Time to Oust Oklahoma Republicans from Control Over Higher Education and Public Schools

Happy St Patrick's Day -- Rivers across America are being turned green today from the San Antonio River on the Riverwalk to the Chicago River as everyone becomes Irish for the day!  Little corned beef, potatoes, carrots  and cabbage on the menu at many households and restaurants with some soda bread and mint brownies for dessert with loads of whipped creme.  Today is the day that green alcohol becomes extremely popular with a lot of people needing to park their car and take advantage of a ride home.  This is Spring Break for The University of Oklahoma but it has not stopped the OU President from having his say on cuts to high education:

“It’s almost hostility to higher education,” University of Oklahoma President David Boren said. “We’ve gotten out of whack.”  

That is probably the understatement of the day, month or year!  Can only imagine what is being said behind closed doors when I know what I am saying about this Republican run state that is being run into the ground following the lead of Kansas.  The Kansas State Supreme Court had to restore some funding for Kansas public schools.  Republican members of the legislature and the Governor's offices across America have no right to take public tax dollars for private religious schools -- guess separation of church and state are not on their radar? My tax dollars going for any private school goes against what I believe because private schools are not subject to rules or regulations like public schools are in order to keep their accreditation.  The religious schools are free to teach their own version of science and thus have a generation of illiterate children who believe the earth is 6,000 years old and dinosaurs roamed the earth with man just like in the Flintstones.    

In Oklahoma today, would say we have two happy college Presidents because University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University made the NCAA Basketball Tournament but at the same time they are are as disgusted with this Republican Governor as you can be especially President Boren who was the Governor at one time and also a US Senator before becoming President of the University of Oklahoma. What is mind boggling is Governor Fallin wants to cut higher education more while giving the wealthy a tax cut -- typical Republican Koch/ALEC puppet.  Just don't understand what Republicans have against public education including higher education -- makes no sense to me unless they don't want an educated populace.

This Republican Governor has been a disaster for education at all levels and her good friend the State School Superintendent, Janet Barrisi, is the absolute worst and most detested State School Superintendent by both sides of the aisle -- total arrogance from someone with no recent background in public education since she sat on the school board for a charter school and was a dentist.  Barrisi was the first Republican State School Superintendent and hopefully the last.  Republicans are showing that education means nothing to them unless they can use charter schools to help their donors plus be able to teach what they want with no regulations or oversight. This anti-public education movement on the right has many long time supporters of public schools up in arms -- I am one of them.  Have volunteered countless hours over the years to public education from tutoring reading to being head of the PTO and everything in between.  There is no way I am sitting on the sidelines and allowing Republicans to destroy public education without a fight.

Oklahoma leads the Country in cuts to public education since 2008 when Republicans took over complete control of the legislature.  Maybe if they quit wasting so much of our tax dollars on social issues, they would have money left for educating our students.  Republicans received my last dollar along with my last vote in 2010 after their attacks on education in Oklahoma after Republicans took full control of state government.  All children deserve a very good education but you don't get there with the draconian cuts by the Republicans in the Legislature and Governor's Office since 2008/2010. Asking higher ed to take a $50M cut while handing out tax cuts is stupid and irresponsible.  The very fact these Republicans refuse to increase the taxes on horizontal drilling that were cut in the early 90's says all you need to know about these bought and paid for Republicans in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma higher education leaders hope to avoid budget cut 

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education requested an increase of 7.7 percent — or an additional $76.3 million — for the next fiscal year, but the governor has called for a cut of nearly $50 million. 

By Kathryn McNutt Published: March 16, 2014

Higher education leaders are optimistic they can avoid the cut in state funding Gov. Mary Fallin proposed in her fiscal year 2015 budget. 

The governor’s budget includes a 5 percent reduction for most agencies because estimates show the state will have about $188 million less to appropriate for FY15.

“I’m pushing to at least make up the 5 percent cut,” Rep. Harold Wright, R-Weatherford, said last week. 

Wright, chairman of the House Higher Education and CareerTech Committee, said he thinks lawmakers can keep the funding level and keep tuition as low as possible. 

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education requested an increase of 7.7 percent — or an additional $76.3 million — from the current fiscal year, but the governor has called for a cut of nearly $50 million. 

Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson said the state appropriation makes up about 38 percent of the total higher education budget, down from half in 2007. 

The state has cut the higher education budget an average of 8.4 percent each year since 2008 at a time when enrollment is increasing and costs have gone up, Johnson said. 

“It’s kind of an unsustainable crunch. The governor has Complete College America and wants to graduate more students,” Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis said.
“Meanwhile, we’re cutting the dollars and, therefore, how do you make that up?” 

“It’s almost hostility to higher education,” University of Oklahoma President David Boren said. “We’ve gotten out of whack.” 

Revenue sources 

Boren and Hargis both support reducing the gross production tax exemption for horizontal wells to increase the available dollars for state appropriations. 

Estimates of the money that would produce are pretty dramatic, Hargis said. 

“I think there’s going to be a little more money (in the state budget) than they currently are working on,” he said. 

Another step that would put more money in the budget is delaying an income tax cut, Boren said.

Read More on Education by Kathryn McNutt at The Oklahoman

Now we will see if OSU President Hargis sticks with his Party, the Republicans, or stands up for higher education and the OSU college students.  The jury is out on that one as we wait to see which side major OSU donor Boone Pickens falls.

With President Boren we have no doubt -- he would be saying and doing the same thing no matter who the Party in charge was who wanted to cut higher education.

