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Thursday, August 31, 2006 Representatives Campaign to OU's College Republicans
The Norman Transcript
By Althea Peterson
Even for incumbents, two Republican representatives encouraged students not to take elections for granted.
U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, R-Moore, and Oklahoma state Rep. Thad Balkman, R-Norman, spoke to the University of Oklahoma College Republicans Wednesday at Oklahoma Memorial Union. Both representatives said state and federal elections will be very competitive.
Cole said at a federal and a local level, the sixth year of an eight-year election cycle is one of the most difficult election years.
“When any party is in the White House, it is a tough year of politics,” Cole said. “There are no safe seats and there are no safe elections. It’s like prevent defense in football — it’s a bad idea. We intend to campaign very hard.”
Cole said the key to winning elections is not about spending the most money on advertisements.
“The most important thing you can do is to go door to door and encourage people, especially Republicans, to vote,” Cole said. “You can have all the TV ads and mailings in the world, but you cannot replace personal contact at the door.”
Cole said there is a good chance Republicans can maintain majorities at a federal level, as well as in the state House. However, he said there is also a chance that the majorities could change.
“I like campaigning when there is a lot on the line. In my opinion, this is one of those elections,” Cole said. “These are the elections that make the difference. I think the Democrats have a chance of taking the House and the Senate.”
Balkman said it is important for voters to educate themselves, because the issues decided at the Capitol directly affect them. He cited Governor Brad Henry’s recent veto of a bill that would allow legislators to control college tuition rates as an example.
“That shows you how important it is who represents you,” Balkman said. “That would have been a great tool to keep (tuition) low.
“The state Senate is still in the hands of liberal Democrats. We have a good opportunity to take it back.”
Cole will face Democratic challenger Hal Spake of Norman, while Balkman will face Democrat Wallace Collins, who is also from Norman, in the Nov. 7 general election. The OU College Republicans will host lieutenant governor candidate Todd Hiett of Kellyville and Republican state Senate District 16 candidate Ron Davis of Purcell in two weeks.
Posted at 8/31/2006 06:15:00 AM
 
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