Nine Democratic presidential hopefuls are gearing up for primary
elections today in Oklahoma and six other states.

Polls will be open in Norman for Oklahoma’s presidential
primary from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Oklahoma has a closed-primary system, which means voters can
participate only in the primary of the party of which they are
registered. Oklahoma is also not a winner-take-all state. Each
candidate will be awarded a share of Oklahoma’s 47 delegates
based on a percentage of the popular vote. Those delegates will
cast their votes at a national party convention in July to
determine who goes on to the general election.

The key factor for all the candidates in the Democratic race is
a matter of who stands the best chance in the general election,
said Gary Copeland, director of the Carl Albert Center at OU.

Although Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., carried the highest voter
percentages in Iowa and New Hampshire, former Vermont Gov. Howard
Dean pulled in the most delegates at 114 compared to Kerry’s
102.

Here is a brief look at Oklahoma’s front-runners and where
they stand, in no particular order:

John Kerry

A Massachusetts senator in his fourth term, Kerry served in
active duty in Vietnam. Kerry said his record on national security
and responsible spending would make him the candidate to run
against President George W. Bush by drawing support from voters of
both parties.

Kerry’s plan for higher education is a $4,000-per-year
tuition tax credit for college. He would reinstate Pell Grants to
their original level. He would also streamline the borrowing
process for college students. Kerry said he may also push for a
two-year work-study program to pay student tuition in full.

Wesley Clark

A retired four-star general and NATO Supreme Allied Commander,
Clark is running in his first race for public office. Clark was
raised in Little Rock, Ark., and said his Southern roots and
38-year military record will make him the candidate who can carry
the Republican-dominated South.

Clark’s plan for higher education is a universal $6,000
federal grant for every student in the first two years at any
public or private college. Clark said he would streamline the loan
process and also fight to stop spiraling tuition costs for
college.

John Edwards

A first-term senator from North Carolina, Edwards served on the
Select Committee on Intelligence. He said he is running on civil
rights issues, health care and education. Edwards said his
intelligence experience in the Senate and record as a prosecutor
fighting special interest groups would make him the best candidate
to carry the South—with a little help from his Southern
drawl.

Edwards’ “college for everyone” plan would
give students free tuition at any public university or community
college for the first year in exchange for around 10 hours of
community service per week. Edwards would open student loans to
competitive bids and would try to eliminate “legacy”
admission programs that favor children of former students.

Howard Dean

A physician and former governor of Vermont since 1991, Dean said
his record in Vermont for lowering crime, balancing a $70 million
deficit and increasing health-care coverage proves he has a better
track record than Bush before coming into the Oval Office.

Dean’s “college commitment” plan would
guarantee any eighth-grade student who pledges to go to college up
to $10,000 per year in aid. Dean guarantees graduates would not
have to pay more than 10 percent of their income toward repaying
student loans. Also, the plan calls to repay student loans in full
if a graduate works and makes payments on the loan for 10
years.

Joe Lieberman

A Connecticut senator for 14 years, Lieberman was Al
Gore’s running mate in the 2000 presidential election, and
they won the national popular vote. Lieberman said he can win
Oklahoma because of the state’s record for embracing moderate
Democrats. Lieberman said his campaigning against Bush’s
irresponsible spending, his reputation as a man of family,
religious values and fiscal responsibility would draw votes from
both parties.

Lieberman’s plan for higher education would increase
federal Pell Grants to almost $8,000. His plan would provide
assistance for middle-income families struggling with student loans
and allow graduates to pay back their loans as a percentage of
income. He would also build on affirmative-action plans in order to
get more students into colleges, with an ultimate goal of 90
percent of high school graduates going on to college, the military
or vocational school, then graduating.
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