. (Rule 9.B.(5) & Reg. 4.14.)
c. Unpledged add-on delegates, selected pursuant to Rule 9.B., shall be certified in writing by the State Party Chair to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after the selection. (Call, IV.B.2.)
C. PLEDGED PARTY LEADER AND ELECTED OFFICIAL (PLEO) DELEGATES
1. Oklahoma is allotted 5 pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates. (Call, I.D. & E.)
2. Pledged PLEO Delegate Filing Requirements
a. Individuals shall be eligible for the pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegate positions according to the following priority: big city mayors and state-wide elected officials (to be given equal consideration); state legislative leaders, state legislators, and other state, county and local elected officials and party leaders. (Rule 9.C.(1) & Reg. 4.15.)
b. An individual can qualify as a candidate for a position as a pledged PLEO delegate by filing a statement of candidacy with the Oklahoma Democratic Party (Attn: Delegate Selection), 4100 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 24, 2008. The statement of candidacy will include a place for an individual to indicate their party leader or elected official position.
3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review
a. The State Party Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), not later than 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2008, a list of all persons who have filed for a party and elected official delegate pledged to that presidential candidate. (Rules 9.C.(3) & 12.D.)
b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must file with the State Party Chair, by 12:00 noon on February 20, 2008, a list of all such candidates he or she has approved, as long as approval is given to at least one (1) name for every position to which the presidential candidate is entitled. (Rule 12.E.(2) & Reg. 4.23.)
c. Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate candidates submitted to the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate or the authorized representative(s) signifies otherwise in writing to the State Party Chair not later than 12:00 noon on February 20, 2008.
d. The State Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate (including uncommitted status) has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective pledged PLEO delegate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3) business days of returning the list of approved pledged PLEO candidates as indicated in section III.C.3.b of this Plan.
4. Selection of Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates
a. The pledged PLEO slots shall be allocated among presidential preferences on the same basis as the at-large delegates. (Rule 9.C.(2), 10.C., 13.E. & F.)
b. Selection of the pledged PLEO delegates will occur at the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention in Oklahoma City on February 23, 2008, following the election of district-level delegates and alternates and the unpledged add-on delegates and prior to the selection of at-large delegates and alternates. (Rule 9.C.)
In electing pledged Party Leader/Elected Official delegates, the delegates to the state convention shall elect an equal number of males and females.

Delegates to the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention shall not be required to declare their presidential candidate preference, and the entire body of delegates shall vote for all party Pledged Leader/Elected Official delegates being selected.

Voting for delegates shall be conducted separately for each male and female slot. Candidates for delegate or alternate must receive a majority of those votes cast in order to be elected. The State Party will designate procedures (See Below) whereby the field of candidates may be narrowed and runoff votes taken in the event enough candidates do not receive a majority on the first ballot.

The First Ballot: Any male or female candidate for delegate or alternate in these categories who receives more than 50% of the vote shall be declared elected as a national convention delegate or alternate.

The Run-off Procedure: If a sufficient number do not receive a majority on the first ballot, a second vote will be taken between the top two vote-getters for that slot on the First Ballot. The candidate for delegate or alternate who receives more than 50% of the vote shall be declared elected as a national convention delegate or alternate.


Alternates are not selected at the pledged Party Leader and Elected Official level. These alternates are combined with the at-large alternates and selected as one unit. (Reg. 4.30.)
5. The State Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee the election of the state’s pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegates to the Democratic National Convention within three (3) days after their election. (Rule 8.D. & Call, IV.A.)

D. AT-LARGE DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
1. The state of Oklahoma is allotted 8 at-large delegates and 2 at-large alternates. (Rule 8.C., Call, I.B. & I.)
2. At-Large Delegate and Alternate Filing Requirements
a. Persons desiring to seek at-large delegate or alternate positions may file a statement of candidacy designating their presidential preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidates with the Oklahoma Democratic Party (Attn: Delegate Selection), 4100 North Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 24, 2008. (Rules 12.B. & 14.G.; Regs. 4.22. & 4.27.)
b. The statement of candidacy for at-large delegates and for at-large alternates will be the same. After the at-large delegates are elected by the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention, those persons not chosen will then be considered candidates for at-large alternate positions unless they specify otherwise when filing. (Rule 18.A.)
3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review
a. The State Party Chair shall convey to the presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), not later than 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2008, a list of all persons who have filed for delegate or alternate pledged to that presidential candidate. (Rule 12.D.) (Reg. 4.22. & 4.27.)

b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must then file with the State Party Chair, by 12:00 noon on February 20, 2008, a list of all such candidates he or she has approved, provided that, at a minimum, one (1) name remains for every national convention delegate or alternate position to which the presidential candidate is entitled.
c. Failure to respond will be deemed approval of all delegate candidates submitted to the presidential candidate unless the presidential candidate or the authorized representative(s) signifies otherwise in writing to the State Party Chair not later than 12:00 noon on February 20, 2008.
d. The State Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Co-Chairs of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee whether each presidential candidate has used their best efforts to ensure that their respective at-large delegate candidates and at-large alternate candidates meet the affirmative action and inclusion considerations and goals detailed in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan within three (3) business days of returning the list of approved at-large delegate candidates and at-large alternate candidates as indicated in section III.D.3.b of this Plan.
4. Fair Reflection of Presidential Preference
a. At-large delegate and alternate positions shall be allocated among presidential preferences according to the statewide Presidential Preference Primary vote. (Rule 10.C.)
Preferences which have not attained a 15% threshold on a state-wide basis shall not be entitled to any at-large delegates. (Rule 13.E.)
a. If no presidential preference reaches a 15% threshold, the threshold shall be the percentage of the statewide vote received by the front-runner, minus 10%. (Rule 13.F.)
b. If a presidential candidate is no longer a candidate at the time of selection of the at-large delegates, then those at-large slots that would have been allocated to the candidate will be proportionally divided among the remaining preferences entitled to an allocation. (Rule 10.C.)
c. If a given presidential preference is entitled to one or more delegate positions but would not otherwise be entitled to an alternate position, that preference shall be allotted one at-large alternate position. (Rule 18.B., Call, I.J. & Reg. 4.30.& 4.33.)
5. Selection of At-Large Delegates and Alternates
a. The selection of the at-large delegates and alternates will occur at the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention in Oklahoma City on February 23, 2008 which will begin at 10 a.m. after all unpledged delegates and pledged Party Leader and Elected Official delegates have been selected. (Rule 8.D. & Call, III.)
In electing pledged at-large delegates and alternates, the state convention shall elect an equal number of males and females. In the case where the number to be elected in any category is odd, the difference between elected males and elected females cannot exceed one (1). Except that, the selection of at-large delegates will follow the selection of District-level and Party Leader/Elected Official delegates and shall be used, if necessary, to obtain an equal division of positions between men and women in Oklahoma’s overall delegation and priority of consideration will be given to other groups by virtue of race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

Delegates to the Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention shall not be required to declare their presidential candidate preference, and the entire body of delegates shall vote for all party at-large national convention delegates and alternates being selected.
Voting for delegates and/or alternates shall be conducted separately for each male and female slot. Candidates for delegate or alternate must receive a majority of those votes cast in order to be elected. The State Party will designate procedures (See Below) whereby the field of candidates may be narrowed and runoff votes taken in the event enough candidates do not receive a majority on the first ballot.

The First Ballot: Any male or female candidate for delegate or alternate in these categories who receives more than 50% of the vote shall be declared elected as a national convention delegate or alternate.

The Run-off Procedure: If a sufficient number do not receive a majority on the first ballot, a second vote will be taken between the top two vote-getters for that slot on the First Ballot. The candidate for delegate or alternate who receives more than 50% of the vote shall be declared elected as a national convention delegate or alternate.
b. Priority of Consideration
(1) In the selection of the at-large delegation priority of consideration shall be given to African Americans, Hispanics, Native Ameri¬cans, youth and women. (Rule 6.A.)
(2) In order to continue the Democratic Party’s ongoing efforts to include groups historically under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs and to assist in the achievement of full participation by these groups, priority of consideration shall be given other groups by virtue of race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or disability. (Rules 5.C., 6.A.(3), & Reg. 4.7.)
(3) The election of at-large delegates and alternates shall be used, if necessary, to achieve the equal division of positions between men and women, and may be used to achieve the representation goals established in the Affirmative Action section of this Plan. (Rule 6.A.)
(4) Delegates and alternates are to be considered separate groups for this purpose. (Rules 6.A.(3), 10.A. & Regs. 4.8 & 4.19.)

6. The State Party Chair shall certify in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee the election of the state’s at-large delegates and alternates to the Democratic National Convention within three (3) days after their election. (Rule 8.C. & Call, IV.A.)

E. REPLACEMENT OF DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
1. A pledged delegate or alternate may be replaced according to the following guidelines:
a. Permanent Replacement of a Delegate: (Rule 18.D.(2))
(1) A permanent replacement occurs when a delegate resigns or dies prior to or during the national convention and the alternate replaces the delegate for the remainder of the National Convention.
(2) Any alternate permanently replacing a delegate shall be of the same presidential preference and sex of the delegate he/she replaces, and to the extent possible shall be from the same political subdivision within the state as the delegate.
(a) In the case where the presidential candidate has only one alternate, that alternate shall become the certified delegate.
(b) If a presidential candidate has only one alternate, and that alternate permanently replaces a delegate of the opposite sex, thereby causing the delegation to no longer be equally divided, the delegation shall not be considered in violation of Rule 6.C. In such a case, not withstanding Rule 18.D.(2), the State Central Committee shall, at the time of a subsequent permanent replacement, replace a delegate with a person of the opposite sex, in order to return the delegation to equal division of men and women. (Reg. 4.32.)
b. Temporary Replacement of a Delegate: (Rule 18.D.(3))
(1) A temporary replacement occurs when a delegate is to be absent for a limited period of time during the convention and an alternate temporarily acts in the delegate’s place.
(2) Any alternate who temporarily replaces a delegate must be of the same presidential preference as the delegate he/she replaces, and to the extent possible shall be of the same sex and from the same political subdivision within the state as the delegate.
c. The following system will be used to select permanent and temporary replacements of delegates:
(1) The Delegation Chair chooses the alternate. (Rule 18.D.(1))
d. Certification of Replacements

(1) Any alternate who permanently replaces a delegate shall be certified in writing to the Secretary of the DNC by the State Party Chair. (Rule 18.D.2.)
(2) Permanent replacement of a delegate (as specified above) by an alternate and replacement of a vacant alternate position shall be certified in writing by the State Party Chair to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after the replacement is selected. (Call, IV.C.1.)
(3) Certification of permanent replacements will be accepted by the Secretary up to 48 hours before the first official session of the Convention is scheduled to convene. (Call, IV.C.1. & Reg. 4.32.)
(4) In the case where a pledged delegate is permanently replaced after 48 hours before the time the first session is scheduled to convene or, in the case where a pledged delegate is not on the floor of the Convention Hall at the time a roll call vote is taken, an alternate may be designated (as specified above) to cast the delegate’s vote. In such case, the Delegation Chair shall indicate the name of the alternate casting the respective delegate’s vote on the delegation tally sheet (Call, VIII.F.3.d., VIII.F.3.b. & Reg. 5.4.)
e. A vacant alternate position shall be filled by the delegation. The replacement shall be of the same presidential preference, of the same sex and, to the extent possible, from the same political subdivision as the alternate being replaced. (Rule 18.F.)
2. Unpledged delegates shall not be entitled to a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to a replacement, except under the following circumstances: (Rule 18.E. & Reg. 4.33.)
a. Members of Congress and the Democratic Governor shall not be entitled to name a replacement. In the event of changes or vacancies in the state’s Congressional Delegation, following the official confirmation and prior to the commencement of the National Convention, the DNC Secretary shall recognize only such changes as have been officially recognized by the Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives or the Democratic Conference of the U.S. Senate. In the event of a change or vacancy in the state’s office of Governor, the DNC shall recognize only such changes as have been officially recognized by the Democratic Governors’ Association. (Call, IV.C.2.a.)
b. Members of the Democratic National Committee and unpledged add-on delegates shall not be entitled to a replacement, nor shall the state be entitled to a replacement, except in the case of death of such delegates. In the case where the state’s DNC membership changes following the DNC Secretary’s official confirmation, but prior to the commencement of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, acknowledgment by the Secretary of the new DNC member certification shall constitute verification of the corresponding change of unpledged delegates. (Call, IV.C.2.b.)
c. In no case may an alternate cast a vote for an unpledged delegate. (Call, VIII.F.3.d.)
SECTION IV
CONVENTION STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

A. INTRODUCTION
1. Oklahoma has been allocated two (2) members on each of the three standing committees for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (Credentials, Platform and Rules), for a total of six (6) members. (Call, VII.A. & Appendix D.)
2. Members of the Convention Standing Committees need not be delegates or alternates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. (Call, VII.A.3.)
3. These members will be selected in accordance with the procedures indicated below. (Rule 1.G.)
B. PERMANENT STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
1. Selection Meeting
a. The members of the standing committees shall be elected by a quorum of Oklahoma’s National Convention delegates, at a meeting to be held on February 23, 2008. (Call, VII.B.1.)

b. All members of the delegation shall receive adequate notice of the time, date and place of the meeting to select the standing committee members. (Call, VII.B.1.)
2. Allocation of Members
a. The members of the standing committees allocated to Oklahoma shall proportionately represent the presidential preference of all candidates (including uncommitted status) receiving the threshold percentage used in the state’s delegation to calculate the at-large apportionment pursuant to Rule 13.E. of the Delegate Selection Rules. (Call, VII.C.1. & Reg. 5.7.)
b. The presidential preference of each candidate receiving the applicable percentage or more within the delegation shall be multiplied by the total number of standing committee positions allocated to Oklahoma. If the result of such multiplication does not equal 0.455 or above, the presidential preference in question is not entitled to representation on the standing committee. If the result of such multiplication is 0.455 but less then 1.455, the presidential preference is entitled to one (1) position. Those preferences securing more than 1.455 but less then 2.455 are entitled to two (2) positions, etc. (Call, VII.C.2.)
c. Where the application of this formula results in the total allocation exceeding the total number of committee positions, the presidential candidate whose original figure of representation is farthest from its eventual rounded-off total shall be denied that one (1) additional position. Where the application of this formula results in the total allocation falling short of the total number of committee positions, the presidential candidate whose original figure of representation is closest to the next rounding level shall be allotted an additional committee position. (Call, VII.C.3.)
d. Standing committee positions allocated to a presidential candidate shall be proportionately allocated, to the extent practicable, to each of the three standing committees. When such allocation results in an unequal distribution of standing committee positions by candidate preference, a drawing shall be conducted to distribute the additional positions. (Call, VII.C.4.)
3. Presidential Candidate Right of Review
a. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), shall be given adequate notice of the date, time and location of the meeting of the state’s delegation authorized to elect standing committee members. (Call, VII.D.1.)
b. Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must submit to the State Party Chair, no later the Call to Order of the National Convention delegate’s meeting on February 23, 2008, a minimum of one (1) name for each slot awarded to that candidate for members of each committee. The delegation shall select the standing committee members submitted by the presidential candidates. Presidential candidates shall not be required to submit the name of more than one person for each slot awarded to such candidate for members of standing committees. (Call, VII.D.2.)
4. Selection Procedure to Achieve Equal Division
a. Presidential candidates shall use their best efforts to ensure that their respective delegation of standing committee members shall achieve Oklahoma’s affirmative action goals and that their respective members are equally divided between men and women. (Rule 6.I. & Reg. 4.9.)
b. Each position on each standing committee shall be assigned by gender. For example, the first position on the Credentials Committee of the presidential candidate with the most standing committee positions shall be designated for a male, the second position for a female, and the remaining positions shall be designated in like fashion, alternating between males and females. Positions for presidential candidates on each committee shall be ranked according to the total number of standing positions allocated to each such candidate. After positions on the Credentials Committee are designated by sex, the designation shall continue with the Platform Committee, then the Rules Committee.
(1) A separate election shall be conducted for membership on each standing committee.
(2) The membership of the standing committees shall be as equally divided as possible under the state allocation; if the number is even, the membership shall be equally divided between men and women; if the number is odd, the variance between men and women may not exceed one (1), and the advantaged gender must not remain constant for the three standing committees. (Call, VII.E.1.)
(3) The positions allocated to each presidential candidate on each committee shall be voted on separately, and the winners shall be the highest vote-getter(s) of the appropriate sex.
5. Certification and Substitution
a. The State Party Chair shall certify the standing committee members in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after their selection. (Call, VII.B.3.)
b. No substitutions will be permitted in the case of standing committee members, except in the case of resignation or death. Substitutions must be made in accordance with the rules and the election procedures specified in this section, and must be certified in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after the substitute member is selected. (Call, VII.B.4.)

SECTION V
THE DELEGATION
A. OKLAHOMA will select one (1) person to serve as Delegation Chair and 2 to serve as Convention Pages. (Call, IV.D., E.1. & Appendix C.)
B. DELEGATION CHAIR
1. Selection Meeting
a. The Delegation Chair shall be the State Party Chair as of February 23, 2008 (Call, IV.D.)
2. The State Party Chair shall certify the Delegation Chair in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after his or her selection. (Call, IV.D.)

C. CONVENTION PAGES
1. Two (2) individuals will be selected to serve as Oklahoma’s Convention Pages by the State Party Chair in consultation with the members of the Democratic National Committee from the state. This selection will take place on February 23, 2008. (Call, IV.E.3. & Reg. 5.5.)
2. The Convention Pages shall be evenly divided between men and women and shall reflect as much as possible, the Affirmative Action guidelines in the Affirmative Action Plan. (Reg. 5.5.A.)
3. The State Party Chair shall certify the individuals to serve as Oklahoma’s Convention Pages in writing to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee within three (3) days after the selection. (Call, IV.E.3. & Reg. 5.5.B.)
SECTION VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURAL GUARANTEES
A. The OKLAHOMA Democratic Party reaffirms its commitment to an open party by incorporating the ‘six basic elements’ as listed below. These provisions demonstrate the intention of the Democratic Party to ensure a full opportunity for all minority group members to participate in the delegate selection process. (Rules 4.A. & C.)
1. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party in Oklahoma should be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or physical disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as “status”). (Rule 4.B.(1))
2. No test for membership in, nor any oaths of loyalty to the Democratic Party in Oklahoma should be required or used which has the effect of requiring prospective or current members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination based on “status.” (Rule 4.B.(2))
3. The time and place for all public meetings of the Democratic Party in Oklahoma on all levels should be publicized fully and in such manner as to assure timely notice to all interested persons. Such meetings must be held in places accessible to all Party members and large enough to accommodate all interested persons. (Rule 4.B.(3))
4. The Democratic Party in Oklahoma, on all levels, should support the broadest possible registration without discrimination based on “status.” (Rule 4.B.(4))
5. The Democratic Party in Oklahoma should publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties a full description of the legal and practical procedures for selection of Democratic Party officers and representatives on all levels. Publication of these procedures should be done in such fashion that all prospective and current members of each State Democratic Party will be fully and adequately informed of the pertinent procedures in time to participate in each selection procedure at all levels of the Democratic Party organization. (Rule 4.B.(5))
6. The Democratic Party in Oklahoma should publicize fully and in such a manner as to assure notice to all interested parties, a complete description of the legal and practical qualifications of all positions as officers and representatives of the State Democratic Party. Such publication should be done in timely fashion so that all prospective candidates or applicants for any elected of appointed position within each State Democratic Party will have full and adequate opportunity to compete for office. (Rule 4.B.(6))

B. Discrimination on the basis of ‘status’ in the conduct of Democratic Party affairs is prohibited. (Rule 5.B.)
C. OKLAHOMA’s delegation shall be equally divided between delegate men and delegate women, and alternate men and alternate women. Such goal applies to the entire delegation, which includes all pledged delegates and alternates and all unpledged delegates. Delegates and alternates shall be considered separate groups for purposes of achieving equal division. (Rule 6.C.)
D. All delegate and alternate candidates must be identified as to presidential preference or uncommitted status at all levels which determine presidential preference. (Rule 12.A.)
E. No delegate at any level of the delegate selection process shall be mandated by law or Party rules to vote contrary to that person’s presidential choice as expressed at the time the delegate is elected. (Rule 12.I.)
F. Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. (Rule 12.J.)
G. All delegates, alternates and standing committee members must be bona fide Democrats who have the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party of the United States at heart, who subscribe to the substance, intent and principles of the Charter and Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States, and who will participate in the Convention in good faith. (Rule 12.H. & Reg. 4.23.)
H. Forty percent (40%) of the members of any Party body above the first level of the delegate selection process shall constitute a quorum for any business pertaining to the selection of National Convention delegates, alternates, standing committee members, and other official Convention participants. (Rule 15)
I. There shall be two types of proxies:

1) Written Proxies
a) A delegate to a convention or committee who is unable to attend a meeting may give a written proxy to a registered Democrat of the same gender from the same political unit as that from which the delegate was elected.
b) A written proxy must clearly state the name of the person giving the proxy, the office the giver holds, the name of the person to whom the proxy is given, and the date of the meeting for which the proxy is given. It must be signed and the signature must be notarized by a Notary Public or another officer authorized to administer oaths under the laws of Oklahoma.
c) A delegate of a convention or committee who gives a written proxy without attending the respective meeting shall not be counted present to satisfy the attendance requirements of Article III.
2) Recorded Proxies –
a) A delegate to a Convention who attends a meeting and leaves before adjournment may give a recorded proxy by signing before the credentials committee a proxy statement naming the person who shall hold the proxy.
b) A member to a Central Committee who attends a meeting and leaves before adjournment may give a proxy by announcing to the Central Committee the name of the individual to whom the proxy is to be given.

