Democrats' leader hammers both parties
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Published: 3/1/2009 2:33 AM
Last Modified: 3/1/2009 3:36 AM
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090301_16_A17_StateD346449
or
http://tinyurl.com/Holmes20090301
State Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes has a Ph.D. in communications and he's not afraid to use it. Friday he hammered the Republican Legislature and tight-fisted Democrats about the head and shoulders for an hour at the Democratic Luncheon Club in downtown Tulsa.
"There is no democracy going on at the Capitol in Oklahoma City," Holmes said. "Our House and Senate people are getting so beaten down, the Republicans are almost dictatorial. They're blatant about it and they don't care."
The GOP, he said, is "ruthless, organized and they've got money."
But Holmes was also critical of fellow Democrats.
He said that two years ago, when he became chairman, only 17 individuals gave as much as $1,000 a year to the party. That's up to 150 now, but isn't nearly enough to compete with the Republicans or to compensate for the money the state received from the national party under former national chairman Howard Dean.
"Our party has no money," he said, noting that the Democratic Senate caucus' political action committee ended the last election cycle $25,000 in debt and the House PAC is almost broke, too.
And, he said, the trial lawyers say they'll no longer contribute to the legislative PACs because of last year's poor election results.
"We have to raise $750,000 by 2010 to be viable," Holmes said. "You can't run a party like we have."
Holmes said President Obama's organization appears to be concentrating national party resources on "target states" -
which Oklahoma, after giving Obama only 34 percent of the vote, is not.
"What we've got to do is convince the Obama people we ought to be targeted," Holmes said
Holmes is not seeking a second two-year term but said he will continue to work for the state party as a volunteer.
OPINION
by Jim Roth
Guest Columnist March 2, 2009
http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recID=96396
“Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains” – when writing that famous line in the song Oklahoma!, who knew that Rodgers and Hammerstein were talking about wind energy? Truth be known, at the time they wrote the song neither had even been to Oklahoma. However, their characterization was very accurate and still is today. Oklahoma has now found a way to harness the wind as it sweeps down the plains and turn it into usable, clean energy in the form of electricity. Read More »
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpt9xs
Time: Tuesday, February 24 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
While the first State of the Union address by President Obama will not be until January 2010, this 8 pm CST "State of the Nation" address is expected to be about the same as one. The general public is welcome to come join us for a free watch party.
Organizing For Tulsa is a local associate of Organizing For America, the grassroots and netroots support effort of US President Barack Obama. This free event is open to all that are interested.
Location: Circle Cinema, quad screen
12 South Lewis Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74104
Directions: Near the southwest corner of South Lewis Avenue and East 1st Street in MidTown Tulsa; venue website is http://circlecinema.com
2-2-09 State of the State Address by Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry [D-OK]
Office of Governor Brad Henry
State of Oklahoma
State Capitol
Oklahoma City OK 73105
405-521-2342
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
Governor Brad Henry
February 2, 2009
http://www.gov.ok.gov/stateofthestate2009.php
Members of the House and Senate, Lt. Governor Askins, President Pro Tempore Coffee, Speaker Benge, Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court, distinguished Cabinet and elected officials, honored guests and my fellow Oklahomans and friends:
We gather in this historic chamber as men and women of different backgrounds, different hometowns, and different points of view -- yet, we are bonded by a common commitment to serve the great people of Oklahoma.
We shoulder tremendous responsibilities: to build a first-class education system; to cultivate economic opportunity; to ensure affordable, accessible health care; to nurture a society in which families and individuals can live in safety, peace and prosperity.
The journey toward these goals requires a compass to keep us on a steady course. I am grateful for my own compass: my faithful family. Family anchors us and reminds us of what is truly important and why we chose a path of public service.
And so, I am thankful that my wonderful wife is here this afternoon -- a remarkable mother, an incredible, equal partner who is my best friend, my greatest inspiration, and the love of my life. Please help me welcome the incomparable First Lady of Oklahoma, Kim Henry.
Read More »
Oklahoma Democratic Party, 2009 conventions
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OklahomaDemocrats/message/7853
PRECINCT MEETINGS
March 12, 2009
77 COUNTY CONVENTIONS
April 4, 2009
5 DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
May 2, 2009
STATE CONVENTION
Oklahoma City
May 16, 2009
Mike W
Tulsa+
Who has these dates on his personal calendar
Obama family tie has [Oklahoma] town buzzing
ROOTS IN OKLAHOMA
Barack Obama: The president-elect has distant ancestors from Oklahoma.
By MICK HINTON World Capitol Bureau
Published: 12/21/2008 2:44 AM
Last Modified: 12/21/2008 3:03 AM
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20081221_16_A1_Astory746781
Graphic
http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2008/20081221_Obamatree1221.jpg
A story is circulating throughout Wellston that an ancestor of President-elect Barack Obama's is buried in its cemetery.
