For those of you keeping score at home, it's Oklahoma School Superintendent Janet Barresi 1, old-fashioned common sense 0.
We're referring to the Barresi-supported and highly flawed school grading system, which just this week gave more than half of Tulsa schools grades of D or F. That's right, Sooner fans, we now know that urban schools with lots of poor children have more academic problems than—surprise!—suburban schools with children from higher income families.
In other words, Barresi and her staff spent time and money to prove exactly what we (and everybody else) already knew.
As a Tulsa World editorial noted, this unfair grading system "seems designed to cast local schools in the worst possible light."
Moreover, the neither the state Department of Education nor the state legislature is likely to do much to assist the failing schools. Quoting again from the World editorial, "[I]f recent history is any guide, their 'help' will consist of shifting more money away from the local schools and loading them with more standardized test requirements."
No wonder Tulsa Public School Superintendent Keith Ballard has been critical of the state plan. Unlike Barresi, Ballard is working every day to solve real-world problems facing the school, not serving up an ideologically driven rating system that stigmatizes poor children.
Showing posts with label Oklahoma Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oklahoma Politics. Show all posts
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Gov. Mary Fallin: Big Spender (of Taxpayer's Money)
While we're on the subject of Gov. Mary Fallin's big spending ways (see yesterday's post), let's take a closer look at the not-so-austere spending plan the governor follows when on the road.
How about trips on the state plane from Oklahoma City to her house at Grand Lake? Yes, Sooner fans, the Oklahoman discovered four such trips at a cost of about $1,200 a pop.
Or how about the state plane ride to Arizona and Las Vegas, a trip the Oklahoman said cost a cool $15,700, including a overnight at a Marriott resort for $240 and a meal that cost $172.Yum!
Oh wait. That's cheap compared to Gov. Fallin's two nights at the Ritz Carlton in southern California at $470 a night. (She was there for an all-important Fortune magazine event and all of us Okies just love Fortune.)
Thanks, Oklahoma taxpayers, thanks soooooo much.
To be fair, the newspaper noted that Gov. Fallin does pay for most of her own meals while traveling, which is good. And she has been a frugal traveler on many other occasions, the Oklahoman reported.
That's as it should be. But what sticks in our craw is the governor's insistence that the state has to tighten its belt and live within its means.
If that's what Gov. Fallin really believes, she's already failed.
How about trips on the state plane from Oklahoma City to her house at Grand Lake? Yes, Sooner fans, the Oklahoman discovered four such trips at a cost of about $1,200 a pop.
Or how about the state plane ride to Arizona and Las Vegas, a trip the Oklahoman said cost a cool $15,700, including a overnight at a Marriott resort for $240 and a meal that cost $172.Yum!
Oh wait. That's cheap compared to Gov. Fallin's two nights at the Ritz Carlton in southern California at $470 a night. (She was there for an all-important Fortune magazine event and all of us Okies just love Fortune.)
Thanks, Oklahoma taxpayers, thanks soooooo much.
To be fair, the newspaper noted that Gov. Fallin does pay for most of her own meals while traveling, which is good. And she has been a frugal traveler on many other occasions, the Oklahoman reported.
That's as it should be. But what sticks in our craw is the governor's insistence that the state has to tighten its belt and live within its means.
If that's what Gov. Fallin really believes, she's already failed.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Dr. Tom's Fantasies: Sen. Coburn Plays the (Bogus) Anarchy Card
AltTulsa has been AWOL this election season—so many other projects!—but it's not too late to remind Sooner state voters of the nuttiness of our current political leaders.
We're thinking of Sen. Tom Coburn's town hall meeting a couple of months ago when the good senator went just a tad overboard in some of his—we hesitate to use the word—judgments.
Speaking to a crowd at the University of Tulsa in August, Dr. Tom rounded up the usual suspects—the federal government is too big, Obama's too weak—but he got more than a little hyperbolic over Attorney General Eric Holder.
"I've never seen less regard for the rule of law than in this administration," Coburn said."Respect for the law is what holds this country together. This administration has set about to destroy that." Coburn continues, "That's how anarchy starts."
