OkieBrent's Soapbox

The Oklahoma Academy has hosted three Gubernatorial Issues Forums to date – on April 7th, May 6th and June 16th.  So far, the candidate that has already been crowned the winner by “experts” – Republican Mary Fallin – has failed to show up for any of the forums.

.

I was told that she won’t appear at forums if there is an opportunity for questions to come from the audience – which when time allows, is something the Academy forums have allowed.

.

So, the leading Republican won’t take questions from regular Oklahomans and requires all questions in advance for her to participate in discussions and debates on issues that the next Governor will most certainly have to deal with.  Does this mean she is too dumb to answer questions off the cuff?  If she is elected, will she make the same requirement before she speaks to any in the media?  Is that the type of leader Oklahoma needs?  Hardly.

.

As for Mary Fallin already being crowned as Oklahoma’s next Governor – how soon our memories fail us.  Back in 2002 we were guaranteed Steve Largent would be Oklahoma’s next Governor.  Thankfully, the “experts” and the polls were wrong back then.  Let’s hope that 2010 will prove them wrong again.

.

The most recent Oklahoma Academy Issues Forum which occurred Wednesday, June 16th will air in its entirety tomorrow – Sunday, June 20th – at 11:00 a.m. on KGOU/KROU.  This Forum also included all the candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and focused mostly on education issues.

.

UPDATE: Wednesday, June 30th

.

The Oklahoma Academy hosted its fourth forum today for the candidates running to be our next Governor.  Once again, Mary Fallin was a no-show.  This is from the Associated Press:

.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, the Democratic candidates, and Republican candidates Roger Jackson and Robert Hubbard were on hand for the event at Cameron University.

.

Forum organizers say Republican hopeful, state Sen. Randy Brogdon, was scheduled to appear but didn’t. U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin didn’t plan to attend.

.

You can read more in the Tulsa World or The Oklahoman.

Two new websites are now on the web.  They are both for Democratic women running for office (and I’m proud to call them both my friends!).

…

State Senator Susan Paddack announced last month that she is a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  To visit her new campaign website click the banner below.

…

…

State Senator Debbe Leftwich is running for re-election to her Senate seat in District 44, which is south Oklahoma City.  To visit her new campaign website, click on the logo below.

…

…

I hope all my family and good friends will support both of these Democratic women!

To a standing room only crowd in Ada, Oklahoma, State Senator Susan Paddack announced she is a candidate for State Superintendent.  The campaign launch was at 10:00 a.m. today.

Paddack Announces Candidacy for State Superintendent

“Education has always been a passion.  I’m running for State Superintendent because I want all children in Oklahoma to have the education they need in order to achieve their goals in life.  Our children are the future and we must provide the highest quality of education for them to succeed and be our leaders of tomorrow,” said Susan Paddack.

“I’m excited to announce my candidacy today and would like to personally invite all Oklahomans to be a part of this journey to ensure that our children receive the best education we can possibly give them.”

Susan Paddack was elected to the State Senate in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.  She has served as Chair of the Senate Education Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee.  Prior to serving as Senator, she served as Director of Local Education Foundation Outreach for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.  She was a former junior high science teacher, an adjunct professor at East Central University, and a community volunteer.

“While we’ve made great strides in the past with our early childhood efforts, technical education and raising our curricular standards, we as citizens still have much work to do.  As a former teacher, an adjunct professor at my local university, as a mom, as an encourager of educational excellence, as a legislator serving on both education and education funding committees, I know we must pick up the pace on making education relevant in an ever changing world,” said Paddack.

“The very future of our state depends on how well we educate our children.  This is a task of which we must all be a part.  I invite every citizen to commit their energy and resources to achieving this goal.”

On Monday evening we will post a video of the campaign launch on our campaign’s YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/SusanPaddack).  We will also have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and coming soon will be the online Campaign Headquarters http://www.votepaddack.com

From the Edmondson Campaign:

With a nod to Oklahoma’s past and a plan for Oklahoma’s future, Drew Edmondson today announced he is running for Governor.

“As Attorney General, I’ve fought to protect Oklahomans from crime, I’ve stood up against special interests, and I’ve taken on corrupt politicians,” Edmondson said. “As Governor, I’m going to fight just as hard to create good paying jobs and make sure all Oklahomans have access to quality, affordable health care.”

Edmondson said he would focus his time as governor on creating new, high-paying jobs in the energy industry.

“We’re an energy state,” Edmondson said. “Though we’ve diversified our economy in recent years, oil and natural gas still are an important part of our economy. As Governor I’m going to do all I can to make sure those industries continue to grow and prosper.

“We are also uniquely positioned to be a national leader in renewable energy like wind, solar and biofuels. These industries have the capacity to create jobs for future generations of Oklahomans and to grow our economy for the current one.”

Edmondson said he would also continue his work to curb methamphetamine production and to hold DUI offenders accountable under Oklahoma law.

