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Tim Reese
Administrator
USA
18164 Posts |
 Posted - April 23 2008 : 06:23:29
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In Oklahoma: Henry backs Obama
By Michael McNutt
Capitol Bureau
Gov. Brad Henry, who said earlier he would not endorse a Democratic presidential candidate until this summer's national convention, announced this morning he is supporting Barack Obama.
The endorsement means Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois who finished second in Oklahoma's presidential primary earlier this year, picked up one more superdelegate.
"Senator Obama is uniquely positioned to unite our nation and move beyond the divisiveness and partisan skirmishes that too often characterize politics as usual in Washington,” said Henry, who is in the middle of his second term.
"Senator Obama and his positive message reflect the best of America,” Henry said.
The Democratic governor, in a statement released by Obama's campaign, pledged to Obama his support as a superdelegate at the convention.
Obama said: "I am proud to have Governor Henry's support today as we continue to build our grassroots movement for change. ...We're fortunate to have Governor Henry's backing, and I look forward to working with him in the months ahead to bring about real change not just for Oklahomans, but all Americans.”
‘Inspirational leader'
Henry is the third superdelegate, or party insider, from Oklahoma to back Obama. U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York has the support of one Oklahoma superdelegate. The state's remaining six superdelegates are uncommitted to any candidate.
Clinton won 55 percent of the votes in Oklahoma's Feb. 5 presidential primary, compared with 31 percent of the votes cast for Obama. As a result, Clinton was awarded 24 delegates and Obama was granted 14 delegates from Oklahoma at the national convention, Aug. 25-28 in Denver.
"He (Obama) is a strong, committed and inspirational leader, ideally suited to bring together Democrats, independents and Republicans,” Henry said.
Henry said in January he wasn't vying to be the running mate for any of the Democratic presidential contenders, but he said he would consider the possibility if asked. |
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truthster06
Grassroots
39 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 07:30:52
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| Unbelievable! Brad Henry has been described by both parties as being 'a republican in democratic clothing'! Considering how far to the left Obama is, and, how now the republicans are changing their tune to wanting to run against Obame (especially after last Wednesday's debate), someone should look at Henry's real motives! So much for the super delegates following the voice of their state! |
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John Mehring
Organizer
772 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 08:22:24
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| Brad Henry is doing what he is supposed to do: making his decision based on what he feels is best. That's the role of the superdelegate, whether we agree with this role or his decision or not. If they were supposed to vote the way their constituents did, then the party rules would dictate that. They obviously don't. |
John Mehring |
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Ownthinker
Leader
1066 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 10:05:51
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Whe-e-e-e-!!! I'm so happy that Henry endorsed Obama! Henry is just following party rules which, in this case, worked in my favor.
Having said that, I think the system is abhorrent. Sure, Henry's superdelegate vote makes me happy today but if I was a Hillary supporter in Oklahoma, I would be pissed. Next time, it might be MY primary vote which is undermined by superdelegates.
Why do we even have a primary? If the superdelegates have the control in electing the nominee, then the system is just plain undemocratic. I could even go as far as to say it is STUPID!
No wonder Democrats lose elections. Our rules cannot sustain us.
We need to change our primary system so that all primaries are uniform and all votes count as one. The control freaks will just have to live with the results.
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Stacjean1
Activist
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 10:21:58
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Obama got 31 percent of the Democratic primary vote in Oklahoma's Democratic primary, Hillary Rodham Clinton got 55 percent. I personally think Henry should have gone with his state, but maybe I would feel different if I was an Obama supporter.
I do agree that the system is crazy and needs to be uniform and fair.
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Stacey
We the people are the rightful master of both congress and the courts - not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.
---Abraham Lincoln |
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m2violin
Leader
1524 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 10:24:11
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This is from the Tulsa World (it ran on the front page here):
Gov. Henry endorses Obama
by: RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
4/23/2008 12:00 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday said he intends to cast his lot -- and his Democratic National Convention vote -- with Illinois senator Barack Obama.
"I believe Senator Obama is uniquely positioned to unite our nation and move beyond the divisiveness and partisan skirmishes that too often characterize politics as usual in Washington," Henry said in a prepared statement issued through the Obama campaign.
Henry thus became the third Oklahoma "superdelegate" and the second in a week to pledge for Obama. In doing so, he went against the results of the Feb. 5 state Democratic primary in which Sen. Hillary Clinton won 54 percent of the vote to 31 percent for Obama.
"Senator Obama understands that the serious concerns facing average Americans must transcend partisan games if we are to rise to the challenges of today and tomorrow," Henry said.
Obama said he appreciated Henry's ability to work with both Republicans and Democrats.
