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Democrats' leader hammers both parties
<span class="mugshot">LEGISLATIVE CRITIC</span><br><b>Ivan Holmes:</b> The chairman of the State Democratic Party says Republicans in the House and Senate are "almost dictatorial," while his own party organization is out of money and doesn't appear to be a target for national party resources.
LEGISLATIVE CRITIC
Ivan Holmes: The chairman of the State Democratic Party says Republicans in the House and Senate are "almost dictatorial," while his own party organization is out of money and doesn't appear to be a target for national party resources.

By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Published: 3/1/2009  2:33 AM
Last Modified: 3/1/2009  3:36 AM

State Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes has a Ph.D. in communications and he's not afraid to use it. Friday he hammered the Republican Legislature and tight-fisted Democrats about the head and shoulders for an hour at the Democratic Luncheon Club in downtown Tulsa.

"There is no democracy going on at the Capitol in Oklahoma City," Holmes said. "Our House and Senate people are getting so beaten down, the Republicans are almost dictatorial. They're blatant about it and they don't care."

The GOP, he said, is "ruthless, organized and they've got money."

But Holmes was also critical of fellow Democrats.

He said that two years ago, when he became chairman, only 17 individuals gave as much as $1,000 a year to the party. That's up to 150 now, but isn't nearly enough to compete with the Republicans or to compensate for the money the state received from the national party under former national chairman Howard Dean.

"Our party has no money," he said, noting that the Democratic Senate caucus' political action committee ended the last election cycle $25,000 in debt and the House PAC is almost broke, too.

And, he said, the trial lawyers say they'll no longer contribute to the legislative PACs because of last year's poor election results.

"We have to raise $750,000 by 2010 to be viable," Holmes said. "You can't run a party like we have."

Holmes said President Obama's organization appears to be concentrating national party resources on "target states" — which Oklahoma, after giving Obama only 34 percent of the vote, is not.

"What we've got to do is convince the Obama people we ought to be targeted," Holmes said

Holmes is not seeking a second two-year term but said he will continue to work for the state party as a volunteer.

GOP county conventions: Muskogee and Creek counties are among several statewide with GOP conventions scheduled for Saturday.

The Muskogee County convention will be at 9:30 a.m. in the Grant Foreman Room of the Muskogee Public Library, 801 W. Okmulgee Ave.

Creek County will meet at 9 a.m. at the Sapulpa Senior Citizens Community Center, 515 E. Dewey Ave.

Democratic Women: Heart of the Party, the local chapter of the Federation of Democratic Women, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Tulsa County Democratic Party Headquarters, 3930 E. 31st St.



Randy Krehbiel 581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com

Copyright 2012 World Publishing Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Reader Comments 17 Total
Travis (3 years ago)
"There is no democracy going on at the Capitol in Oklahoma City," Holmes said. "Our House and Senate people are getting so beaten down, the Republicans are almost dictatorial. They're blatant about it and they don't care."

Sounds like the Oklahoma Republicans are taking their lead from the Democrats and President Obama in Washington.
way to go Republicans keep up the good work.At least Oklahoma isn't like Washington.
Wayne Rohde (3 years ago)
It is very concerning to all Oklahomans about the new state legislature and the procedural rules put into place this session.

It virtually eliminates a good and open debate of ideas. We all know that any minority legislation that is introduces has a difficult time receiving a committee hearing. But know any bill that was filed by the Dec 08 deadline and not heard by last week, is considered dead for two years. So that means a vast majority of Democrat bills go nowhere. And that leaves a 1 party control of our state government for the next two years.

Enter ideology instead of open debate and discussion. That has a lot of republicans and democtrats concerned. Governing from the extreme right wing.

Sounds like what happened on a federal level 5 and 6 years ago. Hope that we do not repeat history.
To country lady: No Oklahoma is more like Cuba at this point, socialistic, one party state.
paul1975 (3 years ago)
uhhh yeah thats it...JUST like Cuba...i mean we kill our citizens that protest, tell people what jobs they can have, everyone lives in poverty and we have no personal freedoms.. yes yes just like cuba.
paul1975 (3 years ago)
on another note, Ivan Holmes is a moron. There is plenty of democracy that occurs, its simply that the people have spoken in this state and do not support Holmes ideology.
Ignatz (3 years ago)
actually Ok becoming more and more like Mississippi in the 20's, racist, backward,one party running the show and only the interests of business getting any hearing at all.
PAC's have always run out government. Look at the Chicago unions.
Is this guy whining because the failed policy of Demos cannot garner financial support?
Wayne Rohde (3 years ago)
Paul1975

Just because you are on the extreme right, don't go opening your mouth on someone that you have probably have not met.

I am a conservative that sees problems with the agenda of the Dems and also of the Republicans.

But what happened at the capitol this year is not about you and I and our beliefs. It was a complete takeover by the extreme wing of the Republican party.

When there is no check on a small but powerful group we all lose. It should be about the people of Oklahoma. This group is all about the power.
paul1975 (3 years ago)
Wayne

1. I'm not on the extreme right, so to quote you, dont go opening your mouth on someone you havent met.
2. I HAVE met Ivan.
3. I am a conservative that sees problems with both parties agendas, but find many more with that of the Dems.
4. There is a check, its at the ballot box and the court of public opinion, and just because you arent winning that effort doesnt mean there is no check, it just means you are in the minority and that my friend is democracy. (and by YOU I dont mean YOU, I mean Ivan and that of the diminshed support for Democrats in OK.)
Ignatz (3 years ago)
Here's hoping Oklahoma loses another House seat in next census so the Paul1975's and Nordic's of this State have one less certifiable loon wishing to sell our country to bankers, televangelists,and the insurance companies. Right wing extremism, with all its intolerance, bigotry, and greed motivated philosophy is implanted strongly in the Oklahoma legislature courtesy of like minded voters, so let's just see how long it takes to reach full spoilage. Not long, I'll bet.
Travis (3 years ago)
Isn't it interesting that Democrats have practically run the state of Oklahoma since statehood and we find ourselves, according to Democrats, at or near the bottom of so many statistics when compared to other states. Yes sir, the Democrats in Oklahoma have done such a fine job!
Travis put it very well. For the most part I know that Oklahoma has always had Democrat governors and the Senate and House has been controlled by the Democratic party. For people to start blaming the Republican party this quick just goes to show that they are trying to cover up the Democrats poor showing for the past 100 years.
Lady Recall (3 years ago)
Ivan Holmes...what a joke! Democrats controlled the legislature since statehood and now Republican's are trying to clean up the mess you and your party made. And you want money...ha! Get from Lord Obama...he's taxing the daylights out of all of us so there's none left for you bucko!
Ignatz (3 years ago)
Not just a party issue, CONSERVATIVES have run the State forever, and still do, Repubs just add corporation worshipping and pushing fundamentalist Christianity to the mix. That's all.
misgov (3 years ago)
This is what happens when no one is watching. Apathy is what killed the democratic process in Oklahoma. Apathy, complacency, people really don't give a s@#tt what happens at the Capitol (state or federal) as long as it doesn't stop them from collecting a pay check and buying beer. Whinning and moaning is the least effective way to bring about change.
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