No person shall have the right to cast a vote on behalf of any delegate to a convention or a member of a committee who is not present unless that person holds a valid proxy credential issued by the credentials committee at a convention or a written proxy at a committee meeting.

After having been issued credentials to a convention established by the Constitution, a delegate shall have the right to give a non-transferable proxy to a registered Democrat of the same gender. The delegate giving the proxy and the person to receive the proxy must be the same gender and appear before the credentials committee or staff for the proxy to be recorded and a proxy credential issued to the person receiving the proxy.

A proxy may contain instructions concerning its use, and such instructions shall be binding on the proxy holder. If the proxy is not instructed, the holder may vote and act at the holder’s discretion. If a presiding officer knows that a proxy is instructed and the proxy holder fails or refuses to vote according to instructions, the presiding officer shall ignore the action of the proxy holder and declare the vote of the proxy according to instructions.

No individual may hold more than one proxy.

All public officials and personal representatives established in Article III of the Constitution are prohibited from either giving or holding a proxy.

A proxy shall count for only one vote.

No proxies shall be allowed at Precinct Committee meetings.

Proxies shall be counted for the determination of a quorum.
(Rule 16 & Reg. 4.28.)
J. The unit rule, or any rule or practice whereby all members of a Party unit or delegation may be required to cast their votes in accordance with the will of a majority of the body, shall not be used at any stage of the delegate selection process. (Rule 17.A.)
K. Any individual or group of Democrats may sponsor or endorse a slate of candidates for convention delegates. But no slate may, by virtue of such endorsement, receive a preferential place on a delegate selection ballot or be publicly identified on the ballot as the official Democratic Party organization slate, and all slates must meet identical qualifying requirements for appearing on a ballot at all levels of the delegate selection process. (Rule 17.B.)
L. All steps in the delegate selection process, including the filing of presidential candidates, must take place within the calendar year of the Democratic National Convention, except with respect to the implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan. (Rules 1.F. & 11.B.)

M. In electing and certifying delegates and alternates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, OKLAHOMA thereby undertakes to assure all Democratic voters in the state full, timely and equal opportunity to participate in the delegate selection process and in all Party affairs and to implement affirmative action programs toward that end, and that the delegates and alternates to the Convention shall be selected in accordance with the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and that the voters in the state will have the opportunity to cast their election ballots for the Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees selected by said Convention, and for electors pledged formally and in good conscience to the election of these Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees, under the label and designation of the Democratic Party of the United States, and that the delegates certified will not publicly support or campaign for any candidate for President or Vice President other than the nominees for the Democratic National Convention. (Call, II.B.)


SECTION VII
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, OUTREACH AND INCLUSION PLAN
A. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION
1. Purpose and Objectives
a. In order that the Democratic Party at all levels be an open Party which includes rather than excludes people from participation, a program of effective affirmative action is hereby adopted by Oklahoma. (Rule 5.A.)
b. Discrimination on the basis of “status” in the conduct of Democratic Party affairs is prohibited. (Rule 5.B.)
c. All public meetings at all levels of the Democratic Party in Oklahoma should be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or physical disability (hereinafter collectively referred to as “status”). (Rule 4.B.(1))
d. Consistent with the Democratic Party’s commitment to including historically under-represented in the Democratic Party’s affairs, by virtue of race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, or disability, Oklahoma has developed Party outreach programs. Such programs include recruitment, education and training, in order to achieve full participation by such groups and diversity in the delegate selection process and at all levels of Party affairs for 2008. (Rule 5.C & Reg. 4.7.)
e. In order to encourage full participation by all Democrats in the delegate selection process and in all Party affairs, the Oklahoma Democratic Party has adopted and will imple¬ment programs with specific goals and timetables for African Ameri¬cans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, women, gays and lesbians, people with disabilities, young Democrats, and women. (Rule 6.A.)
(1) The goal of the programs shall be to encourage participation in the delegate selection process and in Party organizations at all levels by the aforementioned groups as indicated by their presence in the Democratic electorate. (Rule 6.A.(1))

(2) This goal shall not be accomplished either directly or indirectly by the Party’s imposition of mandatory quotas at any level of the delegate selection process or in any other Party affairs. (Rule 6.A.(2))
2. Organizational Structure
a. A Delegate Selection/Affirmative Action Committee was appointed by the Oklahoma Democratic Party Central Committee, on the recommendation of the State Chair on February 17, 2007. (Rule 6.F.)
b. The Committee consists of members representing the Democratic constituency groups set forth in the Introduction to the Affirmative Action Plan. [See Attachment “Exhibit #1”]
c. The Affirmative Action Committee shall be responsible for:
(1) Reviewing the proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans and making recommendations to the State Party Chair.
(2) Reviewing the proposed Inclusion Programs and making recommendations to the State Party Chair.
(3) Directing the implementation of all requirements of the Affirmative Action section of this Plan.
(4) Implementing a financial assistance program for delegates and alternates. (Rule 6.G.)
(5) Ensuring, on behalf of the State Central Committee, that district lines used in the delegate selection process are not gerrymandered to discriminate against African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans and women. (Rule 6.E.)
d. Financial and staff support for the Affirmative Action Committee shall be provided by the State Central Committee to the greatest extent feasible, including, but not limited to, making available on a priority basis, the State Party staff and volunteers and covering all reasonable costs incurred in carrying out this Plan.
3. Implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan shall begin on September 10, 2007, with the distribution of the press kits, and will continue through the end of the delegate selection process. (Rule 1.F.)
B. EFFORTS TO EDUCATE ON THE DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
1. Well publicized educational workshops will be conducted in each of the delegate districts beginning in September 2007. These workshops will be designed to encourage participation in the delegate selection process, including apprising potential delegate candidates of the availability of financial assistance. These workshops will be held in places which are easily accessible to persons with physical disabilities. The times, dates, places and rules for the conduct of all education workshops, meetings and other events involved in the delegate selection process shall be effectively publicized by the party organization and include mailings to various organizations representative of the Democratic voting populace. In addition the committee will meet in August 2007 to fully develop the workshop content and assign individuals to present the workshops in each district. (Rules 3.A. & 3.C.)
2. A speakers bureau of volunteers from the Affirmative Action Committee comprised of individuals who are fully familiar with the process, will be organized to appear before groups as needed, to provide information concerning the process.

3. The State Party’s education efforts will include outreach to community leaders within the Democratic Party’s constituencies and making sure that information about the delegate selection process is available to Democratic clubs and Party caucuses representing specific constituencies.
4. The State Party will publish and make available at no cost: a clear and concise explanation of how Democratic voters can participate in the delegate selection process; an explanation of how, where and when persons can register to vote; and delegate district maps. As well, the State Party shall also make available copies of the State Party Rules, the Delegate Selection Plan (and its attachments), the Affirmative Action Plan, and relevant state statutes at no cost. Copies of documents related to the state’s delegate selection process will be prepared and the Affirmative Action Committee will distribute them in the various delegate districts not later than October 1, 2007. (Rule 1.H.)
5. The State Party shall take all feasible steps to encourage persons to register and to vote as Democrats and will seek to ensure simple and easy registration procedures. (Rule 2.C.)
C. EFFORTS TO PUBLICIZE THE DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
1. Special attention shall be directed at publicizing the delegate selection process in the state. Such publicity shall include information on eligibility to vote and how to become a candidate for delegate, the time and location of each stage of the delegate selection process and where to get additional information. The foregoing information will also be published in the State Party newspaper. The Party organization, official, candidate, or member calling a meeting or scheduling an event, shall effectively publicize the role that such meeting or event plays in the selection of delegates and alternates to the Democratic National Convention. (Rules 3.C. and 3.D.)
2. Newspapers, radio and television will be utilized to inform the general public how, when and where to participate in the delegate selection process. Specifically, this information should provide details as to how to qualify to run as a delegate candidate. Special effort shall be directed to the major daily newspapers, radio and television stations by the State Party Chair, Affirmative Action Committee members and staff. Regular releases during the delegate selection process to all other media sources, weekly newspapers, and wire services should complete timely coverage. [See Attachment “Exhibit #2”] (Rules 4.B.(3) & 6.D.)
3. A priority effort shall be directed at publicity among the Democratic Party’s constituencies.
a. Information about the delegate selection process will be provided to minority newspapers and radio stations, ethnic press, Native American, Asian/Pacific American, Spanish-speaking and other non-English press, radio stations and publications, and women’s organizations, student newspapers, gay and lesbian press, disability press, and any other specialty media in the state that is likely to reach the Democratic constituency groups set forth in the Introduction of this Affirmative Action Plan.
b. The State Party shall be responsible for the implementation of this publicity effort. [See Attachment “Exhibit #2”] For purposes of providing adequate notice of the delegate selection process, the times, dates, places and rules for the conduct of the Delegate Selection Process shall be effectively publicized, bilingually where necessary, to encourage the participation of minority groups. (Rule 6.D.)

4. Not later than September 10, 2007, a press kit shall be made and provided to each daily and weekly newspaper as well as to the electronic media. The press kit will include:
a. a summary of all pertinent rules related to the state’s delegate selection process;
b. a map of delegate districts and how many delegates will be elected within each district;
c. a summary explaining the operation and importance of the 2008 Convention; and
d. materials designed to encourage participation by prospective delegate candidates.
D. REPRESENTATION GOALS
1. The State Party has determined the demographic composition of African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian/Pacific Americans in the state’s Democratic electorate. These constituency percentages shall be established as goals for representation in the state’s convention delegation. (Rule 6.A.)
2. The State Party has determined the demographic composition of members of the LGBT community, people with disabilities, and youth in the state’s Democratic electorate and furthermore, the State Party has chosen to establish these percentages as goals for representation in the state’s convention delegation.
The basis for calculat6ing the percentages applied for the targeted affirmative action groups is a combination of the Registered Voter File maintained by the Oklahoma Democratic Party on the Voter Activation Network, data provided by the National Committee on an Effective Congress, data from the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, the U.S. Census, Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats in conjunction with GayDemocraphis.Org and data provided by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. The Affirmative Action Committee agreed to target a total of four youth with the caveat that two of the four youth be representative of one of the other targeted groups.


African Americans
Hispanics
Native Americans
LGBT Americans
People with Disabilities
Youth
Minority Youth

% in Demo¬cratic Elec¬torate
6.8%
4.3%
6.7%
3%


2%

20%
20%

Numeric Goals for Delegation
4
3
4
2
1
2
2

3. When selecting the at-large portion of the delegation, the demographic composition of the other delegates (district-level, pledged PLEO, and unpledged) shall be compared with the State Party’s goals in order to achieve an at-large selection process which helps to bring about a representative balance.
4. Use of the at-large delegation to achieve the affirmative action goals established by this Plan does not obviate the need for the State Party to conduct outreach activities such as recruitment, education and training. (Rule 6.A.(3))
E. OBLIGATIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO MAXIMIZE PARTICIPATION
1. Presidential candidates shall assist the Oklahoma Democratic Party in meeting the demographic representation goals reflected in the Affirmative Action Plan. (Rule 6.H.)
2. Each presidential candidate must submit a written statement to the State Party Chair by September 10, 2007 which indicates the specific steps he or she will take to encourage full participation in Oklahoma’s delegate selection process, including, but not limited to, procedures by which persons may file as candidates for delegate or alternate. (Rule 6.H.(1))

3. Each presidential candidate must submit demographic information with respect to all candidates for delegate and alternate pledged to them. Such information shall be submitted in conjunction with the list of names approved for consideration as delegate and alternate candidates pledged to the presidential candidate. (Rule 6.H.(2))
4. Presidential candidates (including uncommitted status) shall use their best effort to ensure that their respective delegations within the state’s delegate, alternate and standing committee delegations shall achieve the affirmative action goals reflected in the Affirmative Action Plan and that the respective delegations of each presidential candidate shall be equally divided between men and women. Furthermore, presidential candidates shall use their best efforts at the district level to approve delegate and alternate candidates who meet applicable equal division and affirmative action considera¬tions in order to achieve the affirmative action goals and equal division for their respective delegations. (Rule 6.I. & Reg. 4.9.)

SECTION VIII
CHALLENGES
A. JURISDICTION & STANDING
1. Challenges related to the delegate selection process are governed by the Regulations of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (Regs., Sec. 3.), and the “Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.” (Call, Appendix A.)
2. Under Rule 20.B. of the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee has jurisdiction over challenges pertaining to the submission, non-implementation and violation of state Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans. (Rule 20.B.)
3. The Rules and Bylaws Committee has jurisdiction to hear and decide any challenge provided it is initiated before the 56th day preceding the date of the commencement of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. (Call, Appendix A. & Reg., 3.1.)
4. Challenges to the credentials of delegates and alternates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention initiated on or after the 56th day preceding the date of commencement of the Democratic National Convention shall be processed in accordance with the “Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.” (Call, Appendix A)
5. Any challenge to the credentials of a standing committee member shall be considered and resolved by the affected standing committee in accordance with Appendix A of the Call for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The Rules and Bylaws Committee shall have jurisdiction over challenges brought before the 56th day preceding the date of the commencement of the Democratic National Convention. (Call, VII.B.5.)
6. Copies of the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee and/or the Call for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, including the Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee (Appendix A), shall be made available by the State Party upon reasonable request.
7. Any group of fifteen Democrats with standing to challenge as defined in Reg. 3.2 or the Call (Appendix A, Sec. 2.A.), may bring a challenge to this Plan or to the implementation of this Plan, including its Affirmative Action provisions.
B. CHALLENGES TO THE STATUS OF THE STATE PARTY AND CHALLENGES TO THE PLAN

1. A challenge to the status of the State Central Committee as the body entitled to sponsor a delegation from that state shall be filed with the Rules and Bylaws Committee not later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the initiation of the state’s delegate selection process. (Rule 20.A. & Reg. 3.4.A.)
2. A challenge to the state’s Delegate Selection Plan shall be filed with the Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party and the Co-Chairs of the Rules and Bylaws Committee within fifteen (15) calendar days after the adoption of the Plan by the State Party. (Reg. 3.4.B.)
3. A challenge to a Plan must be brought in conformity with the Rules and the Regs., which should be consulted for a detailed explanation of challenge procedures.
C. CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTATION
1. A challenge may be brought alleging that a specific requirement of an approved Plan has not been properly implemented. Jurisdiction over all challenges initiated in a timely fashion shall reside with either the Rules and Bylaws Committee or the Credentials Committee of the National Convention (See Section VII.A. above). However, the Rules and Bylaws Committee may provide advice, assistance or interpretations of the Delegate Selection Rules at any stage of the delegate selection process. (Reg. 3.1.C.)
2. An implementation challenge brought before the Rules and Bylaws Committee is initiated by filing a written challenge with the State Central Committee and with the Rules and Bylaws Committee not later then fifteen (15) days after the alleged violation occurred. The State Party has twenty-one (21) days to render a decision. Within ten (10) days of the decision, any party to the challenge may appeal it to the Rules and Bylaws Committee. If in fact, the State Party renders no decision, any party to the challenge may request the Rules and Bylaws Committee to process it. The request must be made within ten (10) days after expiration of the above twenty-one (21) day period. (Regs. 3.4.C., E., & H.)
3. Performance under an approved Affirmative Action Plan and composition of the con¬vention delegation shall be considered relevant evidence in the challenge to any state delegation. If a State Party has adopted and implemented an approved affirmative action program, the State Party shall not be subject to challenge based solely on delegation composition or primary results. (Rule 6.B.) The procedures are the same for challenges alleging failure to properly implement the Affirmative Action section of a Plan, except that such challenges must be filed not later than thirty (30) days prior to the initiation of the state’s delegate selection process. (Reg. 3.4.C.)
4. Depending on the appropriate jurisdiction (see Section VIII.A. above), implementation challenges must be brought in conformity with the Regulations of the Rules and Bylaws Committee or the Rules of Procedure of the Credentials Committee, which should be consulted for a detailed explanation of challenge procedures.

SECTION IX

SUMMARY OF PLAN
A. SELECTION OF DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
Oklahoma will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Primary apportioning its delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
The “first determining step” of Oklahoma’s delegate selection process will occur on February 5, 2008, with a Primary.
Delegates and alternates will be selected as summarized on the following chart:

Type
Dele¬gates
Alter¬nates
Date of Selection
Selecting Body

Filing Requirements and Deadlines

District-Level Dele¬gates
District-Level Alternates
25

4

2/23/08

Selecting Body: Congressional District Caucuses at State Convention

Candidates must file a Declaration of Candidacy and pledge of Support by January 24, 2008.

Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official Delegates*
8
n/a
n/a
Automatic by virtue of respective public or Party office as provided in Rule 8.A. of the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules.

Unpledged Add-on
Delegates**
1

n/a
2/23/08

Selecting Body: State Convention

Candidate is nominated by State Party Chair

Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs)
5

***
2/23/08

Selecting Body: State Convention

Candidates must file a Declaration of Candidacy and pledge of Support by January 24, 2008.

At-Large Dele¬gates
At-Large Alternates
8

2

2/23/08

Selecting Body: State Convention

Candidates must file a Declaration of Candidacy and pledge of Support by January 24, 2008.

TOTAL Delegates and Alternates

47

6




* Unpledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) delegates includes the following categories, if applicable, who legally reside in the state: the Democratic National Committee Members, the Democratic President, the Democratic Vice President, all Democratic Members of Congress, the Democratic Governor, and any other Distinguished Party Leader as specified in Rule 9.A. of the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules. The exact number of Unpledged PLEO Delegates is subject to change due to possible deaths, resignations, elections or special elections.

** Add-on delegates refers to those delegates chosen according to Rule 9.B. of the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules.
*** Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) alternates are selected with the At-Large alternates. [Applicable to most states.]
B. SELECTION OF STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS (FOR THE CREDENTIALS, PLATFORM AND RULES COMMITTEES)
Standing committee members will be selected by the state’s National Convention delegates as summarized below:

Members Per Committee
Total Members
Selection Date
Filing Requirements and Deadlines

2
6
February 23, 2008
The Presidential candidate’s representatives must submit candidates for Standing Committee members no later than fifteen (15) minutes after the Call to Order of the National Delegate meeting on February 23, 2008

C. SELECTION OF DELEGATION CHAIR AND CONVENTION PAGES
The Delegation Chair will be the State Party Chair.
2 Convention Pages will be selected by the State Party Chair in consultation with the members of the Democratic National Committee from Oklahoma on February 23, 2008.
D. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE
A presidential candidate gains access to the Oklahoma presidential preference primary ballot, by filing with the Secretary of the State Election Board (http://www.elections.state.ok.us/; located in the Oklahoma State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City; Post Office Box 53156, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73152; (405) 521-2391) an oath stating that the candidate has filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and has raised or expended not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for said office. Said oath shall be signed BY THE CANDIDATE and the signature shall be witnessed by a notary. Said filing begins 8:00 a.m on the second Monday in January (January 14, 2008) and ends at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday of that same week (January 16, 2004). The statement of candidacy must be accompanied by a petition supporting the candidate’s filing, signed by one percent (1%) of the registered voters in each congressional district, or one-thousand (1,000) registered voters in each congressional district, whichever is less, or by a cashier’s check in the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred dollars ($2,500.00). Candidates should review Title 26 of the Oklahoma Statutes, section 20-101 et seq. for further information (Rule 10.B.)
Presidential candidates must certify the name of their authorized representative(s) to the State Party Chair by January 4, 2008.
E. TIMETABLE
[The following example is for provided ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY, and should be adjusted and expanded to reflect each specific step in the state’s process.] (Reg. 2.2.B.)

