Politics: The Gadfly On The Wall

It is of considerable angst to some Democrats that Lt. Governor Jari Askins is leaving organization of the split State Senate to the members and leadership of the Senate. To my mind, she's simply showing good judgment. (I am chided by Tim Reese for the characterization of posts on the Democrats of Oklahoma blog as displaying "angst" on this subject. I deserve the criticism; posts added since this writing have, generally, agreed with my own position that Askins is showing good judgment. As frequently happens on the Democrat blog, however, Tim is not satisfied to chide me; he then adds childish personal insults.)

Some Republicans see a split in the party's leadership; it is their belief Chairman Tom Daxon and Vice-Chair Dana Murphy are on a collision course. The issue: State Rep. Randy Terrill's endorsement of Democrat Lloyd Fields in the labor commissioner's race, and what party leaders will, or will not, do about it, the party's "11th Commandment" in mind. Murphy and others want Terrill stripped of his House committee leadership position; Speaker Lance Cargill says he stays.

What next from that federal grand jury meeting in Muskogee and its (FBI) probe of Alleged Things Unlawful in southeastern Oklahoma? The grapevine says several of those involved are singing loudly and that 2007 will see even more revelations and allegations about legislators and the use of state money funneled to companies owned by abstractor Steve Phipps, Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan's buddy. Phipps likely will face the full force of the feds as did his abstract company empire partner, former State Senator Gene Stipe, in the Walt Roberts campaign finance scandal.

Rumors fly about retired General Tommy Franks and his reported plan to sell his home in Tampa and move to the ranch near Roosevelt in Kiowa County. Is he planning a 2008 run for the U. S. Senate? Or for the 3rd District seat in Congress? If the former, Jim Inhofe must be retiring, the wags say, given the mutual admiration society to which the two belong. If the latter, Frank Lucas must be retiring. Franks himself is mum; those of us who pay attention to such politicial machinations are not.

Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, sooner or later, will pay a political price for getting wrapped up in gun-grabber Michael Bloomberg's crusade to ban firearms. Democrat Taylor's among mayors who have joined the New York City mayor's group and although she's attending meetings in places like Chicago, she's mum on the topic in her own city. Hmmmmmm.

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