Oklahoma - big candidate forum set -- Kerry not coming

[OKNancy]

Well, I guess my waffling about Kerry or Edwards is a sealed deal now. I don't think Kerry is going to try very hard for Oklahoma. Since Lieberman is running strong here, I have decided to go for Edwards full force.

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Below is the announcement from the Oklahoma Democratic Party ( not copyrighted- they encourage disimination)

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Jay Parmley announced Thursday plans for an August 12 Presidential Candidate Forum to be held on the campus of Oklahoma State University. The forum will begin at 5:00 p.m.

“We are excited about this opportunity to present our party's stable of candidates to take on George W. Bush in 2004," Parmley said. "Oklahoma has made the move to become a major player in the nominating process and the candidates have taken note.”

Confirmed participants include: Governor Howard Dean of Vermont, Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, Reverend Al Sharpton of New York, Congressman Dick Gephardt of Missouri and Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.

Other campaigns currently trying to fit the event into their schedules include Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Senator Bob Graham of Florida.

Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts, has declined the invitation to participate.

“We’ve got fantastic broadcast sponsors, a great site and top level candidates confirmed to participate,” said Parmley, noting that less than a dozen comparable forums have been held in the nation this cycle. “It’s going to be a good showing.”

Parmley announced that the event will be shown on a tape delay basis exclusively on Griffin Communications affiliates KOTV-TV, Tulsa, and KWTV-TV, Oklahoma City. A town hall format combining questions from moderators and the audience has been negotiated between the Oklahoma Democratic Party, Griffin Communications and each of the individual campaigns who have agreed to attend.

“Between the Democratic activists in the audience for the live event and the thousands more that will watch on television, we think this becomes a major opportunity for the candidates involved to communicate in the state,” Parmley said.

Besides the actual forum, Parmley says there will be two more opportunities for attendees to see the candidates at a pre-forum barbecue and post forum reception.

“The entire day of August 12 will be one that Oklahoma Democrats can get excited about and will be a real showcase for the party,” said Parmley.

“Stillwater was a nice choice for us because of the quality of their facilities, a strong local Democratic presence and it reflected our party’s commitment to all of Oklahoma,” said Parmley. The event will be held in the Student Union Theatre on the Stillwater Campus of Oklahoma State University.

“We are very excited about both the economic impact and the widespread visibility this forum will create for our community," said Cristy Morrison, Executive Director of the Stillwater Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). “We found the group’s interest in Stillwater very positive, making our working relationship very beneficial to the success of the event. The CVB’s services combined with Stillwater’s outstanding local meeting facilities are sure to make the forum memorable for all who attend.”

Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis. For ticket information please contact the Oklahoma Democratic Party, [phone] or visit the party’s online headquarters, www.okdemocrats.org. To RSVP by email, contact [e-mail].

[CMT]

1. Is Lieberman really strong in Ok?

I'm glad to see Dean is coming--most people wouldn't think of OK as a Dean state but I think he could surprise some by how he does there.

[OKNancy]

3. Yes, his sister-in-law lives here

Haddasah(sp?) has a sister here and they visit all the time.

I haven't heard much buzz about Dean yet, but the Democratic machine here is a bit more traditional.

[Amanda]

2. As a former Okie

it warms the cockles of my heart to see such a strong Dem presense in my home state. I know first-hand the force of old-school, theocraticly-minded conservatives against which you are working and I give you, and other Okie Dems, all kinds of respect for that. Keep up the good efforts!

Shame about Kerry, though...

[OKNancy]

4. We're trying. As long a Barry Switzer is

on our side, we do have a leg up ..lol
I noticed Switzer (aka God of Football) is going to be a speaker for the Young Democrats later this summer. He really helped Brad Henry and I give him a lot of credit there.

[tpub]

5. I can understand your problem with this

I'd like to know Kerry's reason for not showing up. I do know that the Kerry people plan to ratchet up their campaign in the fall. There are probably many invitations that they are having to decline, but, again, I understand your position.

I just hope you believe in "Anyone But Bush" and if Kerry gets the nomination, you will work to help us unseat the current administration.

[OKNancy]

6. You are new here right?

Yes I am an Anyone but Bush person. I like Kerry very much, and I wrote earlier that I was such a slut because I was wavering back and forth between Kerry and Edwards. I am making this choice strictly on a numbers basis. Also I've read that Edwards is going to push hard for an Oklahoma win. Right now the party machine is split between Gephardt and Lieberman, so I'm going to back a candidate ( who I actually like quit a bit) that I feel has the ability to make a splash.

Back to the first point. I've been called any number of names for being a party loyalist as if that is something bad. Personally I think Democrats should take a clue from the Republicans a stick to the party and what the party STANDS for. Hell, I'd vote for Jerry Springer over Bush any day. I despise Bush and everything Republicans stand for, so why in the world would I do anything to make his election easier?

I vote for the platform, the history, the beliefs of the Democratic Party because in the real world of down-and-dirty politics, that is the only way to protect those policies that I see as important.

[tpub]

7. yes, I'm new and very happy to have found this place

and I agree with you 100%! I am a proud Democrat because of what the party stands for. Let's kick some elephant butt in 2004.