Destroying the rule of law! Anarchy! Yes, indeed, it's all Eric Holder's fault!
But Coburn didn't stop there. Oh no. Holder, he continued, was an "inappropriate person" to be the attorney general. And this: Holder will turn out to be "one of the worst attorney generals in our nation's history."
This is a popular Wingnut talking point, endlessly promoted by the blowhards on talk radio, but—like Coburn's charge—it is notably short actual evidence of "anarchy" and lawlessness.
It's also evidence of Dr. Tom's highly political memory. Unless our math is wrong, Dr. Tom was an adult during the Nixon administration. Does the name "Watergate" ring a bell? Anyone? Or how about the name of Nixon's attorney general, John Mitchell? He's the one who went to jail for his part in the Watergate scandal.
Seems like Richard Nixon and John Mitchell would be great candidates for Dr. Tom's charges of anarchy and lawlessness. On that point, the good senator was selectively silent.
We're thinking of Sen. Tom Coburn's town hall meeting a couple of months ago when the good senator went just a tad overboard in some of his—we hesitate to use the word—judgments.
Speaking to a crowd at the University of Tulsa in August, Dr. Tom rounded up the usual suspects—the federal government is too big, Obama's too weak—but he got more than a little hyperbolic over Attorney General Eric Holder.
"I've never seen less regard for the rule of law than in this administration," Coburn said."Respect for the law is what holds this country together. This administration has set about to destroy that." Coburn continues, "That's how anarchy starts."
Destroying the rule of law! Anarchy! Yes, indeed, it's all Eric Holder's fault!
But Coburn didn't stop there. Oh no. Holder, he continued, was an "inappropriate person" to be the attorney general. And this: Holder will turn out to be "one of the worst attorney generals in our nation's history."
This is a popular Wingnut talking point, endlessly promoted by the blowhards on talk radio, but—like Coburn's charge—it is notably short actual evidence of "anarchy" and lawlessness.
It's also evidence of Dr. Tom's highly political memory. Unless our math is wrong, Dr. Tom was an adult during the Nixon administration. Does the name "Watergate" ring a bell? Anyone? Or how about the name of Nixon's attorney general, John Mitchell? He's the one who went to jail for his part in the Watergate scandal.
Seems like Richard Nixon and John Mitchell would be great candidates for Dr. Tom's charges of anarchy and lawlessness. On that point, the good senator was selectively silent.
Understatement of the Week: Barresi Bombs
AltTulsa's nomination for the Political Understatement of the Week, from today's Tulsa World. The topic: Oklahoma School Superintendent Janet ("My Way or the Highway") Barresi.
Barresi becoming political hot potatoYa think?
Big State Dollars: Gov. Fallin's Taxpayer-Funded Travel Totals More than a Quarter Million
Gov. Mary Fallin is on the road again. Or so it seems.
Yes, Sooner fans, The Oklahoman has looked into the governor's travel schedule and discovered the governor's travels over the last 21 months have cost taxpayers a whopping $273,000.
Nice work if you can get it.
The Oklahoman's story, reported in the Tulsa World, shows that Travelin' Mary has been flying off to such places as Boone Pickens' ranch (in the hated state of Texas!), Arizona (for important OU and OSU football games) and Jolly Ole England (promoting the state's aerospace industry).
Oh, and there was that trip to Ireland for her daughter's wedding. That trip cost taxpayers $13,300 for security, the Oklahoman reported.
And the trips keep on keepin' on; read all the details here.
Remember when the governor called for austerity in state spending? If so, you're doing better than Travelin' Mary. For her, it's do as I say—and never mind what I do.
Yes, Sooner fans, The Oklahoman has looked into the governor's travel schedule and discovered the governor's travels over the last 21 months have cost taxpayers a whopping $273,000.
Nice work if you can get it.
The Oklahoman's story, reported in the Tulsa World, shows that Travelin' Mary has been flying off to such places as Boone Pickens' ranch (in the hated state of Texas!), Arizona (for important OU and OSU football games) and Jolly Ole England (promoting the state's aerospace industry).
