The Elephant in the OKGOP’s Living Room

By former District 85 State Representative, Porter Davis:

  Officials in the Oklahoma Republican Party are still in denial about the September loss of a perpetually GOP-held seat in a Elephant Mary special election for House District 85. At recent county and state GOP meetings, I heard the often-repeated mantras that the Democrat “outworked” the Republican, that more “liberals” are moving into the district, and that the Carter campaign thought they could just cruise to victory in this “safe” seat. They either don’t see, or don’t want to address, the real issue, the elephant in the living room.

  My perspective on HD 85 is unique. I ran for the seat twice, once losing as an Independent in 1976, and again winning as a Reagan Republican in 1982. I received 63% of the vote in a district with a majority of registered Democrats. I’ve kept a watchful eye on that district since. Subsequent GOP Reps in that seat were Mike Hunter, Mary Fallin, Odelia and David Dank. All did a good job representing their district.

  So what happened? Is it really so simple that Cyndi Munson, an energetic, personable liberal Democrat just “outworked”political veteran and insider, conservative Republican Chip Carter?

Sooner Politics Expands To TV and Radio

The SoonerPolitics channel, on Roku

Oklahoma Political News & Events on your television - on demand

  The printed word only gives us a portion of the whole story. Oklahoma's conservatives are producing telecasts, Radio shows, And coverage of major political events all over the Sooner State. These journalistic endeavors are best presented in multimedia devices. So we turned to Roku as an open-source set top device which turns any TV into a limitless 'cable network' of sorts.

Detailed Facts On Asset Forfeiture Reforms

   Blogger, Kaye Beach of Oklahoma City, Details important aspects of the effort to reform the process by law enforcement known as Civil Asset Forfeiture. The subject is not particularly simple, and fundamentally departs from the constitutional mandate of the same due process which citizens are guaranteed.

Four Reforms to Note in Oklahoma Personal Asset Protection Act SB 838

By Kaye Beach Sept 20, 2015 - Sen. Kyle Loveless is the author of SB 838, the Personal Asset Protection Act which would give more protection to innocent property owners from the practice of civil asset forfeiture.   It is a good bill but to my dismay, I keep running into misconceptions about the measure.  Legislation is a little tricky to read and often, the media does not break them down very well.

Super Tuesday On Steroids

Perhaps 25 states will make selections in an 11-day span.

Just 6 months from now, the 2016 Presidential nomination process will reach fever pitch. 

  It all starts Friday, Feb. 26th, with a hastily reshuffled presidential debate coming from a Texas venue. The next day, South Carolina looks to hold a Saturday primary.

  Then North Carolina will join Oklahoma, Texas, and the massive list of Super Tuesday (March 1st) states for a series of primaries and caucus events. Anywhere between 10 and 17 states are projected to hold selections in the first week of March.

Rep. Jason Murphey Masters The Art Of Representation

  Once again the Oklahoma Constitution Newspaper has released their annual Legislative scoring report. The Conservative Index is the most established Oklahoma legislator scoring system. They carefully pick a set of 10 key pieces of legislation which collectively indicate the conservative mindset (or lack thereof).  And once again Rep. Jason Murphey  has 'aced' the test.
  Look for the Conservative Index Annual Report, from the Oklahoma Constitution Newspaper. You may subscribe, here: http://www.oklahomaconstitution.com/ns.php?index=1

   I called Jason and we visited about this past session.

  Jason agreed to give us a few minutes of his time for a question/answer session. Here's our dialogue;
Sooner Politics: You keep scoring so well in the Oklahoma Constitution's Conservative Index. How do you do it?

Oklahoma Dems Call Out To Independents

Democrats Meet To Ratify Change To Open Primaries In Oklahoma

  The long history of Oklahoma's Democrat Party has plunged to yet new lows in the wake of recent Republican landslides and the Democrats' own socialist national leadership.

 To combat the bleak outlook for old Democrats, there is a new idea being floated this weekend at the Oklahoma Democrat Convention. Delegates are asked to approve a landmark policy change which will let non-aligned voters have equal voting power with Democrat party regulars. Independent voters will get to vote in Democrat primary races without having to associate themselves to the Democrat platform or aims.

