Published: October 28, 2006 12:00 am            

Democrats urged to get out the vote

Kim Henry, Kim Holland speak Friday

By Althea Peterson

Transcript Staff Writer

For the Democratic Party, the polls are promising, so some think the last 10 days before the election should be a breeze.

And that's what's worrying party members, including Sen. Cal Hobson, D-Lexington.

"The only way to get beat is to beat ourselves, to not take our friends and family out to vote," Hobson said

Hobson spoke along with First Lady Kim Henry and Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland at the Cleveland County Democratic Party Tyner Cornbread and Beans Friday at Step Brothers. Henry and Holland echoed Hobson's words of warning.

"I'm so afraid if we don't keep the Senate and don't take the House, of what would happen to early childhood education," Henry said. "Get out there, toe the line, drag them to the polling booths and make sure they know how to vote."

Holland said Democrats are confident and optimistic, but cannot take anything for granted at this point in the election.

"Democrats' worst nightmare is that people will not turn out to vote," Holland said. "We have to have you out there. It is critical that we share our vision for Oklahoma with others and that they go to the polls."

Holland, who was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry and took office Feb. 4, 2005, said she was pleased that $2.5 million has been recovered for Oklahoma policyholders since then. She said that work is not finished yet.

"There are children in this state that do not have health insurance," Holland said. "That's deplorable and that's unacceptable ... we need to do what needs to be done to ensure that every citizen in this state has affordable health insurance.

Holland also criticized recent advertisements on television that speak against her. She said the advertisements appeared from a group in Texas.

"I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the people of Oklahoma that they can see through that," Holland said. "We need to stand up together and say enough is enough -- not just Democrats or Republicans, but all of us need to say that this isn't how we elect candidates."

Kim Henry said she is impressed by how Democratic candidates have acted in past and current elections. She noted how Pete Regan, former candidate for lieutenant governor, joined Democratic nominee Jari Askins at her watch party election night.

"I've never seen the other party do that," Henry said. "This year, we are together. This year, we are a cohesive group. This year, we're fired up."

Henry said she was proud that Oklahoma was a leader in early childhood education and working toward greater funding for health care. She also denied rumors that her husband, Gov. Brad Henry, planned to run for the U.S. Senate or president in 2008.

"We don't ever want to leave Oklahoma," she said. "There is absolutely no truth to those rumors. This is where we want to be."

As for the current election, Holland said it is all up to the voters to turn out Nov. 7.

"We cannot win without you," Holland said. "We appreciate and depend on you. It's a great time for Democrats and it's time we show our forces."

Gov. Brad Henry faces Congressman Ernest Istook in the gubernatorial election, while Holland faces Republican challenger Bill Case in the Nov. 7 general election.

Althea Peterson 366-3539 apeterson@normantranscript.com

        

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