Oh, and there was that trip to Ireland for her daughter's wedding. That trip cost taxpayers $13,300 for security, the Oklahoman reported.
And the trips keep on keepin' on; read all the details here.
Remember when the governor called for austerity in state spending? If so, you're doing better than Travelin' Mary. For her, it's do as I say—and never mind what I do.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Gov. Fallin's (Phony) Rugged Individualism
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin was on message a couple of weeks ago when she spoke to the Republican National Convention about rugged individualism. It's a favorite theme of the GOP and right-wing noise machine.
We have nothing against rugged individualism, but we do part company with the exalted status the concept gets in the conservative firmament. Among the Tea Party types, the sacred individual can do anything and everything—except when he or she can't.
We were reminded of this recently on the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, federal legislation that provided land and money to establish agricultural and mechanical schools, including one in Stillwater.
Good ole Abe Lincoln himself signed the legislation—an actual federal government plan (yes!) that improved what came to be known as the Sooner state. Yes, Cowboy fans, until the Morrill Act took effect there was little more than grass and a few shade trees in sleepy Stillwater.
"There wasn't a site—there wasn't anything," OSU's David Peters told the Tulsa World, referring to the establishment of a land-grant college in Stillwater.
Now, of course, OSU is a major university. But establishing and building that university wasn't a one-man project; it was a group project that required federal and state legislation—and money.
Gov. Fallin and her pals like to pretend that all good things come from lonely heroes and heroines who risk their lives and fortunes for the Greater Good. Sometimes that's true.
But Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act because the individual can't do it all.
We have nothing against rugged individualism, but we do part company with the exalted status the concept gets in the conservative firmament. Among the Tea Party types, the sacred individual can do anything and everything—except when he or she can't.
We were reminded of this recently on the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, federal legislation that provided land and money to establish agricultural and mechanical schools, including one in Stillwater.
Good ole Abe Lincoln himself signed the legislation—an actual federal government plan (yes!) that improved what came to be known as the Sooner state. Yes, Cowboy fans, until the Morrill Act took effect there was little more than grass and a few shade trees in sleepy Stillwater.
"There wasn't a site—there wasn't anything," OSU's David Peters told the Tulsa World, referring to the establishment of a land-grant college in Stillwater.
Now, of course, OSU is a major university. But establishing and building that university wasn't a one-man project; it was a group project that required federal and state legislation—and money.
Gov. Fallin and her pals like to pretend that all good things come from lonely heroes and heroines who risk their lives and fortunes for the Greater Good. Sometimes that's true.
But Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act because the individual can't do it all.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Dr. No Sounds Off on (Yawn…) Same Ole, Same Ole
Let's say one thing for Sen. Tom (Dr. No) Coburn: he's consistent. Of course, if you are consistently wrong, that's a problem.
Yes, Sooner fans, Dr. No was in Tulsa this week, speaking to those long-suffering working stiffs at the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa. He told 'em how awful things are—in spite of the fact that things aren't that awful.
Turns out, the housing market in these parts is pretty good. Also, unemployment isn't so bad either.
Not bothered by actual facts, Coburn trotted out usual the right-wing talking points, including, as the Tulsa World put it, "the abandonment of the U.S. Constitution."
That and this little bit of exaggeration: The end of the republic is here, Coburn says. The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
This is the usual overheated GOP rhetoric in an election year, but you'd think that a thoughtful Republican with an M.D. behind his name could describe the world is a more or less realistic way.
But if you thought that, you'd be wrong too.
Yes, Sooner fans, Dr. No was in Tulsa this week, speaking to those long-suffering working stiffs at the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa. He told 'em how awful things are—in spite of the fact that things aren't that awful.
Turns out, the housing market in these parts is pretty good. Also, unemployment isn't so bad either.
Not bothered by actual facts, Coburn trotted out usual the right-wing talking points, including, as the Tulsa World put it, "the abandonment of the U.S. Constitution."
That and this little bit of exaggeration: The end of the republic is here, Coburn says. The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
This is the usual overheated GOP rhetoric in an election year, but you'd think that a thoughtful Republican with an M.D. behind his name could describe the world is a more or less realistic way.
