Candidates for governor in Oklahoma agree: Palin is presidential material

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The two women who are competing for the top government job in Oklahoma expressed opposing views on most of the issues at Thursday night's OSU-Tulsa gubernatorial debate, but they do agree on at least one thing. Both Democrat Jari Askins and Republican Mary Fallin said they believe that Sarah Palin is presidential material:

"I personally admire Sarah Palin and her true grit, her hard work, her tenacity, her willing to say whatever's on her mind," Fallin said. "She's earned great admiration, especially trying to put up with some of the things she's had to go through with even the national media.

"I appreciate what she does. She certainly has been a leader in talking about how we get America back on track."

Askins said she has not met Palin yet but that she would love for her to come to Oklahoma.

"I'd love to go hunting with her," Askins said. "Take her turkey hunting."

Askins said she thinks it would be a nice and informal way to become acquainted with Palin.

"I haven't been hunting grizzly bears, but if she would invite me up there (Alaska), I can promise you I'd go," Askins said.

"She's a wonderful communicator. She does a great job in trying to reach the people and communicate with them, and I think everyone in the U.S. realizes now that if you have the desire, anyone who sets their mind to it can run for president of this country, and she's certainly one of those."

Fallin said Gov. Palin would be one of the top candidates for president in 2012.

- JP

In Oklahoma, Gov. Palin urges unity among Republicans

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Sarah Palin told a Tulsa audience of 1,000 tonight that it's time for the GOP establishment to put aside their differences with the grassroots and make the most of a series of victories by tea party-backed candidates going into the November election:

She told the enthusiastic crowd that voters have six weeks to turn things around and "reign in the federal government."

Palin also cheered Tuesday's political upsets by candidates affiliated with the tea party movement, including Christine O'Donnell's surprise win in Delaware over veteran Rep. Mike Castle for a U.S. Senate seat.

Gov. Sarah Palin also cheered the success of Oklahoman Mary Fallin:

Palin, who endorsed Fallin's candidacy for governor in mid-summer, said the 5th District Congresswoman "is ready to shake things up in the governor's mansion."

Wednesday's event was a fundraiser for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, a conservative organization based in Oklahoma City.

During her speech, according to Tulsa television station KOTV, Gov. Palin discussed the need for fiscally responsible limited government and the importance of the free market as keys to reinvigorating the economy.

Video of Sarah palin's speech, courtesty of Palin TV:


Support Palin TV

- JP

Palin-backed Mary Fallin wins big in Oklahoma

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U.S. Representative Mary Fallin cruised to victory Tuesday, winning the GOP nomination for governor in a landslide. Fallin, who was called back to Washington before the polls opened to cast a vote on a military funding bill, wasn't able to vote for herself but captured 59 percent of the vote in the GOP primary. Her nearest rival won 34 percent, and two other challengers were in the single digits.

Fallin is a two-term congresswoman who served twelve years as the Sooner State's lieutenant governor, and she has the endorsement of the first woman to be the Republican Party's candidate for vice president. Sarah Palin sent her congratulations to Rep. Fallin via Twitter, encouraging the GOP nominee with, "We can see November from our house!"

Like Gov. Palin, Falin has also made some history. She is the first Republican and first woman to be elected lieutenant governor since Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907. If Fallin wins in November, she will make more history by becoming the state's first woman governor.

- JP

Some perspective on Gov. Palin's latest endorsements

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Thursday on Facebook, Sarah Palin endorsed Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Star Parker, and Mary Fallin. Some perspective on the three endorsements...

The Spokane Spokesman-Review's Spin Control bloggers were not surprised by the McMorris endorsement:

It’s not a huge surprise, considering McMorris Rodgers was a big supporter of Palin’s when the Alaska governor was named to John McCain’s presidential ticket. They’re both fiscal and social conservatives. And they both have children with Down Syndrome.

And there’s not much danger of having this endorsement blow up in Palin’s face. Although she faces a primary challenge from the right from Constitutional Party candidate Randall Yearout, McMorris Rodgers faces no serious pressure from Tea Party folks in Eastern Washington.

Less than a month ago, Smart Girl Politics described Parker as an underdog with an outside chance of pulling off an upset against her Democrat opponent:

Star Parker is the Republican seeking to unseat two-term representative Laura Richardson in California’s 37th Congressional District. Richardson is a reliably liberal Congressman in a strongly democratic-leaning district comprising parts of Long Beach and Compton. How strongly democratic? Obama won the election in 2008 by a four-to-one margin.

All conventional political wisdom says that Parker can’t win this race in such a solidly Democratic district made up mostly of ethnic minorities, but that was the same political wisdom that had put Grayson and Bennett as shoo-ins just a few months ago. Parker has a few advantages: She has national name recognition as an author and widely broadcast commentator. She is a black woman herself in this heavily black district. She should have the ability to raise sufficient campaign contributions for a professional campaign. And Parker’s opponent Richardson has seen her share of controversy lately, having her sub-prime property in Sacramento foreclosed upon and auctioned off by the bank... Parker could make this a campaign issue. In an era when the nation is going bankrupt with heavy debt, a Congressman who can’t manage her own personal debt should not be put in the position of managing the nation’s finances.

