U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., became the third Washington, D.C., leader to visit Oklahoma this election season when he came to Norman to support GOP candidate Tom Cole on Thursday.

Hastert praised Cole about his credentials and their friendship that started in the 1990s.

"Tom had all this experience, he was kind of a mentor, in a sense, when I was starting to understand the palace politics of this government," Hastert said.

With just five members being the difference in the House, the speaker said the 4th District race in Oklahoma was an important race. He said it was tough to get important legislation passed when there is such a small difference between the two parties.

However, if Cole wins, he will be ready to help in the House, Hastert said.

"He understands the process, he's been a legislator, he knows so many of the members of Congress, helped a lot of them get elected, and has that ability to sit down and talk with people to get things done," he said.

It is not an easy process to work on the new session with so many seats available for either party, Hastert said. There are 12 seats open because of redistricting across the country and at least five races political magazines have labeled as threatened for the Republicans. Hastert said he has confidence there will still be a Republican majority in the House after the Tuesday elections.

"I can't tell you how many, but I think we're going to get a couple seats," Hastert said.

The speaker was not the only legislator in Norman to support Cole. U.S. Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla., Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla., and Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., were on hand to help Cole in the 4th District race.

"He goes in really ready to go to work. And he will do an outstanding job," Nickles said.

Nickles took some time to speak about the lame duck session that will begin in November. He said there is only a one-vote difference to get the Homeland Security Department bill passed.

"If we win in Missouri and I think we will, that might be enough of an instigation," he said. "We might be able to break the log jam."

The Ponca City senator complimented the House for passing the bill in June and criticized Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., for holding on the bill. Nickles said he is sure there will be some items taken care of during the lame duck session, but not everything.

"I would love to see us do Homeland Security and I would also like to see us get bankruptcy done. Maybe get a couple appropriations bills through the senate," Nickles said.

Cole said it was great to see Hastert in Oklahoma, especially for this race.

"It's a critical race, it's a close race, and, obviously, his presence makes an important difference," Cole said.

Cole faces Democrat Darryl Roberts to replace Watts as the 4th District Representative, OU's representative in the U.S. House.
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