Digression To Mud Wrestling In A Tar Pit

The Tar Pit Of Our Demise

  The great political inspirations of our time are not admired for their mud wrestling skills. To the contrary, they are admired for their disciplined avoidance of baser traits of the political underclass.

  Not content with the expressed will of the tabulated ballots, those who can't lead have taken to sniping at those who have inspired and led.
  The Oklahoma GOP has become the home of the sanctimonious haters. We didn't invite them, they just came.

Oklahoma National Guard Chaplains Endangered By Supreme Court Ruling

Chaplain ministers to an injured man aboard the USS Franklin, 1945

  The recent landmark ruling of the Oklahoma Supreme Court has a dire impact on the troops who protect our state. While serving at home & abroad, the soldiers rely heavily upon the essential spiritual support of the clergy within the Oklahoma National Guard. And chaplains have always been a part of every state's militias.

  But a new and terrifying landmark ruling of the current Oklahoma Supreme Court could have devastating consequences for the entire National Guard of Oklahoma. This current court has ruled that one isolated clause of the constitution should be cited at the exclusion of all other articles, acts, and precedences.

Oklahoma Politics Becoming Musical Chairs

Term Limits throws a wrench in career plans for politicians

  We are entering the phase of the electoral cycle where the political king-makers and proverbial 'smoke-filled rooms' get very active. No ad buys yet, not even a single candidacy announcement. But make no mistake, most of the successful campaigns start during these quiet 'out-years'. The 2016 campaigns will be about the presidency and representatives. Then we move on to a big shuffle.

2018 Futures: 

  Incumbent Corporation Commissioner, Dana Murphy, will likely seek a 2nd term as a Corporation Commissioner.  Incumbent Superintendent of Public Education, Joy Hofmeister, will likely seek a 2nd term.  Most of Oklahoma's statewide elective offices are going to be 'open seats'. That's a term which means the current occupant is not running for another term in the current office.

The 2018 Futures

  Editing the Sooner Politics Online Newspaper brings with it a few interesting perks. One such perk is that I get included in a few circles of intentional gossip. Here's some of that very preliminary and admittedly incomplete gossip. In the 2018 statewide races, the candidates who are rumored (in no particular order) for:

Governor- Atty. Gen. Scott Pruitt,  Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb,  Rep. Bridenstine Lt. Governor- Labor Comm. Mark Costello Ins. Comm. John Doak Sen Eddie Fields Attorney General-  Sen. Anthony Sykes Fmr Dist Atty Ryan Leonard

Labor Commissioner- Jason Reese Treasurer- Sen. Clark Jolley Gary Jones Insurance Commissioner- Fmr Workers Comp.  Denise Engle Rep. Glen Mulready Auditor- ?

 The state's voters have pushed Oklahoma to the forefront in term limits. About 25 years ago, Lloyd Noble II masterminded a first-in-the-nation reform which capped legislative serve at 12 years (SQ632).

  And just a few years back, the voters overwhelmingly approved Senator Randy Brogdon's SQ 747, which extended that term limiting concept to statewide elective offices in state government. Our statewide elected leaders are limited to 2 terms in their office. Most of these leaders serve a 4 year term.  Rep Jason Murphey was the House sponsor of that constitutional amendment.

Meet the Democrat-appointed Oklahoma Supreme Court

Only One of the Justices is a Republican Appointee

  Oklahoma has 9 justices serving on the supreme court. One has been there since Governor George Nigh appointed her.  There were 3 Republican Governors since then, but only one justice on the court is an appointee from the 17 years of Republican chief executives.

  A whopping 6 justices were appointed by former Governor Brad Henry. Two of them are the dissenters who sided with the monument. Since George Nigh left the governor's mansion, Democrats have only occupied it for 12 years. And yet there are 8 justices to their legacy.

Eddie Huff: My Thoughts On Charleston Church Shooting

Thoughts on Charleston Church Shooting

Eddie Huff - Guest Columnist

  As I sat in church this morning the greater portion of the service was devoted to "sharing in the suffering" of Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston, SC. Throughout the service I heard reference to mourning, grieving and weeping for and with those killed, their families and church. I don't know what is wrong with me, but I did not feel a special need or conviction to mourn, grieve or weep. In all honesty, felt bullied or pressured into feeling something that was not a natural reaction.

