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There appears to be a possible civil war brewing within the Oklahoma Democrat party over an email sent to legislative leaders last winter, ordering them into silence on many unpopular liberal issues.
The Gayly (an advocacy journal of the homosexual cause) published a story which complained about the email from the Oklahoma Democrat Party Chairman. In the email, he lists several hot-button liberal issues which he ordered Democrat leaders to keep their mouths shut about. |
Here is just a portion of that published email order:
Here is the purported full text:
On Wednesday, February 3, 2016 10:29 AM Mark Hammons (the Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair) wrote:
As Russell is aware, we had a meeting last week with the House and Senate leadership about messaging to make sure we follow a coordinated strategy. The results of the meeting from my notes are as follows:
1. We will issue a press release anytime and every time there is news of a revenue failure. The main points are the inability of the Republican leadership to govern, including planning ahead. We should comment on the hardship on any specific groups (or the people generally) arising from each failure. We can point out that Oklahoma followed the same Republic[an*] policies which failed and are continuing to fail in Kansas. Instead of failures being spread equally, the Republican leadership team of Governor Fallin, Lt. Governor Lamb and A.G. Pruitt should bear the lion's share of any reductions since their leadership resulted in the failure. We don't care if some parts of the press view this and the following points as "old news"; we will repeat (hopefully with a fresh gloss) each time there is an opportunity.
2. Revenue shortfall. We will issue a press release anytime and every time there is news related to the shortfall, whether it is news of the amount or expected impact. Comments will follow the same theme as the revenue failure.
3. Local control/earthquakes: Any legislation which would consolidate power in the Governor or which take away local control should be the subject of a media release unless sponsored by a Democrat- then check with the House/Senate leadership. We can bring up past actions by the Republicans including taking about local control over vacant/abandoned property, drilling and injection activities, smoking and fair wages in the community. Bills to restore these rights should be the subject of a supportive release which rejects Republic[an*] efforts to take away local control.
4. School consolidation. We should oppose all efforts to close/consolidate schools and support Democratic opposition. This should be tied with the Republican's failure to support rural Oklahoma and can be tied to failing to support rural health care and county roads and bridges. There are likely to be many education issues, but coordinate with House/Senate Caucus to determine priorities for publicity.
5. County road/bridge funding: We oppose any cuts to county road/bridge funding (tie this into overall rural issues).
6. Earthquakes: Apart from supporting local control, oppose allowing injection fluids/water to be brought in from out-of-state. Otherwise, take no position regarding regulatory changes/solutions. Our leadership is letting this position evolve.
7. No cuts to pay or support for correctional guards, or staff to keep us safe. Let's run any releases by the House/Senate Caucus to be sure on this issue.
8. We can and should oppose voter suppression bills, but I would like our statements to either come from or be cleared through the House/Senate Caucuses before being released to the media.
DO NOT ISSUE RELEASES ON THE FOLLOWING AND REMOVE FACEBOOK POSTS ON THE FOLLOWING:
A. Tax credits or tax solutions to the revenue shortfalls or methods to solve educational funding. Our leadership is letting this position evolve. No more comments on sale tax increases at present.
B. Sexual orientation bills, abortion, Planned Parenthood. Similarly, no gun control, 2d Amendment issues. No statements on farm/agricultural bills without House/Senate prior okay. There are a lot of bills on those issues. The Republican strategy is to try to nationalize the local races and our priority must be to focus only on the local issues outlined as 1-8 above. We may (and should) offer private support to opponents of these reactionary bills and access to what resources we can. However we can't fall into the Republic[an*] trap of making this Republican/Democrat issues. These have to be open for the candidates to make their own decisions so No ODP public statements or posts without House/Senate Caucus approval.
C. No Party statements of position on death penalty, marijuana issues. I know Connie supports these and that they are likely part of her campaign. We will not oppose or criticize - just can[‘t*] make them ODP issues at present.
Of course the media strategy is subject to change, but there needs to be House/Senate involvement prior to any deviation or change.
I know Sarah is already forwarding press releases to House/Senate. She will make sure we are communicating on press conferences so that we support House or Senate Press Conferences and don't set up anything conflicting.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS COORDINATION, A COMMON MESSAGE AND BEING ABLE TO SEPARATE LOCAL RACES FROM THE NATIONAL RACES. If I have misunderstood any of the agreements, please let me know right away so we operate on the same page but I need to confirm with everyone before we depart. A COMMON MESSAGE MAY ALLOW US TO PREPARE MATERIALS THAT CAN BE USED STATE-WIDE AT THE FAIRS, 4TH OF JULY EVENTS AND SIMILAR STATE-WIDE EFFORTS, SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE STAY ON POINT.