The news spread after a woman visited Wellston's Town Hall a few weeks ago. She said she was on her way to the cemetery to check out the tombstone of Obama's great-great-great-grandmother. ...
The news gives Obama two sets of great-great-great grandparents who lived in Oklahoma.
Everyone has two parents and four grandparents. The geometric progression in ancestry means that a person has eight great-grandparents, 16 great-great-grandparents and 32 great-great-great-grandparents.
Therefore, Obama's having four great-great-great-grandparents with Oklahoma ties means that his ancestry is one-eighth Okie.
Read More »
NPR: Oklahoma Republicans Shift Political Expectations
by Linda Wertheimer
NPR 12-15-08
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98290100
Listen Now [5 min 16 sec]
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=98290100
Map: Election night results from Oklahoma
http://media.npr.org/news/images/2008/dec/15/map.jpg
On this map of the Oklahoma results, the dark red indicates that Obama got less than 30 percent of the vote. The intermediate pink color shows that he got 30 to 35 percent of the vote. The lightest color shows where he got more than 35 percent. -Robert Benincasa/NPR
All Things Considered, December 15, 2008 -- On a recent biting cold night in the small city of Durant, Okla., residents held their annual Christmas Day parade: a small-town tradition with many floats, bands and young children on a flatbed trailer towed by a giant green John Deere tractor.
But despite the festivities, Durant will not get the president it wanted for Christmas.
Oklahoma is a conservative state, where voters focused on issues such as small government and abortion rather than the president-elect's mantra of "change." In fact, Oklahoma was the reddest state in the union in this election, with Republican John McCain carrying every single county. No other state can make that claim.
Now, residents are shifting their political expectations as Obama prepares to take office. While some say they are concerned that Obama is more rhetoric than action, others say they have been impressed by his choices so far.
Read More »
Democratic Caucus Elects Leaders for 52nd [Oklahoma] Legislature
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
House Democratic Caucus
Democratic Caucus Elects Leaders for 52nd Legislature
OKLAHOMA CITY (November 12, 2008) -- House Democrats held their initial Caucus meeting today and chose their leaders for the coming legislative session.
Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah, was elected as the new Democratic Floor Leader, replacing James Covey, D-Custer City, who retired this year due to legislative term limits. "I appreciate the support and confidence the Caucus entrusted in me, and I will work hard to represent not only my constituents but the Democratic ideals of governance that led me to serve in the public domain," said Representative Brown.
Danny Morgan, D-Prague, was unanimously re-elected as Democratic Leader for the 52nd Legislature. "I look forward to the opportunity to work with my colleagues in the Caucus and on behalf of our citizens statewide," said Leader Morgan. "Our Caucus is chock-full of very bright and energetic leaders from across Oklahoma and I'm excited to begin discussing ideas in preparation for the coming session."
The Caucus was also united in their election of Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita, as Democratic Caucus Chair. Representative Hoskin had served as Caucus Chair during the 2008 legislative session. "I am very confident in our leadership team in place and excited to continue moving the state forward in the forthcoming session," said Representative Hoskin.
Bill Nations, D-Norman, was uncontested in his bid as Speaker Pro-Tempore. "I am thankful to the Caucus in their support of this designation and I look forward to working on behalf of my constituents and all of Oklahoma," said Representative Nations.
Representative Ryan Kiesel, D-Seminole, will retain his role as Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair for the 52nd Legislature.
Dean on What's the Matter With Oklahoma, Post-Bush Truth and Reconciliation
by Glenna Goldis
The New York Observer
November 12, 2008
1 hour, 37 minutes ago
[Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:55 pm EST]
http://www.observer.com/2008/dean-whats-matter-oklahoma-post-bush-truth-and-reconciliation
or
http://tinyurl.com/DeanOnOklahoma
“What are we going to do about Oklahoma?" an audience member asked Howard Dean last night at the 92nd Street Y on the Upper East Side.
Actually, Dean explained, Oklahoma is a lot like New York. "But New Yorkers are quicker on their feet about cognitive dissonance."
Everyone picks a candidate according to his or her instincts but coastal types rationalize it better than others. "We're all values voters,” he said. Also, though, "I don't know when we're going to win Oklahoma."
The former Vermont governor, who recently announced he would stepping down as chair of the Democratic National Committee after a second successful election cycle, gave a brief speech and then fielded audience questions read by a moderator.
Most of his remarks addressed strategy, for example advising Democrats to declare their anti-poverty, pro-fairness values proudly. On matters of policy, he did what chairmen do, relentlessly plugging President-elect Barack Obama's plans.
---
complete copyrighted story at link above
If you [or anyone else you know in Oklahoma] is interested in going to Missouri this weekend to volunteer in one of their many Obama HQs, be sure to let them know of the car-pools meeting on Saturday 25-Oct-08 at 7:30 am in Oklahoma City and joining up at 10 am in Tulsa.