Time for Oklahomans to get a clue and return this state to common sense by getting rid of the anti-education faction in this state.   That means electing Democrat Rep Joe Dorman for Governor who values public education for all of Oklahoma's children.  Rep Dorman is willing to work across the aisle for the betterment of all Oklahomans versus the Republican 'my way or no way' attitude of some members of the Legislature and State Government.  Rep Dorman has my support and my vote in November -- time for a change in Oklahoma!

Disclaimer:  Opinions are my own on this blog.  I do not receive compensation from any candidate, organization, or group. 

Joe Dorman, Rush Springs, Officially Running for Oklahoma Governor

Today I feel like we hit a homerun in Oklahoma with Rep Joe Dorman running for Governor who when elected will represent all Oklahomans not just special interest and wealthy donors.  I want to see ALEC, AFP, and the Koch Bros try to tell him what to do -- pop some popcorn and watch him take them to the woodshed.  A wallflower Joe Dornan is not.  He is what I want in a politician running for office -- someone who will stand up for all Oklahomans who is not beholden to special interests.   
Governor Fallin's speech yesterday made me see red and still up on the ceiling the more I read the details.  If someone would have told me that Governor Fallin would ever deliver a speech like that years ago, I would have thought they were nuts, but I was dead wrong.  I was wrong to support her in 2010 thinking she was someone she was not.  Frankly she ranks right there with the elected officials I have been most disappointed/disgusted to ever have supported.  
Those days are over as I will never support the sell-outs of the Republican Party again of which Mary Fallin is their leader in Oklahoma.  She has told most Oklahomans we don't count as she curries favor with the wealthy donors.  She seems to think she is invincible and like so many Republicans rules and laws don't apply to her or the 'my way or no way' hard right Republicans.

He (Dorman) noted how the “perpetual cycle of political waste, fraud and abuse has reached its highest level in our state government.  From secret meetings and negotiations, to public construction contracts let outside the law under sweetheart deals, to violation of the Open Records Act, Mary Fallin’s administration has shown a pattern of disregard for the people and has squandered precious state resources. Whether it is trampling on the Constitution through politically-motivated lawsuits or halting much-needed corrections reforms, her actions have embarrassed our state.”  

Most of this group of Oklahoma Republican elected officials don't care about people unless you write a big check.  Republican forte is telling us how we have to live our lives through pushing social issues to the extent we are wasting precious tax dollars on frivolous suits filed by the Attorney General and the Fallin Administration.   Still cannot believe there was a newsbreak report Monday where it was reported that the Oklahoma Attorney General was speaking to the Supreme Court against ACA on the behalf of the millionaire Hobby Lobby's lawsuit.  A private company sues ACA and Oklahoma taxpayers are on the hook for the Oklahoma Attorney General Pruitt joining the lawsuit?  Welcome to GOP dominated State Government.  
The State School Superintendent Janet Barresi, my nomination for worst in the Country, and her good friend Governor Fallin  keep cutting public education and now we are getting the answer.  They want to give the children who need help an inferior education with charter and evangelical Christian schools. Some bills have already been submitted to give more tax dollars to non-public schools while continuing to cut public school financing.  Anyone with a brain knows our charter and evangelical Christian schools are taking some bright kids and giving them a poor education because they have so few rules to follow.  It is disgusting but it keeps donations coming into Republicans.  
Today was the kick-off for Joe Dornan for Governor and thought I would post some of his kick-off speech from Red Dirt Report.  Have to admit my favorite part is to debate in all 88 counties -- almost lost my Coke over that.  Dorman's announcement has shoved my rant for the Coke commercial and against Neanderthal GOP thinking until tomorrow.

Joe Dorman at media event in Oklahoma City to announce run for Governor

ANDREW W. GRIFFIN | FEBRUARY 4, 2014Category: Red Dirt Politics 

OKLAHOMA CITY – With an emphasis on placing “people over politics” and “service above all else,” State Rep. Joe Dorman (D-Rush Springs) made a formal announcement today that he was running for governor against incumbent Republican Mary Fallin. 

With snow and low clouds providing a backdrop as he stood in front of the large window on the 35th floor of the Chase Tower, in the Petroleum Club, Dorman struck a prairie-populist tone as he talked about his working-class background, raised by a hard-working parents in his Grady County hometown, while also making it clear that Gov. Mary Fallin has been an abject disaster on every level. 

Explaining that he had thought long and hard about his decision, meeting with folks from one corner of the state to the other, many of whom insisted that he run for governor, Dorman realized now was the time to run to be Oklahoma’s 28th governor. 

“I have heard from Oklahomans from all walks of life, from all points of view, from all levels of society, from all parts of the state. The overriding theme I’ve heard is that the state of Oklahoma is headed in the wrong direction under the policies of Mary Fallin. Put simply, the voters want and deserve a new direction,” Dorman said. 

Saying that he wants to be governor so he can represent “all Oklahomans,” Dorman’s fiery speech directly attacked Fallin’s “let them eat cake” approach to the needs of everyday Oklahomans. 

Dorman, 43, noted bow the “cracks in our State Capitol have never been in clearer focus than they are under Mary Fallin’s tenure, where she and the Republican legislative leadership have passed extreme mandates aimed at dividing us along our income brackets and social status.”

He noted the recent Worker’s Comp reform that “favors negligent companies over employees injured on the job, to tax cuts for the wealthiest Oklahomans paid for by slashing essential services and necessary state funding.” 

Added Dorman: “Mary Fallin has proven time and time again that the only people with a voice in her Oklahoma are those with the largest checkbooks.”

And while Fallin is already raking in the campaign contributions, Dorman vowed to “forsake the temptation of special interests and big donors whose campaign contributions are attached to a laundry list of demands that demonize parts of our society and place politics over people.” 