"Gov. Henry . . . has achieved real results by reaching across the aisle to tackle the state's big challenges," Obama said.
Thirty-eight of Oklahoma's national convention delegates were allocated according to the results of the state primary. Twenty-four went to Clinton and 14 to Obama under the party's proportional allocation system.
The delegates themselves were elected during the state convention in late February.
"Superdelegates" earn their spots by serving in high public office or through party service and are unpledged.
Superdelegates have had little impact on previous conventions because the party's nominee has won the nomination through the state primaries and conventions. This year, however, it appears unlikely either Obama or Clinton can win without support from a substantial number of superdelegates.
Henry follows Edmond attorney Reggie Whitten and state party vice-chairwoman Kitti Asberry in committing to Obama.
One superdelegate, national committeewoman Betty McElderry of Purcell, is pledged to Clinton.
The remaining six are uncommitted.
Oklahoma superdelegates
Clinton
Betty McElderry, Purcell
Obama
Kitti Asberry, Oklahoma City
Gov. Brad Henry, Oklahoma City
Reggie Whitten, Edmond
Uncommitted
U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, Muskogee
Jim Frasier, Tulsa
Kalyn Free, Tulsa
Ivan Holmes, Oklahoma City
Mike Morgan, Stillwater
Jay Parmley, Oklahoma City
Randy Krehbiel 581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com
COMMITTED
Brad Henry: He becomes the third Oklahoma "superdelegate" to pledge for Obama.
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Martha
We are the change we have been looking for. |
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dolebludger
Organizer
USA
893 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 12:14:45
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| Anything I could say about Gov. Henry's decision to endorse Obama would be speculation. But I will speculate on one possible reason. The health care plans of Clinton and Obama are very similar, with one glaring difference. Clinton would make it mandatory for everybody to buy health insurance, and Obama would not. Gov. Henry is said to be on the conservative side of our party. If so, Clinton's proposed "unfunded mandate" on each individual to buy health insurance may have been a bit too much for him. It is even questionable to this progressive! |
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Lori
Leader
2373 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 12:39:37
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quote:
The health care plans of Clinton and Obama are very similar, with one glaring difference. Clinton would make it mandatory for everybody to buy health insurance, and Obama would not. Gov. Henry is said to be on the conservative side of our party. If so, Clinton's proposed "unfunded mandate" on each individual to buy health insurance may have been a bit too much for him. It is even questionable to this progressive!
It's not questionable to Elizabeth Edwards -- she has publicly supported HC's health care plan over Obama's because of the mandated coverage, and I heard that she is going to accompany HC in her campaign stops in North Carolina. |
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lrhoke
Organizer
USA
615 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 12:51:39
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I have problems with the superdelegate system.
I'm glad Henry endorsed Barack, but I could understand
why Hillary supporters wouldn't like it.
I do think that Henry didn't enter into this decision
lightly, given his previous statements, and it would
seem that one role of the superdelegate is to make a
statement in extenuating circumstances. Many supers
and other prominate people who have endorsed Obama recently
have decried the dirty campaigning tactics that the Clinton's
are practicing. Tactics that they have denounced in the
past.
It may be that Henry felt that the lengthy negative campaign
was going to cause ongoing problems for the likely nominee.
Then again, as someone mentioned, maybe it was the healthcare
plan. I know I have a problem with it. I am fortunate to have
coverage through my husband's employer. But were we to lost that,
there is no room in our budget to purchase more insurance. Its
all we can do to pay the homeowner's and auto insurance.
I wouldn't have a problem with Hillary staying in, if she would
play nice. But she is using abhorrant tactics that are dumbing
down the process and I've just had it with her. |
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peacearena
Activist
127 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 13:14:16
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quote:
Originally posted by truthster06
Unbelievable! Brad Henry has been described by both parties as being 'a republican in democratic clothing'! Considering how far to the left Obama is, and, how now the republicans are changing their tune to wanting to run against Obame (especially after last Wednesday's debate), someone should look at Henry's real motives! So much for the super delegates following the voice of their state!
Obama is not "far to the left". In the Democratic Party or any other scale except that of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Rielly. |
www.peacearena.org |
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soonersusan1954
Leader
2565 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 14:05:44
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Top Edwards adviser says he's backing Obama
USA Today
April 23, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A top adviser to former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is endorsing Barack Obama.
Ed Turlington was the National Chairman of Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign and a close adviser to his 2008 campaign. The Raleigh-based attorney said Wednesday that Obama and Edwards share a commitment to taking on special interests.