But if you thought that, you'd be wrong too.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Oklahoma's Shame: A Grandstanding Legislature (oh, and Governor, too)
AltTulsa has been out of touch lately—don't ask—but even with one eye open we've noticed that the Republican leadership 'round these parts has been, well, dumb.
That's the conclusion of one of our favorite observers of the state scene is Arnold Hamilton, editor of The Oklahoma Observer and a columnist for Urban Tulsa Weekly.
In a recent review of the legislative session, Hamilton noted that our elected official are remarkably good at "offering solutions in search of problems."
As an example, Hamilton cites a GOP favorite, the "open carry law," which allows folks with concealed carry permits to strap on a six-shooter for all the world to see.
Hee-Haw! It's gun-totin' time in SoonerLand!
Hamilton's comment: "My goodness—is that really the message we want to send to the rest of the country? You think the brightest minds and best companies will be pining to relocate to a state that thinks it's still ensconced in the wild, wild west?"
Or what about the new law that mandates drug tests for welfare recipients? The Republicans love this idea, since we all know there are thousands of free-loadin' druggies on the dole.
Except, as Hamilton notes, they aren't. "This law does not do anything of significance that DHS wasn't already doing," Hamilton notes.
He continues:
The state's leaders pose and bluster, all the better to polish their far-right credentials. As for tacking the state's real problems—well, those are hard. They can't be bothered with that stuff.
As Hamilton notes, "real leadership is in short supply at the state Capitol these days."
That's the conclusion of one of our favorite observers of the state scene is Arnold Hamilton, editor of The Oklahoma Observer and a columnist for Urban Tulsa Weekly.
In a recent review of the legislative session, Hamilton noted that our elected official are remarkably good at "offering solutions in search of problems."
As an example, Hamilton cites a GOP favorite, the "open carry law," which allows folks with concealed carry permits to strap on a six-shooter for all the world to see.
Hee-Haw! It's gun-totin' time in SoonerLand!
Hamilton's comment: "My goodness—is that really the message we want to send to the rest of the country? You think the brightest minds and best companies will be pining to relocate to a state that thinks it's still ensconced in the wild, wild west?"
Or what about the new law that mandates drug tests for welfare recipients? The Republicans love this idea, since we all know there are thousands of free-loadin' druggies on the dole.
Except, as Hamilton notes, they aren't. "This law does not do anything of significance that DHS wasn't already doing," Hamilton notes.
He continues:
This was Grandstanding 101—yet another triumph of style over substance, giving [Gov. Mary] Fallin and Co. a platform to hoodwink rabid rednecks into believing the state's Powers-That-Be are pokin' a stick in the eyes of those who dare get sumthin' for nuthin'.Well put, Arnold.
The state's leaders pose and bluster, all the better to polish their far-right credentials. As for tacking the state's real problems—well, those are hard. They can't be bothered with that stuff.
As Hamilton notes, "real leadership is in short supply at the state Capitol these days."
Monday, June 4, 2012
Ron Paul Backers vs. Oklahoma GOP in 'Raucous' Oklahoma State Convention
This is old news, but it's worth a moment to recall the fun and games of last month's Republican state convention in Oklahoma City.
It was a "rollicking" good time, according to press reports, complete with some philosophical (and physical!) fights between Rep. Ron Paul's rabid believers and more mainstream Oklahoma Republicans.
Here are some of the lowlights, as reported by Michael McNutt of The Oklahoman:
The GOP hijinks remind us of the old Will Rogers quip: "I'm not a member of any organized political party. I'm a Democrat."
In the Sooner state today, that applies to the Republicans.
It was a "rollicking" good time, according to press reports, complete with some philosophical (and physical!) fights between Rep. Ron Paul's rabid believers and more mainstream Oklahoma Republicans.
Here are some of the lowlights, as reported by Michael McNutt of The Oklahoman:
• Paul backers booed Oklahoma Gov. Mary FallinWow! Thanks to Paul's zealots, Oklahoma Republicans were—and are—an unorganized mess. For those of us on the other side of the aisle, this is good news.
