The best way to stay up to date with what is happening with the Washington County Democratic Party as well as getting some insight into the national political scene is to join the Washington County Democrats Yahoo! group. You only need an email address to join, and you can choose to receive emails as they are posted, or in digest form where you will only get one email per day. Click to join Wash_Co_Democrats The Washington County Democratic Party will be having it's next meeting on Thursday, September 25, at 7:00 at the Eastside branch of Arvest Bank. Join us in welcoming 1st district congressional candidate Georgianna Oliver and special guest speaker, Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth. The Washington County Democratic Party will be having it's next meeting on Thursday, August 28, at 7:00 at the Eastside branch of Arvest Bank. Convention Watch Party after the meeting! Stick around and watch the next President of the United States accept his party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. It's Official! Barack Obama has selected Joe Biden to be his running mate! Breaking news from the Obama Campaign: the text message is out and it's official... Barack Obama has selected Joe Biden to be his running mate! Please take a minute to share your story with Joe and welcome him into our movement for change. For those of you who are from Delaware and know Joe best, we'd love to hear your experiences as a constituent of Senator Biden's. We'll make sure to share some of your stories with Senator Biden so he gets a chance to better know the remarkable folks who've built this campaign from the bottom up. As Senator Obama and Senator Biden head to Denver, your grassroots support is more critical than ever. Obama-Biden '08! "Pizza and Progressive Politics” Washington County Dems Host State Party Chair on July 31 Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Ivan Holmes is coming to Bartlesville to rally local Democrats at this month’s Washington County Democrat (WCD) meeting to be held on Thursday, July 31, at 7 p.m. at Arvest Bank’s Eastside Branch. Free pizza and soft drinks will be served at the pre-meeting social beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Holmes was elected Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party at the State Party Convention in 2007. A professional communicator, he holds a B.A. in Journalism and an M.S. in Administration from OSU and a PhD in Journalism from TU. Prior to becoming State Democratic Party Chair, he was Communications Director for the Oklahoma Department of Labor. Holmes has managed or coordinated several political campaigns, including those of Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields, David Boren for Governor, and Andy Coates for Senate. He is a former OSU Board of Regents member appointed by Gov. David Boren, a former member of the Oklahoma crime Commission, Oklahoma Commissioner to the Education Commission of the States, and head of the Journalism Department at Northeastern Oklahoma State University. He has had articles published in the New York Times, Journalism Educator, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Columbia Journalism Review, and other publications. Jennifer Harper, Chair of the Washington County Democrats, says that what she admires most about Dr. Holmes is “his mission to reconnect the party leadership to the grassroots and to make Democrats believe that by working together, they can make a difference — and improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans.” Harper also admires what she terms his “fiscal management.” When Holmes became Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party in 2007, she notes, “he inherited the party’s $150,000 debt. As of February 2008, the party is debt free and in the black.” Other guest speakers at the July 31 meeting will included: state House of Representatives candidate for District 10 Eric Epperson, a representative for U.S. House of Representatives District 1 candidate Georgianna Oliver, and possibly additional candidates or their representatives, to be announced. Campaign materials will be available, including brochures, bumper stickers, and yard signs for various state and U.S. Democratic candidates. All Democrats are invited to attend “Making History in Tulsa” with guest of honor Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Saturday, August 11, 2007, at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 111 East First Street, Tulsa, OK. General Admission tickets are $250, and no cash will be accepted at the door so be sure to purchase your tickets early because seating is limited! To download the flyer with more information and a ticket order form, click here. To purchase tickets online, go to https://contribute.hillaryclinton.com/events/tulsa0811.html. For more information, contact Tulsa Area Hillraisers for Hillary Clinton, President 2008 Chair, Mildred Banks at 918-269-0010 or email her at mcbb108[at]sbcglobal.net. Former Washington County Democratic Party Chair, Bon Bennett, will be holding a fundraiser fish fry dinner for Congressman Dan Boren on Monday, August 6th, at 6PM at the Westside Community Center. Although Representative Boren represents the 2nd Congressional District in Oklahoma this is a wonderful opportunity for area Democrats to meet and talk with the only Democrat representing Oklahoma in the United States Congress. For details, contact Bon Bennett at 766-3513. The Washington County Democratic Party will once again be staffing a booth at the Washington Country Free Fair, August 23 – 25, 2007. Among the resources we will be offering will be Democratic Presidential Candidate information and voter registration cards for those wishing to register to vote or even switch party affiliation. To get in on the fun and volunteer for a shift in the booth contact Jennifer Harper. Members of the The Washington County Democratic Party joined approimately 200 Democrats from around the state in a reception for Elizabeth Edwards in Tulsa on June 21. Elizabeth Edwards with Washington County Democrat Leila Fox While the fund raising goal for Elizabeth Edwards' Tulsa visit was ambitious, Edwards campaign officials report that the event exceeded their expectations with nearly $50,000 being raised. Elizabeth Edwards also stepped out where other campaigns have feared to tread when she allowed extensive media interviews prior to the event, something other presidential campaigns have avoided in Red States like Oklahoma. But the Edwards campaign not only sees Oklahoma in play for the Democratic Presidential nomination, but also for the general election if he is the nominee. Democratic activist Sally Frasier and her husband