Dean Congratulates New Democratic Mayor of Tulsa Kathy Taylor

Here is Dean's statement on the win in Tulsa by Democrat Kathy Taylor.  Notice how he credits the grassroots (us!).  Also notice the praise for Dean's 50 state strategy.  Did we hear anything from Dean's critics about this win?

Chairman Howard Dean Congratulates New Democratic Mayor of Tulsa Kathy Taylor

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Lisa Pryor today issued the following statements congratulating Democrat Kathy Taylor on her victory in the Oklahoma Mayoral race:

"Yesterday's victory in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a great win for the people of Tulsa and for the Democratic Party," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "Despite her opponent's high name recognition, Kathy Taylor ran a strong campaign based on the issues and was able to pull off a decisive victory. Throughout the race, Taylor maintained a strong fundraising apparatus and a powerful grassroots organization that was critical in the defeat of a Republican incumbent.

"The DNC's efforts to strengthen and partner with state parties are paying off in critical races across America. All over the country, Democratic candidates are offering Americans strong leadership and a bold agenda for change to get America back on track, while Republicans continue to offer more of the same failed policies. Taylor's victory shows that when Democrats stand up for what we believe, we can and will win anywhere in the country."

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Lisa Pryor said the Democratic National Committee's 50 State Strategy helped deliver Taylor's win in Tulsa. The Democratic National Committee's staff in Oklahoma partnered with the Taylor campaign on GOTV efforts and voter education efforts.

"The DNC effort is building a grassroots infrastructure in every jurisdiction of Oklahoma," Pryor said. "The DNC is fulfilling its mission to help our state party. We are building our party from the ground up by recruiting and training volunteers and growing our grassroots network. By investing in people and programs, we are building a better Oklahoma.

•  Our Man Dean

  He's keeping his word - wish all politicians would do the same.

  Tips please

  by Kitty on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:41:13 AM PDT

•  The 50-state strategy is bearing fruit

  This is one of the reasons I want to win big in 2006.  At that point, we should take the time to remind the pundits of their predictions of doom for Democrats when Dean became the party chair.  "Yeah, he's been a real disaster for us, huh?"

  by bosdcla14 on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:43:30 AM PDT

  •  It is going well

    Although I am concerned that we have lost track of the ball. The Alabama filing deadline is today and so far we have left every single incumbent GOP Congressman unopposed - Bonner, Everett, Rogers, Aderholt, and Bachus. Yes, all 5; Alabama alone DOUBLES the number of GOP House seats going unopposed.

    I know Dean cares about making inroads in places like Alabama. Why couldn't we get ANYONE to file?

    by Nathaniel Ament Stone on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:48:58 AM PDT

    •  I dunno...

      weak bench in Alabama?

      You'd probably know more about that than I would.

      by brownsox on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:00:57 PM PDT

    •  Small Steps

      I am against putting any money in a state like Alabama for Congress because we can not win there yet. To win in those very Red states we need infastructure (there in lies rebuilding the party from the ground UP not vice versa). in states like Alabama and Georgia even Utah (though I really think there is no hope on that one) we need to focus the money and energy on Cirty councils Mayorships and state seats prove to the people that the Dems are better and then we can be competitive in those seats.

      There is such a thing as a solid red seat and blue seat and those seats are solid red.

      by Jeremylreed on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:07:55 PM PDT

      •  I know they are solid

        I'm not suggesting we waste energy trying to defeat them, they are all safe. But we're trying to get warm bodies on the ballot for every district, and if things hold for the next few hours, Alabama alone will double the number of Republicans we are leaving unopposed! That's just careless.

        I know we won't win any more seats in Alabama, at least not until Mike Rogers' seat is open (Gore got 47% there, not sure what Kerry got). But it's very embarrassing for one small state to double the number of seats we are conceding without any kind of candidate.

        by Nathaniel Ament Stone on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:12:09 PM PDT

      •  If you say 'any money' I disagree

        We should find someone in the district willing to run, and get them on the ballot.  After that, no need to spend more.  

