OkieBrent's Soapbox

Conventional wisdom says that Democrats are not going to have a good Election Day this coming November.  This should be a warning to those who care about our future – whether we go forwards or backwards – to get engaged and work like never before to elect our Democratic candidates.

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It could be especially bad in Oklahoma.  In the Primary Election this past Tuesday, Oklahoma Republicans set a voter turnout record for a gubernatorial primary with just over 30% of registered Republicans turning out to vote.  Only 26% of Democrats bothered to vote on Tuesday.

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There is an enthusiasm gap between the parties and Tuesday’s primary proved that in Oklahoma.  We need to change that before November 2^nd arrives.

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On the national scene, the climate seems to be improving for Democrats.  According to Gallup, Democrats have maintained a four point lead (48% to 44%) in the generic congressional match up for the last two weeks.  However, Republicans enthusiasm continues to be higher than that of Democrats by an 18-point lead (that has dropped from a 23-point lead a week ago).

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A very good thing that could help Democrats in Oklahoma is the way our two Democrats running for Governor conducted their campaigns.  Both Jari Askins and Drew Edmondson ran positive, issue-based campaigns.  At every event that I attended where both appeared prior to the Primary, the two hugged each other and treated each other with respect.  On election night after the results were known, Drew immediately endorsed Jari and said he would work to make sure she is our next Governor.

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On the Republican side, State Senator Randy Brogdon has still not endorsed their nominee Congresswoman Mary Fallin.

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I hope Oklahoma Democrats will follow the lead of Drew Edmondson and rally behind Jari Askins to be our next Governor.  We must unite now for the future of our state.

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UPDATE

I attended the Oklahoma Democrats Homecoming Rally at the Oklahoma City Zoo tonight (July 31).  Drew Edmondson wholeheartedly endorsed Jari Askins (again) for Governor.

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Jari Askins and Drew Edmondson - July 31, 2010

Here are two candidates I am proudly voting for in the Oklahoma Democratic Primary this Tuesday, July 27. I hope you will join me in supporting Drew Edmondson for Governor and Susan Paddack for State Superintendent of Public Instruction!

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The Oklahoma Primary Election is just another two weeks away on July 27^th.  I don’t have many Democratic candidates that will appear on my Primary ballot.  There are no Democrats running in my congressional district (the 4^th) or for Corporation Commissioner, and the Democrats are already decided for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, State Auditor, Labor Commissioner and State Treasurer.  There is also only one Democrat running for my State House seat and for my District Attorney.

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In the races which will appear on my ballot for Oklahoma’s Primary Election, the following are the candidates that will get my vote.

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For Governor – Drew Edmondson

I am, and have been for many years, a steadfast supporter of Drew Edmondson.  As his big signs and his TV ads state – Drew truly is “tough enough to get it done.”  Drew is studious and courageous – he will do what is right, even if it is not the politically easy thing to do.  He has proven that over and over as Attorney General for the last 16 years.  I proudly support my friend Drew Edmondson for Governor.  I also want to state emphatically that my vote is for Drew – it is not against Jari Askins.  We have two of the best candidates we have ever had running for Governor this year and I will support our nominee 100% for the General Election.

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For State Superintendent – Susan Paddack

Susan Paddack is without any doubt the most experienced, best prepared and superior candidate to be our next State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Susan Paddack is my friend, but more important than that, she is a true friend to Oklahoma’s children.   A former science teacher, Susan is a strong supporter of public education.  She wants all Oklahoma students to receive the best education possible to prepare them to be whatever they want to be after graduation.  Susan is smart, she is a consensus builder, and she is the team leader we need in Oklahoma.

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For United States Senator – Mark Myles

I do not know Mark Myles, nor do I know Jim Rogers – the two Democrats vying to challenge U.S. Senator Tom Coburn.  Mr. Rogers is a perennial candidate.  I’ve never read or heard his reasons for running for any of the offices he has filed for over the years.  Mark Myles has a very impressive biography.  I encourage you to learn more about Mark Myles.

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Yes on Proposition 1 – Grady County

Voters in Grady County have the opportunity to insure the future of our seven Senior Citizen Nutrition Centers.  After DHS and Republicans in the latest Legislative Session moved Oklahoma’s senior citizens to the bottom of the list on priorities, when necessary funds were cut from the nutrition centers in Oklahoma that provide meals to thousands of senior citizens, as well as serving as locations for them to socialize and a place to cool off in air conditioning on a hot summer day, the Grady County Commissioners decided to take action.  We have the opportunity to vote in favor of a 1/8 of 1 cent county sales tax that will go specifically to help fund the nutrition centers in our county.  I encourage all Grady County voters to vote YES!

Some news worth reading or watching:

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Two Party System At Risk

- by Major General Paul D. Eaton, Huffingtonpost.com

In her diatribe last night, Ms. Cheney accused the President of being an apologist for America, for abandoning our allies and for appeasing our enemies. She truly accepts the notion that if all you have is a hammer, the whole world looks to be a nail.

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Hate-crimes exclusion bill killed

- by Barbara Hoberock, Tulsa World

A controversial hate-crimes bill did not get a hearing Monday in a House committee.

Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, became the House author of Senate Bill 1965, by Sen. Steven Russell, R-Oklahoma City. Shelton said he took control of the bill to kill it and asked that the bill not get heard in the House Judiciary Committee.