Date
Activity

2007

February 17
Delegate Selection Affirmative Action Committee members are appointed by the State Chair. [Note: This appointment is required to be made by March 1, 2007.]

March 10
Affirmative Action Committee meets to draft proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan.

March 24
Proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan are tentatively approved for public comment by State Central Committee.

March 26
Public comments are solicited on the proposed Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan. Press releases are mailed announcing the public comment period.

April 25
Period for public comment on state Plan is concluded. Responses are compiled for review by the Delegate Selection Affirmative Action Committee.

May 5
Delegate Selection Affirmative Action Committee meets to review public comments and adopts revised Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan for approval by the Oklahoma Democratic Party Central Committee meeting convened just after Delegate Selection Affirmative Action Committee meeting. Oklahoma Democratic Party approves final plan for submission to DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee. Press releases are mailed announcing the approval of the Plan.

May 7
Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plans are forwarded to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee.

September 10
State Party begins implementation of the Affirmative Action Plan. Press kits, as described in the Affirmative Action Plan, are sent to all state media.

September 10
Deadline for each announced presidential candidate to submit a statement specifying steps the candidate will take to encourage full participation in the delegate selection process. (Individuals who announce their candidacy after this date must provide this full participation statement to the State Party not later than 30 days after their announcement.)

October 1 Delegate and alternate candidates may obtain the statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms and filing instructions from State Central Committee Headquarters, in person, by mail, or from State Party’s web site at www.okdemocrats.org.

State Party will publish and make available at no cost: a clear and concise explanation of how Democratic voters can participate in the delegate selection process; an explanation of how, where and when persons can register to vote; and delegate district maps.

The State Party will also make available copies of the State Party Rules, the Delegate Selection Plan (and its attachments), the Affirmative Action Plan, and relevant state statutes at no cost.


2008


January 4
Presidential candidate deadline for certifying the name(s) of their authorized representative(s) to the State Party.

January 16
Presidential candidate deadline for Presidential Preference Primary ballot access.

January 24
Deadline for filing statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms for district level, PLEO, and at-large delegates and alternates with State Party.

January 25
State Party provides list of district-level, PLEO, and at-large delegate and alternate candidates to the respective Presidential candidates.

February 25
Presidential Preference Primary.

February 15 ????
State Party announces allocation of district-level delegates and alternates according to presidential preference.

February 20
Presidential candidates provide list of approved district-level, PLEO, and at-large delegate and alternate candidates to State Party.

February 23
Oklahoma Democratic Party District Caucuses convene to elect district-level delegates and alternates. State Convention convenes to elect Unpledged add-on, pledged PLEO, and at-large delegates and alternates. Following selection of PLEO delegates, presidential candidates provide approved list of at-large delegate and alternate candidates to State Party. State Convention selects at-large delegates and alternates.


February 23
National Convention Delegation Meeting. No later than the Call to Order of meeting, presidential candidates submit lists of candidates for standing committee members to State Party.

February 26
State Party Chair certifies elected district-level, Unpledged Add-On, PLEO, and at-large delegates and alternates to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee.
February 26 State Party Chair certifies Delegation Chair, standing committee members, and pages to the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee.




EXHIBITS TO THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN
A. MEMBERS OF THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE
Name Qual. Level
Diane Anderson AA District Elected
Sue Barton F,LGBT Appointed
Rep. Scott Bighorse M,NA Legislative
Edna Brookfield F,AA Appointed
Lillie Buckner F, AA Appointed
Philip Busey M,NA,Y Appointed
Jason Campbell M,NA,Y Appointed
Cara Cowan F,NA Appointed
Cissie Crusoe F District Elected
Louise Darrington F,AA State Elected
Carl Dowing M,NA District Elected
Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre F, AA Legislative
Pete Estrada M, HA Appointed
Lois Felder F,AA Appointed
Kalyn Free F, AA Appointed
Chris Gentges HA Appointed
Todd Goodman M,NA,Y Appointed
Danny Goodwin M Appointed
Margo Gray F,NA Appointed
Alan Harder F,NA Appointed
Matt Harney M,Y Appointed
Earl Hatley M, District Elected
Marcus Hayes M, AA Appointed
Teresa Hill F,AA ODP
Krista Hodges-Eckhoff NA Appointed
Rep. Chuck Hoskin M,NA Legislative
Dana Jim M,NA Appointed
Sue Johnson F,NA,D State Elected
Edward Kearns M,D Appointed
Sebastian Lantos M,HA State Elected
Rep Al McAffrey M,NA,LGBT Legislative
Earl Mitchell M, AA Appointed
Bernice Mitchell F, AA Appointed
Allen Moss M,Y, HA District Elected
James Nimmo M, LGBT Appointed
Karen Parsons F,LGBT Appointed
Rep. Anastasia Pittman F, AA, Legislative
Rev. John A. Reed Jr M, AA Appointed
Wilfredo Rivera M,NA Appointed
Ed Romo M,HA Appointed
Rep. Jabar Shumate F,AA,Y Legislative
Brant Solomon District Elected
Sen. John Sparks M, NA Appointed
Juanita Sykes-Vasquez F,HA District Elected
Jacquelyn Thomas F,AA District Elected
Speaker George Tiger M, NA Appointed
David Wilson M,NA Appointed
Angela Wilson F,NA,Y Appointed


B. MEDIA OUTLETS TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
1. Major Daily Newspapers, Radio and Television Stations

Television Stations

KSWO TV (Lawton)
KGBN TV (Ponca City)
KOCO TV (OKC)
OETA TV (OKC and Tulsa)
KOKH TV (OKC)
KWTV TV (OKC)
KFOR TV (OKC)
KSBI TV (OKC)
KDOR TV (Tulsa)
KJRH TV (Tulsa)
KTUL TV (Tulsa)
KOTV TV (Tulsa)
KOKI TV (Tulsa)

Radio Stations

KXOO KECO KADS Radio - Elk City
KIMY FM Radio - Watonga
KSEO KLBC Radio - Durant
KRMP Radio -Anadarko
KVSO KKAJ KTRX KYNZ Radio - Ardmore
KICM Radio - Ardmore
KEOK KTLQ Radio - Tahlequah
KITX FM Radio - Hugo
KGOU KROU Radio - Norman
KBZQ FM Radio - Lawton
KVRW FM Radio - Lawton
KCCU FM Radio - Lawton
KMGZ FM Radio - Lawton
KWEY KCDL KQMX Radio - Weatherford
KCRC KXLS KMMZ - Enid
KGWA/KOFM Radio - Enid
KBLP FM Radio - Lindsay
KOOL AM Radio - Chickasha
KLOR FM Radio - Ponca City
KPNC FM KOKB AM Radio - Ponca City
WBBZ AM Radio - Ponca City
KTIJ KTJS Radio - Hobart
KBEL Radio - Idebel
KKBI KQIB Radio - Broken Bow
KCSC FM Radio - Edmond
KVSP AM Radio - Oklahoma City
KJYO FM Radio - Oklahoma City
KHBZ FM Radio - Oklahoma City
KTOK AM Radio - Oklahoma City
KXXY KTST Radio - Oklahoma City
KATT KYIS KSYY KQOB FM WKY AM Radio - Oklahoma City
KKWD FM Radio - Oklahoma City
KOMA/KRXO Radio - Oklahoma City
KOKL AM Radio - Okmulgee
KGFY/KVRO/KSPI Radio - Stillwater
KOSU Radio – Still - Cushing
KNED KMCO KTMC Radio - McAlester
KTLS KKFC Radio 1188 N. Hills Center Ada
KKEN KXCD KDDQ Radio - Duncan
KKBS Radio - Guymon
KGYN Radio - Guymon
KYBE Radio - Frederick
KJMM FM Radio - Tulsa
KTFX AM Radio - Sand Springs
KVOO KXBL KFAQ Radio - Tulsa
KMYZ FM Radio - Tulsa
KBEZ FM Radio - Tulsa
KJSR FM Radio - Tulsa
KRAV FM Radio - Tulsa
KRMG AM Radio - Tulsa
KWEN KRTQ Radio - Tulsa
KYFM KWON KRIG Radio - Bartlesville
KALV KTTL Radio - Alva
KSIW KWFX KWDQ Radio - Woodward
KOSB KOKP Radio – Perry

Daily Newspapers

Ada Evening News
Altus Times
Alva Review-Courier
Anadarko Daily News
Daily Ardmoreite
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
Blackwell Journal
Broken Arrow Daily Ledger
Chickasha Star-Express
Claremore Daily Progress
Clinton Daily News
Cushing Daily Citizen
Duncan banner
Durant Daily Democrat
Edmond Sun
Elk City Daily News
Enid News and Eagle
Garfield County Daily Legal News
Grove Sun Daily
Guthrie News Leader
Guymon Daily Herald
Hugo Daily News
McCurtain Daily Gazette
Lawton Constitution
McAlester News-Capital
Miami News-Record
Muskogee Phoenix
Norman Transcript
Journal Record
Daily Oklahoman
Okmulgee Daily Times
Pauls Valley Daily Democrat
Perry Daily Journal
Ponca City News
Poteau Daily News
Pryor Daily Times
Sapulpa Daily Herald
Seminole Producer
Shawnee News-Star
Stillwater News-Press
Tahlequah Daily Press
Tulsa Daily Commerce
Tulsa World
Vinita Daily Journal
Weatherford Daily News
Woodward News

Other
Associated Press
CNHI News Service
Oklahoma Observer
Oklahoma Guardian
Oklahoma City Gazette
Yellow Dog Dispatch

2. Other “Non-Minority” Media Outlets

Weekly Newspapers

Stilwell Democrat Journal
Westville Reporter
Cherokee Messinger & Republican
Atoka County Times
Beaver Herald Democrat
Sayre Record & Beckham Dem.
Watonga Republican
Geary Star
Canton Times
Okeene Record
Bryan County Star
Hinton Record
Apache News
Country Connection
Carnegie Herald
Cyril News
Mustang News
Yukon Review
Piedmont Surrey Gazette
El Reno Tribune
Healdton Herald
Wilson Post Democrat
Lone Grove Ledger
Oklahoma Legend
Choctaw County Times
Boise City News
The American
Noble Free Press
Coalgate Record Register
The Cache Times
Fletcher Herald
Fort Sill Cannoneer
Walters Herald
Drumright Gusher
Bristow News & Record Citizen
Mannford Eagle
Thomas Tribune
Delaware County Journal
Dewey County Publisher
Taloga Times Advocate
Ellis County Capital
Gage Record
Northwest Oklahoman & Ellis County News
The Vici Vision
Garber-Billings News
Maysville News & Stratford Star
Wynnewood Gazette
Lindsay News
Rush Springs Gazette
Wakita Herald
Medford Star & Grant County Journal
Pond Creek Herald
Mangum Star News
Hollis News
Laverne Leader Tribune
Harper County Journal
Stiegler News Sentinel
Holdenville Tribune
Hughes County Times
Eldorado Courier
Waurika News Democrat
Ryan Leader
Ringling Eagle
Johnston Cy. Capital Democrat
Tonkawa News
Newkirk Herald Journal
Hennessey Clipper
Kingfisher Times
Mountainview News
Kiowa County Democrat
Hobart Democrat Chief
Latimer County Today
Latimer County News Tribune
Talihina American
Spiro Graphic
Heavener Ledger
Meeker News
Stroud American
Prague Times Herald
Lincoln County News
Marietta Monitor
Fairview Republican
Madill Record
Chronicle of Grand Lake
Blanchard News
Newcastle Pacer
Purcell Register
Southeast Times
McCurtain County News
Valliant Leader
Indian Journal
McIntosh County Democrat
Sulphur Times Democrat
Davis News
Fort Gibson Times
Haskell News
Nowata Star
Okemah News Leader
Weleetka Weleetkan
Black Chronicle
Capitol Hill Beacon
The Downtowner
The Tribune
Oklahoma County Newspapers
Oklahoma Banker
Baptist Messenger
Midcity Advocate
Eastern Oklahoma County Today
Harrah News Today
Durocher's OKCBUSINESS
Tinker Takeoff
Friday
Vision
OKC Business
Edmond Life & Leisure
Oklahoma City Gazette
Morris News
Fairfax Chief
Barnsdall Times
Hominy News Progress
Shidler Review
Pawhuska Journal Capital
Skiatook Journal
The American
Perkins Journal
Pawnee Chief
Cleveland American
Yale News
Hartshorne Sun
Allen Advocate
Tecumseh Countywide News
Pottawatomie County Democrat
Shawnee Sun
Clayton Today
Antlers American
Cheyenne Star
Oologah Lake Leader
Verdigris Voice
Inola Independent
Chelsea Reporter
Catoosa Times Herald
Konawa Leader
Wewoka Times
Muldrow Times Star
Vian Tenkiller News
Sequoyah County Times
Marlow Review
Comanche Times
Hooker Advance
Big Pasture News
Frederick Leader
Frederick Press
Tulsa County News
Jenks Journal
Glenpool Post
Sand Springs Leader
Bixby Bulletin
Oklahoma Eagle
Urban Tulsa
Collinsville News
Guffey's Journal
Tulsa Business Journal
Owasso Reporter
Coweta American
Wagoner Tribune
Washita County Enterprise
Sentinel Leader
Cordell Beacon
Freedom Call
Woods County Enterprise
Mooreland Leader
Roland Register

High Education Publications
Bacone College - The Baconian
Cameron University - Collegian
Carl Albert State College - Viking Banner
Connors State College - The Collegian
East Central University - The Journal
Eastern Ok State College - Statesman
Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College - Insight
Langston University - Gazette
Northeastern A&M College - Norse Wind
Northeastern State University - The Northeastern
Northern Oklahoma College - The Maverick
Northwestern Oklahoma State Univ. - Northwestern News
Oklahoma Baptist University - The Bison
Oklahoma Christian University - Talon
Oklahoma City Community Coll. - Pioneer
Oklahoma City University - The Campus
Oklahoma Panhandle State Univ - The Collegian
Oklahoma State University - The Daily O'Collegian
Oral Roberts University - University Oracle
OSU-Okmulgee - The OSU-Okmulgee Life
Rose State College - 15th Street News
Seminole State College - Collegian
Southeastern Oklahoma State Univ - The Southeastern
Southern Nazarene University - The Echo
Southwestern Oklahoma State Univ - The Southwestern
St. Gregory's University - The Chant
Tulsa Community College - TCC Connection
University of Central Oklahoma - The Vista
University of Oklahoma - The Oklahoma Daily
University of Science & Arts of OK - The Trend
University of Tulsa - The Collegian

Blogs
Policy Forum
The Left End of the Dial
Existential Ramble
Life and Deatherage
Okiedoke
The Practical Progressive
Women in Black Oklahoma City
Cutting to the Chase
Oklahoma Committee for Conscientious Objectors
This is Class Warfare
The Oklahoma Law Blog
Mainstream Babtist
Okie Funk
Daily Kos (Oklahoma)
Blue Oklahoma
Jim Inhot Water
Oklahoma Lefty
Capitol Talk (Oklahoma)

3. Constituency and Specialty Media Outlets and Targeted Groups
Native America
Native American Times
Inside Native America (TV)

African American
Oklahoma Eagle
Black Chronicle
Oklahoma City Herald

Hispanic American
El Nacional
Nuestra Comunidad
El Latino American
Univision Oklahoma (TV)

Asian American
Dan Quyan

GLBT
Gayly Oklahoman

Attachment Outlining District Level Delegate/Alternate Allocation Formula

CD Gore Kerry CD Allocation Delegates Delegates Alternates Alternates
2000 2004 Pop Factor w/o Rounding Allocated w/o rounding Allocated
1 99464 109255 699783 0.207994746 5.20 5 0.83 1
2 111323 114345 681402 0.215234942 5.38 5 0.86 1
3 85458 82640 660052 0.183404063 4.59 5 0.73 0
4 91580 96131 697604 0.197731601 4.94 5 0.79 1
5 86426 101595 694655 0.195634648 4.89 5 0.78 1

Total 474251 503966 3433496 1 25.00 25 4.00 4










ATTACHMENTS TO THE DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN
[As specified in Reg. 2.2, the following documentation must accompany the state’s Delegate Selection Plan at the time it is formally submitted to the Rules and Bylaws Committee.]
1. A summary of the process for selecting delegates, alternates, standing committee members, the delegation chair and convention pages, along with related deadlines. [It is recommended that this information be incorporated as part of the state’s Delegate Selection Plan - see Section IX. of the Model Plan.] (Reg. 2.2.A.)
2. A timetable reflecting all significant dates in the state’s delegate selection process. [It is recommended that this information be incorporated as part of the state’s Delegate Selection Plan - see Section I. of the Model Plan.] (Reg. 2.2.B.)
3. A statement from the State Party Chair certifying the Plan as submitted to the RBC was approved by the State Central Committee. (Reg. 2.2.C.)
4. A copy of the press release distributed by the State Central Committee announcing its adoption of the Plan and summarizing the major components of the Plan. (Reg. 2.2.D.)
5. A statement from the State Party Chair certifying compliance with Rule 1.C. which requires a 30 day public comment period prior to the adoption of the Plan by the State Party. (Reg. 2.2.E.)
6. Copies of all written public comments on the Plan [Include information identifying each person and/or organization making the comment and where appropriate, a description of the person or group so represented, if such information has been provided or is available to the State Party.] (Reg. 2.2.F.)
7. A blank copy of forms to be filed with the state or the State Party by delegate candidates. (Reg. 2.2.G.)
8. A statement from the Chair of the Affirmative Action Committee certifying compliance with Rule 6.F., which requires that the Affirmative Action Committee has reviewed the proposed Affirmative Action outreach plan (Reg. 2.2.H.)
9. Copies of all state statutes reasonably related to the Delegate Selection Process [For example, include any and all state statutory requirements related to: ballot access for presidential candidates; filing requirements for delegate and alternate candidates; timing of the presidential primary, caucuses, and/or the state convention; participation in the state’s presidential primary or caucuses, including Party registration or enrollment provisions; and any other stipulations made by the state regarding the selection process or the role of National Convention delegates.] (Reg. 2.2.I.)
10. A copy of all qualifying forms to be filed with the state or the State Party by presidential candidates. (Reg. 2.2.J.)

ODP Central Committee Approves Delegate Plan for National Convention

As news nationwide focuses on states jockeying for position in the presidential primary elections, a defacto National Primary Day - February 5, 2008, the Oklahoma Democratic Party's Central Committee on Saturday approved its plan for selecting delegates and alternates to the August 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The plan involves delegate selection and a timeline for the delegate selection process. The plan will be submitted to the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) Rules and Bylaws Committee following a 30-day comment period that begins today.

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Lisa Pryor said the plan is available for review at the ODP headquarters located at 4100 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City and online at www.okdemocrats.org. Comments regarding the plan must be submitted in writing to the Party via mail, email or fax no later than April 27. All comments will be included in the plan submitted to the DNC.

"I'm excited to submit the Oklahoma plan to the DNC and lay the groundwork for Oklahoma delegates to go to Denver in 2008 to officially nominate the next president of the United States," Pryor said.