OKGOP Summer Minuteman Recruitment Underway

SoonerPolitics.org Led a grassroots funding drive and
several grassroots groups and bloggers joined in the
unified effort

  The OKGOP is your collective voice for freedom, prosperity, and sound leadership. It needs your financial gesture of support during this important time. For just $8.25 a month--less than $100 a year--you can become an OKGOP Minuteman and help provide us with the consistent resources necessary to implement a highly mobile, rapidly deployed force to respond immediately to Democrat threats in Oklahoma.

Rep. Jason Murphey Challenges The Speaker's Concentrated Powers

Chairman Jason Murphey of the House Modernization Committee

Murphey Laments the death of TW Shannon's transparency reforms

Absolute Power

By: Jason Murphey | Sunday, June 14th, 2015 11:39:13 PM | 
  During the last fifteen months I have mostly resisted the temptation to write about my feelings regarding the current state of transparency in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. This may seem perplexing to my regular readers because up until March of 2014, I frequently wrote about the deliberative but systematic transformation of the House away from an institution of opaque process and concentrated power.

Rep Bobby Cleveland Calls For Reform of OSSAA

  The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) seems to want it both ways. Sometimes they claim to act as a government education institution, yet at other times they insist they are a private club which no government can impose mandates upon.

OKGOP Luncheon With Special Guest, Senator Ted Cruz

(Oklahoma City, OK) – Chairman Randy Brogdon announced on Friday that presidential candidate, Senator Ted Cruz will be joining the Oklahoma Republican Party Saturday, June 13th at 12:00pm for a luncheon at the Oklahoma Sport's Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.

Sooner Politics Launches Free Online Magazine

Sooner Politics and Feedly develop online magazine format

  Sooner Politics has responded to the need of our readers to easily navigate through the publications on small mobile devices. Tablets and phones are becoming too prevalent to be ignored. Even more specific support for mobile devices will be announced, soon.

  Feedly has graciously allowed our readers to use their free mobile and desktop services specifically for reading Sooner Politics' large library of periodical content.

  The process just takes a few easy steps and you can then get all our aggregate columnists' latest posts on every one of your devices.

Let's now begin the 3 easy steps:

fig. 1 fig. 2 fig. 3

1. Download this small file: Sooner-Politics.opml. It is the customization data to easily load SoonerPolitics Magazine into your free feedly account.
2. On your computer, go to Feedly.com and click the button to "IMPORT OPML". (fig. 1)  A pop up window will ask you to register using a Google+ or Facebook acct. (fig. 2) It's free and they don't ask for a bunch of personal info. We recommend using your Facebook or Google+ account if you have one. It's just one less password to remember. Feedly also allows you to share your favorite articles via social media if you set up an account using your social media connection.
3. Next, you will be asked to upload that "SoonerPolitics.opml" file that you just downloaded. (fig. 3) Choose the correct file and then click the "Import" button

fig. 4

  Your online SoonerPolitics.org magazine is now loaded and readable.  You can change your magazine layout and color themes to your own liking. Font size, formatting, and other tweaks can be found in the left column bottom control panel. (fig. 4)

fig. 5

  Load the mobile apps at iTunes (iphone, iPad), Google Play(tablet, phone), and Kindle. Just log in with your same account info when you open your mobile apps. Everything will be preloaded. (fig. 5)

David Van Risseghem

OKGOP Plans Big Friday Night At SRLC, May 22nd

Oklahoma's Big Gala with national campaign stars

  Today, the RNC's Matt Pinnell told me that the OKGOP is directly sponsoring the Friday night gala at the Big SRLC event, in May. Ted Cruz is helping with this evening event at the SRLC.  Most of the other activities are completely run by the RNC's contracted event team. It is not clear if any other presidential campaigns or their staff will appear.