On The Oklahoman's dot-Politics blog, reporter Julie Bisbee of the Oklahoma City newspaper's Capitol Bureau wonders if Gov. Palin will campaign for Fallin in the Sooner State:

Palin for Fallin, it has a nice rhyming ring to it.

Fallin has been active with the Tea Party group, appearing at rallies and other events in the past year. Seems like the Republican race for the gubernatorial nomination will likely come down to name recognition and who can out conservative the other.

Several informal polls of would-be voters show Fallin in the lead of Sen. Randy Brogdon, another Republican seeking the nomination.

If Fallin defeats Brogdon in the GOP primary as expected, she stands a good chance of defeating either of her likely Democrat opponents in the general election, according to the latest SoonerPoll.

- JP

Gov. Palin endorses Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Star Parker, and Mary Fallin

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On Facebook, Sarah Palin endorsed three more “Mama Grizzlies” Thursday:

The Nature of Those Tough, Self-Sufficient Bears

Last summer I stood on the grassy bank of an Alaskan waterway that was teeming with salmon to watch part of Alaska’s brown bear population forage, fight, feed, and fend off enemies to survive. I joined Fish and Game biologists to observe 42 of these majestic wild animals all within eyesight, all at once. Even though I’ve lived all my life in the “Last Frontier,” I still find days like that absolutely fascinating! And I swear the hardest workers on the water were those “mama bears.”

Obviously not waiting for another bear to do the work for them, the mama bears not only foraged for themselves to prepare for winter, but they worked twice as hard to slay salmon for their cubs, too, making sure the future of the population was ready for the season ahead. She would instinctively rear up on hind legs when her cubs were threatened – you don’t mess with her cubs. And most importantly, just as the well known modern proverb expresses, she didn’t just hand over a free fish for the day – she taught young ones how to fish for a lifetime. (There’s no shortage of life lessons learned while scanning our great outdoors!)

Now, scanning the political landscape, here’s a new “Mama Grizzlies” field report! There are great guys running for office all over the place, but I hope you will join me in supporting three more bold Commonsense Conservative women who are willing to put it all the line to get our country back on track: Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Star Parker, and Mary Fallin.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers is running for reelection to serve in Congress. She knows the value of hard work. She grew up as a farmer’s daughter and was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. Her roots in eastern Washington go back generations. Cathy is a pro-family, pro-business fiscal conservative who has an honest, direct plan for action in Congress, which she calls her “Patriot Pledge.” It’s a 10-point agenda focused on fiscal health, tax reform, and other common sense solutions. Further, I have deep respect for Cathy’s strong voice for families who are touched by those with special needs. She formed the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus which promotes research, education, and treatment to help improve the quality of life for those with Down syndrome and other challenges. Cathy and I share a personal bond as proud moms who’ve both been blessed with sweet sons born with extra chromosomes. Perhaps it’s because we learn so much from these children and can see how they make the world a better place that I am confident that Cathy’s respect for life, and her commitment to protecting America’s Constitution, truly benefits all Americans. We need her in Congress, so please visit her website at www.cathyforcongress.com, follow her on Facebook and Twitter, and please support her campaign.

I’m proud to endorse Star Parker for California’s 37th Congressional District. Star has an incredible story and a passionate commitment to her community and our great nation. Rising up from being a single mom on welfare, Star worked hard to build a non-profit network that seeks to reduce poverty and create a brighter future for America by promoting free market solutions and personal responsibility. There is no doubt that she will bring a new level of enthusiasm and energy to Washington for American values, limited government, and economic growth. She’s a dynamic leader who is committed to building a more prosperous environment for the families in her district and ushering in positive change. Please join me in supporting Star and her message of hope, opportunity, and self-reliance. Visit her website at www.StarParkerforCongress.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Mary Fallin is another strong, smart conservative who I am proud to support. Mary is running for Governor of Oklahoma, and the Sooner State is fortunate to have her offer to serve in this new capacity. Mary’s another fiscal conservative with policy experience, political backbone, and real world knowledge that will serve the entire state well as she proves her mettle as Oklahoma’s next CEO. Her personal, professional, and political background gives her a healthy perspective on the challenges facing so many of our families and businesses. Mary truly understands public service, and she served her state with distinction in Congress and as the first Republican and first female lieutenant governor in Oklahoma history. Sharing the aforementioned foundational values of Cathy and Star and so many other Americans, Mary also understands the complexities of our domestic energy policy and has been a consistent voice for energy independence. Please visit Mary’s website at www.maryfallin.org and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

I heartily endorse these liberty-loving “Mama Grizzlies.” They’ll do more than just growl about our challenges because they know how to work hard and protect America’s future by ushering a new era of prosperity and security. How? By proving their selfless service, common sense, and respect for the will of the people.

- Sarah Palin

- JP