Wednesday, July 29, 2015

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.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

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.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

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.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

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.