The Energizing America Gala  will include a plated dinner and keynote address featuring Senator Ted Cruz. Dress for the gala is cocktail attire. This includes suits and ties for men, and dresses or evening suits for women. This event is a fundraiser for the OKGOP. Tickets: $100 or $175 per couple Minuteman club discount rate: $75 Seating is limited.

  But Pinnell emphasized that leaders and campaigns from around the nation will be a part of the 3-day conference. We can't say who all may be at the event, But is will be bigger than any OKGOP event has previously drawn.

 It will present a very significant fiscal opportunity for the OKGOP to have a financial boost as well a giving our citizens an unparalleled opportunity to dine with perhaps the RNC's biggest leaders and stars.

Banquet tickets are just $175 for 2, right now Single tickets are $100

  Additionally, early discount ticketing was extended to April 30th, for the $50 conference passes.

  Clergy, students, and military can get special $35 passes.

David Van Risseghem

Brogdon Town Hall Report

In just 10 days, Randy Brogdon has moved the OKGOP into a new era. 

  He held his first speaking engagement tonight, since taking on the duties of the chairmanship. Randy Brogdon was the guest of the Tulsa Area Republican Assembly. Here are the talking points of his 45 minute discussion:

Marriage Certificates May Replace Licenses

  If there's anything Oklahomans have agreed upon, in the federal marriage controversy, it's that the state really isn't good at trying to be the church.

  When the state travels down the road of social engineering to the point where the role of the church is co-opted, We end up with a government that tries to establish a consensus version of godliness.

  But a more limited role would be to protect individuals from being harmed by others. So the more sensible public policy is to call the filing process what it really is, and is meant to be. It is good to have a public registry of marriage partnerships, just like it is good to have a filing of business partnerships. It's a government service to provide a public record and make safeguards readily available  so as to substantiate claims. 

  But the term "license" was the wrong classification for this government service. "Certificate" conveys a certainty that the public record is verified, just like a birth certificate states that the details of a human birth have been verified.

  More importantly (to many Oklahomans) , the new policy sidesteps a sticky issue. When the state licenses an activity or association, there is an inferred endorsement (or at least an acceptance). But with marriage, it really doesn't matter if the community accepts a union. For that matter, it doesn't negate the union if one's in-laws are un-accepting of a covenant.

  A marriage certificate will provide the legal safeguards while returning honor and independence to the parties joining the domestic union
For many of us, the sacrament of marriage is defined by our faith; and we won't call a sin "a sacrament". But we must none-the-less recognize the business part of every partnership and accord each other the legal rights of a civil society.
And beyond the spiritual/moral issues of folks with religious convictions, there are also people whose view of marriage has no religious component at all. They are able to solemnize their life covenant without a ceremony of any kind.
Society isn't so much interested in your theology about marriage as how well you utilize your conveyed status for the stability and betterment of society.

Read: HB1125 text

David Van Risseghem

COS: Which Way To A Better Constitution?

Did we start out with a bad constitution?
Or did it just get worse with each amendment we added?
Or did the social pressures and bad jurists corrupt it?

  Whatever the cause, our system is failing (or are we failing our system?). Of late we've been mulling over additional solutions. For 30+ years we have been calling for a Balanced Budget Federal Amendment. Recently there has been a formidable push for the state legislatures to bypass the federal congress and draft their own proposal, to be circulated for the necessary ratification.

Fears

  The Convention of States idea has fans and foes. There are worries of a runaway process creating a terrible proposal. There are speculations that nothing could meet the approval of the required 3/4 of states needed to ratify an amendment.
  There are also those who think the rift between states could blow up into a dissolution of our current republic. Some constitutional scholars wonder if the process originally designed for 13 states, can remain workable for 50?

It's easier to say 'no' to ideas we either don't understand or don't have a certain level of comfortable experience with. To some degree we need to make sure we know what we are experimenting with before committing to it. If we send a delegation to a convened group, can we recall them and stop the process? Is there a need to?

Suppose a convention of state delegations actually drafts a proposed amendment for a mandated balanced federal budget? What's next? How many states have to ratify it?

More importantly, what happens to states who refuse to ratify it? Is there a political will to force them into compliance? Will we see massive demonstrations and riots like other nations in default have experienced?