“If you ask Mary Fallin about the state of our state, she is quick to paint a vision of Oklahoma that simply doesn’t square with the reality faced by too many of our citizens,” Dorman said.  “The truth about our Oklahoma is not a pretty picture. In fact, it is a horror story that finds us at the bottom of the heap.” 

The goateed Democrat set about offering a stout list of areas where budget cuts are hurting the most vulnerable in our state, a “destroyed” education system, high poverty rates, low wages and “lower taxes that benefit only the wealthiest in our state.” 

And Dorman made sure to note that he will fight to have storm shelters in every school, while Fallin “shamefully” offers a proposal that would ultimately be the largest property-tax increase in state history. Said property-tax increase would ultimately “burden every property owner, farmer and rancher, senior citizen and business owner.” And with that, he said, companies like Devon Energy and others may start reassessing whether or not the cost of having a headquarters in Oklahoma is worth it. 

“Her tax increase proposal will result in a depressed state economy, a loss of jobs, companies choosing to locate in other states – and even worse, companies that are already here fleeing Oklahoma,” he said. 

And back to the issue of school storm shelters, Dorman said: “I will continue to work to make these life-saving shelters a reality. And I’ll do so without raising taxes, creating any new taxes or cutting any program spending.” 

And then there are those bad categories where Oklahoma ranks high: bad nursing-home care; high gang-related violence, high infant mortality, terrible place for women, crumbling infrastructure …. 

(snip)

Dorman then noted Fallin’s State of the State address on Monday and said the governor “once again showed her desire to govern in a divisive manner, create an environment of hatred and bigotry, and promote bad policies in the old political pay-to-play approach.”
Said Dorman: “Working together, our ancestors transformed prairies into communities and shaped a future from red dirt and pioneering spirit. It’s time we join together to make Oklahoma a greater place for all of our people, not just a chosen few.” 

- See more at: RedDirtReport.com

Thought it was going to be hard to start supporting Democrats but I was wrong -- probably should have switched years ago.  I listen to Joe Dorman talk or read what he says about his vision for Oklahoma and representing all Oklahomans -- find it is a message I wholeheartedly agree.  It is not the politics of pitting one group against another that Republicans are famous for today and one of the reasons I am leaving the Party for good. 

Joe Dorman is going to need all of our help on the ground, making calls, visiting with people, signing up new voters, getting voters out to vote, and taking to social media to promote his candidacy for OK Governor.  That said we cannot forget that Gov Fallin is heavily funded by the wealthy donors including the Koch Bros and their tentacles.  We can make up for a lot of that through hard work but hard work doesn't buy campaign commercials or provide candidate handouts -- only cold hard cash will do that. Whatever spare change you donate will be put to work wisely by this man and his campaign. Joe is not taking donations from special interests so he needs our donations even more. Please click on this link and lets keep the "Big Mo" moving forward.  

Joe Dorman has my full support and think it would be AWESOME to have someone who represents all of us not just the wealthy donors, ALEC, and the Koch Bros be our next Governor.  When you read bills that have been submitted in other states, they read just like some of Oklahoma's which means ALEC has been at work!  Let's send ALEC packing from the Oklahoma Governor's Office! Elect Joe Dorman as the 28th Governor of Oklahoma!

Mary Fallin Wins the Governor's Debate Hands Down

Tonight was the Oklahoma Governor's Debate which was carried live on the radio from University of Central Oklahoma. It is also was replayed on our local NBC affiliate which just concluded. Decided to watch the debate to see the reaction of the candidates to the questions.

The first thing that struck me was that Mary Fallin is filled with enthusiasm about the chance to lead this State and what can be accomplished by everyone working together. Did not sense that same type of enthusiasm from Jari Askins. Maybe it comes from the fact Mary is a conservative and doesn't have to pretend to be something she is not to get elected.

Mannerisms can say a lot about a candidate -- Mary looked at the audience during her closing remarks but Jari zeroed in on one area.  Looks on TV like Askins was talking to the moderator and then she periodically looks up at the ceiling, but never looks out at the audience. It was annoying to watch as she kept looking to the side.

One thing that has bothered me about this race in addition to Askins saying she is conservative was Askins attacks about Fallin's donations saying she is funded by out of state money which isn't true.  Some of the donations come from people in DC but as a Congresswoman for four years, Fallin has met a lot of people who support her bid for Oklahoma Governor not just in DC but around the Country. Askins conveniently never mentions that people from all 77 Oklahoma counties have given to Mary Fallin for Governor and the vast majority of Fallin's contributions have come from within Oklahoma. As Fallin pointed out tonight, she doesn't have the money to loan her campaign.

Recently Askins loaned her campaign another $1M. That grates on my last nerve that Askins criticizes Fallin's donations when she is mostly self financing her campaign -- did it in the primary and now in the general. Her self financing allows Democrats to spend their money elsewhere.  Guess Askins forgets the financing opposing Right to Work by the Democrats came mostly from out of state.  That was for a Democrat sponsored agenda so it is okay to accept out of state money in that case. 

So happy that Mary is leading handily in the polls and after her performance tonight, that lead should be solidified.  Cannot feature having Askins as Governor who seems to be short on ideas and has an unwillingness to stand up to the Obama agenda on behalf of Oklahomans.  Knew before the debate that Mary speaks from the heart as a conservative while Jari is a new 'conservative' only because that is where the votes are.  That showed tonight and why Mary Fallin with be our next Oklahoma Governor.

Fallin Focuses on Economy and Jobs in Strong Debate Performance

Oklahoma City – Republican gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin delivered a strong performance in tonight’s candidate debate, continuing to focus on policies to build a stronger, more prosperous Oklahoma.

