Democratic presidential candidate forum to be held next month in Stillwater

The Democratic candidates for president in 2004 are giving a lot of attention to Oklahoma. <br><br>The state has moved up the primary to February 3rd and already four of the Democratic hopefuls have stopped

Thursday, July 17th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Democratic candidates for president in 2004 are giving a lot of attention to Oklahoma.

The state has moved up the primary to February 3rd and already four of the Democratic hopefuls have stopped in the Sooner State. But next month for the first time in history, nearly all nine of them will gather for a special News on 6 forum to talk about the issues.

Jay Parmley, Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman, "The number one issue on everyone's minds these days is by far the economy. I think this is a real strength for democrats right now to be out there talking about our unemployment rate at an all time low. The economy we hope is rebounding, but I think you're going to see the economy take the stage as the national issue.â€

The forum will include Congressmen Dick Gephardt and Dennis Kucinich, Senator John Edwards, Ambassador Carol Mosley Braun and the Reverend Al Sharpton. The only confirmed no came from John Kerry. And, we're still waiting for word from Howard Dean, Bob Graham and Joe Lieberman.

The forum is August 12th at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater at 5 PM. Tickets are on a first come first serve basis. The News on 6 will tape delay the forum for air the following week.