• Paul backers booed former Minnesota governor and presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty
• A Paul supporter reported being hit in the head by Romney supporter
• The convention got "slogged down" in fights over credentials, so much so that Gov. Pawlenty's luncheon speech had to be cancelled and luncheon money refunded
The GOP hijinks remind us of the old Will Rogers quip: "I'm not a member of any organized political party. I'm a Democrat."
In the Sooner state today, that applies to the Republicans.
Will Tulsa Rep. John Sullivan Go Down in Flames?
Rep. John Sullivan is nobody's idea of a heavyweight. If anything, the First District congressman is a ineffective right-wing cipher, a politician with no vision beyond getting himself reelected by thoroughly inattentive GOP voters.
But this election season, Sullivan may have met his match. His challenger this year, Jim Bridenstine, is more accomplished and smarter than Sullivan—that's a really low bar, of course—and even more Hard Right.
In Oklahoma, Republicans can never be too far right—we're the Reddest State in America, after all. So Bridenstine is going way out to the right, all the better to appeal to the talk radio crowd and oust Sullivan.
Bridenstine, by the way, graduated from Rice and has an MBA from Cornell. Oh, and he's a Navy pilot. Sullivan, who graduated from NSU, has no military experience. Sullivan does have experience at the Betty Ford Clinic, but this isn't really a great thing in politics.
AltTulsa's crystal ball is always a little murky, but we'd put our money on Bridenstine. Sullivan is a fabulous slice of right-wing baloney, but he's not much of a leader.
As for us, we're voting for John Olson, the Democratic candidate, Army veteran and Tulsa businessman. As far as we can tell, Olson is a reasonable human being and a thoughtful guy, which is more than you can say for most of the First District Republican voters.
But this election season, Sullivan may have met his match. His challenger this year, Jim Bridenstine, is more accomplished and smarter than Sullivan—that's a really low bar, of course—and even more Hard Right.
In Oklahoma, Republicans can never be too far right—we're the Reddest State in America, after all. So Bridenstine is going way out to the right, all the better to appeal to the talk radio crowd and oust Sullivan.
Bridenstine, by the way, graduated from Rice and has an MBA from Cornell. Oh, and he's a Navy pilot. Sullivan, who graduated from NSU, has no military experience. Sullivan does have experience at the Betty Ford Clinic, but this isn't really a great thing in politics.
AltTulsa's crystal ball is always a little murky, but we'd put our money on Bridenstine. Sullivan is a fabulous slice of right-wing baloney, but he's not much of a leader.
As for us, we're voting for John Olson, the Democratic candidate, Army veteran and Tulsa businessman. As far as we can tell, Olson is a reasonable human being and a thoughtful guy, which is more than you can say for most of the First District Republican voters.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Big Bucks: Oklahoma Congressional Delegation Rakes It In
Oklahoma's Republiocan senators and congressmen are doing just fine, thank you very much. In fact, some of them are—wait for it—millionaires.
Must be nice to be a humble servant of the people, like, say, Sen. Jim Inhofe. Financial disclosure forms just released show Inhofe's assets at $3.6 to $10.7 million.
Sen. Tom ("Dr. No") Coburn is no slouch in the income department either, with assets listed at $1.8 million to $5.1 million.
Meanwhile, the median household income in the Sooner state is an underwhelming $42,979. Yes, Sooner fans, it pays to be a politician round these parts.
Even a couple of Oklahoma's Republican congressmen are millionaires. Take Rep. Tom Cole—please! The new reports list his assets at $2 to 5.3 million. Oh, and Cole gets some nice trips out of the deal, including Puerto Rico and Spain.
Consider this: Cole's income from interest, dividends and capital gains was listed at $91,100 to $223,800. Even the lower figure here is more than twice the annual median income in Oklahoma.
But wait. One Oklahoma congressman is a relative pauper among the elite. Tulsa's own John Sullivan—formerly a patient at the Betty Ford Clinic—lists assets at only $15,000-$50,000. Rep. Sullivan lists no major holdings either—no mutual funds, no retirement accounts, no professional partnerships.