Campaign manager Denise Northrup said that Fallin successfully focused on the issues that Oklahomans care about and continued to drive her message of economic growth and smaller and smarter government.

“We’ve been campaigning on the idea that Mary is the only candidate with a real plan to create jobs, grow the economy and fight wasteful spending. She’s also the only candidate who is ready to stand up to Washington and President Obama when they try to force their liberal agenda on Oklahoma. That message came across loud and clear tonight, and you can tell it’s really resonating with voters of all political stripes.”

Fallin agreed, saying the campaign has continued to draw support from Republicans, independents and Democrats.

“People all over Oklahoma are tired of partisanship and ‘politics as usual,’” said Fallin. “They’re looking for a governor who is going to roll up their shirtsleeves and really solve the serious problems we have in this state. That’s why I’m running for governor, and that’s what I told our audience tonight. I know that when we all work together, we can build a better, brighter future in Oklahoma.”

Mary Fallin is the Conservative Running for OK Governor; Jari Askins is the Pretend Conservative in 2010

You always hear that copying someone is the highest form of flattery, but in this case it is a fraud on the part of Jari Askins. She is not conservative and never has been. An Obama supporter pretending to be conservative shows that being a liberal in a State like Oklahoma doesn't fly. She can pretend all she wants but there is only ONE Conservative in the race and that is Congresswoman Mary Fallin.




On issue after issue there is a huge divide in philosophy and how to make things work between Fallin and Askins.  The difference is stark which makes Askins pretending to be conservative even more ludicrous.  Education comes to mind as a perfect example.

Mary's new ad on her Plan for Education is 'common sense' which will work because throwing more money at education like Askins and the liberal Democrats want to keep doing does not work.  Our State needs high academic standards and schools held accountable including parental involvement in order to have good schools. It is past time that Oklahoma students were able to find good paying jobs right here in Oklahoma and not have to move out state. When Mary was Lt Governor she was about selling Oklahoma as a place for business' to relocate. As our Governor, Mary will be the best spokesman for Oklahoma we could have as she is better than any Chamber of Commerce in promoting Oklahoma as a place to live and do business.




On November 2nd, Oklahomans have a chance to elect the ONLY Conservative in the race, Mary Fallin, and send the liberal Jari Askins Home from the Capitol. Looking forward to January and ending eight long years of a Democrat Governor in this bright Red State.

Latest Ad from Mary Fallin, GOP Candidate for OK Governor

NOTE:Please watch this ad from the ONLY Conservative in the race for Oklahoma Governor -- Mary Fallin who in our opinion is the most qualified candidate to ever run for Oklahoma Governor. Mary will stand up to the mandates placed on the State by those Democrats in DC who have no clue about State's Rights!

NRA-PVF Endorses Mary Fallin for Governor Oklahoma

Must admit that this press release from the Fallin for Governor campaign gave a chuckle this morning.  This site took some heat when we said that Mary's opponent Jari Askins should not be endorsed by the NRA because of her stance on gun owner's rights.  We stood by the fact that Askins did not support concealed or open carry.  We did admit that she sponsors the Turkey hunt every year that Mary Fallin started as Lt Governor.  Guns for hunting are not the same as open and/or concealed carry which her office purposely seemed to not understand.  

Now with this endorsement the NRA has come down strong on the side of Mary Fallin showing there is only ONE person in the race who supports individual gun owner's rights -- Mary Fallin.  Askins should never have been considered by the NRA to get an A for her stance on guns when it only included guns for hunting.  Looks like the NRA got a wake-up call from Oklahoma gun owners.

***In Case You Missed It***

NRA-PVF Endorses Mary Fallin for Governor of Oklahoma

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is endorsing Mary Fallin for Oklahoma Governor this November.

“The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund supports Mary Fallin because she is a champion and staunch defender of the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding Oklahoma gun owners,” said Chris W. Cox, chairman of NRA-PVF. “As a Congresswoman, Mary has worked to preserve and protect our gun rights, and I know she is committed to continuing this work as governor.”

During her time in Congress, Mary Fallin has supported many pro-gun efforts, including signing pro-gun congressional “friend of the court” briefs in both the Heller and McDonald cases, stating that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental, individual right that protects all Americans. Fallin opposes any effort to reenact the Clinton semi-auto ban. She voted in favor of allowing law-abiding citizens to carry in national parks and wildlife refuges and voted to protect access to federally-owned or administered lands for hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting.

Fallin’s voting record in Congress and her support for the Second Amendment have earned her an “A” rating and the endorsement of the NRA-PVF.

“On November 2nd, I urge all Oklahoma NRA members, hunters and gun owners to vote Mary Fallin for Governor,” Cox concluded.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.

http://www.nrapvf.org/news-alerts/2010/09/nra-pvf-endorses-mary-fallin-for-governor-of-oklahoma.aspx

Rasmussen: Fallin Hits 60%; Now Up By 26 Points in the Race for Governor

This explains Democrat Jari Askins loaning $1M of her own money to her campaign. We can only imagine how negative her ads are going to be now on the TV with being behind by 26 points.

Oklahoma where every County was red in 2008 for Republican John McCain looks like it is going to be inaugurating our first female Governor Mary Fallin on January 10th, 2011, which will be a wonderful day for the Great State of Oklahoma as we start a new era of fiscal conservatism in State Government.

Rasmussen: Fallin Hits 60%; Now Up By 26 Points in the Race for Governor

Republican Congresswoman Mary Fallin has jumped to a 26-point lead over Democrat Jari Askins in Okahoma’s gubernatorial race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Fallin picking up 60% support, while Askins, the state’s current lieutenant governor, earns 34% of the vote. One percent (1%) prefer some other candidate, and five percent (5%) are undecided.