Gov. Henry announces first line-item veto,
Will act on rest of $7 billion budget bill Wednesday


Gov. Brad Henry announced his first line-item veto of budget funding Tuesday, saying he will use his veto pen to strike down $1 million in supplemental funds earmarked for the Legislature’s Legislative Services Bureau. The governor said the appropriation duplicates the work of existing state authorities and contains no accountability measures to ensure it will be spent responsibly.

“For those reasons, this appropriation is not in the best interest of Oklahoma taxpayers,” said Gov. Henry.



While the budget legislation did not stipulate what lawmakers would do with the funds in question, legislative leaders have said they want to hand the money off to a private vendor of their choosing to conduct a study of the financially strapped Department of Corrections.

Gov. Henry said it is critical for the state to conduct regular performance reviews of state agencies such as DOC, but state law assigns that duty to the State Auditor and Inspector, the Oklahoma Legislature and the Office of State Finance. Paying a private consultant an additional $1 million to do the same work assigned to other state authorities would be duplicative and a waste of taxpayer money, according to the governor.

“We must hold agencies accountable for every dollar they spend so we can get the best bang for taxpayers’ bucks,” said Gov. Henry. “That’s why we fund a state auditor, a state finance office and legislative committees and staffs. That’s why we passed a zero-based budgeting law that charges the Legislature with doing an in-house, top-to-bottom financial review of every state agency on a regular basis.

“If they’ve complied with the zero-based budgeting statute and done their regular oversight duties, legislative leaders should already have the information and data they need to determine an appropriate course of action for corrections and any other agency.”

Gov. Henry noted that after he signed Oklahoma’s zero-based budgeting law in 2003, one of the first agencies audited by the Legislature’s zero-based budgeting committee was the Department of Corrections.

In addition to duplicating already existing state programs, Gov. Henry said the line-item appropriations measure is short on details and provides no accountability measures to ensure the $1 million will be spent responsibly.

“Before the state writes a $1 million check to some unknown person or entity, we need details on how the money will be spent and what accountability controls will be in place. Section 140 of the budget bill contains no such safeguards or supporting information,” said the governor.

“And even if someone can make the case that another audit should be done on top of the work that the state auditor and Legislature do, $1 million seems to be an unusually high price tag for a performance audit. This is simply not a wise or efficient use of taxpayer dollars.”

Gov. Henry is in the process of reviewing a $7 billion budget bill approved by the Legislature last week. In recent days, the governor and a number of legislators have raised concerns about House Bill 1234 and the process that created it.

While the governor has already said he intends to sign emergency funds for schools and prisons in the bill, he has not announced how he will act on the rest of the legislation. The governor has until midnight Wednesday to approve the bill or use his line-item veto to strike down portions of it.

The ODP Appeals Process

Oklahoma favorite son Will Rogers is often quoted as saying he didn't belong to any organized party, he's a Democrat. With all due respect to Mr. Rogers, the modern state party is operated under an official Constitution and Bylaws which includes rules and procedures that address disagreements within the party. Disagreements often arise as to the organization of committees, conventions and elections. If a disagreement arises in your county, review the following excerpt from the Oklahoma Democratic Party's Constitution and Bylaws.

According to the Oklahoma Democratic Party Constitution and Bylaws the appeals process is as follows:

Article VIII: Appeals

Section 1: Precinct Committee – In the event of a disagreement over the interpretation or application of any Party rule or procedure that may arise at a Precinct Committee meeting and is not satisfactorily resolved at that meeting, a Democrat may appeal the decision of the Precinct Committee at the next regular meeting of the County Convention. Should the decision of the County Convention not be deemed satisfactory, the aggrieved individual may appeal the decision to the State Central Committee.

Section 2: Other Appeals – In the event of a disagreement over the interpretation or application of any Party rule or procedure that may arise at any County Convention meeting, County Central Committee meeting, Congressional District Convention meeting, Congressional District Central Committee meeting, Democratic club meeting or
State federation of Democratic clubs meeting and is not satisfactorily resolved at the respective meeting, a Democrat may appeal the decision to the State Central Committee.

Section 3: Appellate Procedure – Upon the receipt of a written appeal to the State Central Committee, the State Chair with the advise and consent of the State Central Committee shall attempt to mediate a settlement; or appoint a special master or appellate committeeto review and investigate the grounds of the appeal and make a recommendation to the State Central Committee.

Section 4: State Central Committee – Upon the receipt of the recommendation of the special master or appellate committee and upon being fully informed of the grounds and circumstances of the appeal, the State Central Committee shall vote to uphold, overturn
or modify the decision of the lower body.

Section 5: Conciliation – Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the special master or appellate committee from attempting to resolve any dispute between the parties involved. Should the parties resolve their differences, they may enter into an agreement
as to the action they will take or refrain from taking and, with the approval of the special master or appellate committee, make that recommendation to the State Central Committee.

Section 6: Reprimand – The State Central Committee may issue letters of reprimand to officers for violation of Party rules. Said letters shall be mailed to the delegates of the committee from which the officer was elected.

Section 7: Supreme Authority – The decision of the State Central Committee may be appealed at the next regular meeting of the State Convention.

The Incompetence of the Bush Administration

Recent commentaries, editorials, late night shows and news reports have drawn attention to the "I" words used to best describe the Bush Administration. Those words include incompetent, inadequate, irresponsible, ideological. But it's the first one, "incompetent", that is oft repeated. Take this excerpt from Bob Novak's recent editorial:

"The word most often used by Republicans to describe the management of the Justice Department under Gonzales is “incompetent.” … The I-word (incompetence) is also used by Republicans in describing the Bush administration generally. Several of them I talked to cited a trifecta of incompetence: the Walter Reed hospital scandal, the FBI’s misuse of the USA Patriot Act and the U.S. attorneys firing fiasco. “We always have claimed that we were the party of better management,” one House leader told me. “How can we claim that anymore?” […] The answer that is not entertained by the president’s most severe GOP critics, even when not speaking for quotation, is that this is just the governing style of George W. Bush and will not change while he is in the Oval Office.

Use the comment option on this blog to add your own examples of the incompetence, inadequacy, irresponsibility, and ideology of the Administration. And for a second challenge, connect the dots between the Administration and its protégés at our State Capitol.

County Chairs

I've talked to many of our current county chairs recently, some are running for re-election and others are stepping down to make room for "new blood" while others are simply being challenged for their positions. To all of the candidates I say, good luck , and thank you for being willing to run for this important office. You are an important part of the grassroots work and much of the local success we will achieve, as Democrats, in 2008 will be due to your leadership.

And to those who will cast votes for these county leaders, please carefully consider the leadership and experiences offered by the candidates. It's important to elect people who have the time and the temperament to energize, organize and mobilize others to elect Democrats. The ability to raise funds and friends are both critical to success at the county level.

What's most important to me is that after the elections on Saturday we will have 77 leaders in place who will do everything they can to insure that the nominees in each of their counties are supported and that they are putting together teams of Democrats to help us win the White House, to regain a true majority in the State Senate, to create a new Democratic majority in the State House and to add to our numbers in Congress.

If you are running, please feel free to make an announcement here.

County Conventions

The Oklahoma Democratic Party Constitution provides for County Conventions as follows:

Section 3: County Conventions –
A) There shall be a County Convention for each county in the State of Oklahoma.
B) The County Convention shall be composed of:

• 1) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of each Precinct Committee in the county,
• 2) Any State delegates to which that county may be entitled,
• 3) The chair, vice-chair and secretary of the County Convention,
• 4) Members of the State affirmative action committee who are registered to vote in the county,
• 5) The Democratic elected officials (or their personal representatives) who are designated to be delegates in Article III and are registered to vote in the county,
• 6) Members of the Democratic National Committee who are registered to vote in the county,
• 7) The Chair, Vice-chair and Secretary of the Congressional District Convention in the county where they are registered to vote,
• 8) The Secretary and Treasurer of the State Convention in the county where they are registered to vote.

The Oklahoma Democratic Party State Central Committee set March 31st, 2007 as the date for all counties to hold their county conventions.

County Conventions

Oklahoma Democrats will gather across the state to elect county party officers and delegates to the district and state conventions. A full listing of the times and locations is on the ODP calendar at www.okdemocrats.org and is also available on the DNC event planner at www.dnc.org.

If you have questions about your convention please contact our office at 405.427.3366.

I will post items related to the county convention process throughout the week here on this blog and on the ODP 2007 State Conventions blog as well.

Meanwhile, best of luck to all who are seeking office and to all who are seeking to be delegates.

At Forum, Democrats Differ on Health Care
Funding Plans Include Raising Taxes, Ending War, Reshaping the Insurance System

(Note: When he was in OKC last week, Sen. Obama said he would ensure health care for all Americans by the end of his first term as president. Gov. Richardson also addressed the issue last week in OKC from the perspective of his state's executive experience. The issue continues to be one that Oklahomans will seriously consider as Oklahoma's presidential preferential primary approaches on Feb. 5, 2008.)

By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 25, 2007; A05

LAS VEGAS, March 24 -- Democratic presidential candidates were united here Saturday in pledging to provide universal health care to all Americans but differed over how quickly the changes could be achieved and, more important, whether they would have to raise taxes to pay for it.

The candidates addressed what has become perhaps the nation's most intractable domestic issue and all said that, because of rising costs of care and the lack of insurance for about 45 million Americans, incremental steps are no longer adequate.

"What we need is big, bold, dramatic change," former North Carolina senator John Edwards said.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was part of the last significant effort to overhaul the system during her husband's administration. That attempt failed, but the Democratic candidates said Saturday that the conditions exist to push for dramatic change.

But Clinton warned that getting there would still be difficult. "We don't just need candidates to have a plan," she said. "All of them have plans. We need a movement. We need people to make this the number one voting issue in the '08 election."

The long-scheduled presidential forum on health care came just two days after Edwards made an announcement about the health of his wife, Elizabeth. She was for treated for breast cancer after the 2004 election, and he said Thursday that the disease had returned. She joined her husband at the forum, sitting in the front row as he outlined his plan and giving him a hug and kiss as he descended from the stage amid the flash of cameras and applause from the audience.

Edwards repeated his vow to remain in the presidential campaign despite his wife's illness. "This is not the first challenge like this that Elizabeth and I have been through," Edwards said, recalling not only his wife's initial bout with breast cancer but also the death of their son 11 years ago. "We know what it's like to function in a very difficult environment."

The other candidates who appeared here praised Elizabeth Edwards for her courage and called her an inspiration to other Americans in her battle against incurable cancer. But Edwards, acknowledging the outpouring of support that he and his wife have received since Thursday, noted that millions of women deal with similar illnesses, often without adequate health insurance or the financial resources that he and his wife have.

"I think we're getting too much credit," he said.

Saturday's forum was jointly sponsored by the Service Employees International Union and the Center for American Progress Action Fund, part of a left-of-center think tank based in Washington. The forum was moderated by Karen Tumulty of Time magazine. It was on the campus of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, in the state that is scheduled to host the second caucus of the 2008 Democratic nomination battle.

The candidates spoke and fielded questions individually but did not engage one another. Also participating were Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Connecticut Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, Ohio Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich and former Alaska senator Mike Gravel.

Edwards was the only candidate who came to the forum having put forth a specific plan for universal coverage and said it would cost $90 billion to $120 billion a year. He also was the most explicit about the revenue implications of universal coverage, saying that to pay for it he would raise taxes by rolling back President Bush's tax cuts for Americans earning more than $200,000 a year.

"I do not believe you can have universal health care without finding a source of revenue," he said, adding: "We don't get universal health care for free."

Edwards was followed by Richardson, who for the first time offered details of his plan for universal coverage. As a governor who has made his record of cutting taxes in New Mexico part of his calling card as a candidate, Richardson said his plan would not require new revenue. "This is a plan that would not add bureaucracy," he said. "This is a plan that could be paid for without any new taxes."

Richardson said he would fund his proposal by ending the war in Iraq and shifting some of the billions being spent there to health care.

Clinton skirted the question of raising taxes. Noting that she was prepared to make some modest new investments to improve aspects of the system, she said: "I don't think we should start with the position where we say we're going to increase all of these costs by putting more money into a system that is broken. We have to fix the system."

She called for an end to "insurance discrimination" and said she was prepared for a "big political battle" to take money from insurance companies and others who "make out really well." But, referring to her experience in the 1990s, she said, "I know better than anybody how hard this is going to be."

Obama joined in pledging support for universal care but said he had not concluded how much additional revenue it might take. "I will do whatever it takes," he said.

A member of the audience challenged him by saying she had gone to his campaign Web site and could not find any serious discussion about how he would expand coverage. Obama said his campaign is just eight weeks old and that he is still in the process of developing a plan of his own.

But he suggested that plans are less important than the political skills required to force a national consensus. "Everybody's going to have some good ideas," he said. "The question is, are we able to bring a majority of people together around the need to solve the problem now?"

Dodd said the climate for change "is a lot better" now than it was in 1994 and said that he may be best positioned to execute an overhaul because of long-standing relationships with the key Republican and Democratic legislators who control health-care legislation. "I've known every one of them for 30 years. . . . They know me; I know them," he said.

Richardson said he would hope to achieve universal coverage during the first year of his presidency. Edwards and Obama set goals of accomplishing the changes by the end of their first terms. Dodd said he would make it his top priority and hoped to reach the goal "in far less than four or eight years."

Clinton has said it might take two full terms to fully implement universal coverage. "I think we can move more quickly," she said, "but make no mistake about it, this will be a series of steps."

Most of the candidates said they would build their plans on the current employer-based system, although most also talked about making the same plan used by members of Congress and federal government employees available to all Americans.

Kucinich and Gravel disagreed with those ideas. Gravel called proposals to build on the employer-based plan "a Band-Aid that's not going to work."

Kucinich said the front-running candidates are not willing to break the hold of the insurance companies on health care. He said he would push for a single-payer, not-for-profit system, adding, "It's waiting for a candidate who will lead the way."

"The campaign goes on. The campaign goes on strongly."

-- John Edwards, March 22, 2007

Prez on the Rez Set for Summer; Richardson Committed To Attend

Tribal leaders from across the nation will get a chance to see and hear the future President of the United States at the "Prez on the Rez” candidate forum -- set for August 23rd at the Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ Reservation in California.

Tribal Chairman Robert Martin said the tribe couldn't be more proud to make history for Indian Country by hosting this "extraordinary" event.

"No major presidential campaign event has ever come to Indian Country," Martin said. "This represents a historic opportunity for this country's first Americans to take a direct role in the future of America by holding a national level forum for presidential candidates."

Read the story from the Palm Springs newspaper.

U.S. Attorneys Scandal -- What does President Bush have to hide?

The Bush Administration has once again violated the public trust. The American people demand to know whether senior Administration officials abused their power by firing US Attorneys for political gain. U.S. Senate Democrats are committed to holding those in the Administration accountable for playing politics with our federal criminal justice system.

The American people demand to know whether public officials are gaming the criminal justice system for political gain. For six years, the Bush Administration has abused their power and the public trust, while Senate Republicans sat idly by.Senate Democrats will continue to push for accountability from this Administration and demand the whole truth be told.

United Indian Nations of Oklahoma Profiled

Read this great Indian Country Today profile of George Tiger and the organization he chairs -- United Indian Nations of Oklahoma. George is doing an incredible job of "encouraging tribes to stand as one voice".

GOP’s Sixteen Least Accountable to Square Off in
2007 Unsweet Sixteen

Washington, DC – With the NCAA men’s Sweet Sixteen set to tip off today, the Democratic National Committee announced the brackets for the 2007 GOP Unsweet Sixteen. From the scandal surrounding the dismissal of eight U.S. Attorneys, to the decision to ignore the American people and escalate the President's failed Iraq strategy, to the failure to provide proper care for our wounded soldiers, the Bush Administration has been one of the most corrupt, least competent and least accountable Administrations in decades. Since taking office, they have consistently focused on protecting their own power instead of doing the people's business. That pattern continues to this day, with President Bush's refusal to allow top White House aides like Karl Rove and Harriet Miers to testify publicly and under oath about their role in the politically motivated plan to fire eight U.S. Attorneys.

This year's Unsweet Sixteen pits the top eight Bush Administration officials whose incompetence, corruption or cronyism have already cost them their jobs against the eight current Administration officials who most deserve to be fired. Millions of Democratic activists and American voters will have a chance to go online and decide which four officials are so unaccountable and so corrupt they belong in this year's Filthy Four. People can log on to http://www.democrats.org/unsweetsixteen and vote for the Bush Administration official in each bracket who you think deserves to advance to next week's Filthy Four as we work our way to the winner of the 2007 Bushie Award as the most corrupt, least accountable, most incompetent but most loyal past or present Administration official.

In last year's Unsweet Sixteen, Vice President Cheney, former Republican Senate Majority Bill Frist, disgraced former Congressman Bob Ney, and convicted felon and former Bush Pioneer Jack Abramoff advanced to the Filthy Four. Of last year's Unsweet Sixteen, 13 are in jail, out of a job, or lost their election. Visit http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/03/the_unsweet_16_1.php. For a recap of last year's bracket. The following is a breakdown of the brackets for the 2007 GOP Unsweet Sixteen.

Handicapping the 2007 GOP Unsweet Sixteen
Next to Go Bracket I
1. Vice President Dick Cheney: The only veteran of the 2006 Unsweet Sixteen, Cheney returns as a top seed. From his role in the campaign to smear a critic of the Iraq War by outing a covert CIA agent, to his central role in the effort to manipulate pre-war intelligence, to his ongoing ties to Halliburton, to his secret energy task force that recommended huge tax cuts for Cheney's friends in the oil and gas industry, if there's a scandal in the Bush Administration, chances are Cheney's involved. [USA Today, 12/5/05; New York Times, 1/30/01; New Yorker, 10/27/03; Associated Press, 7/18/02]

2. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales: His dreadful tenure as White House counsel and his role in the unfolding scandal over the politically motivated firing of eight U.S. Attorneys earns Gonzales a high seed . After first calling the incident "an overblown personnel matter" in a USA Today op-ed, Gonzales went before the cameras just a week later to admit that "mistakes were made" but that he wasn't directly involved. [USA Today, 3/07/07; Washington Post, 03/14/07] Now, newly released "e-mails also show how Alberto Gonzales discussed the idea of firing the attorneys en masse while he was still White House counsel - weeks before he was confirmed as attorney general." [ABC News, 3/15/07]

3. Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson: In the wake of the scandal over the deplorable conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Nicholson's dreadful tenure as head of the Veterans Administration has catapulted him from a virtual unknown, to a member of the Unsweet Sixteen. From chronic budget shortfalls that have profoundly effected our government's ability to care for America's veterans, to his department's threatening their financial security by first losing the personal information of more than 26 million veterans then reneging on its promise to pay for credit monitoring, Nicholson has proven one of the least competent members of the Administration. [CNN, 5/23/06; New York Times, 8/6/06]

4. White House deputy political director J. Scott Jennings: Perhaps not as well known as the rest of the bracket, Jennings has proven to be a key participant in the plan to fire eight U.S. Attorneys for political reasons. Deputy to the White House political director, who reports to Karl Rove, Jennings faces a Congressional subpoena after reports revealed he used an email address registered to the Republican National Committee to discuss the possible firing of the U.S. Attorneys. [AP, 3/16/07; AP, 3/14/07]

Next to Go Bracket II
1. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove: Another perennial powerhouse, Rove is a clear frontrunner in this year's tournament. His role in orchestrating the Bush campaign's despicable fear and smear campaign tactics and his role in the Bush White House putting electoral politics ahead of the interests of the American people are legendary. But he sealed his No.1 seed this week when we learned that the politically motivated plan to fire eight U.S. Attorneys may have started at his desk-or at least his BlackBerry. Despite the fact that the White House initially denied his involvement in the firings, "new unreleased e-mails from top administration officials show that the idea of firing all 93 U.S. Attorneys was raised by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove in early January 2005, indicating Rove was more involved in the plan than the White House previously acknowledged." [ABC News, 3/15/07] Of course, by now this sort of deception is hardly a surprise. After all, we learned that Rove was involved in outing Valerie Plame after he denied it, and that Rove had connections to Jack Abramoff after he denied it.

2. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice: A true power player, few bear more responsibility for the Bush Administration's dangerously incompetent foreign policy than Rice. As National Security Advisor, Rice was there when the President took his eye off the ball in Afghanistan and oversaw his Adminstration's failure to plan for the occupation of Iraq. Now, on her watch as Secretary of State, North Korea has tested a nuclear weapon and Iran is moving closer to acquiring their own nuclear weapon. Worse still, Rice was the architect of some of the most egregious misrepresentations in the run-up to the war (remember, "we don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud"; "there were ties going on between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein's regime"; etc). Rice was also a member of the White House Iraq Group formed to sell the Iraq War to the American people. [Washington Post, 8/10/03]

3. Cheney Chief of Staff David Addington: After Scooter Libby's resignation last year, Addington has carried the mantle. More than just a key player in the Bush Administration's campaign to smear critics of the Iraq War, Addington was a leading architect of Vice President Cheney's campaign to broaden the scope of the Executive Branch's authority, expand executive privilege and limit Congressional oversight and accountability.

4. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson: The consummate team player, Jackson may have taken his zeal for cronyism a little too far when he told an audience in Dallas that Bush Administration critics are less likely to get government contracts. In an April 2006 speech, Jackson told an anecdote about a prospective African American HUD contractor who had made a "heck of a proposal" and was selected upon the basis of that proposal, but upon thanking Secretary Jackson for being selected the bidder, mentioned that he did not like President Bush. As a result, Jackson said, the bidder who had criticized Bush did not receive the contract. Jackson asked the crowd, "Why should I reward someone who doesn't like the president, so they can use funds to try to campaign against the president? Logic says they don't get the contract." [Dallas Business Journals, 5/08/06]

Out Already Bracket I
1. Former Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld: His incompetence aside, Rumsfeld earned his No. 1 seed based on the impact his mismanagement has had on our armed forces. Through his failure to plan for the post-war occupation of the Iraq, his mismanagement of the war, and his refusal to tell the American people the truth about the realities on the ground there, Rumsfeld's failed leadership put our troops in the middle of a civil war and stretched the military dangerously thin. As a Military Times editorial noted days before he was ousted, "Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt." [Military Times, 11/6/06] Of course, Rumsfeld was also the architect of some of the most egregious misrepresentations used to sell the war to the American people. Rumsfeld called estimates that the war would cost $300 billion "baloney," said the idea that "it's going to be a long, long, long battle of some kind" was wrong, and denied that the Administration was painting a too rosy picture of the war. [This Week with George Stephanopoulos, 1/19/03; Steve Croft Interview with Donald Rumsfeld, 11/14/02; Duluth News-Tribune, 6/24/05]

2. Former White House Counsel Harriet Miers: If only that Supreme Court thing had worked out. Since right-wing activists torpedoed her nomination, Miers' role in the politically motivated firing of eight U.S. Attorneys has come to light. Emails reveal that Miers had been involved in the discussion on whether to fire the U.S. Attorneys at least as far back as February 2005 and that her office was deeply involved in shaping the list of Attorneys fired. [Washington Post, 3/13/07] Now, the White House continues to refuse to allow Miers to testify publicly and under oath about her role in the firings. [Politico.com, 3/20/07]

3. Former Army Surgeon General Kevin C. Kiley: Fired after allowing the conditions facing wounded soldiers receiving outpatient patient care at Walter Reed to reach deplorable levels on his watch, Lt. Gen. Kiley clinched his spot in the Unsweet Sixteen with his sheer audacity. Everyone else in the country knew the Walter Reed scandal was another Hurricane Katrina moment for the Bush Administration. Yet, before he was fired, Lt. Gen. Kiley "denied that there had been a 'breakdown of leadership' and criticized the Washington Post stories that exposed problems at the hospital." [Los Angeles Times, 3/3/07]

4. Former FEMA Administrator Michael Brown: In an Administration stocked with unqualified and incompetent-but well connected-cronies, none stands out more than former FEMA Director Michael Brown. More than 18 months after his resignation, Brown's presence in the Unsweet Sixteen is a stark reminder of the Bush Administration's failure to keep its promises to Gulf Coast residents. More than 110,000 families still live in temporary housing, violent crime in New Orleans has surged, health care is limited, parts of New Orleans are "still in ruins," and promised recovery funds remain unspent. [AP, 2/28/07; Cox News, 2/26/07; Wall Street Journal, 1/30/07]

Out Already Bracket II
1. Former Cheney Chief of Staff Scooter Libby: Widely regarded as the fall guy for the Bush Administration's campaign to smear critics of the Iraq War, Libby's selfless commitment to the team earns him a top seed. Libby could face up to 25 years in prison after being convicted on four counts of perjury and obstruction of justice stemming from the investigation into who leaked the identity of a covert CIA operative in a time of war in order to smear critics of the Administration's plan to invade Iraq. [Associated Press, 3/7/07] A member of the White House Iraq Group, which was formed to sell the war to the American people, Libby's conviction makes him the "highest level White House official convicted of a crime since the Iran-Contra scandal." [Los Angeles Times, 3/7/07]

2. Former Gonzalez Chief of Staff D. Kyle Sampson: The Justice Department official Attorney General Gonzales put "in charge of the dismissals" of eight U.S. Attorneys, Sampson appears to have been a key point of contact with the White House as the plan was developed. Following Libby's lead, Sampson seems to be taking the fall for his superiors. He resigned last week, reportedly because "he did not tell key Justice officials about the extent of his communications with the White House, leading them to provide incomplete information to Congress." [Washington Post, 3/13/07]

3. Former White House Procurement Chief David Safavian: Arrested on charges of making false statements to an ethics official and obstruction of a General Services Agency investigation, Safavian was the Bush Administration's chief contracting and procurement official at OMB. Led out of the White House in handcuffs, Safavian faced charges stemming from his efforts to avoid being held accountable for taking undisclosed golf trips to Scotland with Republican mega-lobbyist and convicted felon Jack Abramoff and disgraced former Congressman and convicted felon Bob Ney. [DOJ Release, 9/19/05] The investigation into Safavian was the start of the long litany of lies and denials about the connection between members of the Bush Administration and other Republicans in Washington and convicted criminal and former Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

4. Former Deputy Interior Secretary J. Steven Griles: Formerly the No. 2 person at the Interior Department, Griles "was told last month he faces possible criminal charges of lying to Congress and fraud in the Jack Abramoff bribery and influence-peddling scandal." [AP, 2/16/07] A former energy industry lobbyist, Griles used his position to arrange "meetings between Interior officials and former clients and partners," and helped steer millions of dollars in contracts to former clients. During his tenure as Deputy Interior Secretary, "Griles continued to receive $284,000 a year, in addition to his Interior salary, as part of a four-year severance package from his former lobbying and consulting firm." [AP, 1/31/05] Griles is another early example of the Bush Administration denying its links to Abramoff.

Votes on the Budget Bill

The State Senate passed the Budget Bill 48 to 0.

The State House of Representatives passed the Budget Bill 84 to 16.

Spending Seven Billion Dollars

If you've been reading the headlines this week about the controversial supplemental and general appropriations bill that passed the Senate and is being debated on the floor of the House as I write this entry, then you may have some questions about the appropriations process. Check out this site on Oklahoma Budget and Taxes on the Alliance for Oklahoma's Future's website. Click here.

Democratic Women Will Lead Rally Against Domestic Violence

Three women leaders of the Democratic Party of Oklahoma will lead a 10:00 a.m. rally against domestic violence on Thursday March 22, 2007 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Secretary of State Susan Savage, and State Senator Debbe Leftwich will share information about what Oklahomans can do to reduce the rate of female assault.

Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Day at the State Capitol is marked by people wearing the color red in memory of domestic violence homicide victims. Information displays will be available for viewing on the 4th floor rotunda from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Lisa Pryor said, "we have a duty to protect our women from domestic violence and sexual predators. As we celebrate women's history month, Democrats are committed to funding services for assault victims and education to end the cycle of abuse."

ODP Supports Oklahoma Veterans; Awareness Day Planned at Capitol

On Wednesday March, 21st, military combat veterans will be honored at the Oklahoma State Capitol and get a chance to talk with legislators about issues that affect their veteran's status. Events start at 1:00 p.m. and the public is invited.

Lisa Pryor, Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said the day is earmarked for issues important to veterans, including funding to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.

"Oklahoma veterans, the men and women who have defended and secured our collective freedoms, deserve respect and should have governmental commitments fulfilled to them as them have fulfilled their commitment to our nation and its security," Pryor said.

In light of this week's four-year anniversary of the war in Iraq, where 55 Oklahomans have lost their lives, Pryor said "we must honor our brave soldiers who have served admirably and courageously in defense of our freedoms. The Oklahoma Democratic Party stands resolutely behind the thousands of military veterans and U.S. soldiers who have served our country."

In 2005, the ODP established a Veterans Affairs Committee for Oklahoma Democrats who have served and are committed to protecting veterans rights. Ron Wasson, a Vietnam War veteran and vice-chair of the Oklahoma County Democratic Party, serves as the committee chair.


Oklahoma Democratic Party
Jason McCarty
Communications Director
405.427.3366
jasonmccarty@okdemocrats.org

Al McAffrey Takes a Stand for the Mentally Ill.

Last week, Representative Al McAffrey proposed House Bill 1991, which provides for unused prescription medication (not deemed dangerous) to be "transferred from residential care homes, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and public intermediate care facilities for people with mental retardation" in hospitals and correctional facilities. The transfer of these prescription medications will help those Oklahomans who need, but cannot afford the prescriptions otherwise.

Aside from helping people on an individual level, the state will also save money, as preventing problems is always more cost-efficient than fixing issues that have already come to light. By transferring these medications to the disadvantaged, it is possible to prevent crime, and alleviate the silent suffering of many citizens.

While there are understandable reservations about the transfer of prescribed substances, it is important to realize that participation in this program is voluntary, and that the Board of Pharmacy is allocated the right to define the rules and regulations for such a program in the state of Oklahoma. Given these strict control policies, the negative possibilities are curtailed, and help is able to be distributed to individuals across the state.

This bill has passed in the House, and has moved onto the Senate for approval.

To read the full text of this bill, click here.

-Nicole Morgan

Tulsa World: Opinions vary on effects of early primary in state


Moving the state's presidential primary up a week will either lure more candidates to Oklahoma or hurt the Sooner State, depending on who you ask. House Bill 2095, by Rep. Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, would move Oklahoma's presidential primary next year to Jan. 29 from Feb. 5. The bill passed the House by an 82-14 vote earlier this month and awaits action in the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain.

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Lisa Pryor said the Democratic National Committee could fine candidates who come to Oklahoma if the primary is changed. In addition, the party could lose some of its 47 delegates to the convention, she said.

"If we change our primary, as soon as the law is effective candidates can't come in here without campaigns being fined by the DNC," Pryor said. "That would be foolish to pay campaign dollars for fines when you don't have to. That is a waste of money."

Read the full story.

Obama in Oklahoma City

Barack Obama spoke to over 1,000 people yesterday at the Oklahoma City Antique Farmers Market. His message was clear: America needs change. From healthcare reforms to creating and using renewable energy sources, Obama's take on the issues puts the everyday American back in control of government. He is clearly a candidate of the people, and for the people.

Senator Obama took time during his visit to sign books, as well as meet with as many voters as possible.


To his left are interns Nicole Morgan, and Lacey Earls and ODP Projects Coordinator Lindsey Coster. On the Senator's right is intern Jake Andrews, and DNC Partnership Project Organizer Courtney Ruark.

Overall, Obama's appearance was a complete success. Drawing in even a few registered Republicans, he is already proving to be a real uniter, not a divider.

For more information on Barack Obama or how you can help out with his campaign, visit his website here.

-Nicole Morgan

Dean On The Fourth Anniversary Of The Iraq War

On the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:

“Four years ago, President Bush and his Administration misled our nation into a war of choice that has led to the loss of 3,200 American lives and tens of thousands more wounded. Today, as the President sits in his ‘beautiful White House,’ far from the bloodshed and violence in Iraq, he continues to ignore last November’s vote of no confidence from the American people. After four years of numerous broken promises and failed predictions, the President has lost all credibility.

“As we mark the beginning of the fifth year of the war, Democrats renew our promise to the American people to hold President Bush accountable and change course in Iraq. We will honor the courageous sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform and ensure our troops have the resources they need on the battlefield and the care they deserve when they return home. We will tell the truth to the American people, and we will act now to save the lives of our American troops and keep America safe. We also call on Republican members of Congress to join us and stop protecting the President and stand with the American people.”

Party Elections

While many are focused on the Presidential Primary Feb. 5, 2008 there are other important elections this year, in fact, county party elections will be held on March 31st followed by District elections on April 28th and State Party elections on May 19th.

The state party does not require any official "filing" for elective office, in fact nominations may be made from the floor of the convention, at all levels. Nor does the party have rules about "slates". Indeed the candidates for party office officially run individually but often campaign together. However, voting is done by the convention delegates and votes are cast for individuals, not for slates of officers.

The ODP Constitution requires the chair and vice chair to be of opposite genders, thus if the chair is female the vice chair must be a male.

At the state level there are currently only two "announced" candidates for state party chair -- Ben Odom and Ivan Holmes.

"Announced" candidates for state party vice chair are Kitti Asberry, Debbie Hogue-Downing and Anastasia Pittman.

Walter Jenny, Jr. is currently the only "announced" candidate for state secretary.

Two names are "out there" as possible candidates for state party treasurer, both are females from OKC. They are Jana Harkins and Linda Gray Murphy.

Of note is the fact that all of the announced candidates for state office are from Oklahoma or Cleveland County.

Party office terms are for two years. Party offices are unpaid.

No Spring Break at the State Capitol

While schools are out on spring break this week across the state our state legislature is in high gear and making plans for Saturday sessions in April.

Today at 1:30 p.m. the State Senate is expected to hear HB1234, the General Appropriations bill. Discussion will center around the joint agreement issued yesterday on how to spend $7 BILLION DOLLARS. The agreement was forged by House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, Sen. President Pro-Tempore Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, and Co Sen. President Pro-Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

According to a flurry of press releases and reports from the capitol, House Democrats and the Governor's office were excluded from negotiations on the budget bill.

To hear or watch today's Senate debate click on this link and follow the directions.

A Change is Gonna Come

Today's OKC appearance by Sen. Barack Obama bodes well for the Democratic ticket and for America...the freshman senator from Illinois took the stage and left with the hearts of many who attended the 3:30 p.m. rally at the OKC Farmers Market. Many there were attending their first political rally --- ever; and there were even some Republicans!

Speaking to a capacity crowd of 1,000 + Obama explained that his campaign is for the people, when a million people decide to make a change in Oklahoma, in America then change will come, he said. (He obviously did his homework on Oklahoma since there are just over a million registered Democrats in the state.) The change began in November when Democrats took control of Congress and it's expected to continue through November 2008.

Organizers were pleased at the turnout in Tulsa earlier in the day and very pleased at the enthusiastic crowd at the public rally in OKC before a private high dollar fundraiser in Nichols Hills.

Some of the elected Democrats and party officials I saw at the event included OK County Commissioner Jim Roth, Sen. Andrew Rice, Sen. Tom Adelson, Rep. Ryan Kiesel, Rep. Al McAffrey, Rep. Anastasia Pittman, Rep. Mike Shelton, OK County chair Kitti Asberry, ODP vice chair Ben Odom, and ODP secretary Walter Jenny. Tulsa County chair Patti Basnett was also there as was former Tulsa County chair Elaine Dodd.

At the ODP we saw at least 950 new faces at HQ in the past week --- they were picking up tickets for the rally, many wanted to register to vote and a good number wanted to change their registration from Republican to Democratic --- inspired by Obama.

If you missed the event and the news coverage listen to his speech at the DNC winter meeting posted here in February.

For more information about the campaign visit Obama's website at http://www.barackobama.com/.

A Day in the Life of Joe

Joe gets up at 6a.m. and fills his coffeepot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards.

With his first swallow of coffee, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take because some stupid commie liberal fought to insure their safety and that they worked as advertised.

All but $10 of Joe's medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance--now Joes gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon, and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some firly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.


In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained.

Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some enviromentalist wacko liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air.

He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays, and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.

If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.

Its noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.

Joe has to pay his Fammie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime.

After work this evening, Joe plans to visit his parents at their farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world becuase some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards.

Gov. Bill Richardson -- Moving Up

The Sooner State got an impressive introduction to Democratic presidential nominee hopeful New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson at an OKC fundraiser yesterday. Richardson spoke, at length, to the press and then to about 60 Oklahomans interested in what the only sitting governor in the field of candidates has to offer America. The governor offered up his executive experience as governor of New Mexico and his cabinet level experience in Washington as Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton. He also discussed his service to the country as Ambassador to the United Nations saying his experience and his stature with other nations is key to bringing our country back from a precipitious partisan divide. In a somewhat self-deprecating manner he noted that he's "not a rock star" rather he's a hard working governor of a southwestern state of mixed heritage who has proven leadership at home and abroad. About his place in the polls, he said numerous times, "I'm moving up!"

Richardson introduced Tulsan Jim East as his Oklahoma Campaign Director.

The early afternoon reception had as its background the dome of the state capitol as viewed from the backyard of OKC attorney Sid Musser. I enjoyed meeting the governor again and also seeing the strong consideration that our Democrats are giving to all of our presidential candidates.

Some of the elected officials attending included: Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, State Treasurer Scott Meacham, Rep. Richard Morrissette, Rep. Al McAffrey, Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth, former Governor David Walters and former First Lady Rhonda Walters.

Many young local Democratic activists attended including Mandy Winton, Kathy North, Jeremy Hendricks, Russell Griffin, Kassie McCoy, and Hunter Musser -- as well as two of our ODP staff Courtney Ruark and Jason McCarty.

I enjoyed visiting with Carol Ruth, Mary Grace, Tim Reese, and Richard Mildren.

It was good to see Chris Bryant, Curtis Speaker, Forrest Rush, Tim Mauldin, Betty McElderry, and Mack Miller.

Photos from the event have been posted by host Tim Reese here.

30 Members of the Oklahoma State Legislature Endorse John Edwards for President

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that 30 Democrats in the Oklahoma State Legislature endorsed Senator John Edwards for President. Among those endorsing Edwards are Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, State House Minority Leader Danny Morgan, 10 State Senators and 20 State Representatives.

“I am honored to have the support of these outstanding leaders,” said Edwards. “They work hard each day to represent the values of Oklahoma working and middle class families and I am proud to have them involved in my campaign.”

House Minority Leader Danny Morgan stated, “John Edwards will fight to improve the lives of middle class Oklahomans and working Americans. He shares our values, and he understands what it takes to build the middle class and move America forward.”


Senate President Mike Morgan commented: “Numerous Oklahoma Democrats from both chambers agree that John Edwards is the strongest Presidential candidate in the field. He relates to our values and can communicate with the people of our state.”

Representative Jerry McPeak, a key organizer of Senator Edwards’ support in Oklahoma, added:
“Oklahoma legislators representing both rural and urban areas from across the state are united behind John Edwards’ candidacy. We believe he is the best candidate to move our Party and our nation forward.”

