Representative Mike Synar, an Oklahoma Democrat, said he spent the last several days in his district holding forums on health care.

Oklahoma Democrats have a problem.

To date, the Oklahoma Democrat has collected $989,873 in retirement pay.

"I've been such a strong advocate of speaking with a single voice," the Oklahoma Democrat said.

In response, the traditionally disorganized Oklahoma Democrats have taken steps to create a more organized state party, hiring a professional executive director in 1995.

Many Oklahoma Democrats are socially conservative and support the United States pro-life movement.

However, Oklahoma Democrats were generally considered to be more conservative than Democrats in other states.

The Oklahoma Democrat, the only American Indian member of Congress, said the painting was offensive and depressing.

To be sure, some Oklahoma Democrats argue that now is the time for loyalty to the party - and for getting with the President's program.

"We still have the safest drinking water in the world," the Oklahoma Democrat added, "but we can't play fast and loose with it."