Read More at Rasmussen

Fallin travels by train through western Oklahoma

This whistle stop tour takes you back to the days of Oklahoma statehood in the early 1900's when campaigning by train was done not only in Oklahoma but around the Country. It is nice to see a part of history brought back to life in the Governor's race.  

Today the New York Times gives Mary Fallin a 95.9% chance to become the next Oklahoma Governor with 55.3% of the vote. Voters know where Mary stands on issues as she has always been a conservative while her opponent, Jari Askins, pretends to be conservative while supporting liberal Obama and his agenda. That commercial of Askins saying she was a conservative still leaves us shaking our heads.

We have yet to figure out why Askins and Democrats question Mary's stance on standing up to Obama and the Democrats in Congress. Who do they think is putting unfunded mandates on the States?  We support Fallin 100% in her taking on the Obama Administration over Obamacare, enforcement of Federal Law on illegals, against the taxes on oil and gas industry and any other unfunded mandate the liberal DC democrats are putting on the States. Did Askins ever take a position on Obamacare? Last we heard she wasn't commenting what she would do -- typical Democrat non-committal response if it goes against the wishes of the voters. 

Guess her noncommittal response tells the voter that Askins is not willing to stand up to the President or any of the Democrats in DC for the State of Oklahoma.  That one item is a clear difference between Mary Fallin and Jari Askins and one that voters need to remember on November 2nd!   Mary Fallin will stand up for Oklahoma and Askins will not say what she will do -- wishy washy it sounds like to us waiting to be told what she should do! 

Fallin travels by train through western Oklahoma

From the Associated Press:

THOMAS, Okla. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin took her campaign for Oklahoma governor to the tracks Monday, touting her message of smaller government, lower taxes and pro-business polices on a whistle-stop train tour through several rural western Oklahoma cities.

In a throwback to old-school politics, the Fallin campaign leased a two-car passenger train with a caboose dubbed the “Washita Princess” adorned with American flags and red-white-and-blue banners. A professional fiddle player performed at each stop.

“We have a great appreciation for the values that Oklahoma brings, especially in rural communities,” the Republican nominee said from the back of the caboose outside the Wheeler Brothers Grain Company in Thomas. “We’re going to make government work for you, not you work for the government.”

Fallin also made stops in Clinton, Cordell and Hobart on Monday. Fallin will face Democratic Lt. Gov. Jari Askins in the November general election, with both women seeking to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Brad Henry.

About 100 Fallin supporters and volunteers packed into the slow moving Farmrail train, which meandered across the open prairie of western Oklahoma on tracks usually reserved for freight trains carrying wheat, gypsum, fertilizer and oil drilling equipment.

“This may be the last whistle-stop train tour you see in Oklahoma,” said University of Oklahoma political science professor Keith Gaddie. “No one rides trains anymore.

“The modern whistle-stop tour is the tarmac.”

Fallin addressed supporters at the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, ending each stump speech with her tag line: “Nobody will work harder for Oklahoma, nobody.”

Fallin’s visit to small communities in western Oklahoma is an important way to let rural voters know she cares about them, said Clinton Mayor Allen Bryson.

“Western Oklahoma is often just a stop for travelers along Interstate 40,” Bryson said. “This kind of visit goes a long way.”

Western Oklahoma also has grown increasingly conservative, and Democratic state lawmakers have been losing seats there for years.

In Cordell, where Fallin delivered her speech from the Washita County Courthouse steps, her message of creating a business friendly environment with lower taxes and changes to the workers’ compensation system resonated with 68-year-old municipal worker Lydia Hall.

“We’re losing a lot of jobs out here,” Hall said. “A lot of the young people who leave our community don’t come back.”

After ending the daylong train trip in Hobart, Fallin planned to attend a fundraiser in Frederick.

Full Steam Ahead: Fallin to Embark on Historic Western Oklahoma Whistle Stop Tour

Oklahoma became the 46th State of the Union on November 17, 1907, which means we celebrated our Centennial less than two short years ago. Now we have an historic race for Governor between two women vying to become the first woman Governor of Oklahoma. Mary Fallin we believe has has more credentials to become Governor than any candidate for Governor in  recent years.  Serving as a pro-active Lt Governor for 12 years along with her four years in Congress has given Mary the background she needs to become the first Woman Governor of Oklahoma. 

Without Mary Fallin and her many supporters we wouldn't have Right to Work in Oklahoma.  Many of us remember when she took to the podium of the OK Senate in order to get the issue on the ballot.  Democrats turned off the power and did everything they could to stop her but she didn't quit, the issue made the ballot, and we became a Right to Work state. 

What has Jari Askins done as Lt Governor?  Not sure most people of the state even knows who she is or what she is doing to promote Oklahoma.  Mary traveled the Country promoting Oklahoma bringing in business and jobs to our state as Lt Governor.  Askins?  Who knows what she is doing most of the time.

Mary comes from rural Oklahoma and understands what it means in small towns to have a Governor who will listen and visit their communities. She is now bringing her campaign to rural Western Oklahoma via the train:

Full Steam Ahead: Fallin to Embark on Historic Western Oklahoma Whistle Stop Tour

September 9, 2010

Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin (photo and bio attached) will be embarking on a historic “whistle stop” train tour of Western Oklahoma on Monday, September 20, taking her message of job creation and fiscal responsibility to six towns during a dawn-to-dusk day of campaigning. Mary will be visiting Thomas, Clinton, Cordell, Hobart, Snyder and Frederick by train, stopping in each town to meet residents and talk about her goals for the state (A detailed itinerary will be released early next week). The train she will be riding can seat over 100 passengers and seats are quickly filling up. A limited number of tickets to ride on the train and participate in this historic event are available and can be requested from the Fallin for Governor campaign by calling 405-778-8900.