DO NOT ISSUE RELEASES ON THE FOLLOWING AND REMOVE FACEBOOK POSTS ON THE FOLLOWING:
read the full story, here.A. Tax credits or tax solutions to the revenue shortfalls or methods to solve educational funding. Our leadership is letting this position evolve. No more comments on sale tax increases at present.B. Sexual orientation bills, abortion, Planned Parenthood. Similarly, no gun control, 2d Amendment issues. No statements on farm/agricultural bills without House/Senate prior okay. There are a lot of bills on those issues. The Republican strategy is to try to nationalize the local races and our priority must be to focus only on the local issues outlined as 1-8 above. We may (and should) offer private support to opponents of these reactionary bills and access to what resources we can. However we can't fall into the Republic[an*] trap of making this Republican/Democrat issues. These have to be open for the candidates to make their own decisions so No ODP public statements or posts without House/Senate Caucus approval.C. No Party statements of position on death penalty, marijuana issues. I know Connie supports these and that they are likely part of her campaign. We will not oppose or criticize - just can[‘t*] make them ODP issues at present.
Here is the purported full text:
On Wednesday, February 3, 2016 10:29 AM Mark Hammons (the Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair) wrote:
As Russell is aware, we had a meeting last week with the House and Senate leadership about messaging to make sure we follow a coordinated strategy. The results of the meeting from my notes are as follows:
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"The Republican strategy is to try to nationalize the local races and our priority must be to focus only on the local issues" - Mark Hammons
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1. We will issue a press release anytime and every time there is news of a revenue failure. The main points are the inability of the Republican leadership to govern, including planning ahead. We should comment on the hardship on any specific groups (or the people generally) arising from each failure. We can point out that Oklahoma followed the same Republic[an*] policies which failed and are continuing to fail in Kansas. Instead of failures being spread equally, the Republican leadership team of Governor Fallin, Lt. Governor Lamb and A.G. Pruitt should bear the lion's share of any reductions since their leadership resulted in the failure. We don't care if some parts of the press view this and the following points as "old news"; we will repeat (hopefully with a fresh gloss) each time there is an opportunity.
2. Revenue shortfall. We will issue a press release anytime and every time there is news related to the shortfall, whether it is news of the amount or expected impact. Comments will follow the same theme as the revenue failure.
3. Local control/earthquakes: Any legislation which would consolidate power in the Governor or which take away local control should be the subject of a media release unless sponsored by a Democrat- then check with the House/Senate leadership. We can bring up past actions by the Republicans including taking about local control over vacant/abandoned property, drilling and injection activities, smoking and fair wages in the community. Bills to restore these rights should be the subject of a supportive release which rejects Republic[an*] efforts to take away local control.
4. School consolidation. We should oppose all efforts to close/consolidate schools and support Democratic opposition. This should be tied with the Republican's failure to support rural Oklahoma and can be tied to failing to support rural health care and county roads and bridges. There are likely to be many education issues, but coordinate with House/Senate Caucus to determine priorities for publicity.
5. County road/bridge funding: We oppose any cuts to county road/bridge funding (tie this into overall rural issues).
6. Earthquakes: Apart from supporting local control, oppose allowing injection fluids/water to be brought in from out-of-state. Otherwise, take no position regarding regulatory changes/solutions. Our leadership is letting this position evolve.
7. No cuts to pay or support for correctional guards, or staff to keep us safe. Let's run any releases by the House/Senate Caucus to be sure on this issue.
8. We can and should oppose voter suppression bills, but I would like our statements to either come from or be cleared through the House/Senate Caucuses before being released to the media.
DO NOT ISSUE RELEASES ON THE FOLLOWING AND REMOVE FACEBOOK POSTS ON THE FOLLOWING:
A. Tax credits or tax solutions to the revenue shortfalls or methods to solve educational funding. Our leadership is letting this position evolve. No more comments on sale tax increases at present.
B. Sexual orientation bills, abortion, Planned Parenthood. Similarly, no gun control, 2d Amendment issues. No statements on farm/agricultural bills without House/Senate prior okay. There are a lot of bills on those issues. The Republican strategy is to try to nationalize the local races and our priority must be to focus only on the local issues outlined as 1-8 above. We may (and should) offer private support to opponents of these reactionary bills and access to what resources we can. However we can't fall into the Republic[an*] trap of making this Republican/Democrat issues. These have to be open for the candidates to make their own decisions so No ODP public statements or posts without House/Senate Caucus approval.
C. No Party statements of position on death penalty, marijuana issues. I know Connie supports these and that they are likely part of her campaign. We will not oppose or criticize - just can[‘t*] make them ODP issues at present.
Of course the media strategy is subject to change, but there needs to be House/Senate involvement prior to any deviation or change.
I know Sarah is already forwarding press releases to House/Senate. She will make sure we are communicating on press conferences so that we support House or Senate Press Conferences and don't set up anything conflicting.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS COORDINATION, A COMMON MESSAGE AND BEING ABLE TO SEPARATE LOCAL RACES FROM THE NATIONAL RACES. If I have misunderstood any of the agreements, please let me know right away so we operate on the same page but I need to confirm with everyone before we depart. A COMMON MESSAGE MAY ALLOW US TO PREPARE MATERIALS THAT CAN BE USED STATE-WIDE AT THE FAIRS, 4TH OF JULY EVENTS AND SIMILAR STATE-WIDE EFFORTS, SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE STAY ON POINT.
