Oklahoma Democrats Ready For History
By Jim Myers/Washington Bureau, Tulsa World, In Denver ~ Oklahoma Democrats arrived Saturday for their party's national convention, which is unusually rich in symbolism and ready to make its mark in history.
"It is going to be exciting to be here and see it in person,'' Gov. Brad Henry said of the convention, which officially begins Monday. One of the convention's so-called superdelegates, Henry stressed the historical significance of Barack Obama becoming the first black candidate to accept a major party's presidential nomination.
Obama will deliver his acceptance speech on Thursday, the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream'' speech.
Beyond that historical coincidence, Henry also praised Obama's ability to bring a fresh approach to the presidency, citing the momentum the standard bearer is building across the country.
"I think he can make a real difference in Washington,'' the governor said.
Frieda Wilcox, a delegate from Owasso, remains committed to Sen. Hillary Clinton but concedes she is looking forward to the nominations of Obama and Joe Biden, who was tapped for the second spot on the ticket. "I am excited about this convention, maybe more so than previous times,'' said Wilcox, who attended her first convention years ago.
Clinton will speak to the convention on Tuesday, the 88th anniversary of the passage of 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.
In addition to honoring the legacy of King, Henry also thinks it is fitting to recognize the contributions women have made to the nation. He conceded uncertainty still exists over how the Clinton and Obama camps will come together during the week. "I am not exactly sure how that is going to play out,'' Henry said.
Clearly Clinton's delegates, who remain committed to her, are disappointed that she ran such a strong race but still came in second. "I think there is a lot of controversy there between the two camps,'' Wilcox said. "I am still a Hillary person, and that is not good.''
Wilcox said Obama must make a convincing case to the delegates for unity and expects that to happen. "We need to hear it,'' she said.
Betty McElderry of Purcell, a member of the party's national committee, also said she will remain a committed Clinton delegate until formally released. "I am a superdelegate for Hillary Clinton,'' McElderry said. "I will remain a superdelegate for Hillary Clinton until she releases her delegates.''
Regardless of what happens this week here, Oklahoma supporters of both Obama and Clinton predicted the party would end its convention united.
Henry said he has no concerns about a lack of unity for the party. "I think Democrats are as unified as we have been, maybe in my lifetime,'' he said.
McElderry echoed the governor on the unity issue. "The wonderful thing about a convention, of course, is it fires up the party loyalists,'' she said.
Jacque Tomsovic of Tulsa, another Clinton delegate who does not hide her feelings about what might have been, expressed hope for party unity. "I will go away disappointed, but I will vote Democrat in November,'' Tomsovic said. Photo of Senator Judy Eason McIntyre and Rep. Jabar Shumate of Tulsa preparing to leave for Denver courtesy the Tulsa World.
"It is going to be exciting to be here and see it in person,'' Gov. Brad Henry said of the convention, which officially begins Monday. One of the convention's so-called superdelegates, Henry stressed the historical significance of Barack Obama becoming the first black candidate to accept a major party's presidential nomination.
Obama will deliver his acceptance speech on Thursday, the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream'' speech.
Beyond that historical coincidence, Henry also praised Obama's ability to bring a fresh approach to the presidency, citing the momentum the standard bearer is building across the country.
"I think he can make a real difference in Washington,'' the governor said.
Frieda Wilcox, a delegate from Owasso, remains committed to Sen. Hillary Clinton but concedes she is looking forward to the nominations of Obama and Joe Biden, who was tapped for the second spot on the ticket. "I am excited about this convention, maybe more so than previous times,'' said Wilcox, who attended her first convention years ago.
Clinton will speak to the convention on Tuesday, the 88th anniversary of the passage of 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.
In addition to honoring the legacy of King, Henry also thinks it is fitting to recognize the contributions women have made to the nation. He conceded uncertainty still exists over how the Clinton and Obama camps will come together during the week. "I am not exactly sure how that is going to play out,'' Henry said.
Clearly Clinton's delegates, who remain committed to her, are disappointed that she ran such a strong race but still came in second. "I think there is a lot of controversy there between the two camps,'' Wilcox said. "I am still a Hillary person, and that is not good.''
Wilcox said Obama must make a convincing case to the delegates for unity and expects that to happen. "We need to hear it,'' she said.
Betty McElderry of Purcell, a member of the party's national committee, also said she will remain a committed Clinton delegate until formally released. "I am a superdelegate for Hillary Clinton,'' McElderry said. "I will remain a superdelegate for Hillary Clinton until she releases her delegates.''
Regardless of what happens this week here, Oklahoma supporters of both Obama and Clinton predicted the party would end its convention united.
Henry said he has no concerns about a lack of unity for the party. "I think Democrats are as unified as we have been, maybe in my lifetime,'' he said.
McElderry echoed the governor on the unity issue. "The wonderful thing about a convention, of course, is it fires up the party loyalists,'' she said.
Jacque Tomsovic of Tulsa, another Clinton delegate who does not hide her feelings about what might have been, expressed hope for party unity. "I will go away disappointed, but I will vote Democrat in November,'' Tomsovic said. Photo of Senator Judy Eason McIntyre and Rep. Jabar Shumate of Tulsa preparing to leave for Denver courtesy the Tulsa World.
Labels: Democratic National Convention
posted by Mike McCarville @ 10:38 AM
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