Fallin said that Western Oklahoma represents a key area in her campaign for governor, and the whistle stop tour gives her an opportunity to talk in person to as many voters as possible.

“I’m looking forward to spending this exciting day in Western Oklahoma, listening to people there, and talking about my plan to move this state forward,” said Fallin. “When it comes to bringing jobs and prosperity to Oklahoma, we need a governor who will take us full steam ahead!”

This trip by Mary on a train in Western Oklahoma reflects our Western Heritage and is something the people in these towns won't forget. It harkens goes back to the first days of Oklahoma as state when we sent our first representatives to Washington and elected our first Governor and Legislature. Campaigning in those days was by rail as they traveled around Oklahoma. Unlike some Eastern States, Oklahoma has kept their rail system which is vital to our state to move our agriculture products.

The first Governor of Oklahoma, Charles Nathaniel Haskell, came from Ohio and took office on November 16, 1907. Since those days we have had 24 more Governors including one Democrat impeached within his first year in 1923.

We have had three Republican Governors with Henry Bellman, the first Republican elected serving from 1963-1967 and elected again to serve from 1987-1991, Dewey Bartlett was in office from 1967-1971, and Frank Keating served two terms from 1995-2003 with Mary as his Lt Governor.

After the last eight years of Democrat Brad Henry as Governor who supports Obama and is now looking for more handouts from the Federal Government, it is time to elect a Conservative Republican to the Governor's Office who understands those handouts Henry wants are OUR tax dollars.

All we have heard since moving to Oklahoma in January 1997 is how bad our roads and bridges are. How did they get that bad? Through years and years of Democrat dominance of the Oklahoma Government especially legislature by the Democrats neglecting infrastructure.  Now the OK Democrats led by Brad Henry and Jari Askins want the Federal Government to bail us out after Obama announced another infrastructure 'handout' this week which will add to the federal deficit. Like typical Democrats they act like the Federal dollars grow on trees instead of coming out of our pockets. When looking for money, how about starting with our bloated State Government to find the dollars first? What has been done with money that comes to Oklahoma every year for roads and bridges from the Federal Government? Obviously a lot has been spent on other things or our bridges would not be in such sad shape and roads going down to gravel in some places. Where has the money gone?

In 2008, Republicans for the first time in history controlled both Houses of the Legislature in Oklahoma. With the election of Mary Fallin to be Governor, Oklahoma will not only have its first female Governor but for the first time in history Republicans will be in charge of the Governor's Mansion and the Legislature at the same time.  Henry has had out the veto pen this year on bills that came to his desk so we will see a new era dawn in January 2011.  He even vetoed a bill requiring voters to show identification which we will never understand but it will be on the ballot in November.  What is with Democrats like Henry and Askins not wanting identification shown to vote?

We expect to see conservative Government at work starting in January.  The Legislature has to stop passing all those bills at the last moment with legislators not having time to read the bills. Let the people of Oklahoma see what is happening with State Government and become confident they are spending our tax dollars wisely. With Mary as Governor, we expect to see major changes in how our State Government does business.





Mary's opponent, Jari Askins, is also an Obama supporter so what makes anyone think she would be different from Brad Henry or Barack Obama who thinks nothing of tax and spend as the way to run Government. Both are nice people but are extremely liberal for this State which is Conservative as witnessed by Presidential elections since LBJ has gone to the Republican. Twice every county in our State has gone for the Republican -- first for Pres Bush in 2004 and last time for John McCain in 2008.

Voters of Oklahoma have a chance to send a message that we want Conservative Government at the Capitol in Oklahoma City open to the people when we elect Mary Fallin as our next Governor and return a Republican controlled legislature to the Capitol.

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB/Oklahoma) Endorses Mary Fallin For Governor

Cong Mary Fallin has always been a huge supporter of Small Business in Oklahoma and has been touting Oklahoma for years as a state who is very friendly to small business. It is great to see this organization reward Mary for her hard work on behalf of small business in the State of Oklahoma.

***In Case You Missed It***

NFIB/Oklahoma Endorses Mary Fallin for Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY– The state office of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business association, has endorsed Mary Fallin in her campaign for governor of Oklahoma.

“Mary Fallin clearly understands the problems facing small business owners, and her commitment to solving them resonates with Oklahoma’s entrepreneurs and family-run companies,” said Benny Vanatta, state director of NFIB/Oklahoma.

“Mary Fallin has demonstrated her leadership as lieutenant governor and, since 2007, as a member of Congress,” Vanatta said. “She has shown our members that she understands the challenges and concerns facing Oklahoma and the state's small businesses.”

“It’s important that we elect a candidate who understands the critical roll small businesses play in Oklahoma’s economy—someone who will make it easier for entrepreneurs and small businesses to lead our state out of this recession and create jobs,” Vanatta said.

“As governor, I will focus like a laser beam on job creation and economic recovery,” Fallin said. “That means helping small businesses, which provide the vast majority of employment opportunities in Oklahoma. It also means standing up to Washington and its job-killing ‘tax and spend’ policies.

“I know Oklahoma has the potential to be one of the best places to do business in the country and in the world,” she said. “But first we need a leader who is going to fight for the kind of pro-business, common-sense reforms that create jobs and spur investment. I’m ready to be that leader, and I’m proud to have the support of the NFIB in my campaign for governor.”