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Rachel Maddow on Senator Tom Coburn

- MSNBC

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Two new websites are now on the web.  They are both for Democratic women running for office (and I’m proud to call them both my friends!).

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State Senator Susan Paddack announced last month that she is a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  To visit her new campaign website click the banner below.

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State Senator Debbe Leftwich is running for re-election to her Senate seat in District 44, which is south Oklahoma City.  To visit her new campaign website, click on the logo below.

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I hope all my family and good friends will support both of these Democratic women!

To a standing room only crowd in Ada, Oklahoma, State Senator Susan Paddack announced she is a candidate for State Superintendent.  The campaign launch was at 10:00 a.m. today.

Paddack Announces Candidacy for State Superintendent

“Education has always been a passion.  I’m running for State Superintendent because I want all children in Oklahoma to have the education they need in order to achieve their goals in life.  Our children are the future and we must provide the highest quality of education for them to succeed and be our leaders of tomorrow,” said Susan Paddack.

“I’m excited to announce my candidacy today and would like to personally invite all Oklahomans to be a part of this journey to ensure that our children receive the best education we can possibly give them.”

Susan Paddack was elected to the State Senate in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.  She has served as Chair of the Senate Education Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee.  Prior to serving as Senator, she served as Director of Local Education Foundation Outreach for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.  She was a former junior high science teacher, an adjunct professor at East Central University, and a community volunteer.

“While we’ve made great strides in the past with our early childhood efforts, technical education and raising our curricular standards, we as citizens still have much work to do.  As a former teacher, an adjunct professor at my local university, as a mom, as an encourager of educational excellence, as a legislator serving on both education and education funding committees, I know we must pick up the pace on making education relevant in an ever changing world,” said Paddack.

“The very future of our state depends on how well we educate our children.  This is a task of which we must all be a part.  I invite every citizen to commit their energy and resources to achieving this goal.”

On Monday evening we will post a video of the campaign launch on our campaign’s YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/SusanPaddack).  We will also have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and coming soon will be the online Campaign Headquarters http://www.votepaddack.com

In Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District, according to Roll Call, Democrats need not even put forward a candidate.  Of course that is based on past performance and the way things are right now.

Roll Call reports:

5th district
Open seat: Mary Fallin (R) is running for governor
Outlook: Safe Republican  

The 5th district is a conservative seat that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won by 18 points in last year’s presidential race, so the GOP primary will be the only contest that will matter when it comes to replacing Fallin.

There are at least six Republicans in the race as of today.

I think the right Democrat could make it a real race.  Jim Roth carried the 5th District last year in the Corporation Commission race.  Sheriff John Whetsel always carries Oklahoma County by larger margins than any other candidate (including G.W. Bush and John McCain). However, both Roth and Whetsel have ruled out a run for the 5th. 

Will a legitimate Democrat come forward?  If so, he or she should do so SOON!

And the OkieBrent online Survey says ….

1. If the 2010 Election were held today, of the announced candidates for Oklahoma Governor, for whom would you vote?

Democrat Drew Edmondson – 60%

Democrat Jari Askins – 40%

Republican Mary Fallin – 0%

Republican Randy Brogdon – 0%

2. Which Congressional District do you vote and live in?

1st District – 5%

2^nd District – 5%

3^rd District – 10%

4^th District – 35%

5^th District – 45%

3. Are you male or female?

Male – 60%

Female – 40%

4. If you watch cable, from which channel do you receive most of your news?

CNN – 15.8%

Fox News Channel – 0%

MSNBC – 57.9%

Comedy Central – 26.3%

5. Oklahoma has two United States Senators and five members of the US House of Representatives. Of all the incumbents, which do you feel embarrasses Oklahoma the most?

US Senator James Inhofe (R) – 70%

US Senator Tom Coburn (R) – 10%

Congressman John Sullivan (R) – 0%

Congressman Dan Boren (D) – 0%

Congressman Frank Lucas (R) – 0%

Congressman Tom Cole (R) – 5%

Congresswoman Mary Fallin (R) – 15%

6. Which of the following describes you best?

Strong Democrat – 89.5%

Fair-weather Democrat – 5.3 %

Independent – Lean Democrat – 5.3%

Independent – Lean Republican – 0%

Fair-weather Republican – 0%

Strong Republican – 0%

7. Which of the following best describes you?

Left-wing wacko – 15.8%

Liberal – 42.1 %

Moderate – 42.1 %

Conservative – 0%

Right-wing wacko – 0%

8. Which of the following best describes your opinion of President Barack Obama?

Extremely pleased – 68.4%

Somewhat pleased – 31.6%

Ho-Hum – 0%

Somewhat displeased – 0%

Extremely displeased – 0%

9. Which of the following best describes your opinion of Governor Brad Henry?

Extremely pleased – 20%

Somewhat pleased – 45%

Ho-Hum – 30%

Somewhat displeased – 5%

Extremely displeased – 0%

10. If you were stranded on an island and could have only one of the following with you, which would you prefer?

Coffee – 35%

Bible – 25%

Aspirin – 40%

Late Friday night or sometime Saturday, I will post the results from my 10 question survey.  If you have not yet taken the mini poll, please do so NOW!

Click here and Thanks!