Democratic National Committeeman, Jim Frasier were responsible for bringing Elizabeth to Tulsa as they were for the visit of John Edwards here several months ago. Elizabeth Edwards was an articulate spokesperson for her husband and for Democrats as she responded to questions from the audience in discussing universal health care, immigration policy and the war in Iraq. She astutely pointed our that national polls this early in the race count for little and that the real work in winning the nomination is done state by state. With Edwards leading in Iowa and expected to do well in Nevada, Elizabeth indicated that the Edwards for President campaign was well on target to also do well in New Hampshire, creating the big momentum that should carry it forward to Super Tuesday on February 5th. That is when Oklahoma and fifteen other states hold primary elections. Elizabeth Edwards also noted that her husband significantly out performs other Democratic candidates in match-ups against all Republicans, indicating the Edwards is clearly the most electable of all the potential Democratic nominees. Attending this event were Tulsa politicos State Senator Judy Eason-McIntyre, State Reps. Darrell Gilbert and Eric Procter and Mayor Kathy Taylor. That John Edwards is the first choice of Oklahomans was shown by the attendance of several other legislative leaders, including State Senators Debe Leftwich, Charles Wyrick and Mike Morgan and Reps. Jerry McPeak and Ed Cannaday. Also attending were John Gaines, NEOkla. Labor Council; Judy Calhoun, 4th CD Vice-Chair & UAW official; Mack Miller, Anita Norman & Judy Huston, 3rd CD Officers; Freda Wilcox, 2nd CD Vice-Chair; Greg Bledsoe, 1st CD Vice-Chair; Angela Wilson, Rogers County Democratic Party Chair; Sheila Lee, Wagoner County Democratic Party Chair; and, Jennifer Harper, Washington County Democratic Party Chair. Our booth at Sunfest was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who volunteered or just came by to show your support. We increased our visibility in the community as was evidenced by the number of Washington County Democrats lapel sticker that were everywhere in the crowd. In addition, we recruited three new precinct Chairs, one new Vice Chair and one new Secretary. We also invited many Bartians to join us at our monthly meeting and signed up 10 new members to our e-mail list who have expressed an interest in being involved in our organizing efforts. If that was not enough we also registered 14 new Democratic voters in Washington County 10 of which were switching their party affiliation from the Republican party. Let's keep the energy flowing! The future is ours...... The Oklahoma Democratic Party became the 15th state Democratic Party in the nation to pass a resolution calling for investigations into the impeachable offenses of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Chenney. Ohio Congessman Dennis Kucinich files Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Richard Cheney (H.RES 333) The Washington County Democratic Party will be staffing a booth at Sunfest, June 1, 2, 3, 2007. Stop by and see us and find out more about us (and maybe yourself). If you are interested in volunteering to help staff the booth, contact our Sunfest Coordinator, Owen Killian. He'll be glad to hear from you! Oklahoma Democratic Party State Convention Washington County Democratic Party officers and delegates attended the Oklahoma Democratic Party state convention on May 19-20, 2007. New state party officers elected were: Dr. Ivan Holmes, Chair Kitty Asbury, Vice Chair Walter Jenny, Secretary Jana Harkins, Treasurer The convention overwhelmingly ratified the proposed The Oklahoma Democratic Party 2007 State Convention Resolutions. The keynote speaker was Democratic Party Chair Howard Dean, who gave a rousing speech and even posed for a few pictures. Oklahoma Democratic Party Congressional District 1 Convention Washington County Democratic Party officers and delegates attended the Oklahoma Democratic Party Congressional District 1 convention on April 28, 2007. New CD 1 officers elected were: Melani Hamilton, Chair Gred Bledsoe, Vice Chair Rae Weese, Secretary 106 delegates from Congressional District 1, comprising Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington and Rogers Counties, participated. The Washington County Democratic Party will be having it's County Convention Saturday, March31 at 2:00pm at the Eastside Branch of the Arvest bank. We encourage all democrats to attend and participate. There will be light refreshments available. The agenda for the meeting will be as follows: Call to Order and Welcome Pledge of Allegiance Comments from the Chair Treasurers Report Comments from the Vice-Chair Review of Credentials and Rules Committee Responsibility Election of County Officers (Any registered democrat is eligible to run for Chair, Vice-Chair, or Secretary of the party. All candidates will have to be nominated and then receive a second before being considered. If there are multiple candidates, an election will be held with only voting delegates eligible to vote). Election of State Delegates (Washington County is allowed 3 men and 3 women delegates to the District and State conventions. All candidates will have to be nominated and then receive a second before being considered. If there are more than 3 for each sex, and election will be held. All attendees are allowed to vote for the delegates). Report of the Resolutions Committee Consideration of Resolutions Additional Business or Announcements Adjournment If you have any questions concerning the county convention, please feel free to contact Bon Bennett at 331-9928. *********************************************** TheWashington County Democratic Party will be holding a Special Event and we need every Democrat to attend! (The regular Tuesday night meeting on March 26 has been cancelled). County Democrats to Hold Precinct Meetings The Washington County Democratic party will be holding a precinct organization meeting on Thursday, March 8, at the Eastside Branch of Arvest Bank. The meeting will be begin at 7:00pm. All democrats throughout the county are encouraged to attend the meeting to help elect precinct officers and plan future party activities. Precinct officers get to vote for county officers at the county convention. Information will be provided at the meeting to help you identify your precinct and the other democrats located in your precinct. The Washington County Democratic convention is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, also at the Eastside Branch of Arvest bank. Bon Bennett Chair JuLayne Trimble Vice-Chair William Schmidt, Jr. Secretary ***************************************************