NFIB’s political support is based on the candidate's position and record on small business issues. The endorsement comes from the NFIB/Oklahoma Save America's Free Enterprise Trust, the political action committee for NFIB/Oklahoma’s membership.

Today's endorsement puts the considerable grassroots support of the state's small businesses behind Fallin’s campaign. Small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to vote. According to NFIB polling data, small business owners and their employees make up 43% of registered voters in America.

NFIB will encourage its 3,111 members in Oklahoma to help turn out the influential small business voting bloc on Election Day.

Cong Mary Fallin (R-OK) on "Why the Oklahoma Governor's Race is So Important"

In her speech to Stephens County GOP, Mary Fallin explains the differences that separate her and Jari Askins. Other than the two being women and being Lt Governor, there is not much the two have in common as they are 180 degrees apart with their political philosophy. Probably the best way to sum it up is Mary is an Oklahoma Conservative with core conservative values. Jari Askins is an establishment liberal supporting Obama and his agenda although she did say she has no plans to have Obama come into Oklahoma to campaign for her. Why? Trying to fool the Oklahoma electorate into believing she is not so liberal?

Mary didn't hesitate to have former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, brother of President George W Bush, come into Oklahoma this past week. Both share the conservative principles of limited government and less taxes.

The debates should be interesting in the months ahead. The biggest question will be if Askins tries to move to the center flip flopping on her votes in the Oklahoma Legislature. That seems to be the mantra of most liberal democrats running for office -- hide their liberal agenda.

Mary Fallin Leads in First Poll in Oklahoma Gubernatorial Race

As the Fallin for Governor email advised, Askins was the underdog in the race with Drew Edmonson (we didn't agree). We thought they were fairly evenly matched which turned out to be the case. That said the numbers were shocking that Democrats didn't turn out more for their primary. Oklahoma is a total red State in National politics but Democrats still hold a sizeable lead in voter registration.

This poll bodes will for Mary Fallin who may be the most experienced candidate we have ever had run for Governor in Oklahoma. We were happy to see that Randy Brogdon endorsed her a week after the election -- now is the time for all Republicans to unite together to take back the Governor's Mansion and turn Oklahoma red for State politics.

What has Askins done for Oklahoma in four years as Lt Governor? That's a question we hear a lot of people asking. For the last four years, you can hear crickets chirping about what Askins is doing for Oklahoma.

National polling firm Rasmussen Reports recently released the first post-primary public poll on November’s gubernatorial race.

Rasmussen reported Mary leading Jari Askins 57 percent to 36 percent.

Rasmussen said “For Askins, the race is clearly an uphill battle in a conservative, Republican-leaning state where opposition to the national health care bill and to the federal challenge of Arizona's immigration law are well above findings nationally.”

Mary will not take anything for granted on this race and will continue to work hard until every vote is counted on Election Day.

Click here to read about the poll.

Oklahoma Republicans Unite Behind Mary Fallin for Governor after Sen Brogdon endorses

This is great news for Oklahoma as we march towards November and the election of Mary Fallin as our next Governor. We just learned last night that her Democrat opponent, Jeri Askins, accepted lots of donations from the poultry industry in the days leading up to the primary. These are same people who have been polluting our waters that her Democrat opponent Drew Edmondson who she barely beat has been fighting for years. So much for the Democrat candidate Askins supporting the environment -- she supporters the poultry waste polluters.

Email from Mary Fallin, OK Republican Candidate for Governor, 4 August 2010:

Dear Friends,

Today, I had a great meeting with Senator Randy Brogdon and I'm excited to say we have his endorsement on our campaign for Oklahoma governor.

Senator Brogdon and I both agree we must have a governor who will fight against "ObamaCare," who will protect our Second Amendment rights and who will secure our borders. I will restore conservative principles to the governor's office and pursue the policies of limited government, individual rights and fiscal discipline.

We're excited to move forward and Senator Brogdon and I both will work to energize conservative Republicans, conservative Democrats and conservative Independents for a big victory this fall.

Click here to hear Senator Brogdon talk about his endorsement.

Thanks and God bless, Mary Fallin

While Randy Brogdon Unveils His Misleading Ad on TV, Mary's Positive Campaign on the Issues Gains Momentum

This email below was received from the Mary Fallin campaign after Randy Brogdon aired one of the most divisive and misleading ads on TV we have seen to date in this campaign. We are finding it hard to believe that Brogdon as a Republican would run such a misleading ad against a fellow Republican. He is way back in the polls and will lose more support after airing this ad as more and more people continue to support Mary. As we stated yesterday in our endorsement of Mary Fallin, Brogdon has been going after Mary in the debates much more than he has any Democrat.

Mary is probably one of the best known political figures in Oklahoma and has a proven track record of how much she has done for this state. Mary was Oklahoma's first Republican as well as Female Lt Governor when she took office in 1995. This November she has the opportunity to become the first female Governor of Oklahoma. From State House, to the Lt Governor, to Congress and now running for Governor, Mary has always put what is best for Oklahoma first. We have no better Ambassador for Oklahoma than Mary Fallin.

People in Oklahoma will never forget during the Right to Work debate in the Senate when she took over the Chair as Lt Governor and the Democrats turned out the lights, turned off the power, and Mary stood her ground getting Right to Work on the ballot which was then passed by the citizens of Oklahoma and started the process which we believe has led to Republicans controlling the House and Senate here in Oklahoma. Without Mary's action, we don't believe the Democrats would have allowed that bill on the ballot that fall.

There is only one choice for the Republican nomination for Oklahoma Governor and that is Cong Mary Fallin. We hope to see Randy Brogdon campaigning for Mary after the primary as Republicans unite behind Mary to take back the Governor's Mansion.

