Awash in presidential wannabes

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Sooner State’s No 'Fly-Over' Any Longer

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  • Ledger photo by Curtis Awbrey          Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg speaks during a rally in Oklahoma City Feb. 8.
  • Ledger photo by Michael Duncan             Presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar speaks during a rally at the Will Rogers Theatre Spe- cial Events Venue in Oklahoma City Feb. 23. Klobuchar ended her campaign Monday.
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Oklahoma has a well-worn national political reputation of being a “fly- over” state for presidential candidates – a place any rational, serious White House contender waves down at from a high-flying campaign plane while jetting to where there are more votes and delegates.

For a basket full of presidential election years, there have been few candidates who visit the Sooner State more than once – and there’s even been a few who say “Meh. Oklahoma – Shmoklahoma. Who cares?” That’s been even more true since the state turned from solid, dark blue to one of the brightest red states in the country. But this year, Oklahoma seems to be a target state for virtually all of the Democrats in the presidential field. The herd of Democratic presidential contenders have been crisscrossing the Land of The Red Man like a spring twister, stirring up supporters and trying to make a grab for as many votes, delegates and money as they can.

This year, Oklahoma matters. To the Democrats at least. And the reason behind that is simple: There are still so many viable Democratic candidates in the race at this time. That hasn’t really been the case for in years. At stake in the Sooner State are 42 delegates, 37 of which are pledged to a candidate based upon primary election results. The remaining five are superdelegates, usually political bigshots like governors, congressmen or big donors. As the race stands now, those few delegates amount to a serious haul for candidates struggling for every warm delegate body they can scrounge together.

A review of candidate appearances clearly tells the tale that Oklahoma has some newfound allure to presidential contenders. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has held three campaign rallies in Oklahoma since he announced his candidacy late last year. That appears to be the most of any candidate.  The mayor also opened a campaign office in Lawton, something almost unheard of in Oklahoma politics in the last three decades.

Elizabeth Warren has held at least two appearances in the Sooner State. One in Oklahoma City at her high school alma mater, Northwest Classen High School. The actress Ashley Judge appeared here just last week at a brewery in Tulsa to rally Warren supporters before Super Tuesday. Mayor Pete Buttigieg had seen Tulsa once and was scheduled to be in Oklahoma City again early last week, but his weekend decision to drop out scuttled that gathering. 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar has been in Oklahoma once, but a scheduled event in Tulsa was canceled after she suddenly withdrew from the race earlier this week. Sanders rallied his troops on Norman’s Campus Corner a few weeks back and his wife was scheduled to appear in Tahlequah and Tulsa over the last week.  Biden was in Tulsa last November, but has not been back since.

“It’s all I can do to try to keep up,” Oklahoma Democratic Party Executive Director Scott. J. Hamilton said with a laugh. “There’s more excitement in Oklahoma than we’ve had in years. Democrats, at least, are hungry for information. They are committed to making a change.”  Hamilton said the presidential campaign stops also are having a significant impact on down-ballot races, such as legislative races and county office elections. “I’m averaging 12 calls a day myself from people asking how they can get involved” in races “up and down the ballot.”

The party leader said he has been surprised by the effort being mounted in Oklahoma by Bloomberg. “He’s  being vaulted to the front by his big organization.” He said Sanders’ legion of supporters seems even stronger than four years ago when he shocked the world with a victory over Hillary Clinton. Hamilton added Buttigieg also was making a significant effort around the state, until he exited the race over the weekend.

“Visits (by presidential contenders) help people to understand that (the candidate) cares about people.” While Democrats are having all the political fun, Oklahoma’s Republicans already have their man – Donald Trump. What may surprise GOP voters, however, when they look down at their presidential ballot, however, is that there are more choices there than just Donald John Trump. The Republican primary election ballot also will include the names of Bob Ely, Matthew John Matern, Joe Walsh, Zoltan G. Istvan and Roque Rocky De La Fuente. The “Silly Season” indeed.