“Stopping the production and distribution of methamphetamine will help keep our neighborhoods safe,” Edmondson said. “Cracking down on DUI offenders will make our streets safer. Prosecuting Internet predators will make our homes safer. These are things we must do to ensure that Oklahoma remains a great place to live and raise a family.”

Edmondson also promised to work to make higher education more affordable.

“The business community wants an educated workforce. In this day and age, higher education is not a luxury; it is an economic necessity.”

Elected Attorney General in 1994, Edmondson was joined at the announcement by his wife, Linda, and his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Andrea Edmondson. Drew and Linda are also the proud grandparents of twins, Andrew Edmondson Ross and Catherine Kay Ross, who were born to the couple’s daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Mike Ross of Arlington, VA.

“I would not be here without the love and support of my family and, in particular, my wife, Linda,” Edmondson said. “She has been a constant source of support and strength, of ideas and inspiration. I am truly blessed to have shared the last 42 years with her. I am pleased also that she joins me on this new journey.”

Edmondson is a Navy veteran, having served one tour of duty in Vietnam. He previously served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and as Muskogee County District Attorney. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Muskogee.

“I grew up in a family with a tradition of service to Oklahoma and our country,” Edmondson said. “My father and mother both served in the Navy during the Second World War, and my dad went on to serve in Congress.  Both of my parents instilled in me a sense of duty and responsibility to the state and country that have been so good to us.”

Edmondson made the announcement at the Oklahoma State Capitol this morning. He will also make formal announcements today at the Tulsa Press Club and the Muskogee County Courthouse.

“As we enter our second century, our next governor must keep Oklahoma moving forward,” Edmondson said. “I am proud of the progress we have made, and I look forward to working with Oklahomans from all walks of life to ensure our continued success as a state.”

Additional information is available on the campaign’s website at www.edmondson2010.com.

J.C. Watts announced today he will not run for Governor next year.  So for now on the Republican side it is Mary Fallin against Randy Brogdan.   The only Democrat to officially announce for Governor so far is Jari Askins, but Drew Edmondson is seriously exploring the race.

The Governor’s seat will be open. 

The Lt. Governor’s seat will be open. 

The Attorney General’s seat will be open. 

Also on the ballot will be State Supt. of Public Instruction – will Sandy Garrett run again? 

The State Treasurer will be on the ballot – Will Scott Meacham run for it again, or will he choose to run for Attorney General, or 5^th District Congress (which will also be an open seat)? 

The State Insurance Commissioner, and Labor Commissioner, and State Auditor and Inspector, and a seat on the Corporation Commission will all be on the 2010 ballot.

Tom Coburn has said he will announce his decision whether to run for a 2^nd term in the U.S. Senate by June 1.  If he chooses to retire, that is another seat that will be open.  Will he jump into the Governor’s race? Stay where he’s at? Or go back to Muskogee and deliver more babies?

Half of the State Senate will be on the ballot (24 seats) and all of the State House (101 seats).  And the Republican-controlled legislature has filled the 2010 ballot with initiatives that they couldn’t get passed Governor Henry’s desk.

2010 is very important for Oklahoma Democrats and our new team needs to begin now focusing only on 2010.

This is from Politicalwire:

Southern Political Report: The word from the Sooner State is that Gov. Brad Henry (D), a moderate Democrat, is getting lots of pressure from the DSCC and the DNC to run for the US Senate next year if — as is looking likely — US Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) decides to step down… Coburn, who has yet to say yea or nay on a 2010 re-election bid, raised only a pittance ($17,000) in the 1st Quarter, which suggests he isn’t planning to run again.

 

Meanwhile, a new Sooner Poll found that 66% of Oklahoma voters said they approve of Henry’s job performance, slightly ahead of the state’s two Republican senators.

For two things …

Your veto of House Bill 1326

Oklahoma City – Citing misconceptions about pending legislation on stem cell research, Gov. Brad Henry announced late today his plan to veto House Bill 1326, legislation that would have made it a crime for a scientist to perform any form of embryonic stem cell research, the same kind of research supported by such pro-life, conservative leaders as Nancy Reagan and U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch.

 

Although proponents billed it as a “pro-life” measure, the governor noted that HB 1326 does not address abortion in any manner or save a life.

 

“There are all kinds of misconceptions and misinformation about this issue, and that’s regrettable,” said Gov. Henry.

 

“It’s important to point out that this legislation does nothing to stop an abortion or save a single life, but it does threaten life-saving research and unjustly criminalizes scientists who perform important work, the very kind of research that is supported by pro-life conservatives like former First Lady Nancy Reagan.

To read the rest, click here.

And for honoring The Flaming Lips and the song chosen by more than ½ of Oklahomans who voted – “Do you realize?” after Legislative Republicans refused to do so.

Oklahoma City — Gov. Brad Henry will sign an executive order Tuesday, April 28, naming the Flaming Lips song, “Do You Realize??,” as the official rock song of Oklahoma.

 

In a statewide Internet vote held late last year, that song was the choice of 51 percent of more than 21,000 votes cast. Senate Joint Resolution 24 sought to codify that vote, but was narrowly defeated.