Email from the Fallin for Governor campaign:

While Randy Brogdon Unveils His Misleading Ad on TV, Mary's Positive Campaign on the Issues Gains Momentum

Dear Friend,

Yesterday State Senator Randy Brogdon went on the air with a misleading attack ad smearing Mary's character and her record. In the last 24 hours, we have received a number of calls and emails from conservatives who are upset with Senator Brogdon's negative campaigning and his divisive politics.

I'm writing now to assure you that Mary will continue to run a clean, positive campaign--and focus on our conservative values and the issues facing Oklahoma. Oklahoma needs a strong, conservative governor who can get this state back on track, create jobs and end the budget crisis. With the future of Oklahoma and our country at stake, we don't need mudslinging, misleading ads, or politics as usual.

We think Mary's positive message on her conservative record and focus on the future of Oklahoma is the reason for her success. With just 18 days to go before the primary election on July 27th, the Fallin for Governor campaign is continuing to talk about the issues and her vision for our state.

In the last several days we have received the endorsement of conservative stalwarts like Sarah Palin, who called Mary a "strong, smart conservative" with "political backbone", Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who signed that state's tough immigration bill into law and knows Mary will fight to stop illegal immigration, and Minnesota's conservative Governor Tim Pawlenty. All these leaders have given their support to Mary because they know she will fight for our values and provide principled, conservative leadership from the governor's office.

In the next several weeks you can expect to see our campaign continue to build momentum and ramp up our campaign activities. What you won't see is negative campaigning or dirty political attacks. We think it's important to focus on the issues voters care about and the problems facing working Oklahomans, not to smear other conservatives. I think you'll agree!

Sincerely,

Denise Northrup
Campaign Manager
Fallin for Governor

Cong Mary Fallin -- Protecting Oklahoma Values

Cong Mary Fallin we believe will become one of the best Oklahoma Governors once she is elected on November 2, 2010, and takes office in January 2011. She is exactly what Oklahoma needs after eight years of Democrat Brad Henry who supported Obama. Can anyone tell us what he has done for Oklahoma except veto bills that make common sense? He was MIA when we had the fires several years ago. Took the Obama Administration over six months to grant an emergency declaration after an ice storm -- what was he doing while Obama forgot about Oklahoma? He has a reputation for sleeping in so meetings have to be later in the day which does give him less time to veto bills. Henry has just kind of occupied the seat with little to show for his eight years.

There is only one choice for Oklahoma Governor and that is Mary Fallin who was the best Lt Governor this State has ever had. Today's Lt Governor Askins seems to be MIA along with the Governor.

Congressman Mary Fallin Talks about Her OK Governor's Race

When we are asked why Oklahomans should support Mary Fallin for Oklahoma Governor, the answer is very simple. We believe that Congresswoman Mary Fallin may be the the most qualified person to ever run for Oklahoma Governor. She was the hands down best Lt Governor in Oklahoma history. As Lt Governor, Mary became Oklahoma's Ambassador throughout the United States bringing jobs to Oklahoma and telling the story of Oklahoma to anyone who would listen. She has continued to tell the Oklahoma story and the advantages of living in Oklahoma as our Congresswoman.

Since being relocated to Oklahoma in 1997, we have not met anyone in Oklahoma who better represents the friendliness and positive spirit of Oklahomans better then Mary Fallin.

This interview in Shawnee, OK, is a great example of why Mary has always been Oklahoma's best Ambassador as she traveled for Oklahoma:

Feb 17, 2010

When we received this email today showing the rankings from the National Journal, we can say we are not surprised Mary Fallin is considered the most Conservative of our Conservative Oklahoma House Delegation. From the first time we heard Mary speak, we knew she was Conservative and felt she was destined to someday become Oklahoma's Governor. Oklahoma needs Mary Fallin as our next Governor to lead our state into becoming a destination for business and a place where you afford to live and raise your families with good old fashioned Oklahoma values.

A Conservative Leader for Oklahoma

Recently, the National Journal – a publication that covers Congress – released its rankings of the most conservative and liberal elected officials. According to the National Journal, Mary Fallin was ranked the most conservative member of the Oklahoma House delegation based on her voting record.

That should come as no surprise to those who know Mary. She’s been a conservative leader in Oklahoma during her entire 20-year career in public service.

In fact, the American Conservative Union gives Mary high marks for her conservative voting record, too. She has a lifetime score of 96 from the ACU, which is the highest of any congressman in the Oklahoma delegation.

Working to reduce Costs for Oklahoma businesses

As Mary has campaigned across the state, she has had the opportunity to meet with Oklahoma business owners both large and small. The one thing each group points out is that our expensive workers’ compensation system is a menacing roadblock to economic success in this state.

According to the State Chamber of Oklahoma, the average amount of court-awarded benefits in Oklahoma in 2008 was more than $28,000 – the highest in 20 years and a 125 percent increase from 2000. Studies have shown Oklahoma’s workers’ comp payout rate is twice the regional average and only 12 states report higher workers’ comp costs in their manufacturing sectors.

All this is to say our workers’ comp system makes it expensive to do business in Oklahoma and our laws discourage new businesses from locating here and hamper existing businesses’ efforts to grow and expand operations. What that means for Oklahoma is fewer jobs and less prosperity.

As governor, Mary Fallin will lead the effort to enact meaningful workers’ compensation reform that lowers costs for our businesses while treating injured workers fairly. Under a Fallin administration, Oklahoma will be “Open for Business” and no one will work harder than Mary to make sure the rest of the nation knows it.