FIRED UP, AND READY TO GO TO MISSOURI! (Drive for Change)
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprct9
Team, I know that some of you would like to travel in carpools to Joplin, Missouri to assist in turning the tide in a very competitive battleground state for Barack Obama. That is why I’m asking you all to please meet-up together in the rear parking lot at the Oklahoma Democratic Headquarters at 4100 N. Lincoln BLVD., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma no later than 7:30AM on Saturday 10/25/2008. I will be there to give you a nice little send off. You should be able to park your vehicles there and proceed in your carpools to Joplin, Missouri. Please make sure the doors of your vehicle are locked and secure. The Oklahoma Democratic Party, entities in residents in the building, or individuals are not responsible for the security of your vehicle. I do know that a group out of Tulsa will be leaving at 10AM. Please refer to the links below, and reserve your time so that we will have a good idea who all will be coming. This is a wonderful time for all of us, and I personally like to thank you all for the time and support that you have put forth on this and all efforts toward getting Barack elected President. I can honestly say that this has become one of the happiest times of my 38 years, and your energy has kept me going. Thank you all for what you do.
GO TO JO' TO DO MO FO' BO #3 (Drive for Change)
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs5swr
Some Tulsa-area volunteers plan to go to Joplin, Missouri, to campaign in that battle-ground state for Barack Obama [BO]. A car-pool leaves from Oklahoma City about 8 am and joins with us about 10 am on Saturday 25-Oct-08 at the Tulsa County Democratic Party HQ, 3930 East 31st; please park across the street or BEHIND the HQ. Some may return that night and others may stay over-night in free housing provided by the Obama HQ in Joplin and return late on Sunday 26-Oct-08. Tulsa volunteer Jack Francis has offered to drive and even pay for gas and tolls for the first 4 firm over-night volunteers that make commitments to go. Future road trips with the same details will leave Tulsa for Joplin every Saturday until the general election: November 1. This webpage can also be viewed at tinyurl.com/mofobo3
Mike Workman
Tulsa+
Who knows that this road trip is more fun when more make the trip
SAVE THESE DATES
Oklahoma Democratic Party
PRECINCT MEETINGS
March 12, 2009
COUNTY CONVENTION
April 4, 2009
DISTRICT CONVENTION
May 2, 2009
STATE CONVENTION
Oklahoma City
May 16, 2009
Article available online
They will do a similar analysis of the Dems on June 14.
I'm just curious about which Democratic candidates you feel would best reach out a non-partisan hand and why? We can compare the DNC response to the paper's analysis in a few weeks.
And also, is bi-partisanship something you look for in a candidate? I have my opinions. I'm just curious how the rest of the party feels.
Clinton says no to Indian Country
It's really not very specific about why Senator Clinton is choosing not to attend the invitation.
Do candidates really know us?
Jonathan Ortwein
To the Editor:
The Republican candidates for the 2008 presidential race all seem to be pretty far removed from the plight of the American people.
They react to issues such as immigration with ridiculous reactionary and alarmist statements, such as Rep. Tom Tancredo’s saying immigration is an “issue of our culture itself, and whether we will survive.” That type of attitude is pathetic.
Are we really in danger? Just because new people move in doesn’t mean a culture is going to become extinct.
Mitt Romney, the rich candidate who is buying support from conservative groups that used to criticize him, said it’s “entirely possible” that Iraq hid WMDs in Syria. Wouldn’t someone have noticed a large convoy of weapons moving that far? Is he proposing we go in to Syria to look?
Yes, Mitt, Iraq could have hid the weapons there. They also could have hid them on the dark side of the moon or in Kansas.
Republican candidates can make excuses all they want but that will never change the fact we were led into a war being told that Iraq had WMDs and now that came out to be a lie, they are just naming places the WMDs must have been hidden.
Sam Brownback, the senator from Kansas, has missed more than 50 percent of the Senate roll call votes this session while he is out campaigning, reports a Fox News article by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann. That’s inexcusable.
At least do the job you were elected for! His attendance record is embarrassing when you consider the three presidential front-runners " Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and John McCain " have almost perfect attendance records.
According to that same article, Obama has a perfect attendance record, Clinton has missed one day while she was in Iraq, and McCain only has missed two votes.
Nancy Reagan, wife of one of the conservatives’ most-championed presidents, was told by an overwhelming majority of the candidates that they won’t support federally funded stem cell research; that same research that could have saved Ronald Reagan from his sad loss to a very degrading disease.
It’s sad to see these men are claiming to represent the American people in their run for the presidency.
It begs the question: Do they really even know the American people they want to
represent?
" Jonathan Ortwein
Who has more experience in office, Obama or John Edwards? Read More »
Richardson: He says he gave Gonzales a chance to explain himself in the Senate, because he's latino. If a white politician said that about another white man, it would be a disaster. Richardson's rationalization was he was awaiting the rest of Gonzales's testimony before the Senate. Well Bill, he had already lied, and been given a chance to explain, and all he does is not "recall" anything. Read More »
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