Just Voted in Tulsa

[Coyote_Bandit]

Took about an hour. Op scan machines. Poll workers were not checking ID - at least not consistently.

Lots of new voters and minority voters in my precinct. Not the usual blue hair crowd.

You could almost tell who folks were voting for based on their demeanor. Some faces were gloomily resigned while others were almost giddy.

Dems may do better in Oklahoma than expected.

Edit to add that I have never had to wait in line - even a short line - to vote in this precinct.

[ipfilter]

1. I hope we turn some shade of blue

instead of bright red.

[Coyote_Bandit]

6. We are some shade of purple

I try to remember than even though we are more red than blue.

[snappyturtle]

2. Thanks for the report. I have noticed the glum attitude of the republicans

in my life. Actually, they're angry...at themselves? their party? their candidate? I'm not sure but they are definitely depressing to b around.

[Coyote_Bandit]

4. From what I have observed

and there are lots of republicans areound here to observe - there is a very unhappy marriage in the Republican party.

There are the fiscal conservatives for whom their politics is related to money and financial agendas. These folks feel betrayed by the gross irresponsibility of the Bush administration. Some of them jumped ship and did not support him in 2004.

Then there are the social conservatives. The fundies. The folks that like Sarah Pallin. THese folks have been trying to reform us and make our nation a christian theocracy for decades. And they have very little to show for their efforts and activism. We question their views rationally and they consider it some form of ridicule or persecution.

[madokie]

3. Yes we are going to surprise them

remember how Steve Largent was going to be our governor but isn't. Yes we can and will.

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. I cannot tell you

just how much I would like to see Inhofe and Sullivan go down in defeat.

Unlikely. But I am holding on to a sliver of hope based on the voter turnout I observed.

[madokie]

9. I remember Brad Henry not having a chance too

so yes I have a sliver of hope too

[Wiley50]

7. What part of town are you in? n/t

[Coyote_Bandit]

10. I'm

south of 51st street, east of the river three or four miles. Fundie central. Older middle class neighborhood with lots of retired folks.

[Wiley50]

12. So 51st-61st and Harvasd or Yale? Southern Hills? ORU? n/t

[Wiley50]

13. I've been gone for 20 years, but lived there 10 years

I was on the Rose Garden crew in Woodard Park

and then I was Rodger Hardesty's gardner

first at the Exchange Center and then at his estate 31st and Harvard or so

[Coyote_Bandit]

15. Yeah

I'm in that general part of town.

I'm sure I've probably enjoyed some of your work in the Rose Garden. You were here when Tulsa was still a clean pretty city. I was here then too. Then I left for a while. Then I was recruited back. One of my greatest regrets is coming back. The town has become a dirty little unkempt town. Streets are in horrible shape. Right of ways are not kept. City parks are only mowed a few times each summer.

[Wiley50]

16. That's really too bad

It seems that many people have trouble leaving Tulsa for good

"I'm going back to Tulsa one more time. Got Home sweet Oklahoma on my mind"

" Living on Tulsa Time. Gonna set my watch back to it 'cause you know that I've been through it"


My ex still lives there and my son grew up there, but he lives in Anacortes, WA now

[Coyote_Bandit]

19. I wasn't

born and raised here. I don't have a lot of family here. And I'd like to leave. If I am able to leave I will not make to mistake of returning again. I'd like to go the to mountains and make a living as an artist doing mostly glass and metal work. I can dream. And I am working toward making those dreams possible.

[plaintiff]

22. I grew up there...right at 41st & Lewis back before it turned into a shit town.

I can't stand going back nowadays...it's a hazard to car suspension and personal safety in more ways than one.
:grr:

[Wiley50]

23. I had gone there chasing my music dream, I'm back home in TN now

I was one of the musicians who hung out around David Smallwood's Charity Recording Studio
way out on E. Admiral at the edge of Broken Arrow

I just did the gardening work to feed myself.

Also was on the outer fringe of the Leon Russell and El Roacho scene

Lived in a house next door to the church where he had Shelter studios

and worked a few times at Tulsa Studios

My songwiting partner's dad was a minor Tulsa celebrity

having been "Curly" in over 3000 performances of the musical "Oklahoma"

[Coyote_Bandit]

24. I think

we probably have some mutual acquaintances from way back. Did you ever know or work with Dick Gordon (Jr or Sr) or IJ Ganem? Jeeez. I haven't even thought about those folks in a looooooong time. Funny how priorities and interests and relationships change over time.

[FoyF]

8. I voted in SE Edmond this morning

Heavily R area. Arrived at 7:05 and got out at 7:40. Two precincts in the First Baptist Church of Edmond. No signs on the door telling you which side of the church your precinct was on. My wife and I knew from past experience where our precinct was (south side) but we kept hearing people who had been in the other line for a while before finding out they were in the wrong one. I was encouraged Saturday when I drove by the OK County Election Board and saw all the people in line. But after seeing how many were voting in my precinct, I'm not as sure.

[boozepusher]

11. No line

at my polling place. Just a few old couples.

[Kazak]

14. I'm sure McCain will carry Oklahoma, but...

I'll be ecstatic if Obama carries my county...Cleveland.

[Pithy]

18. Hi fellow Okies!

I'm in Cleveland County too, Kazak - when we voted early on Saturday, the line stretched up Peters to Main, and then around the city block to past the train depot. We waiting 3 hours, and most of the people in line around us were voting for Obama!

[Kazak]

21. I tried to vote on Saturday, but...

I didn't have time to wait the line. I probably glanced you standing there though. :) I just got done voting today.

[Z_I_Peevey]

17. Woo-hoo, there was a line in rural SE OK this morning.

First time ever. Everyone was happy and smiling and standing outside the polling place just a-vistin'.

I'll be happy if my county stays blue again this time.

[okmonyj]

20. North OKC

easily double turnout from 2004. took 1.5 hour. LOTS of first time voters. fewer old farts than usual. oops, I'm an old fart! pot kettle. GOBAMA!!!