Part II: Most Influential Political Figures...And Why
Analysis & Commentary By Mike McCarville
Our first list of the 10 most influential political figures in Oklahoma initially was intended to be a stand-alone piece. However, the volume of suggestions and the merit of many suggestions prompts Part II. There are dozens more who were nominated by insiders; we've not included them because, in most cases, their influence (my opinion) is within a limited group. As with the first list, there's nothing objective here; this is a subjective list, compiled through my own filter.
The McCarville Report Online's initial "State's Most Influential Political Figures" prompted a flood of worthy nominations from insiders in both parties. Here, filtered, winnowed and vetted, is yet another list, in no particular order, of those with considerable influence in our state's politics and government.
Vic Thompson, Senate Democratic leadership assistant: He is the walking definition of influential in the Oklahoma Legislature. He is extremely bright, charming when he has to be, glib otherwise, but knows the legislative process and the personalities better than anybody in the Capitol building. Hands down.
Rep. Danny Morgan, Prague Democrat: If anyone was born to be in the Legislature it was Morgan. He has literally trained his whole life for this, being the son and nephew of former representatives.
Senator Tom Adelson, Tulsa, Democrat: He is perhaps the most politically- and campaign-savvy member of the Senate Democratic caucus, said the insider who nominated him. His personal and family wealth are substantial, causing most elected officials and candidates to seek out his support. For all of those reasons he is able to vote just about any way he chooses in the Senate.
Tim Reese and Calvin Rees, Democrat bloggers: Not so much for their work or even opinions, but due to the blog they maintain, are they found on this list. Their blog, http://www.demookie.com/, is read by every prominent Democratic elected official and many reporters. "For ill or well the postings there can make or break a politician or an operative's day," said the Democratic consultant who nominated them. "They aren't influential in the typical sense, yet the site is possibly the largest distributor of left-leaning views and news in the state," he added. The site often is a window into inner-party infighting and personalities; unfortunately, the site also sometimes publishes unsubstantiated political garbage. (After reading this, posters on the site said it is not a blog, but a forum. Jane Luttrell wrote, "...blogs are online pontifications, with possibly some comment space. Forums are designed for an exchange of ideas, opinions, and debate.")
Senator Tom Coburn, Muskogee Republican: His maverick style and positions have made both sides of the spectrum court him and he remains popular in the state, even as the GOP has taken a hit in polling. Coburn seems the very definition of "Mr. Smith" who went to Washington to get a job done. Despised by some in his own party, Coburn could seem to care less. He is on a mission and unlike most in the Senate, he embraces the thought his service will be short; in other words, he's not driven by the next election, or a Senate career. He is revered by fellow "pork busters" for taking on fellow Republicans as well as Democrats.
Congressman John Sullivan, 1st District Republican: Sullivan has a low profile, which seems to suit him. He seldom makes big news but appears well-positioned with Tulsa-area voters.
Congressman Dan Boren, 2nd District Democrat: Some liberal Democrats pick on him, but his independent, mostly-conservative streak make him congressman-for-life if he so decides. Like his father, Boren has a touch that connects to voters. He'll seek higher office in the future.
Congressman Frank Lucas, 3rd District Republican: The man who kicked off the "Republican Revolution" with his 1994 victory continues the D. C. commute despite his disdain for it. Few in Congress know more about farm issues than Lucas, who is steady as a rock and generally avoids controversies.
Congresswoman Mary Fallin, 5th District Republican: Freshman Fallin hit the U. S. Capitol running, spending her first months with her mouth shut and her mind open; both impressed other members. She's not yet a heavy hitter, but don't dismiss her just because she made that "beautiful people" list right out of the box. Fallin has demonstrated she's a smart survivor, politically savvy and in tune with the primary concerns of voters. Congresswoman-for-life.
Frosty Troy, editor emeritus, The Oklahoma Observer, Democrat: Troy's 40-plus years of presence at the Capitol and a publication of considerable influence with liberals puts him on this list even though he's on the wane. Opinionated and outspoken, Troy's nose for news and advocacy brand of journalism make him despised or embraced depending on your point of view. Known for his unprovoked personal attacks on those in and out of government, Troy shows few signs he's slowing down despite advancing age and his faded media presence.
Vic Thompson, Senate Democratic leadership assistant: He is the walking definition of influential in the Oklahoma Legislature. He is extremely bright, charming when he has to be, glib otherwise, but knows the legislative process and the personalities better than anybody in the Capitol building. Hands down.
Rep. Danny Morgan, Prague Democrat: If anyone was born to be in the Legislature it was Morgan. He has literally trained his whole life for this, being the son and nephew of former representatives.
Glen D. Johnson, Higher Education Chancellor and former House speaker, Democrat: Another one born to public service. Surrounds himself with great talent and then usually lets them do great things. Good on the “vision thing,” when it comes to policy, both when he was in the Legislature and as a higher ed official. Legislators in both parties will listen to him on higher ed issues and many pick his brain on other policy issues. Aubrey McClendon, Chesapeake Energy, Oklahoma City: "Can’t have Tom Price (Part I) without Aubrey, for without Aubrey there would be no Tom," wrote the insider who nominated him. "Painted as 'evil' by Democrats for the 'Swift Boat' donations, he is more bipartisan than most would think. That caricature some Democrats draw of him fails to recognize the wide, bipartisan political path he is blazing. Hell, who could blame him for helping beat a guy (John Kerry) who couldn’t carry a single county in Oklahoma? The Club for Growth donations against Brad Carson also didn’t help him with Democrats. He’s the biggest kid on the block, which means there are some out there in both parties who think he ought to be taken down a peg or two, but no one minds collecting the tax revenue his little enterprise at Northwest 63rd and Western generates." Senator Susan Paddack, Ada Democrat: Lots of talent and a relentless fundraiser, a lethal combination for anyone who might consider taking her on. She backs up her beliefs with solid facts and she’s eloquent and effective when speaking. Were it not for her unshakable support of tort reform, she, in time, would be the leader of Senate Democrats, some believe. Trial lawyers pick the Senate Democratic leader, and they will never pick her. That is the only chink in her formidable armor (keep in mind, that is not necessarily a policy chink, it is a political chink).