Turlington was among 49 former Edwards supporters who endorsed Obama on Wednesday. Others include state Sen. Eleanor Kinnaird, state Rep. Pricey Harrison and former Charlotte mayor and Edwards adviser Harvey Gantt.
Edwards dropped his presidential bid in January after winning 26 delegates in the first four contests. The former North Carolina senator has yet to endorse Obama or rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.
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dolebludger
Organizer
USA
893 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 14:59:48
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I too have massive problems with the Super delegate system, and I hope we can abolish or massively change it before the 2012 election. I would like to see our candidate nominated by elected delegates only. The GOP has a system wherein only a very few unelected and uncommitted delegates are involved. It makes me ill to say that we should copy the GOP on anything, but in this case I'll say it.
The sole reason that I "question" mandatory health insurance is that such a system has failed to secure compliance in Mass. Our Federal government has heretofore avoided any involvement in the health care system like the plague,unfortunately. Now the problem is too bad to ignore. But any moves to become so involved will be "plowing new ground", so it will be necessary to watch the new system closely and make timely adjustments as needed. In Mass., the problem as I understand it is that the state-funded payments to low income people are insufficient to REALLY enable them to buy the health insurance offered through the state. We've got to move carefully to make sure the same problem does not happen on the Federal level. |
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Tim Reese
Administrator
USA
18164 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 15:12:11
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So you think the party chairman, and vice chair shouldn't be delegates to the convention?
What about the National Committeeman and Committeewoman?
All of these were elected by Democrats at-large at the State convention
Do you think the Governor, Congressmen/women and Senator's shouldn't be delegates, they are elected by the entire state?
I don't have a problem with it, in fact, I support the system. Even if it's to the detriment of my candidate. This close race is unusual this year.
If we want to make changes for 2012 that's one thing. But these were the rules for 2008. We don't change the rules mid-game. Live with it.
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Calvin Rees
Administrator
USA
18203 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 15:55:27
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Tim
What about the Kalyns and Jays and well Reggie and Morgans? They were just added on. I believe that Jay and Kalny know what they are doing. |
Calvin Rees
http://www.queensboro.com/ref/CBMBQEBBQU |
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Tim Reese
Administrator
USA
18164 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 16:09:57
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I agree, they all three are great democrats. They will do what they think is best for the party.
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Elda L. Davis
Organizer
USA
632 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 22:33:41
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| Here we go again!!! Too many politicians disregard what their constituents want! They just do what they think is best! Why have elections? Let's just let rulers take over and do what is best for the people. And I'm not even trying to make a statement of support or non-support for Henry's decision. That's what I have fought the Bethany City Council over: Complete lack of regard for the electorate!! |
BigWally37 |
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Ownthinker
Leader
1066 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 23:38:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Tim Reese
If we want to make changes for 2012 that's one thing. But these were the rules for 2008. We don't change the rules mid-game. Live with it.
I totally agree with you.
I doubt if Hillary does. I bet we still hear her say she wants to give Florida and Michigan a seat at the table. She will try to salvage those votes in some way.
I hope Obama stands firm on the DNC rules. |
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imobannon
Leader
USA
3588 Posts |
Posted - April 23 2008 : 23:40:01
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Well, Elda... who do you vote for?
Do you vote for someone who will vote for every exact thing you want them to? That's not likely, since the other people who voted for the person might have other opinions on some things. There's two points of view- you vote for someone and expect them to represent the opinions of their constituents (which is ever-changing), or you vote for someone you agree with on most points.
Unfortunately, we vote for the person who promises to vote for our beliefs- and then we re-elect them so long as they don't violate particular beliefs. And we put them down if they seem to be checking the wind before each vote... even if that's what we really want.
In a "representative" government, shouldn't they be doing whatever stupid thing we want?
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Isaac M. O'Bannon - Norman (Veteran, Democrat)
imobannon2 (at) cox (dot)net
www.facebook.com/imobannon
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"A government can only be as rational as the people it represents." ~ Me
"Education and an open mind are essentially vaccinations against republicanism." ~ Me
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Chris Heldenbrand
Leader
USA
4508 Posts |
Posted - April 24 2008 : 03:36:06
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There's a difference between an elected official acting as such, and therefore responsible to a constituency, and his or her role as superdelegate, where their status is officially unpledged unless they themselves choose to change that status.
We've had superdelegates since 1980, but they have not been in the spotlight in any previous election like they are now. Here's a good condensed article on the history of primaries, caucii, and superdelegates:
http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/democracy_power/america_world/superdelegates_election |
Chris Heldenbrand
Show up, stand up, speak up, sign up...
Democracy For America - Oklahoma City
http://www.dfalink.com/okc |
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