        But I think you need to get people in solid red places used to the idea that some of their neighbors are Democrats; that the Democratic party isn't just the party of Barbara Streisand or whatever nonsense the Republicans are pushing that week.  The South used to be solidly Democratic.  It went to the Republicans partially because the Republicans never gave up on getting the South.  

        by bosdcla14 on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 03:43:58 PM PDT

        •  Obviously No money is an extreme

          However putting alot of money into districts with no viable canidate just to do so is a waste. I do understand the point about running Dems so people get use to it however running them to run them risks them being made into a joke and not paid attention even when there is a realy great canidate. I really believe these districts have to be changed from the ground up and that is how we get dialogue going with Dems...

          by Jeremylreed on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 05:33:53 PM PDT

•  Awesome.

  I am particularly happy for the long frustrated Democrats of that state who we should all remember are a part of our Democrtic family even if they have the meanest and creapiest Senator on the Hill.  Maybe they'll get him out eventually if we stick with them and continue supporting Democratic voters in every nook and cranny of this country.

  by inclusiveheart on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:45:05 AM PDT

  •  Which one?

    I'm sorry, you'll have to be more specific... which Oklahoma Senator is the meanest and creepiest?

    by eebee on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:54:03 AM PDT

    •  Can't answer that question

      Wrong

      by NearlyNormal on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:00:56 PM PDT

    •  Both.....

      Both of them are wackjobs.....

      by lrhoke on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:18:46 PM PDT

    •  Cornyn n/t

      by inclusiveheart on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 04:53:22 PM PDT

•  asdf

  Dean has been right on just about everything.  Can't say that about many of the other self centered blowhards that supposedly represent us in congress.

  by BDA in VA on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:45:18 AM PDT

•  If Dem won in Tulsa, Dems win in November

  I lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for 2 years. My current home of Sugar Land, Texas is progressive compared to what I saw in Tulsa. We got out as soon as we could.
  Couldn't handle the wingnuts.

  by linnie on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:52:02 AM PDT

  •  Sugar Land, eh?

    I assume you live in DeLay land, then?

    by Nathaniel Ament Stone on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:55:36 AM PDT

    •  The city formerly known as Delay Land

      New Delay-Land is going to be prison.

      by linnie on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:21:52 PM PDT

      •  Either that or a talk radio show

        Probably one, then the other.

        by DemDachshund on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 02:03:50 PM PDT

  •  From Tulsa to Sugar Land?

    Out of the fire and merely into the frying pan!

    by jamfan on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:27:20 PM PDT

  •  It doesn't even compare!

    Tulsa population (2000) 393,049

    http://www.city-data.com/...

    Sugar Land population (2000) 63,328

    http://www.city-data.com/...

    No WAY you couldn't have gotten to know the city of Tulsa in two years.  Yes, plenty of wingnuts, but I'm CERTAIN thats true of the district that put Delay in power.

    You got lucky in Sugarland.  Depending on the neighborhood you might have moved to, church you might have attended, employment held....you would have found progressives.

    by lrhoke on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:55:08 PM PDT

    •  could have....

      meant to say could have, not couldn't have.

      by lrhoke on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:56:39 PM PDT

•  Tulsa

  64-36 for President. So Yeah massive Win for Dems.

  by democraticavenger on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:55:36 AM PDT

•  Our win was even bigger than that

  If I remember correctly, we also picked up two seats on the City Council.

  I thought I read that two Council members had previously been recalled. What was that all about?

  by RandyMI on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 11:59:30 AM PDT

•  Now govern

  That will be how we make the wins stick.  No corruption, no cronyism, focus on the details that make people's lives better.  Very cool

  by NearlyNormal on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:02:29 PM PDT

•  Excellent news! n/t

  by Caldonia on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:16:10 PM PDT

•  awesome!

  by Dour on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:25:04 PM PDT

•  Dean does what he says

  Dude is in the trenches.

  by omfreebogart on Fri Apr 07, 2006 at 12:45:23 PM PDT