The 30 Oklahoma legislators supporting John Edwards for President are:

STATE SENATORS
Mike Morgan (D—Stillwater), President Pro Tempore
Charlie Laster (D—Shawnee), President Pro Tempore-elect, Co-Floor Leader
Jay Paul Gumm (D—Durant), Co-Assistant Floor Leader, Energy Committee Co-Chair
Jeff Rabon (D—Hugo), Co-Assistant Floor Leader, Transportation Committee Co-Chair
Charles Wyrick (D—Fairland), Democratic Whip, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Co-Chair
Kenneth Corn (D—Howe), Democratic Caucus Chairman
Sean Burrage (D—Claremore), Rules Committee Co-Chair
Judy Eason McIntyre (D—Tulsa), Education Committee Co-Chair
Richard Lerblance (D—Hartshorne), Judiciary Committee Co-Chair
Jim Wilson (D—Tahlequah), Finance Committee Co-Chair


STATE REPRESENTATIVES
Danny Morgan (D—Prague), Democratic Leader
James Covey (D—Custer City), Democratic Floor Leader
David Braddock (D—Altus), Deputy Democratic Floor Leader
Wallace Collins, (D—Norman), Asst. Democratic Floor Leader
Wes Hilliard (D—Sulphur), Asst. Democratic Floor Leader
Jerry McPeak (D—Warner), Asst. Democratic Floor Leader
Wade Rousselot (D—Wagoner), Asst. Democratic Floor Leader
Terry Harrison (D—McAlester), Democratic Whip
Eric Proctor (D—Tulsa), Democratic Caucus Secretary
John Auffet (D—Stilwell)
Scott BigHorse (D—Pawhuska)
Neil Brannon (D—Arkoma)
John Carey (D—Durant)
Jerry Ellis (D—Valliant)
Larry Glenn (D—Miami)
Darrell Gilbert (D—Tulsa)
Richard Morrissette (D—Oklahoma City)
Brian Renegar (D—McAlester)
Paul Roan (D—Tishomingo)
Glen Bud Smithson (D—Sallisaw)



Senator Morgan and Representative Morgan released the following letter announcing their joint endorsement of Senator Edwards:


Dear Fellow Oklahoma Democrat,

Our nation faces critical issues both here at home and abroad, and we need a real leader to get our country back on the right path. With the 2008 Presidential Preference Primary in Oklahoma less than a year away, we believe it is important to support a candidate who can transform America, which is why we are supporting Senator John Edwards for President.

After a thorough review of our many qualified candidates it is clear that Senator Edwards has earned our support. Senator Edwards has the ideas and vision to lead our country and restore America as the moral leader in the world. He will always fight to improve the lives of working Oklahomans and every working American.

Senator Edwards has been a friend to our state and to the causes we hold dear. He has spent more time in Oklahoma than any other announced or potential candidates, and he understands and can effectively communicate with our values-driven, populist electorate. During the 2006 election cycle, he worked tirelessly to support our efforts to elect Democratic majorities in the State House and Senate. He attended fundraisers on behalf of both the House and Senate caucuses, profiled our members on his website, and repeatedly offered his personal time and service when it could be of use for fundraising, candidate recruitment and messaging.

We believe it’s time to return the favor to Senator Edwards. Not only will we be lending our name to his effort, we will also be working on the ground locally to extend our volunteer organizations to his campaign.

As the leaders of the Democratic Party in both houses of the state legislature, we both offer Senator John Edwards our endorsement and our full support. We hope that all of our colleagues in both caucuses join us in supporting Senator Edwards – the strongest candidate for President in the Democratic field.

Sincerely,

Senator Mike Morgan
President Pro Tempore

Representative Danny Morgan
Minority Leader


-----
-Jake Andrews, ODP Intern

With Al Gore and “An Inconvenient Truth,” still fresh on the minds of Oklahomans, Bill Richardson has set a goal of reducing oil imports in our country by 40 percent and replacing liquid fuels with bio-fuels by 2025, calling for a 75 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050.
By promoting tax breaks for the construction of energy efficient buildings, offering tax credits for hybrid cars and public transportation, and creating a system of tradable energy credits to encourage private investment in alternative energy technology, Richardson is proving that he’s serious about saving the environment.
``Our ability to drain the swamps of terrorism depends in part on our political will to change how we produce, distribute and consume energy,'' Richardson said. ``In the West, it's not just liberal college kids who ask what we are doing about global warming - it's the conservative farmers and ranchers whose way of living is at risk.''

--Lacey Earls

According to Iowapolitics.com the John Edwards Presidential campaign recently hired Oklahoman Pat Maloney to work as the Iowa Field director for the upcoming caucus. Click Here to read more.
-Jake Andrews

Senator Charlie Laster designated

In a press release two weeks ago, the Senate Democratic Caucus in Oklahoma selected Senator Charles Laster to be the next President Pro Tempore of the senate. Senator Laster is the current co-floor leader. He will succeed current President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan in November of 2008, when Senator Mike Morgan leaves office. Senator Laster aims to return senate control to the Democrats in 2009. Additionally, he will also be working with Senator Tom Adelson to help lead the Democratic caucus in the future.

- Jordan Endicott

Biden Speaks Out on Iraq

Senator Joe Biden at a speech for the National League of Cities raised awareness again on Iraq. This time he raised a different issue about Iraq than why we went there or how we are going to get out. According to Nicole Gaudiano of the Delaware News Journal, “Biden asked the audience to imagine how the $100 billion spent in Iraq this year, incentives for oil companies and tax cuts for the wealthy could be redirected to domestic programs, including health care for all 9 million uninsured children, border security, education and community development programs, and community policing grants.” In addition Biden still seems to be the only candidate with a clear strategy in Iraq. Biden continues to use his foreign policy experience to his advantage and seems to impress the audience with each speech that he gives. To read more on this article click here.

-Cole Hines

Schools Held Hostage

If Speaker Cargill and his Republican cronies don't stop the political games at the state capitol now, local school districts will be held hostage to their greed and lack of compassion. Teachers will be fired, classrooms will be overcrowded and learning will be limited.

The Republicans' refusal to act now to provide the funds to schools to pay their teachers seriously impedes classroom instruction and student progress.

I had hoped that Cargill was different from the former speaker of the House Todd Hiett when it came to important public matters, but alas, he apparently is not. Like Hiett, Cargill appears to be a schoolyard bully shaking down schools for their lunch money.

Mr. Speaker, lay aside the backroom deals and political games, do the right thing, make good on Oklahoma's promises to our schools, to our teachers and to our students.

Neighbor to Neighbor

Last night's Neighbor to Neighbor Meet and Greet at the Oklahoma Democratic Party HQ with the local Persian American community was standing room only. Thanks to everyone who participated in this cultural and political conversation, shared baklava and enjoyed the live music.

Thanks also to those who attended with open minds and open hearts for those wonderful American citizens, those generous Oklahomans who have family members living in Iran who share our deep concerns for the foreign policy decisions being made by the current occupant of the White House.

Thanks to the state legislators and Democratic Party officers and activists who attended and a special thanks to those who participated who are under 30. You are the way to a peaceful future for our nation and our world.

Obamania in OKC

We enjoyed meeting all the folks coming into the ODP HQ yesterday to pick up their Obama tickets for Monday's rally at the Farmer's Market in OKC's historic stockyards district. And it's noteworthy that the event for Obama is drawing out Democrats and Republicans, young, old, rural, urban, families, and singles.

Senator Obama will be in Oklahoma for two fundraising events Monday and will hold the public rally late Monday afternoon. Tickets may be purchased through the Obama for America website but must be picked up at the ODP HQ. Tickets are also available by check at the ODP HQ, 4100 N. Lincoln Blvd., OKC. Call for details 405.427.3366.

House Republican Speaker Cuts Off Attempt to Hear
The Honesty in Funding Education Act

For the last five weeks House Republicans have refused to take action on the increasing funding crisis that school districts across the State are experiencing. Today, House Democrats attempted to bring the Honesty in Funding Education Act to the House Floor. The Honesty in Funding Education Act, House Bill 1935, would appropriate enough money to school districts to provide relief to their increasing financial crisis.

“This is about giving our school teachers and students the tools they need to learn,” said Representative Jerry McPeak, D- Warner. “And more importantly, today it was about honest and open government.”

Earlier today on the House Floor, Representative Eric Proctor, D- Tulsa, moved that House Bill 1935 be presented on the House Floor. The Republican House Speaker immediately cut Representative Proctor off and did not allow him to speak any further. He noted that later in the morning that the Republican Floor Leader conceded in allowing him to make his motion at some point later in the day.

“We moved to have the bill heard today because there has been no action from the House Republicans on this issue,” said McPeak. “Appropriations bills must originate in the House and the House Democratic Caucus was fed up with the Republicans not recognizing the ongoing crisis in our schools. I am very disappointed that our own Speaker did not allow us to take up the bill on the floor and allow it to be heard in front of the whole House.”

During the 2006 session the Legislature mandated that school district give teachers in the state an increase in pay of $3,000. However, in spite of commitments made on the floor by House Leadership, the Legislature failed to appropriate monies to the school districts that would cover the costs associated with the pay raises.

Most school districts are being forced to spend money out of their operational budgets for costs associated with the yet unfunded pay raises. Now schools budgets are falling short and the money is needed for basic costs. Shortfalls due to this unfunded mandate are now resulting in teachers and support personnel losing their jobs.

Over 100 school superintendents from across the State attended the Capitol today to ask Legislators to appropriate the money as soon as possible. The Republican House Speaker refused to meet with superintendents when they came by his office.

“A small group of us asked to meet with the Speaker,” said Steven Crawford, Superintendent of Byng Schools. “We were told that he was not able to meet with us at this time and we never saw him leave his office while we were waiting.”

“The Republicans claim that there are ongoing negotiations about how much to give the school districts,” said Representative McPeak. “What is there to negotiate? Superintendents from across Oklahoma came together this past summer and concluded that $58 million was the amount of money needed to make up for the unfunded mandates. The State Department of Education agreed. Who knows more about this than them?”

“I always taught my students that one of the most important things in life is to keep your word,” said high school history teacher Representative Proctor. “Now we’re just asking the House Republicans to do the same.”

“We will continue to fight for all of the dollars last year’s Legislature promised to our schools,” said Democratic Caucus Chair Ryan McMullen, D- Burns Flat. “The most disappointing thing for me is that this is starting to look more like the partisan politics played by former Republican Speaker Todd Hiett last session. I hope that the current administration can get past the political games and just do what’s right for Oklahoma’s kids.”

Women's History Month

Our next honoree for this year's Women's History Month is Jonelle Romero. Those of you who read OKBlue Notes regularly know that throughout the month I am highlighting different honorees as chosen by the Women's History Project. You may visit the website to look at all the honorees or keep visiting OK Blue Notes for the rest.

Joanelle Romero, humanitarian, filmmaker, actress, recording artist/singer/songwriter, in 2006 launched Red Nation Media Internet and Television Channel with all Native programming. Her accomplishments as a pioneer in film, television, non-profit organizations, educator, philanthropist, producer, director, have established her as one of the most respected and admired public figures today. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico of Apache/Cheyenne, Jewish and Spanish descent, Romero was raised in Los Angeles on a variety of TV and movie sets, where she learned her craft.

As an actress, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, producer and filmmaker of American Indian performing arts including programming on her Red Nation Media Network Channel, she has entertained, inspired, moderated, enlightened the general public for the almost 3 decades. Using media as a primary tool, Romero has created a connection within Indian Country; including the film, television, music industries and to people around the world.

In 1991, Romero founded Spirit World Productions, as she saw a need for American Indian people to tell their own stories in television, film, and music. Spirit World Productions continues to American Indian films, pilots, and music, giving voices to those who would otherwise remain unheard. Through her company’s film division Spirit World Productions, Romero has become an award-winning American Indian documentary filmmaker & drama series producer.

In 2000, Spirit World Productions released the internationally critically acclaimed Award –Winning documentary film American Holocaust: When It’s All Over I’ll Still Be.Indian Narrated by Ed Anser. This film has the last footage shot of the Late Grandpa Wallace Black Elk and Former Chairwoman Mildred Clayhorn of the Ft. Sill Apache Nation. Romero directed, produced, wrote, and scored the music for this controversial and groundbreaking film. This documentary is the first and only film that compares Hitler’s attempted genocide of German Jews with the U.S. government’s treatment of American Indians and the lasting effects on the culture today.

To provide multiple, ongoing avenues for the exploration and presentation of contemporary and traditional American Indian performing arts, in 1995, Romero founded the non-profit organization, Red Nation Celebration (RNC). This organization premieres contemporary and traditional American Indian performing arts of diverse artistic disciplines to the mainstream media and to the global communities with the goal of encouraging understanding of the cultural traditions, performing arts, community and the advancement of indigenous nations. Additionally, RNC educates the public on aspects of American Indian cultural and artistic expression; educates and informs the music and film industries on new talent within the American Indian community; provides youth with educational and vocational opportunities related to the music and entertainment industry; and introduces American Indian artists to larger, global mainstream audiences.

In 2005 she received the Armin T. Wegner “Humanitarian” Award for the vision to see the truth…and the courage to speak it.

Continuing her on-going work to ensure that the culture, traditions, and history of American Indians would be recognized and celebrate, Romero initiated the first annual American Indian Heritage Month with the City of Los Angeles in November 2006 and she was named "The First Lady" of American Indian Heritage Month by American Indian Spiritual Leaders.

Pay Raise

Republicans Refuse to Bring the Honesty in FundingEducation Act to the House Floor

House Democrats & School Superintendents to discuss actions

House Democrats and schools superintendents from across the State will hold a press conference in the House Lounge today at the Oklahoma State Capitol at 12:00pm. The House Lounge is located directly behind the House Chambers.

School superintendents will join House Democrats to discuss the House Republicans refusal to bring the Honesty in Funding Education Act to the House Floor. House Republicans refused to bring the Honesty in Funding Education Act to the House Floor which would have fully funded the lack in funds that school districts are experiencing. Some school districts have begun to lay off teachers and support personnel because of the lack of funds..

Who: House Democrats and School Superintendents

When: Tuesday, March 13th, 2007, 12:00 p.m.

Where: House Lounge, 4^th Floor, directly behind the House Chambers

Rabon: House Must Act Now on Supplemental Funding for Education

State Sen. Jeff Rabon on Monday urged the Oklahoma House of Representatives to act quickly in approving a bill to provide supplemental funding for education.

Rabon said the Legislature must provide approximately $40 million in order to cover the costs of teacher pay raises approved last year and the increasing cost of health insurance benefit rates, or schools could be forced to cut personnel. The Oklahoma Constitution requires that all spending bills must originate in the House of Representatives before advancing to the Senate.

“The House needs to send a bill to provide supplemental funding and they need to do it quickly,” said Rabon, D-Hugo. “If the House doesn’t send us a supplemental this week, our schools will be faced with a funding crisis that could result in personnel cuts at schools throughout the state.”


Rabon noted that state Department of Education officials have stated that supplemental funding must be approved by March 15, in order to avoid funding cuts.

“Schools have already been forced to consider the possibility of terminating certified staff and support personnel and some already have,” Rabon said. “If this doesn’t send a message about the urgency of the issue, then nothing will. People’s jobs are at stake here, and the Legislature has a moral responsibility to provide the funding and resources we’ve promised to Oklahoma schools.”

Rabon said the Legislature has the funding available to cover the increased costs, but that action must be taken this week or more schools will be forced to consider layoffs.

“We’ve got the funding to do it – it’s just a matter of whether the House will get down to business and send us a bill in time to get funding to our schools,” Rabon said.

Rabon added that lagging lottery revenues have contributed to a shortfall in education funding that the Legislature must address. Recently, school districts throughout the state were notified by the State Department of Education that their budgets would be reduced if supplemental funding was not approved by the Legislature by the end of this week.

“We’ve made a promise to our schools and teachers and we have to follow through with what we’ve guaranteed them,” Rabon said. “But if the House doesn’t send us a vehicle through which we can provide our schools with the funding they need, we’re going to be faced with a crisis.”

Hillary Clinton: Supporting Our Troops

Hillary Clinton spoke at the Center for American Progress today, calling for immediate steps to better train and equip our troops and get them the care they need when they return home.

IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH CARE: In her speech, Hillary proposed improving the screening process for our troops before they deploy to better track mental health conditions and cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. She also proposed a measure to provide assistance to families struggling to care for a loved one with psychological and brain injuries.

FIXING THE DISABILITY SYSTEM: To deal with the high number of disability claims being rejected, Hillary proposed an independent review of denied claims to help veterans get the benefits they deserve.

TAKING CARE OF ORPHANS: To ensure that the children of single parents killed in combat are cared for, Hillary proposed allowing soldiers to designate someone to receive their benefits and care for their children.

A NEW GI BILL OF RIGHTS: In the coming weeks, Hillary will announce a new GI Bill of rights that will expand opportunities for veterans to get a college education, afford their own home and start small businesses.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=1380

Barack Obama to visit Tulsa and Oklahoma City

Presidential nominee hopeful Barack Obama will be visiting both Tulsa and Oklahoma City on March 19th. From the information so far released, Senator Obama will be holding a public rally in the late afternoon in Oklahoma City. More information on the visits will be released in the near future. To keep up on information when its available, visit Oklahoma Obama or enter your email address with the Oklahoma Democratic Party and we will send information as soon as it is available.

- Jordan Endicott

Bernice Syrus Davis will be Honored by Georgia Brown Federation

The Georgia Brown Federation of Democrat Women’s Club is honoring its founder and first President, Bernice Syrus Davis Saturday, March 10, 2007 from 1-3 p.m. at the Jimmy Stewart Building, 1300 NE 4th Street, OKC.

Ms. Davis, a lifelong Oklahoma resident, has been very active and influential in the Democratic Party. She worked countless hours working on numerous campaign drives for Democratic nominees, registering voters, canvassing neighborhoods and planning various “meet the speakers” meetings in communities.

“We went into every nook and cranny to get out the vote,” said Davis. Her constant quest was to register new voters, and to get them to the polls on election days. She remembers carrying voters to polls, going door to door distributing pamphlets and providing citizens with election information.

Her lifelong commitment to her community has earned her a legacy among Oklahoma Democrats as the second Afro-American recipient, for which she will be honored by the appreciation tea on March, 10.

-Lacey Earls

Plan for US Troop Withdrawal from Iraq Devised by House Democrats

Today, House leaders in Washington unveiled a plan that would start withdrawing American troops from Iraq as soon as July 1st, 2007. While some troops would remain overseas to "[train] Iraqi troops and [protect] Iraq's borders, the majority of the troops would be withdrawn by August 2008 under this proposed plan. House members are hopeful that this bill will be passed by the end of next week.

Under this measure, it must be certified that the Iraqi government is making progress toward army training, as well as increasing civil liberties within the nation. If these basic requirements have not been given attention by the Iraqi government by July 1st, 2007, then U.S. troops would start to withdraw immediately, and be completely removed by the end of 2007.

If it is certified that the Iraqi government is indeed making progress on these requirements, then they have until October 1st, 2007 for completion. If the two goals are not satisfied by this date, then troop withdrawal will begin immediately after, being completely removed from Iraq by the end of March 2008. Moreover, if the two goals have been completely fulfilled, then troops start coming home permanently between March 1, 2008 and the end of August 2008.

Read the full atricle from The Los Angeles Times

-Nicole Morgan

TULSA COUNTY PRECINCT MEETINGS
March 8, 2007
7:00 p.m.

Meetings will be held at the following locations. Please check your voter registration card to see in which precinct your are registered. (the last three numbers of your voter number.) Then check the following list for your meeting location.