Sullivan didn't even list any cool junkets—nada, nothing. He does have a personal mortgage, however, to the tune of $250,000 to $500,000. So that's something.
Maybe Sullivan should take after Rep. James Lankford and take to the pulpit. Langford made a nice chuck of change as a guest preacher—$4,150.
Must be nice to be a humble servant of the people, like, say, Sen. Jim Inhofe. Financial disclosure forms just released show Inhofe's assets at $3.6 to $10.7 million.
Sen. Tom ("Dr. No") Coburn is no slouch in the income department either, with assets listed at $1.8 million to $5.1 million.
Meanwhile, the median household income in the Sooner state is an underwhelming $42,979. Yes, Sooner fans, it pays to be a politician round these parts.
Even a couple of Oklahoma's Republican congressmen are millionaires. Take Rep. Tom Cole—please! The new reports list his assets at $2 to 5.3 million. Oh, and Cole gets some nice trips out of the deal, including Puerto Rico and Spain.
Consider this: Cole's income from interest, dividends and capital gains was listed at $91,100 to $223,800. Even the lower figure here is more than twice the annual median income in Oklahoma.
But wait. One Oklahoma congressman is a relative pauper among the elite. Tulsa's own John Sullivan—formerly a patient at the Betty Ford Clinic—lists assets at only $15,000-$50,000. Rep. Sullivan lists no major holdings either—no mutual funds, no retirement accounts, no professional partnerships.
Sullivan didn't even list any cool junkets—nada, nothing. He does have a personal mortgage, however, to the tune of $250,000 to $500,000. So that's something.
Maybe Sullivan should take after Rep. James Lankford and take to the pulpit. Langford made a nice chuck of change as a guest preacher—$4,150.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Dewey Speaks: Mayor Bartlett Talks to NPR about Tulsa's Troubled Racial History
The Good Friday murders of three African Americans put Tulsa in the national headlines recently, but not in a good way.
Not only were the shootings horrific in their own right, but they also reminded people of Tulsa's troubled racial history, especially the infamous 1921 race riot that destroyed the city's Greenwood District, home to many blacks.
The folks at NPR's Morning Edition followed up on all of this in an interview this morning with Mayor Dewy Bartlett. It's worth a listen.
Mayor Bartlett works hard to explain how the city has changed over the decades. The interview also includes commentary by Scott Ellsworth, who has written a history of the race riot, and even mentions our friend Michael Mason, editor of This Land.
To listen to the interview, click here.
Not only were the shootings horrific in their own right, but they also reminded people of Tulsa's troubled racial history, especially the infamous 1921 race riot that destroyed the city's Greenwood District, home to many blacks.
The folks at NPR's Morning Edition followed up on all of this in an interview this morning with Mayor Dewy Bartlett. It's worth a listen.
Mayor Bartlett works hard to explain how the city has changed over the decades. The interview also includes commentary by Scott Ellsworth, who has written a history of the race riot, and even mentions our friend Michael Mason, editor of This Land.
To listen to the interview, click here.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Rick Santorum Joke of the Week
Comedian Jimmy Fallon on former Sen. Rick Santorum, winner of last month's Oklahoma Republican primary:
After dropping out of the GOP race, Rick Santorum emailed his supporters to ask for help paying off his campaign debt. So if you believe in his message of responsible spending and no handouts, just give him a handout to cover all his irresponsible spending.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Over and Done: Former Sen. Rick Santorum, Oklahoma's GOP Choice, Is Out
Just a few weeks ago, Oklahoma Republicans went big for former Sen. Rick Santorum as the GOP nominee for president. Today, Santorum dropped out.
Yes, Sooner fans, Saint Rick of Pennsylvania is history. He's not going to be the Republican nominee for president in 2012.
This means that Oklahoma conservatives will have to vote for—yes!—Mitt Romney, the godfather of Obamacare and a state supporter of the individual mandate.
Woo-hoo! Republicans have a real Massachusetts liberal on the GOP ticket.
