50-State Strategy: Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Democratic Party is doing an amazing job motivating Democrats in America's heartland. Chair Lisa Prior has embraced the 50-State Strategy and the results are tangible.

Hundreds of Oklahoma Democrats turned out for their
Democratic Reunion event on July 29th.

From the Oklahoma Gazette:

“I’m not a member of any organized political party, I’m a Democrat!” —Will Rogers

The Oklahoma Democratic Party has decided to make Will Rogers into a liar. All indications are that, for the first time ever, a viable and organized Democratic Party is present in the Sooner State. And it is the presence of organization combined with dedication among the activist base and a stiff political wind blowing against the right that has Democrats thinking heady thought toward November.

The Democrats are finally emerging from a long, dark tea time of the soul that has seen their registration and identification advantages among voters collapse, culminating in the loss of majority in one legislative chamber, control of a single congressional seat and a minority party governor who had the good fortune to run against a pious star athlete and an attorney gifted in the art of political destruction. When Republican candidates ran up 60 percent-plus totals statewide and a huge party debt, political observers two years ago wondered if the party’s prospects would ever rebound or if they’d just follow the socialists into Sooner politics oblivion.

The good news for Democrats is that legislative Republicans proved to be good at cutting taxes and sharing credit with Brad Henry, while also being even more eager than Democrats to expand government spending. Republican lawmakers and statewide candidates have a hard time criticizing the popular Henry because they are complicit in his victories. Henry walks outside the shadow of allegations of legislator misconduct that dog the Republican Party majority leadership in the House….

…The danger for the state GOP is that, in pursuing Henry, Republicans will have to opt for an unfortunate politics of personal destruction or try to play scare cards on security and immigration. The national political campaign again turns to what one friend in Washington, D.C., called the “time to scare the shit out of the country again strategy,” beating war drums to mobilize the GOP base. While such a strategy has worked in the past, it could prove to be one visit too many to the new edition of the bloody shirt of American politics.

Democrats in Oklahoma know that. And they have unity in message, organization and desire, which is something they’ve lacked for a long time. And they won’t get fooled again.

Oklahoma Democrats 2006 Dream Team

Oklahoma Democrats are on a roll, and they aren't stopping anytime soon. Check out one of the many events they have scheduled for The 50-State Turnout.

Comments (7) «

great pics!!

1

dorsano on September 21, 2006 at 05:39 PM

This may be off topic, but it's important.

Are the Senate Democrats going to fight the torture bill, or not?

2

maxomai on September 21, 2006 at 11:02 PM

Godd luck to this dreamteam.I wish them luck on selling the American people the truth in Bush's fear tactics,and prove that they have in fact made the country less safe.

More countires hate the United states then I can ever remeber,and more people in the world want to see harm come to the United states.

Also the harsh fact is that 9/11 happend on G.W.Bush's watch.While 8 years of peace before Bush under the Clinton administration.

Go figure!

3

dcochran on September 21, 2006 at 11:08 PM

where are all the black people in that reunion shot? Were they at a different reunion?

4

ClevelandRocks on September 22, 2006 at 12:00 PM

I agree with the previous comment. Where are the black Okie candidates. I thought we were the diverse party. The Republicans came up with JC Watts. What idiot is running the show in Oklahoma.

5

fmrvtdem on September 23, 2006 at 10:09 AM

Speaking about immigration, I'm deeply saddened by the new Democratic agenda excluding any discussion of immigration. Don't the Democrats care about the Hispanic vote any more? Did they miss the millions of Mexicans and others who marched through our streets demanding full citizenship rights? I know some Democrats (like Luis Gutierrez and Blago) spoke at those rallies, but that's not enough. Hispanics demand full and complete citizenship for all immigrants!

Of all people, the Democrats should realize that no person is "illegal" and that the only fair solution to the issue of "illegal" immigration is to give full and complete rights to anyone in the U.S.

Most Democratic leaders know this and support those policies, so it's a bit surprising - and very disappointing - that the House leaders didn't include that full legalization for all in their agenda.

Could this site take a look at the issue again and encourage the leadership to make clear their support for full legalization?

6

biff on September 23, 2006 at 03:29 PM

What's with all the naysayers and trolls this weekend?

Listen you useless dumbasses, this is our year. If we can actually get a real election out of the Diebold machines that will do 80% of the counting, we are going to win. The people of this country are fed up with a party that values lies and spin over good government and basic competence. The revolution has begun.

If you're really serious about the Democratic party, get your ass out there, do something constructive, and quit crapping up the blog.

7

gtrump on September 24, 2006 at 11:18 PM

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