Rep. Mike Reynolds, Oklahoma City Republican: Is absolutely despised by just about every member of the Legislature. Still, with his database of campaign finance info, his knowledge of ethics rules, media contacts, and his plain-old hard-headedness, can cause amazing amounts of trouble. Any legislator who is targeted for defeat by his own party leadership and still wins comfortably is a force with which to be reckoned. "He’ll never have any friends in the Legislature of any party as long as he maintains this scorched earth policy," said the insider who nominated him for this list. "He’ll probably never pass a bill, but I don’t think he cares and that is not the reason he’s up there. What that reason is, no one knows."
Rep. Randy Terrill, Moore Republican: His steadfast position on immigration has raised his profile to the stratosphere. Robert Greene and Joost Elffers write that there are “48 Laws of Power.” The first law is: “Never outshine the master.” Randy Terrill has done that in the House. "It may get great headlines, but it is good way to have the political rug pulled out from under you" said the insider who nominated him. "He needs to go dark for a while for his own political future. Clearly running for something else, but when he falls (and he almost certainly will at some point) few if any of his colleagues will even consider slowing down as they step over his political body."
First Lady Kim Henry: Almost as many Democrats seek her endorsement or support as the governor, and she is a "rock star" at events. We all know she has been her husband's not-so-secret weapon; expect her to continue to be a major figure.
Senator Tom Adelson, Tulsa, Democrat: He is perhaps the most politically- and campaign-savvy member of the Senate Democratic caucus, said the insider who nominated him. His personal and family wealth are substantial, causing most elected officials and candidates to seek out his support. For all of those reasons he is able to vote just about any way he chooses in the Senate.
Tim Reese and Calvin Rees, Democrat bloggers: Not so much for their work or even opinions, but due to the blog they maintain, are they found on this list. Their blog, http://www.demookie.com/, is read by every prominent Democratic elected official and many reporters. "For ill or well the postings there can make or break a politician or an operative's day," said the Democratic consultant who nominated them. "They aren't influential in the typical sense, yet the site is possibly the largest distributor of left-leaning views and news in the state," he added. The site often is a window into inner-party infighting and personalities; unfortunately, the site also sometimes publishes unsubstantiated political garbage. (After reading this, posters on the site said it is not a blog, but a forum. Jane Luttrell wrote, "...blogs are online pontifications, with possibly some comment space. Forums are designed for an exchange of ideas, opinions, and debate.")
Senator Tom Coburn, Muskogee Republican: His maverick style and positions have made both sides of the spectrum court him and he remains popular in the state, even as the GOP has taken a hit in polling. Coburn seems the very definition of "Mr. Smith" who went to Washington to get a job done. Despised by some in his own party, Coburn could seem to care less. He is on a mission and unlike most in the Senate, he embraces the thought his service will be short; in other words, he's not driven by the next election, or a Senate career. He is revered by fellow "pork busters" for taking on fellow Republicans as well as Democrats.
Senator Jim Inhofe, Tulsa Republican: For more than 40 years, Inhofe has bedeviled his critics and reveled in being attacked by liberals. Now embroiled in a worldwide fight with Al Gore Et Al over global warming claims, Inhofe seems poised to win reelection in 2008, capping a career that has taken him from the Oklahoma Legislature to the Tulsa mayor's office to Congress to the U. S. Senate.
Congressman John Sullivan, 1st District Republican: Sullivan has a low profile, which seems to suit him. He seldom makes big news but appears well-positioned with Tulsa-area voters.
Congressman Dan Boren, 2nd District Democrat: Some liberal Democrats pick on him, but his independent, mostly-conservative streak make him congressman-for-life if he so decides. Like his father, Boren has a touch that connects to voters. He'll seek higher office in the future.
Congressman Frank Lucas, 3rd District Republican: The man who kicked off the "Republican Revolution" with his 1994 victory continues the D. C. commute despite his disdain for it. Few in Congress know more about farm issues than Lucas, who is steady as a rock and generally avoids controversies.
Congresswoman Mary Fallin, 5th District Republican: Freshman Fallin hit the U. S. Capitol running, spending her first months with her mouth shut and her mind open; both impressed other members. She's not yet a heavy hitter, but don't dismiss her just because she made that "beautiful people" list right out of the box. Fallin has demonstrated she's a smart survivor, politically savvy and in tune with the primary concerns of voters. Congresswoman-for-life.
Frosty Troy, editor emeritus, The Oklahoma Observer, Democrat: Troy's 40-plus years of presence at the Capitol and a publication of considerable influence with liberals puts him on this list even though he's on the wane. Opinionated and outspoken, Troy's nose for news and advocacy brand of journalism make him despised or embraced depending on your point of view. Known for his unprovoked personal attacks on those in and out of government, Troy shows few signs he's slowing down despite advancing age and his faded media presence.
posted by Mike McCarville @ 12:14 AM
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