Can't wait to hear this East Coast multimillionaire relate to all us working stiffs out here in Middle America.
UPDATE: Tulsa's Santorum supporters professed to be shocked that their man has dropped out. The story here. Apparently, they were laboring under the illusion that Rick could actually win.
Yes, Sooner fans, Saint Rick of Pennsylvania is history. He's not going to be the Republican nominee for president in 2012.
This means that Oklahoma conservatives will have to vote for—yes!—Mitt Romney, the godfather of Obamacare and a state supporter of the individual mandate.
Woo-hoo! Republicans have a real Massachusetts liberal on the GOP ticket.
Can't wait to hear this East Coast multimillionaire relate to all us working stiffs out here in Middle America.
UPDATE: Tulsa's Santorum supporters professed to be shocked that their man has dropped out. The story here. Apparently, they were laboring under the illusion that Rick could actually win.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Crystal Ball Time: Romney Wins Wisconsin; Santorum Fades, Newt a Distant Third
AltTulsa has no special insight into Republican politics in Wisconsin, but we're predicting a big Mitt Romeny win in that state's primary tomorrow.
How big? We can't say, but we think Rick ("Holier than Thou") Santorum is over and done, a victim of his Far Right extremism.
Santorum won the conservative GOP voters in Oklahoma a few weeks back, as well as victories in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. But Santorum can't win like that outside the South, which is why we feel confident in predicting a big Romney win tomorrow.
As for our favorite egomaniac, Newt Gingrich, it's hopeless. The guy has no chance to win the nomination.
Newt, of course, is soldiering on. He claimed today that Romney does not—repeat, does not!—have the nomination locked up and that he, Newt Gingrich, the Greatest Mind of His Generation, still has a chance.
And if you believe that, we've got this great bridge in Brooklyn that we'd like to sell you. Cheap!
How big? We can't say, but we think Rick ("Holier than Thou") Santorum is over and done, a victim of his Far Right extremism.
Santorum won the conservative GOP voters in Oklahoma a few weeks back, as well as victories in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. But Santorum can't win like that outside the South, which is why we feel confident in predicting a big Romney win tomorrow.
As for our favorite egomaniac, Newt Gingrich, it's hopeless. The guy has no chance to win the nomination.
Newt, of course, is soldiering on. He claimed today that Romney does not—repeat, does not!—have the nomination locked up and that he, Newt Gingrich, the Greatest Mind of His Generation, still has a chance.
And if you believe that, we've got this great bridge in Brooklyn that we'd like to sell you. Cheap!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Newt Loses Again: Gingrich Finishes a Distant Third in Louisiana
Destiny's heroic political leader—America's Great Visionary and Ultimate Savior—has failed again.
Yes, Sooner fans, Newt Gingrich finished a distant third in Saturday's Louisiana GOP primary, well behind that faux conservative Mitt ("Secret Liberal") Romney. Rick Santorum won the day with 49 percent of the vote, well ahead of Romney's 26 percent and Gingrich's 17 percent.
This result, mind you, was in the Deep South, where Gingrich should have been competitive. The fact that he wasn't is a sign of how far his fortunes have fallen.
Gingrich once topped the polls in Oklahoma, but he couldn't beat Santorum in the Sooner state.
As we have been saying for weeks, Newt is history. He never had a realistic chance at the Republican nomination and he will never be president.
But Newt, being Newt, certainly won't go away quietly. Oh no. With an ego the size of Georgia and an unending supply of half-baked ideas, he'll be around for years. Unfortunately.
Yes, Sooner fans, Newt Gingrich finished a distant third in Saturday's Louisiana GOP primary, well behind that faux conservative Mitt ("Secret Liberal") Romney. Rick Santorum won the day with 49 percent of the vote, well ahead of Romney's 26 percent and Gingrich's 17 percent.
This result, mind you, was in the Deep South, where Gingrich should have been competitive. The fact that he wasn't is a sign of how far his fortunes have fallen.
Gingrich once topped the polls in Oklahoma, but he couldn't beat Santorum in the Sooner state.