 

“For more than 20 years ago, Oklahoma’s own Flaming Lips have produced creative, fun and provocative rock music,” Gov. Henry said.

 

“The music of the Flaming Lips has earned Grammys, glowing critical acclaim and fans all over the world. A truly iconic rock ‘n’ roll band, they are proud ambassadors of their home state.

 

“They were clearly the people’s choice, and I intend to honor that vote.”

 

The signing of the executive order will held at 2 p.m. April 28 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.

From the Governor’s website

Politico asks the question:

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) raised only $17,000 in the first three months of the year and banked just $57,000 in his campaign account, totals that will raise speculation that he won’t run for reelection.

 

Coburn, never known for his fundraising strength, recently told the Tulsa World that he is still undecided whether he’ll seek a second term.

 

In an interview with the paper this week, Coburn said that he was “undecided” whether he would seek a second term.

 

“I’m not playing games,” he said Tuesday. “I really haven’t decided.”

 

The Tulsa World also reported that Coburn told his constituents at a town hall meeting he didn’t care whether he was reelected or not.

 

“Being a doctor is more fun,” Coburn said.

If he does, I wish Lt. Governor Jari Askins would switch from the Governor’s race and run for the US Senate instead.  The DSCC is always looking for candidates who are able to self-fund, something she can certainly do.

I’ve been battling the flu for two weeks now.  I hope I’m finally over it.  For two weeks I haven’t been able to write, because I haven’t been able to think.   I’m still not back to 100%, but I’m improving every day.

This coming Saturday our Democratic Party County Conventions are scheduled to elect new officers and delegates to the District and State Conventions.  My county, Grady, has had a very active Party and our officers have done a superb job.  None of the current officers are running for another term, and we’re having a very hard time finding anyone willing to run.  Right now, I only know of one person willing to run for County Vice Chair. 

I’ve been encouraged to run, but during election season, I spend more time in Oklahoma County than I do Grady County, and I take sides in Primary Elections.  It wouldn’t be fair to Grady County or to Democratic candidates that I do not support in the Primary.

Tom Cole announced this week he would not run for Governor, something I predicted the day he was appointed to the powerful Appropriations Committee. 

Democrats in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives have started a new website to help get their message out to the public.  This is excellent news…now how about it Senate Democrats, will you follow suit? Please!

American Journalism Review just completed a new survey of reporters covering state government.  The news is not good.  There has been a dramatic decrease since their last survey in 2003.

This is the outcome for Oklahoma:

OKLAHOMA–Down
Paper / FT/ Session help?/ Status
Oklahoman (Okla. City) / 2 / N / Down
Tulsa World / 1 / N / Down
CNHI Newspapers CNHI / 0 / N / Down
Journal Record (Oklahoma City) / 1 / Y / Down

Not good – all were down and only the Journal Record adds more staff during the legislative session.

There seems to be nothing but bad news when it comes to newspapers.  But some good news comes from the Huffington Post.  Recognizing the importance of good investigative journalism, especially in times with numerous crises, they announced the establishment of a non-profit Investigative Fund.

The Fund is ready to interview potential editors and reporters and also to start receiving proposals for investigative projects. The focus at the beginning is going to be on investigating aspects of the economic crisis. So please email resumes and pitches — as well any ideas and tips you may have about what should be investigated — to HuffPostFund@gmail.com.

In my last posting, I asked Tom Cole, Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe where their outrage was about AIG.  Well, Jim Inhofe showed his outrage and his hypocrisy.  This from ThinkProgress.org

Inhofe said, “The AIG situation is clear evidence of what happens when you shovel money out the door with no strings attached and no transparency.”  While Inhofe today demands that federal bailouts come with “strings attached,” he expressed the opposite view in February when he asked, “[I]s this still America? Do we really tell people how to run [a business], and who to pay and how much to pay?”

Oklahoma’s junior Senator, “Dr. No” Tom Coburn lost in a battle in a rare Sunday session of the U.S. Senate.  Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada), a former boxer, placed a choke-hold on Dr. No.  Here is a snippit from Politico.

To read the whole story, click here.

The rumor going around Oklahoma is that Dr. No will not run for re-election in 2010.  I was told, by someone else who was told by one of Coburn’s staffers, that the Senator has told his staff if they are offered another job to take it, that he is tired of DC and has no plans of running for the same office again.  Could he be looking at the Governor’s race?

Oklahoma’s Fourth District Congressman, Tom Cole, has been appointed as a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee.  Read all about it here.

With the Congressman receiving such a plum post, many believe that this will take him out of the 2010 race for Governor.

Oklahoma’s Fifth District Congresswoman, Mary Fallin is also rumored for the Republicans as a candidate for Governor in 2010.  If Fallin and Coburn opt out of running for re-election for the seats they now hold, their open seats will cause Republicans and Democrats to stampede.

Two high-profile and highly respected Democrats have already thrown their hats in the race for Governor.  While I love and respect Lt. Governor Jari Akins, I am an Edmondson man.  If you missed it, here is my posting from December 8^th – My Choice for Governor in 2010.