Only someone registered as a Democrat in a precinct prior to 7:00 p.m. on March 8, 2007 can vote in the precinct election.
A registered voter can nominate him/herself for a precinct office and elect him/herself.
A registered voter need not be present to be nominated and elected to a precinct position.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman of a precinct must be of the opposite gender. The Secretary can be of either gender. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary are voting delegates to the County Convention.
The precinct can nominate and elect two Precinct Committeemen and two Precinct Committeewomen. The Committeemen and Committeewomen are not voting delegates to the County Convention.
Anyone can attend the County Convention. Only delegates can vote.
Precincts can prepare individual precinct resolutions. As many of the resolutions will be similar, it is much easier for the Resolutions Committee to have the entire group prepare one set of resolutions.
BAILEY EDUCATION CENTER
10502 North 110th East Avenue
Owasso, OK 74055
Liz Campbell will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
501, 502, 503, 900, 551, 552, 553, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758

BIXBY LIBRARY
20 East Breckinridge
Bixby, OK 74008
Kenneth Marshall will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
167, 351, 352, 353, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 408, 708

BROKEN ARROW LIBRARY
300 West Broadway
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Mike Couch will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
158, 405, 406, 407, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474

CENTRAL LIBRARY
Lecture Room
400 Civic Center
Tulsa, OK 74103
Lori Cain will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
50, 52, 53, 63, 64, 66, 71, 72, 73, 106, 107, 139, 156

CHARLES PAGE LIBRARY
551 East 4th Street
Sand Springs, OK 74063
Ted Kachel will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
148, 149, 851, 852, 853, 857, 858, 871

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH HOLY TRINITY
1222 South Guthrie Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74119
Demetrius Bereolos will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
46, 47, 48, 49, 61, 62, 65, 67, 68, 69, 74, 164

GREELY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
105 East 63rd Street North
Tulsa, OK 74126
Dorothy Gatewood will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
5, 9

HARDESTY SOUTH LIBRARY
8316 East 93rd Street
Tulsa, OK 74133
Sue Storts and Sue Ann Tollett will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
109, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 121, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 137, 138, 151, 162, 165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 188

TULSA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY HEADQUARTERS
3930 East 31st Street
Tulsa, OK 74135
Patti Basnett will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
75, 76, 77, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, 103, 108, 117, 120, 131, 163

JENKS LIBRARY
523 West "B" Street
Jenks, OK 74037
Tom Albaugh will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
110, 111, 161, 185, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707

KENDELL-WHITTIER LIBRARY
21 South Lewis Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74104
Fred Slama will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
20, 30, 31, 32, 122, 127, 184

MAXWELL PARK LIBRARY
1313 North Canton Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74115
PRECINCTS
12, 17, 19, 24, 25, 26

NATHAN HALE LIBRARY
6038 East 23rd Street
Tulsa, OK 74114
Steve Gallo will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 78, 79, 90, 92, 93, 97, 99, 100, 157

PRATT LIBRARY
3219 South 113th West Avenue
Sand Springs, OK 74063
Randy Campbell and Ken McEver will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
801, 802, 854, 855, 856, 880, 881, 882

RUDISILL LIBRARY
1520 North Hartford Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74106
Laurie Phillips will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 51, 54, 147, 187

SUBURBAN ACRES LIBRARY
4606 North Garrison Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74126
Linda Jenkins will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 21, 22, 186

TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION HALL
11929 East Pine Street
Tulsa, OK 74116
PRECINCTS
Barbara Cale with the assistance of Benny Fleming with lead this meeting.
23, 27, 28, 29, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 60, 70, 94, 95, 96, 98, 101, 102, 104, 105, 136, 150, 152, 153, 154, 155, 159, 160

ZARROW LIBRARY
2224 West 51st Street
Tulsa, OK 74107
Cynthia Garrett will lead this meeting.
PRECINCTS
140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146
TULSA COUNTY
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
COUNTY CONVENTION
Transportation Workers Union Hall
11929 East Pine Street
Tulsa
March 31, 2007
8:00 a.m.-Credentials Open
10:00 a.m.-Convention Begins
So far, we have the following individuals running for county offices:
Chairman-Patti Basnett
Vice Chairman-Jon Kirby
Secretary-Jack Boyte
CONVENTION COMMITTEES
CREDENTIALS
Meeting-March 9, 2007
5:30 p.m.
Headquarters
Gordon Holmes-Co-Chair
Barbara Cale-Co-Chair
Gary Allison
Kimberly Fobbs
Linda Jenkins
Paul Little
Ralph Morita
Tiffany Phillips
Matt StinerRULES
Meeting-March 10, 2007
11:00 a.m.
Headquarters
George Otey-Co-Chair
Laurie Phillips-Co-Chair
John Banks
Mark Darrah
Elaine Dodd
Cynthia Garrett
Cynthia McNeilance
Dave Ratcliff
Harry Rouse
RESOLUTIONS
Meeting-March 10, 2007
2:00 p.m.
Headquarters
Demetrius Bereolos-Co-Chair
Martha Hardwick-Co-Chair
Francie Bomer
Benny Fleming
Gerald Garrett
Chris Gentges
Dennis Hall
Gloria McLaughlin
Ken Reddick
Message From Your Tulsa County Resolutions Committee:
Each precinct is encouraged to draft resolutions to be presented to the County Convention. When drafting these resolutions, please remember:
1. Each resolution should cover only one topic.
2. Each resolution should be concise, preferably 200 words or less.
33. Clearly understandable and printed or typewritten language is helpful.
We will have two meetings prior to the County Convention for public discussion of resolutions, they will be (check dates carefully-dates were backwards in last newsletter):
Martin Regional Library March 18 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Central Library-Aaronson Auditorium March 29 6:00-8:00 p.m.Patti Basnett Steve Gallo Liz Campbell
Chairman Vice Chair Secretary

Patti Bassnett, Tulsa County Chair

www.tulsacountydemocrats.org

House Democratic Caucus Leaders Comment on the Passage of the
Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007

Democratic Leaders of the House commented today on the passage of House Bill 1804, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007. House Bill 1804 is 2007’s highly publicized immigration reform legislation.

“The members of the House Democratic Caucus applaud all of our colleagues in the House for coming together to try and find a solution for our illegal immigration crisis in Oklahoma,” said Democrat Leader Danny Morgan, D- Prague. “Illegal immigration reform is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It affects every Oklahoman across the State and I am glad that we are taking a bi-partisan approach to reforming our immigration system.”


“Today’s immigration reform is a result of the complete and utter failure of Washington’s leadership. The President and Congress have twiddled their thumbs, leaving Americans leaderless on the issue of immigration,” said Democratic Caucus Chairman Ryan McMullen, D- Burns Flat. “Today Oklahoma stepped up to the plate. I commend Oklahoma’s House Republicans for breaking with their Republican leadership in Washington by working with us to actually to tackle immigration reform.”

“We saw some cooperation, but there were other aggressive immigration reforms that were not even given a vote today in the House. House Democrats offered several sincere alternatives to improve the bill and better enforce illegal immigration laws in Oklahoma. But on several of these ideas, Democrats were cut off, limiting the quality of reform,” said Representative Mike Brown, D- Tahlequah. “One idea would have built upon our current drivers’ license system in implements a real Oklahoma ID Program. Instead, we’re punting on the program and sending it to some international corporation. Today we instituted reforms, but we also left several good ideas on the table.”

Read Rep. Joe Dorman's opinion on HB 1485, which would allow for much of the property maintained by oil and gas companies to be free from taxation because they feel they are unfairly taxed on specific equipment on the Comanche County Democratic Party site.


OPEN DOOR POLICY by Rep. Joe Dorman



There have been several high profile issues come up at the Capitol this past week. One in particular that has arisen is House Bill 1485, which would allow for much of the property maintained by oil and gas companies to be free from taxation because they feel they are unfairly taxed on specific equipment. Several of the oil and gas companies have proposed in debate that they contribute over one billion dollars to the state's economy each year and that this exemption on property will be slight and would help keep business thriving in Oklahoma. Opponents state that this exemption is on property that is currently not being taxed due to the energy companies not claiming the equipment when they turn in the tax information.

I'm currently working on rewriting this bill to give authority to the Oklahoma Tax Commission to do a statewide assessment on all property maintained by these companies, verify the accuracy of the tax and for that information to be distributed to the local assessors. Often times, the assessors do not travel on to private property if the gates are locked and this prevents an accurate read on what should be taxed. There is also the problem with assessments falling behind and many times these energy companies are allowed to turn in their own information regarding what should be on the tax forms.

By giving this authority and the funding to the Tax Commission, this will do a one-time, three-year scan of the state and provide the information to the assessors on what should be included for the taxation. There will also be a provision for appeal on whether some property should be included in the taxation. This will be given to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission through their judicial review system to help cut down on costly court fees. This compromise will provide the fair assessment that the oil and gas companies claim they are not receiving by private-contract companies that work on a percentage basis who are hired by local assessors. This new version of the bill also provides the schools and counties with the resources to receive the accurate assessments and in turn the appropriate tax dollars.

It is an honor to represent your views at the State Capitol. If you wish to contact me and discuss one of these or another issue, I can be reached at my office in Oklahoma City toll-free at 1-800-522-8502, or directly at 1-405-557-7305. I can be reached locally at (580) 476-2626, my e-mail address is joedorman@okhouse.gov at work. My mailing address is PO Box 559, Rush Springs, OK 73082 and my website is www.joedorman.com on the Internet. Thank you for taking time to read this column and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Editorial Round Up: Libby Trial A Disgrace For Bush White House

The conviction of former Cheney chief-of-staff Scooter Libby in regard to the leaking of a covert CIA agent’s identity and the smearing of Bush Administration opponents has led to outrage across the country. Editorials call for Cheney and Bush advisor Karl Rove to resign their White House posts and for the President not to pardon Libby. Libby is highest-ranking White House official to be convicted of a felony since the Iran-Contra Affair.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Bush Should Be Demanding Resignations From Other White House Officials, Including Rove. “The latest casualty of the war in Iraq is I. Lewis ‘Scooter’ Libby, White House fall guy and former top aide to Vice President Cheney, convicted yesterday of perjury and obstructing justice. … The topic that Libby lied about is important: a reckless effort to discredit a critic of the Iraq war. Libby took part in a frantic bid to squelch an inconvenient truth - that the administration had rushed into war based on assertions about Iraqi WMD that were flat-out wrong. … This bungled run-up to war, the criminally negligent lack of planning for the occupation, and the disgraceful Libby episode were brought to us by a White House crew that once claimed to be uniquely qualified on national defense. … If the president truly does respect this verdict, he ought to be seeking resignations. Rove, the architect of his presidency, was neck-deep in the scheme to discredit Wilson. He, too, spoke to a columnist about Wilson's wife. (Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage acknowledged being the first to disclose Plame's identity to a journalist.) And what of Cheney, whose bidding Libby clearly was doing? Libby is the only one headed for jail, but the verdict condemns higher government officials in absentia.” [Philadelphia Inquirer, Editorial, 3/7/07]

Sacramento Bee: President Bush Has Done Nothing To Provide Accountability. “Libby's trial reveals the lengths to which White House officials were willing to go to mislead the American people before the invasion of Iraq -- and their willingness to destroy those who would publicly offer contrary information. Cheney's office also mobilized to attack Wilson personally. The vice president prepared talking points for Libby and others on how to undermine Wilson's credibility, according to testimony by Catherine J. Martin, who was Cheney's top press aide. … But the big question remains: Who bears responsibility for this outrageous behavior? Tuesday's verdict in Libby's trial provides the only accountability to date. President Bush has done nothing despite his vow to fire anyone who leaked the CIA operative's cover. At this point, Libby is the fall guy in this tawdry drama.” [Sacramento Bee, Editorial, 3/7/07]

Houston Chronicle: Bush Should Not Pardon Libby. “Libby is the highest ranking U.S. official to be convicted of a felony since Reagan administration officials were charged in the Iran-Contra scandal. … President Bush should resist any urge to pardon Libby, and allow justice to take its course. A pardon would send the message that loyal officials can lie under oath — not to mention deliberately mislead the American people — with impunity if they have appreciative friends in high places.” [Houston Chronicle, Editorial, 3/7/07]

Denver Post: Cheney, Rove And Armitage “Impugned” By Investigation. “Tuesday's conviction of I. Lewis ‘Scooter’ Libby was a repudiation of the arrogance of White House insiders who manipulated intelligence and attacked their critics. … The picture that emerged from the perjury and obstruction trial of Libby is one of officials who thought nothing of attacking an opponent of their Iraq war policy, even jeopardizing a career intelligence officer. … The trial focused an unflattering spotlight on others in the Bush administration who leaked Plame's identity, including White House adviser Karl Rove, then-Press Secretary Ari Fleischer and then-Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. And it exposed Cheney as a behind-the-scenes operator who dictated strategy and statements for others in the administration. Cheney and Rove weren't charged in the investigation, which special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said is now finished, but they certainly were impugned.” [Denver Post, Editorial, 3/7/07]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Cheney Should Resign. “If Dick Cheney had a shred of honor, he'd resign the vice presidency and offer to take the rap for his former chief of staff, I. Lewis ‘Scooter’ Libby, who's looking at 18 months to three years in a federal prison after being convicted Tuesday for lying about his part in a scheme that his old boss clearly engineered. … L'affaire Plame was not a proud moment for either American government or American journalism — or, for that matter, for American justice. If there were real justice, Scooter Libby wouldn't be the only guy headed for prison.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Editorial, 3/7/07]

Senator Corn and Rabon Take a Stand on Trespassing

Tuesday Senator Kenneth Corn along with his Democratic colleague Jeff Rabon took a stand on trespassing in Oklahoma. It is well known in Oklahoma that outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing have long been a part of the states culture. The problem that Senators Corn and Rabon are trying to address would be that of making sure proper steps are taken in order to eliminate trespassing on private property without permission. On the issue Senator Corn had this to say, "There are people who have invested their entire lives in the property which they have, and it's not fair for someone just to come upon their property and do as they wish, Corn added, calling the ability to own property and protect it one of Oklahomans' most sacred rights." Once the Senators had voiced their concerns the bill passed with strong support. To read more on this story click here.

-Cole Hines

Howard Dean on Scooter Libby and Moving America Forward


Governor Howard Dean has asked me to forward this message from him and DNC Executive Director Tom McMahon to all of our Oklahoma Democrats:

"Scooter Libby - a former top aide to the President and Vice-President - has been convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in a federal court. Even though the Bush Administration has a long history of steamrolling dissent and dodging accountability, our legal system caught up.

See what Gov. Dean had to say about it here:

http://www.democrats.org/DeanMessage

There are still many problems with this Administration, but it's good that Scooter Libby's crimes have been dealt with.

We've got wounded soldiers suffering in VA hospitals and healthy ones fighting in Iraq. Dealing with those problems should be the focus; it's time for the White House to stop playing politics and get back to work."

Henry Thanks Troops in Middle East

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry is in Iraq and Kuwait visiting troops on the frontlines. Gov. Henry said, "I told our soldiers we are very proud of them and are praying for them everyday.They were anxious to hear news from home and wanted to let their families know they were doing well."

Read more from Gov. Henry: http://www.gov.ok.gov/display_article.php?article_id=904&article_type=1

Rural Schools Get Nod from SJR 1

(Chair's Note: As a graduate of a small rural high school I'm thrilled that Senator Gumm's measure to end forced school consolidation passed the Senate today. I visited Beaver, Texas and Cimarron Counties last week and saw firsthand the importance of the rural schools and the impact they have on their communities. Many students already travel great distances to attend school and more time on a school bus can't be the best use of time for our young citizens. Thanks to Senator Gumm and the others, on both sides of the aisle, who supported this measure.)


Measure to End Forced School Consolidation
Advances to House on Bipartisan Vote


OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Jay Paul Gumm’s effort to end forever the concept of forced school consolidation is two small steps away from a vote of the people with an overwhelming bipartisan vote on the Senate floor this morning.

Senate Joint Resolution 1 would give Oklahoma voters a chance to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to prohibit any school from consolidating unless approved by a majority of voters in each of the affected school districts. In short, Gumm explained, the measure would prevent “politicians, judges or bureaucrats” from forcing any school district to consolidate.

“This legislation is simple – it protects rural communities from the almost yearly threat by some politicians and bureaucrats in Oklahoma City to close rural schools and kill the communities they serve,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant. “This measure puts the power to determine the future of rural Oklahoma in the hands of rural Oklahomans – where it belongs.”

Gumm said SRJ 1 has tremendous bipartisan support—noting his measure is a joint effort to end the threat of forced school consolidation. Currently the measure has co-authors from 12 senators and 33 representatives of both political parties

“We agree – it is long past time to settle this issue once and for all,” Gumm said. “I am grateful the proposal has picked up momentum with the support of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle.”

Gumm said he is hopeful the measure will be granted a hearing in the House of Representatives. An identical bill passed the Senate last year on a similar vote, only to meet an untimely end when a House committee refused to give it a hearing.

This year, two Republicans – Rep. Lisa Billy of Purcell and Rep. Phil Richardson of Minco – have signed on as principal House authors.

“By reaching across party lines, I am more confident than ever we can send a strong statement that we understand the importance of protecting rural schools from the fate of forced school consolidation.” Gumm said.

If approved by the Legislature, the measure would be placed on the 2008 General Election ballot.

Lincoln County Precinct Meeting Locations

The meeting locations are listed below:

Precinct 1,2 & 14 - Stroud City Hall 200 N. 2nd
Precinct 3 - Davenport City Hall 214 Broadway
Precinct 4 - Avery Luthera Church
Precinct 5 - Agra Lutheran Church 11 S. Main
Precinct 6 - Tryon City Hall 25 S. Main
Precint 7 - Carney Cafe 503 W. Santa Fe
Precinct 8,9,10,11,12,13 & 20 Lincoln County Courthouse
Precinct 15 - Hillside Baptist Church
Precinct 16,18, & 19 - Meeker City Hall 510 W. Main
Precinct 17 - Gaines Residence 1.5 Miles East of Sparks
Precinct 21,22 - Prague City Hall 1116 Jim Thorpe

Remember to mail the precinct officer report form and the sign-in sheets to Greg Wilson
P.O. Box 231
Carney, OK 74832

Tony Perna, Chair, Lincoln County Democratic Party

Senate Democrats Keeping Promises to Oklahoma College Students and Their Families

(Chair's Note: Thanks to the Senate Democrats for taking leadership on this very important issue. Just today a metro newspaper reported that the fund was out of money and that the students enrolled in the program would not get the funds for the spring semester. Thanks to Senate Pro Tempore Mike Morgan D-Stillwater for pushing this measure.)

Senate Approves Dedicated Funding Source
For Successful Scholarship Program

OKLAHOMA CITY— Legislation to ensure that Oklahoma will keep its promise to pay the college tuition for thousands of deserving scholarship recipients was approved by the full State Senate Wednesday.

Senate Bill 820 creates a permanent dedicated funding source for the Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship Program.

“This legislation will assure that every student who qualifies for an Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship will receive their scholarship,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, author of the measure. Currently, approximately 15,000 students are attending college on Oklahoma’s Promise scholarships and another 30,000 middle and high school students have signed up for the program.

“As a state, we’ve made a promise to these students. This bill will ensure that we keep that promise,” Morgan said. The legislation is part of the 2007 legislative agendas of the Senate Democrats’ and Governor Brad Henry.

Morgan noted that funds to pay Oklahoma’s Promise scholarships for the current fiscal year have run out due to lagging revenues from some sources, leaving many scholarship students in limbo.

“I am confident that the Legislature will provide a supplemental appropriation and that these students will receive their scholarships, but passage of this legislation, will mean we won’t have to have this discussion in the future. Oklahoma’s Promise scholarships will get funded first,” Morgan said.

Senate Bill 820 requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to certify the amount needed to fund the program in the coming fiscal year each November. The funds would then be set aside when the State Board of Equalization meets in December and February.

The measure is similar to the ROADS program passed by the Legislature in 2006 to boost highway maintenance funding. Unlike the ROADS program, however, Oklahoma’s Promise funding is not limited to revenue from personal income tax. Oklahoma’s Promise funding will simply come from state general revenue, further ensuring that funds will always be available to pay for the scholarships.

Oklahoma’s Promise, originally known as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, provides scholarships for students who complete a specific college-preparatory curriculum, make good grades and stay out of trouble. Students, whose family income is $50,000 or less, can sign up for the program in the 8th, 9th or 10th grades.

The program began in the early 1990s and has been incredibly successful. The program’s annual cost has grown to nearly $40 million is projected to reach nearly $50 million in Fiscal Year 2008 and $60 million by FY 2009.

“These students take personal responsibility for their future. They make a promise to the state that they will prepare themselves for college and the state, in turn, commits to provide them with a college education. This legislation will ensure that the state keeps its end of the bargain,” Morgan said.

Remember the Ten

On January 27, 2001, ten members of the OSU family died in a plane crash in Colorado.

On April 21, 2007, the OSU family will come together to celebrate the lives of the ten who perished with a memorial run.

There will be a 10k, 5k and 1-mile Fun Run at the OSU-Stillwater Campus. Proceeds from the Remember the Ten Run will benefit OSU’s grief counseling services. We hope that members of the OSU family, those touched by the lives of the ten, and avid and recreational runners will join this special act of remembrance.

RED THURSDAY Domestic & Sexual Violence Day at the Capitol

Join Oklahomans opposing domestic and sexual violence at the state capitol March 22, if you cannot attend, please wear something RED that day in memory of domestic violence homicide victims at Domestic & Sexual Violence Day at the Capitol. The Silent Witnesses Initiative and Clothesline Project will be on display as well as displays by OCADVSA membership.