As we have been saying for weeks, Newt is history. He never had a realistic chance at the Republican nomination and he will never be president.
But Newt, being Newt, certainly won't go away quietly. Oh no. With an ego the size of Georgia and an unending supply of half-baked ideas, he'll be around for years. Unfortunately.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Tulsa Democrats Call Out Oklahoma Republicans
Oklahoma Republican leaders did themselves and their party no favors this week when they snubbed President Barack Obama on his first official visit to the Sooner state.
Instead of offering a hearty Oklahoma welcome for a sitting president, Gov. Mary Fallin disappeared—and thus appeared petulant and small-minded.
The same goes Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. John Sullivan—all of whom seemed determined to be hyperpartisan.
There's a proud tradition in American politics of putting the nation's interests over party politics, a test that state Republicans failed this week.
No one expected local Republicans to suddenly become fans of President Obama. But we did expect civility and common decency, which are values that Republicans claim to support.
Instead, they were extraordinarily petty, which says a lot about their character and the kind of party they lead in Oklahoma.
Tulsa Democrats, among others, took notice. One of their leaders, Michael Whalen, issued a statement apologizing for the actions of the Oklahoma Republican Party. The letter read, in part:
Instead of offering a hearty Oklahoma welcome for a sitting president, Gov. Mary Fallin disappeared—and thus appeared petulant and small-minded.
The same goes Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. John Sullivan—all of whom seemed determined to be hyperpartisan.
There's a proud tradition in American politics of putting the nation's interests over party politics, a test that state Republicans failed this week.
No one expected local Republicans to suddenly become fans of President Obama. But we did expect civility and common decency, which are values that Republicans claim to support.
Instead, they were extraordinarily petty, which says a lot about their character and the kind of party they lead in Oklahoma.
Tulsa Democrats, among others, took notice. One of their leaders, Michael Whalen, issued a statement apologizing for the actions of the Oklahoma Republican Party. The letter read, in part:
Mr. President, I want to apologize for the lack of respect you were shown by our Governor, Senators and statewide elected officials. For many Oklahomans, it was heartbreaking to see our leaders put petty politics over manners and common decency.Politics aside, it is an honor to have had a visit from the President of the United States. The office of the presidency is to be respected. To do otherwise is rude, not to mention unpatriotic. I assure you that most Oklahomans are taught from a young age that respect and hospitality are a part of the fabric of our great state.I hope that the warm faces in Cushing gave you a better taste of what it means to be an Oklahoman. True Oklahoma hospitality is far better than the welcome you received.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Yee-Ha! Okie Republicans Go Ga-Ga over Guns
In their on-going efforts to turn Oklahoma into a Bright Red Conservative Paradise, state Republicans have scored another gun victory.
This week, the state senate passed an open carry bill that will allow citizens to openly carry firearms. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Anthony Sykes of Moore, said the law works well in other states. "They are doing fine," Sykes told the Tulsa World.
We are not reassured. Nor should anyone else be reassured.
No, Sooner fans, this is more GOP pandering to the NRA and gun lobby.
Democratic Sen. Jim Wilson of Tahlequah has it right. He pointed out that the law will put more guns in public in the hands of amateurs, some of whom will be "trying to intimidate people."
Exactly.
But logic and common sense are no help in our Red State Paradise. Our Republican leaders are far more wedded to the right-wing agenda and than they are to the safety of Oklahoma citizens.
This week, the state senate passed an open carry bill that will allow citizens to openly carry firearms. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Anthony Sykes of Moore, said the law works well in other states. "They are doing fine," Sykes told the Tulsa World.
We are not reassured. Nor should anyone else be reassured.
No, Sooner fans, this is more GOP pandering to the NRA and gun lobby.
Democratic Sen. Jim Wilson of Tahlequah has it right. He pointed out that the law will put more guns in public in the hands of amateurs, some of whom will be "trying to intimidate people."
Exactly.
But logic and common sense are no help in our Red State Paradise. Our Republican leaders are far more wedded to the right-wing agenda and than they are to the safety of Oklahoma citizens.
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