For the I's
by: World's Editorial Writers
Tulsa World
Incumbents have served well
Incumbents supposedly are running scared this year, thanks to the meltdown in the economy and President Bush's abysmally low approval ratings. Here in Oklahoma, though, chances are Oklahoma's members of Congress have little to worry about.
Oklahomans likely will — and should — re-elect U.S. Reps. Dan Boren, Tom Cole and Frank Lucas to their respective House seats. All have shown steady and thoughtful leadership and a willingness to be responsive to their constituents.
Boren, the state's lone Democratic member of Congress, represents the 2nd District in Eastern Oklahoma, which stretches from Kansas to Texas. He faces Republican Raymond Wickson on Nov. 4.
Cole, who represents the 4th District in south-central Oklahoma, faces Democrat Blake Cummings and independent David Joyce in the general election.
Lucas, whose sprawling 3rd District stretches from the Panhandle to the city of Tulsa, faces Democrat Frankie Robbins and independent Forrest Michael in November.
Boren sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee, positions that have helped him look out for the interests of Oklahomans on such issues as veterans' benefits, military installations, Indian affairs, national parks, energy, mineral and water resources, and sportsmen interests.
Since taking office in 2004, Boren has helped thousands of Oklahoma families deal with concerns involving veterans, senior citizens and other family problems.
Cole is currently in his third term, and previously headed up one of the nation's top political strategy consulting firms. He has served in several important GOP leadership roles at both the state and national levels.
A member of the Chickasaw tribe, Cole has distinguished himself on Native American issues, winning the Congressional Leadership Award from the National Congress of American Indians in 2007. He also serves on the Armed Services and Natural Resources committees. He currently also is serving as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, a significant advisory role in this year's congressional elections. He also is deputy whip.
Known as one of Congress' staunchest conservatives, Lucas is currently Oklahoma's senior member in the House, having first been elected in 1994 in a special election.
Lucas has been a dependable voice for the GOP ever since, and even in a heavily Democratic district, he typically manages to win by large margins.
Lucas is a lifelong farmer and rancher, and his experience in that realm has been invaluable in crafting agriculture-related legislation over the last decade.
The World editorial board has often disagreed with Lucas' positions, but he has always been a thoughtful, reasonable and affable spokesman for his causes.
Oklahoma would be well-served with Boren, Cole and Lucas back in Congress.
"I am a Marine reservist assigned to MWSS-473 in Fort Worth, TX, and I have recently returned from Iraq. I was born and raised in Ardmore, but have recently moved out of the 4th District to attend college. I would like to express my support for Congressman Tom Cole. He is on the House Armed Services Committee and always supports our military to get us what we need to fight, survive, and succeed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world. I am living in and registered to vote in the 5th District now, but I want to encourage voters in the 4th District to keep Congressman Tom Cole in office so he can stay in Washington to support our military, instead of tying our hands and then asking why we can't succeed like certain other politicians do. Also, with Congressman Cole on the House Armed Services Committee and Senator Inhofe on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Oklahoma isn't in as much danger as other states for losing our military bases from Base Closure and Realignment Commission. We need Congressman Tom Cole to continue to represent the people of the 4th District and the State of Oklahoma."
"On behalf of the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region, I am pleased to inform you that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors has endorsed your candidacy for the U.S. House. It is the Chamber's goal to help elect a pro-business Congress and work diligently in the interests of businesses large and small to advance legislation that encourages economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive federal government. Your support of pro-business issues earned this endorsement."
- Thomas J. Donohue
CEO, United States Chamber of Commerce
"Your re-election is not only critical to the small-business owners in your district, but also to protecting free enterprise across America. We are placing our endorsement in your campaign in order to build support for a national effort which secures increased access to affordable, quality healthcare for all small businesses and the families that depend on them for peace of mind."
- Dan Danner
NFIB Executive Vice President
"We are proud to have Congressman Tom Cole as an ally in representing the employees of Tinker Air Force Base. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 916 therefore endorses the candidacy of Tom Cole for Congress. In the past 14 years, Washington has become a strict partisan establishment. The easy thing to do is tow the party line. Let me tell you that Tom Cole bucks that trend when it comes to his constituents, particularly in regards to the employees at Tinker Air Force Base. It's refreshing to see bi-partisanship in Congress, and I know that my members feel the same way. Tom Cole's record speaks for itself."
- James Schmidt
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 916