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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.
----- 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, (405) 427-3366 or visit the party’s online headquarters, www.okdemocrats.org. To RSVP by email, contact forum@okdemocrats.org.
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