Holmes Backs Whitten For ODP Chairmanship

Outgoing Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes says he is supporting Edmond attorney Reggie Whitten as his replacement.

Holmes, retired journalism professor at Northeastern State University who took over the party at a time when it was $500,000 in debt and served without pay, said he is encouraging Whitten, the current party finance chairman, to run for chairman.

Whitten, Holmes said, has been instrumental in raising money to eliminate the party's debt and in increasing booster memberships from 17 to more than 150. Booster memberships require a $1,000 annual donation.

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Cherokee Nation Gives Obama Inauguration Committee $50,000, Whitten Gives $25,000

From The Tulsa World's "Political Notebook" Column: The Cherokee Nation has given the maximum $50,000 to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration committee, according to a list of donors on the committee's Web site.

The only other large state contribution is $25,000 from Reggie Whitten, the Edmond attorney who led efforts to rescue the Oklahoma Democratic Party from the brink of insolvency this year.

Three Oklahomans have given $500 or less.

National notables on the $50,000 list include film director Stephen Spielberg, film executive Robert Zemeckis, actors Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Sharon Stone, and music executive Berry Gordy. Financier George Soros and four of his family members gave $50,000 each. Actor Christopher Guest and former basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson are among those giving $25,000.

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Oklahoma Superdelegate Goes For Obama

Barack Obama picked up another superdelegate in his march to the Democratic nomination for president as Oklahoma City attorney Reggie Whitten announced he's in the Illinois senator's camp.

Whitten, an "add-on" superdelegate named by Democratic State Chairman Ivan Holmes, is now one of two Oklahoma superdelegates supporting Obama; the other is party Vice Chair Kitti Asberry. Hillary Clinton has one in her camp, National Committeewoman Betty McElderry.

Politico.com reports that Obama now has 232 superdelegates, Clinton 251. At one time, Clinton had a 100-plus advantage.

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