It sounds like a risky thing to do, doesn't it?

But what are the other options? We could wait for our current system to go into default. That seems to be fairly eminent, given the annual spending binges of the past 14 years. Congress seems far less interested in balancing the budget than ever. Sure, our own politicians make stump speeches about it, but when has it ever passed even one congressional house?

So our future in this republic looks difficult and we are all sorting through the options of what process of reform to advocate.

One thing I am certain of...

  We will be deciding on some scary options in the next decade, and as each year of this current trend does it's damage, our options for avoiding fiscal pain become smaller. Perhaps there is a safer solution than a Convention of States? If so, I really want to know what it is and what are the chances of it's success? If we soon accept a Convention of States before a fiscal emergency, we have the luxury of more time to draft and ratify a well-planned solution. But if it has to be produced during an economic collapse, we may end up with a horrible fix and far more social unrest in the streets. The only option I find inexcusable is... doing nothing. Will we be complicit in stealing more wealth from our grandchildren? None of us think it's our own fault. And the funny thing is that when an avalanche wipes out a mountain village, no single snowsfake ever thinks he is responsible for the casualties.

Sen. Brogdon Returns To Capitol To Defeat A Weston Bill

Super Tuesday Saved! 

 Oklahoma Lawmakers Reject Weston's Effort To Delay Oklahoma Primary Several Weeks. 

  Senator Brogdon, back at the capitol, to make the case
against the Weston Bill. Brogdon blamed Weston for
excluding hundreds of state GOP leaders from input.

 An impressive group of Republican Leaders in Oklahoma came to the Capitol to save Oklahoma's Super Tuesday Presidential Primary. Only OKGOP Chairman, David Weston and his vice chair, Sara Jo Odom, were willing to speak in defense of the idea to vacate Oklahoma's early primary leadership role.

Oklahoma's Most Conservative Legislators Endorse Brogdon

State Sen. Anthony Sykes, State Reps. David Brumbaugh and Jason Murphey

By Mathew Vermillon, of OkieBlaze -TULSA, OK 

The Oklahoma Constitution's list of 2014
Representatives conservative voting index

   Republican leaders in the House and Senate have endorsed Randy Brogdon for the position of Oklahoma’s next Republican Party State Chairman. Senator Anthony Sykes joins Representatives Jason Murphey and Republican Caucus Chairman, David Brumbaugh in support of Brogdon.

“I have known and worked with Randy Brogdon closely for many years. I believe he has the drive, the experience, and the dedication to unify and grow our Republican Party,” Senator Sykes stated, “Randy Brogdon is a man of his word and I know we can trust him to build the Republican brand while sharing our Party principles.”

“Those of us who served with Randy Brogdon in the Legislature can attest to his principled conservatism,” Representative Murphey said,  “I never saw him back down from doing the right thing and as party chairman, I believe he will always remain committed to principle and to doing right regardless of circumstance.”

Randy Brogdon,
candidate for Oklahoma
Republican Party chair

  Republican Caucus Chairman, Rep. Brumbaugh declared, “Randy Brogdon represented his district well in the State Senate and will represent our state party well as GOP Chairman.  Randy is a man of values and integrity and will serve the Republican Platform and Oklahoma with distinction.  It is without hesitation that I recommend Randy Brogdon for GOP State Chairman.”

The Oklahoma Constitution's list of 2014
Senators conservative voting index

  Upon hearing the news Brogdon, who has been traveling across the state meeting with grassroots leaders, was ecstatic, “I am honored and humbled to have received the support of these Republican leaders. All three of these men are men we can all look to with pride for what they have accomplished to the benefit of our Republican ideals.

   These endorsements coming on the heels of having just been endorsed unanimously by the Republican Party of Cotton County reassures me of what I have been hearing from activists for months; Republicans of Oklahoma are seeking and ready for principled leadership. I am willing and able to step up and fill that role.”

  The Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman’s race will be decided at the Oklahoma Republican Party Convention on April 11th in Oklahoma City. For more information about the Republican Party Chairman race visit the Okie Blaze 2015 Elections page.

Editor's note