Liberal Blogger Says McMahan Must Go
From http://www.okiefunk.com/ ~ State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan needs to explain to Oklahoman voters why felony charges against him are bogus or resign his position.
The argument that he should not talk about the charges publicly because of his personal legal problems is specious and absurd. The voters deserve better. He was elected by the people, and the people need to know the truth.
McMahan, a Democrat, pictured right, has been charged with receiving excessive campaign contributions in 2002 from a businessman identified in the media as Steve Phipps. In return, McMahan did special favors for him as auditor, the charges allege. McMahan’s wife has been charged with him, and they face a total of 135 years in jail.
Phipps is a longtime business associate of former state Sen. Gene Stipe, a Democrat, and has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and paying kickbacks to three state legislators. Stipe pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2003 for funneling illegal campaign contributions to Walt Roberts, who ran for a congressional seat in 1998.
Unfortunately, the charges fuel the narrative that it is still good ol’ boy politics in the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Is it true? Where is the party leadership? When the charges were first announced, Gov. Brad Henry appropriately called for McMahan to take an administrative leave. New information related to the charges surfaced later, however, that clearly demands McMahan resign his position unless he can bring forward a convincing argument to Oklahoma voters.
Did McMahan and his wife accept money, jewelry and trips from someone who then received political favors? Again, if there is clear evidence the charges against McMahan are untrue, he needs to share that information with all of us. If not, then Henry, perhaps the most popular governor in the state’s history, should publicly call on McMahan to resign.
McMahan has apparently turned over his duties to others in his office, but that simply does not cut it. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma House is proceeding with an impeachment investigation. To their credit, Democratic legislators are supporting the impeachment proceedings, but this should not be necessary, and it only draws out the painful spectacle.
This year promises to be a good one for Democrats on a national level, but McMahan’s problems have the potential to affect local races here. Democrats who want to get elected this year should distance themselves from the Oklahoma Democratic Party if it will not vigorously call on McMahan to step down or explain himself. Democratic Party Chairperson Ivan Holmes should be unequivocal on the issue.
Riding the Bull: Lloyd Fields’ Guitar Caper ~ Here is another reason state Democrats should be worried about the party’s image problems: Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields.
Fields apparently did a ten-hour stint in an Oklahoma City detox center after he was nabbed for taking a performer’s guitar at a Saturday after party for a local bull riding event. Fields later apologized and called the guitar incident a “practical joke.” Of course, it was no joke that he chose to go to a detox center after someone tackled him as he was leaving with the guitar. Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it, right? This one will surely make it into the Okie Spectacle Hall of Fame: Alcohol, bull riders, a "gee-tar," and a leading, statewide public official who ends up sleeping it off in a detox center.
Fields was elected Labor Commissioner in 2006. His campaign manager was Ivan Holmes, chairperson of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Again, the Oklahoma Democratic Party faces image problems going into the 2008 elections. What about all the people who have worked diligently against the right-wing juggernaut here for years? Do we all just have to stand by and watch it all be for nothing in a good national year for Democrats because of alleged political corruption and Fields’ silliness and Democratic legislators who cannot file their taxes on time and whatever is to come? Okie Funk is the product of Edmond college professor Kurt Hochenauer, "Doc Hoc," who usually rants at Republicans. Thus, this post aimed at Democrats draws special attention.
The argument that he should not talk about the charges publicly because of his personal legal problems is specious and absurd. The voters deserve better. He was elected by the people, and the people need to know the truth.
McMahan, a Democrat, pictured right, has been charged with receiving excessive campaign contributions in 2002 from a businessman identified in the media as Steve Phipps. In return, McMahan did special favors for him as auditor, the charges allege. McMahan’s wife has been charged with him, and they face a total of 135 years in jail.
Phipps is a longtime business associate of former state Sen. Gene Stipe, a Democrat, and has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and paying kickbacks to three state legislators. Stipe pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2003 for funneling illegal campaign contributions to Walt Roberts, who ran for a congressional seat in 1998.
Unfortunately, the charges fuel the narrative that it is still good ol’ boy politics in the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Is it true? Where is the party leadership? When the charges were first announced, Gov. Brad Henry appropriately called for McMahan to take an administrative leave. New information related to the charges surfaced later, however, that clearly demands McMahan resign his position unless he can bring forward a convincing argument to Oklahoma voters.
Did McMahan and his wife accept money, jewelry and trips from someone who then received political favors? Again, if there is clear evidence the charges against McMahan are untrue, he needs to share that information with all of us. If not, then Henry, perhaps the most popular governor in the state’s history, should publicly call on McMahan to resign.
McMahan has apparently turned over his duties to others in his office, but that simply does not cut it. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma House is proceeding with an impeachment investigation. To their credit, Democratic legislators are supporting the impeachment proceedings, but this should not be necessary, and it only draws out the painful spectacle.
This year promises to be a good one for Democrats on a national level, but McMahan’s problems have the potential to affect local races here. Democrats who want to get elected this year should distance themselves from the Oklahoma Democratic Party if it will not vigorously call on McMahan to step down or explain himself. Democratic Party Chairperson Ivan Holmes should be unequivocal on the issue.
Riding the Bull: Lloyd Fields’ Guitar Caper ~ Here is another reason state Democrats should be worried about the party’s image problems: Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields.
Fields apparently did a ten-hour stint in an Oklahoma City detox center after he was nabbed for taking a performer’s guitar at a Saturday after party for a local bull riding event. Fields later apologized and called the guitar incident a “practical joke.” Of course, it was no joke that he chose to go to a detox center after someone tackled him as he was leaving with the guitar. Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it, right? This one will surely make it into the Okie Spectacle Hall of Fame: Alcohol, bull riders, a "gee-tar," and a leading, statewide public official who ends up sleeping it off in a detox center.
Fields was elected Labor Commissioner in 2006. His campaign manager was Ivan Holmes, chairperson of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Again, the Oklahoma Democratic Party faces image problems going into the 2008 elections. What about all the people who have worked diligently against the right-wing juggernaut here for years? Do we all just have to stand by and watch it all be for nothing in a good national year for Democrats because of alleged political corruption and Fields’ silliness and Democratic legislators who cannot file their taxes on time and whatever is to come? Okie Funk is the product of Edmond college professor Kurt Hochenauer, "Doc Hoc," who usually rants at Republicans. Thus, this post aimed at Democrats draws special attention.
Labels: Kurt Hochenauer
posted by Mike McCarville @ 10:31 AM
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