New state Senate leader has many talents

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The new leader of the Oklahoma Senate likes to delve into the nitty gritty work of the state budget and does a mean impersonation of Elvis Presley. <br/><br/>``He's a great singer.

Saturday, March 26th 2005, 4:02 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The new leader of the Oklahoma Senate likes to delve into the nitty gritty work of the state budget and does a mean impersonation of Elvis Presley.

``He's a great singer. Once his political career is over, he could be on American Idol,'' says Betty Kerns, a longtime friend and former political consultant to Sen. Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater.

Morgan, a 50-year-old single father, is known at the Capitol for his work as Senate appropriations chairman, a post he vacated last week after being elected to replace Cal Hobson as senate president pro tem.

He is described as an affable consensus builder and a strong supporter of education.

``He's been enjoyable to work with,'' says Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, Morgan's budget counterpart in the Republican controlled House. ``He is accommodating and someone I believe generally tries to find areas of compromise. He's a friendly guy, very likable.''

``He has a proven record for integrity as a public official and has demonstrated his commitment to important state priorities, including education,'' said University of Oklahoma President David Boren.

His singing talents were not mentioned by anyone, including Morgan, an attorney and former municipal judge whose 23-year-old daughter, Abby, is in graduate school at Oklahoma State University.

But Kerns, who used to work for the Senate, said Morgan's singing ability has been displayed at charity events in Stillwater, where the senator is often the master of ceremonies.

``He's great at impersonating other vocalists,'' she said. ``He's a great Elvis. He's going to kill me for saying that.''

Seriously, she said Morgan ``has the personal charisma and ability to build a consensus that will make him a very effective Senate leader.''

Morgan, who also enjoys golfing, was elected to his third and final four-year term as senator last November with 60 percent of the vote.

Morgan came into office just as term limits were taking effect and is limited to 12 years of service.

If Republicans have their way, he will be the last Democratic Senate president pro tem for awhile.

Democrats lost ground in the November elections and now hold only a 26-22 advantage over Republican senators. The GOP could take control if they pick up four seats in the 2006 elections.

``I think it's proof that term limits has certainly changed the face of the Legislature and will continue to do so,'' Morgan said.

A lifelong Democrat, Morgan said he really was not involved that much in politics before he ran for office.

``I shouldn't admit this, but the first political campaign I ever worked on was former Republican Gov. Dewey Bartlett's Senate campaign when I was in high school. I was a Democrat then, but I just thought he was a pretty good guy so I volunteered for his campaign.''

He said he did not have a goal of becoming a pro tem when he arrived at the Capitol.

``I'm not really sure I knew what the pro tem was when I got here. I just called him boss,'' he said, laughing heartily.

As far as his assets as a leader, he said: ``I've certainly never considered myself the smartest guy in the room. But I do think I have the ability to bring people together and that's what I hope I can do, not only in the Senate but in the Legislature.''

Morgan became pro tem after Hobson, D-Lexington, resigned facing ouster. His fellow lawmakers said he should step down so he could better deal with personal health issues.

``We have all been through a very difficult ordeal,'' Morgan said. ``I think the first order of business is for us to begin the healing process and to continue that and to conduct our business in a dignified fashion.

``The institution of the Senate is something that we all have a great deal of respect for. We want to present the proper image, the proper work ethic, so people can be proud of the work that we do. I'm going to encourage that.''