State Capitol activities in the 4th Floor Rotunda include local program displays from 9 to noon. A 10 a.m. rally is planned with remarks from Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Sec. of State Susan Savage, and Senator Debbe Leftwich.

Cargill Says NO Debate,
Family Farmers and Democrats Say Let's Talk It's a Good Idea

The following press release was forwarded to us announcing a planned March 12th press conference on the south steps of the state capitol.

According to the release House Speaker Cargill has refused to allow a bill on the floor that would limit Big Brother's farm animal tracking in Oklahoma. The tracking program National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a program of the USDA. According to their website the NO NAIS group is opposing forced participation and protecting traditional rights to farm. Read more about the two sides at their websites and read the local release below.

For: Committee Substitute to HB 1842

An Act mandating that the state shall not establish or participate in an animal

identification program.

HB 1842 sponsored by Representative Wallace Collins

Senate Author Kenneth Corn

Press Conference at:

11:30AM until 2:00PM. March 12th South Plaza of the Capitol


Wallace Collins submitted Committee Substitute to HB 1842 but the house leadership is not allowing it to be heard.

Don Grissom of Norman, a Wallace Collins constituent, asked him to support legislation to stop The National Animal Identification System from being implemented in Oklahoma.

Grissom says The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a regulation written by and for the big food Corporations, like Cargill and Monsanto, to control the food supply, to their advantage. It will adversely affect the smaller operator and farmer, driving more farmers out of business and therefore weakening America.

But Speaker Cargill will not allow the bill to even be heard. He has made speeches about making the process more open and he turns around and denies an important bill, to so many of us. Is he working for us or Cargill and Monsanto? Where does his interest in this lie?

Sue Karber, of Kingfisher, a leader in the No NAIS movement in Oklahoma, Says The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is not voluntary as the USDA propaganda machine says it is. Ask Bonnie Jo Jameson.

Bonnie Jo Jameson of Webbers Falls says; Our 15 year old daughter has a market goat as her FFA project. She was FORCED to sign up through her FFA school program. I am furious. I called NAIS and they gave me the "story." OK NAIS is PAYING FFA $5 to $10 for every premise they sign up. The kids are supposed to go to their neighbors and get them to sign up.

My husband and I are outraged and contacted the school, Webbers Falls High School. The Ag teacher said the cards are REQUIRED for the kids to show their animals. The high school principal had never heard of NAIS and she owns horses and her young daughter has pigs.

Sue Karber says does that sounds like voluntary?

Grissom & Karber have called for a Press Conference and public rally on the south steps of the State Capitol to demonstrate to the House Leadership that the public, especially farmers, want this bill heard.

Grissom says If you eat, you should be there.

Speakers will include:

Rep. Wallace Collins, Rep. Dale Turner, Rep. Jerry McPeak

Senator Kenneth Corn, Attorney Harlan Hentges, Sierra Club Legislative Chair Dr. Charles Wesner, Rancher Bonnie Jo Jameson

More speakers to be announced

Contact: Don Grissom 405-822-4072 or Sue Karber 405-375-3595

Congratulations to Cindy Rosenthal

Norman City Councilwoman Cindy Rosenthal was outspent two to one in the race for Norman's mayor but her grassroots efforts and strong, experienced leadership, with no strings attached, won the race tonight.

I walked into the watch party tonight at Step Brothers as Rosenthal was taking a concession phone call from her opponent Trey Bates. The room erupted with applause and tears of joy as Rosenthal announced the good news.

It was obvious that Rosenthal had broad based support throughout her campaign and by the faces of those at the watch party tonight that support cut across ages and neighborhoods throughout Norman.

Congratulations Cindy!!!

StopIranWar.com Update

As many of you know, a short time ago Wes Clark launched StopIranWar.com, where you can sign a petition to President Bush to avoid war with Iran at all costs. The number of electronic signatures has now reached 27, 999! This is a fantastic showing, and with time this rapid growth will reach the top and undoubtedly influence Bush to stay out of Iran.

There is now also a video featuring Wes Clark and Jon Soltz explaining the importance of avoiding the "next" war. Watch the video here, and pass it on to a friend. The more the word gets out, the better chance we have of ending the tragedies of using our military force in the Middle East.

-Nicole Morgan

Congressman Boren To Preside over U.S. House

Democratic Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma will preside over the House of Representatives from 8 to 10 p.m. Eastern (7 to 9 p.m. Central) on Wednesday, March 7.

This will be the congressman's first time in the Speaker's chair. You can tune in on C-SPAN 1 or online at http://www.cspan.org.

Dean On Libby Verdict

With the multiple guilty verdicts in the case of Scooter Libby and the outing of a covert CIA agent, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:

"Today the American legal system did something the Bush Administration hasn't, by holding Scooter Libby accountable for his illegal actions. Many unanswered questions remain about the other key Bush advisors who participated in the Administration's efforts to mislead the American people and smear its critics who have yet to be held accountable. Ultimately, the buck stops with President Bush. While he failed to keep his promise to fire the leaker, he should pledge not to pardon Scooter Libby.

"It's appalling to think that while President Bush had a high level team in place to sell the Iraq War and viciously smear its critics, it has not given that same attention to plan for postwar Iraq, providing the proper equipment for our troops or ensuring that our troops and veterans receive the care they deserve."

TP's for 3/06

The Bush Administration has mismanaged the war in Iraq, sending our troops to police a civil war without the resources they need and sending our wounded into despicable conditions at Walter Reed and across the VA health care system. Our heroes deserve better, and Democrats are committed to fixing the problems and giving them the treatment they have earned.


Walter Reed

The Bush Administration has utterly failed to keep the promise we make to each and every member of the Armed Services when they sign up.

For four years, the President has mismanaged the war in Iraq with a casual disregard that allows our troops to enter battle without the armor they need and to return home without the medical treatment they deserve.

From the lack of body armor for our troops, to the atrocious conditions wounded troops face at Walter Reed, to the breakdowns in the Veterans Health Care system, the time has come for change.

The Bush Administration has lost its credibility with the American people. The President may not welcome Congressional oversight, but the country demands it.

Senate Democrats are committed to fixing the problems our troops face by establishing a system that meets their needs and finds comprehensive solutions for our heroes, from the battlefield to the local VA and everywhere in between.

9/11 Commission Recommendations

The American people deserve the tough and smart homeland security policies that will keep them safe. Democrats will implement the unfinished recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

The same President that initially opposed the Department of Homeland Security and initially opposed the 9/11 Commission has signaled that he may oppose the most sweeping improvement to America's homeland security in the past several years.

Once again, his loyal Senate Republicans are standing by his side to put politics ahead of national security.

Democrats are fighting for a change from failed Bush policies at home that have made the world more dangerous and America less safe. Republicans can only just say no.

Senate Republicans have twice given a green light to escalate the war in Iraq. Now they're providing even more political cover for the President by threatening to block the 9/11 bill.

It is time for Republicans to put protecting the American people before protecting President Bush.

U.S. Attorney's

U.S. Attorneys have immense power to effect lives and careers by the decisions they make - it is very important that they are able to do their jobs independent of politics.

The news that the Bush Administration may have been using the U.S. Attorney's office as a training ground for political cronies is deeply disturbing.

From what we've seen of the performance reviews, the Justice Department's claim that these prosecutors were fired for poor performance simply doesn't seem to be true.

The Bush Administration has gone too far, and Democrats will hold them accountable for change.

Women's History Month

As a continuation of my blog last week I am highlighting another woman who is one of the 2007 honorees of the Women's History Project. Minniejean Brown Trickey is a civil rights activist who integrated Little Rock's Central High School in 1957. Here is the biography from the Women's History Projects Website:

Minnijean Brown Trickey was only sixteen years old when she became involved in one of the most pivotal acts of the American Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. As one of The Little Rock Nine, she along with eight other Black American teenagers, defied death threats, hostile white demonstrators, and even the Arkansas National Guard, to attend the all-White Little Rock Central High in 1957. Rising above the adversity, she took a courageous step that not only changed her life and education, but the lives and educations of African Americans around the country.


When the nine Black students enrolled in Central High School, it was one the nation’s premier schools and racial segregation had been declared illegal two years earlier by the Supreme Court in the Brown vs. the Board of Education decision of 1954. Yet, Central High School, along with the rest of the schools in the South remained segregated. To enforce this illegal segregation, Arkansas governor, Orval Faubus, instructed the Arkansas National Guard to surround the school and turn the nine students away. President Eisenhower intervened and sent in Army troops to escort the Black students into the school. .

The oldest of four children of Mr. & Mrs. W. B. Brown, Brown Trickey was beginning her junior year at Central High School when the vicious harassment including death threats began. Brown Trickey finally reacted to one of the humiliating and unrelenting attacks by White students, and she was expelled. Her family knew her life was in danger and she was sent to live in New York City. She graduated from New Lincoln High School in 1959, and later from Southern Illinois University.

Following graduation, Brown and her husband moved to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where they raised their six children (three boys and three girls). She has had a lifetime commitment to peacemaking; environmental issues; developing youth leadership; diversity education and training; cross-cultural communication; gender and social justice advocacy. Her teaching experience in social work and cross-cultural communication includes Carleton University, and community colleges in Canada.

Brown Trickey served in Clinton Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Workforce Diversity at the Department of the Interior. As consultant, she has trained nationally and internationally in anti-racism, diversity, feminist research, cross-cultural communications and organizational change.

She has been a facilitator/teacher for the Sojourn to the Past Project, which has made it possible for more than 3000 high school students to have a ten-day interactive history course that travels to civil rights sites, meeting with key leaders and participants in the southern United States.

She is the recipient of numerous awards for her community work for social justice, including: Lifetime Achievement Tribute by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation; the International Wolf Project Award for contributions to racial harmony; and, with the Little Rock Nine, she received the NAACP Spingarn Medal and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Today, she continues to promote the theory and practice of nonviolence, as means toward social change as a teacher, writer and lecturer. Journey to Little Rock: The Untold Story of Minnijean Brown is an acclaimed documentary that follows her life of passionate social activism and recognizes a woman, who through her own experience and courage, has moved history forward.

Payne County Democrats Announce Precinct Meetings

This Thursday, March 8, we will elect precinct officers. Also, at the precinct election meeting, Democrats can write out resolutions to give to the Resolutions Committee to become party of the County Platform.

For Cushing precincts:

(101, 104, 106, 108, 408, 409, 414), the elections will be 7 pm, Thursday, March 8, at 933 E. 14th Place, Cushing. For further information call 918-225-4131.

For all other Payne County precincts, the meeting will be 7 pm, Thursday, March 8, at the Stillwater Community Center cafeteria (9th and Duck, Stillwater).

If you are a current precinct officer, please make every effort to attend. According to the Constitution of the OK Democratic Party, By-Laws, Article I, section 10 (A), "Any registered Democrat may be nominated for election to any Party office if a delegate of the electing body moves the nomination and another delegate of the body seconds the nomination, EXCEPT FOR

ELECTION OF PRECINCT OFFICERS WHERE A NOMINATION SHALL REQUIRE ONE MEMBER OF THE PRECINCT COMMITTEE MOVING THE NOMINATION."

The usual goodies will be available.

Custer County Democrats to Hold Precinct Meetings

Custer County -- The Custer County Democratic Party will hold precinct meetings and elections on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. for all twelve of the county precincts. The meeting for all four Clinton precincts will be held in the Clinton City Hall, located at 415 Gary Blvd. The meeting for the Arapaho, OK precinct #12 will meet in the Arapaho School Vo-Ag Building at 214 North 12^th Street. The meeting for the Custer City, OK precinct #13 will meet in Roulet’s Tax Service at 608 S. Main St. The meeting for all four Weatherford precincts will be held in Blair Hall (Weatherford City Hall) located at 522 West Rainey. The meeting for the Thomas, OK precinct #23 will be at the Thomas Senior Citizens’ Center at 101½ North Missouri. Finally precinct #26 for Butler, OK will meet at the Butler Community Center located at the N.W. corner of State Highways 33 and 44.

“People always ask how to get involved in the Democratic Party,” said State Representative and Custer County Chairman, James Covey. “Becoming active at the precinct level is the best way for future candidates and activists to get involved and make a difference.”

“This is also the first step a person can take towards going to the state and national conventions,” said Covey. “The precinct leader is the building block of the Democratic Party.”

All registered Democrats are welcome to attend. For more information contact Covey, at 580-593-2396, Bonnie Schomp at 580-774-2964, or Tom Litsch at 580-323-2377.

NewsOK: Early primary risks penalties, officials say
Candidates could be fined for campaigning here, chairman of the Democratic Party says.

A bill that would move up Oklahoma's presidential preferential primary next year is being touted as a way to attract more presidential candidates but could have the opposite effect and cost the state delegates at the national conventions, leaders of both parties say. House Bill 2095 would set the presidential primary a week earlier. Instead of Feb. 5, it would be Jan. 29, just two weeks after the first contest in the race, the Iowa caucuses.

To slow down the scramble of states trying to be among the first with primaries, the Democratic National Committee is threatening not to seat at its convention delegates from states that move their primaries to earlier than Feb. 5, the earliest date allowed by Democratic Party rules. Oklahoma will have less than 50 delegates at next year's national convention.

Campaign fines
Lisa Pryor, chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said both national political parties have stipulations that would allow them to fine candidates who would campaign in Oklahoma if the primary date is moved up before Feb. 5.



"I don't think it will bring more candidates to Oklahoma, I think in fact it may turn some of the candidates away, at least the top tier candidates because they're not going to jeopardize campaign funds,” Pryor said.The Republican National Committee has indicated it would punish states that move up their primaries next year by taking away some of their delegates.

"That could be a negative factor,” Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Tom Daxon said. "We're going to have to find out how serious the national party is to making those changes.”

Delegates in jeopardy?
State Rep. Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City, the author of HB 2095, said he doesn't think Oklahoma's delegates will be in jeopardy.

"Practically speaking, I don't see it being enforced because there's going to be too many states that would be affected by it,” said Worthen, chairman of the House Elections and Redistricting Subcommittee. "The nomination is decided well before the convention actually occurs, and I doubt that whoever the nominee is will support a move by the national party to reduce the number of delegates that he wins.”

"I don't see Oklahoma in danger of losing any delegates if we move the primary to Jan. 29,” he said.

Oklahoma having its primary a week earlier would bring more national attention to the state and attract more presidential candidates, Worthen said.

If HB 2095 passes the House, it still must win Senate approval. Gov. Brad Henry has said he would wait until he sees the bill's final version, but he supports keeping Oklahoma in the primary season spotlight.

Other states also are considering or already have moved up their primary dates, so Oklahoma still would be competing with bigger states for candidates' attention.

Oklahoma saw an increase of presidential candidates in 2004, the first time the state had a primary in early February. Previously, the primary was in March.

School elections affected
If the measure passes, it would mean Oklahoma school board and municipal candidates would have to start their campaigns early. Annual school and municipal elections also would move from Feb. 5 to Jan. 29.

State Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman said the earlier date would not cause a problem with election officials as long as it requires all local elections to be held on the same date.

"What we can't do is we can't run statewide elections a week apart,” he said.

Worthen said his measure would prevent that from happening.

"They're already supposed to be held on the same day as the presidential primary,” he said. "We're not changing that. … We're moving the presidential primary up one week and the local elections along with it.”

Clingman said some cities that have charters requiring municipal elections to be the first Tuesday in February would have to approve resolutions moving the elections to Jan. 29.

Story By Michael McNutt
Capitol Bureau

DNC Celebrates Women’s History Month

Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Vice Chairs Lottie Shackelford, Susan Turnbull, Linda Chavez Thompson, DNC Secretary Alice Germond and DNC Women’s Caucus Chair Mame Reiley issued the following statement celebrating Women’s History Month:

“March marks the start of Women’s History Month in which we celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of great women throughout our country’s history. This year Americans witnessed a historic milestone with the election of the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives. In addition, we elected two new Democratic women to the Senate and eight new Democratic women to the House of Representatives adding to the strong Democratic majority. And for the first time ever a woman and a Democrat is leading the National Governor’s Association.

“This past election we also witnessed an increasing number of women candidates running for local and statewide offices, and the power of the women’s vote helped to take our country in a new direction under the helm of a Democratic Congress. Politics is not the only field women are excelling in. Today’s women are making strides in every field including medicine, law, finance, education, business ownership and the military. As Democrats we are committed to breaking down barriers and increasing opportunities for women to succeed.


“Women’s History Month also offers the chance to rededicate ourselves to the issues that are critical to women and their families. Democrats are committed to funding women’s health care initiatives which help advance science, research and treatment for medical conditions that specifically and disproportionately affect women. Democrats remain committed to enforcing equal employment opportunities and equal pay for working women who are often paid less than their male counterparts.

“This Women’s History Month, we look forward to the continued attention the Democratic Congress will bring to these important issues not just throughout March but also the rest of the year as we celebrate the tremendous women who have made this country so great.”

Bill Richardson has accepted the invitation to be a part of the “Prez on the Rez” debate for Democratic presidential candidates. The debate, according to the website prezontherez.org, is scheduled for Aug. 23 at the Morongo reservation in California.

The event, sponsored by Tulsa-based INDN’s List Educational Fund, aims is to place candidates in front of tribal leaders who are representing dozens of Indian Nations. Richardson knows the importance of the Native American vote, and has pledged to the executive council of the National Congress of American Indians, that if he's elected in 2008, he would create the first-even Cabinet-level Department of Indian Affairs.

Recognizing the importance of democratic American Indians in the primary could be Richardson’s ticket to success in Oklahoma. Oklahoma has the largest population of Native Americans in the U.S., according to 50states.com.

For more information on the debate, visit prezontherez.org or read the story in Indian Country Today.

-Lacey Earls

Al Gore's visit a wild success.

Former Vice President Al Gore visited the University of Oklahoma campus on Wednesday as part of his continuing effort to educate the public about climate change and global warming. For hours before the four o'clock event, people lined up around the Lloyd Noble Center in anticipation of the event in order to be one of the first ones inside. The Stadium in a matter of no time quickly filled with people on all three sides of the stage. The Oklahoman is reporting attendance to the event totaled 7,000 people. The event had more people in attendance then visits from former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

As Al Gore entered the building, he recieved a rockstar worthy greeting from everyone present. Gore started off his presentation with a round of jokes that were received with a roaring wave of laughter. He quickly settled down in to the serious manner at hand, and got down to business. His presentation on Wednesday closely followed the slides that he shows in his movie, An Inconvenient Truth. However, the presentation he showed at the Lloyd Noble Center had some more updated findings and new statistical information added in. Much of what Gore said during his speech was met with standing ovations of support from the crowd.

The most important theme that Gore tried to relate to the people in attendance was that even though Global Warming is a real crisis, it's a crisis that we all still have the power to mitigate. After the event at a dinner banquet, Gore once again answered that he's not currently interested in entering the 2008 presidential race.

- Jordan Endicott

March is Women's History Month

The National Women's History Project has introduced this year's theme as Generations of Women Moving History Forward. Throughout the month of March we will be highlighting the honorees for March 2007 on our blog. Honorees include: authors, congresswomen, generals, civic leaders, entertainers, and women's activists. Here is the first honoree from the NWHP's website:

Matilda Joslyn Gage (1826—1898)
Women’s Rights Activist, Theorist, and Historian

Matilda Joslyn Gage was a 19th century suffragist, historian of women, newspaper editor, author and lecturer, woman's rights activist and theorist, advocate for civil rights, and abolitionist, who served as a top officer in the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) for twenty years. A committed abolitionist who opened her home as a stop on the Underground Railroad, she challenged the laws of her nation, risking arrest and imprisonment by helping fugitive slaves escape to freedom. Gage wrote about the superior position of Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) women and supported treaty rights and Native sovereignty. Influenced by the Haudenosaunee egalitarian culture, she in turn influenced the utopian feminist vision of her son-in-law, L. Frank Baum, in his fourteen Oz books.

If you would like to look ahead at the rest of the honorees please visit the National Women's History Project website.

50 State Quiz

How many of the 50 states can you list in 10 minutes? Click here to begin the quiz from ironicsans.com, and let us know your results. The office winner, Cole Hines, one of our interns, got 48 states.