Political fight calls for "change"

By Stacey Cameron, NEWS 9

Change seems to be the common idea for the presidential candidates. NEWS 9's Stacey Cameron talked with presidential candidate John Edwards during a satellite interview about that very subject, "change."

"I want voters in Oklahoma to know that's what I am fighting for," Edwards said.

Whatever "change" means, Edwards isn't alone in calling for it.

In fact up and down the campaign trail both Democrats and Republicans are getting plenty of mileage out of this five-letter word.

"It's time for change," said presidential candidate Barack Obama.

"We need to bring some true differences and changes in this country," said presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.

Looking at the latest NEWS 9 poll, maybe there is something to all this talk of change. Out of the Oklahoman's surveyed, 57% said the country is moving in the wrong direction. That means Oklahoma, if not the entire country, is ripe for "change."

So does that mean Oklahoma, a state supporting President Bush the last 2 elections, is ready to change and help vote a Democrat into the White House?

Maybe not, because right now Oklahoma voters prefer Republican presidential candidates like John McCain and Mike Huckabee, according to NEWS 9's pollster, Keith Gaddie.

"Regardless of who the candidate is, they [Republicans] win Oklahoma," Gaddie said.

While Democrats may not want to hear that news, Hillary Clinton is pointing out what may truly be the biggest change in presidential politics.

"How many of us ever could have dreamed that we would see the day when a woman and an African American are running for the presidency of the United States of America," Clinton said. 

None of the candidates are saying exactly what change means or how they'll bring it about.

So maybe change in politics is like beauty, it's all in the eye of the beholder.