The Gadfly Answers Questions

Question: Why, I'm asked, do you have so much stuff on Clinton and Obama, but not much on McCain? Answer: Clinton and Obama are the game right now; they are in an historic battle, and we are watching history unfold. The Democrat nominee will be a white woman (first) or a black man (first). McCain, almost a senior citizen at 71 (the older I get, the higher the age for that designation goes), already has the GOP nomination.

Question: "I don't understand your blog; I can't tell where you stand on issues because you don't give your opinion." Answer: By design. My readers are the most well-informed observers of politics and government in the state and my opinion, or that of others (I suspect) are of no concern or interest to them. Ergo, this is a news site (albeit subject to my biased news judgment).

Question: "Why do you give Democrats so much news space?" Answer: Under the title of this site, it says we've been covering politics and government since 1980. It doesn't say we've been covering Republicans only.

Question: "How do you decide what news to publish?" Answer: What interests me, my experience tells me, probably interests my readers.

Question: "Who's the best leader we've seen in your opinion (from a college student)?" Answer: Winston Churchill. Read The Gathering Storm and you'll understand my answer. If you intended to ask about the best leader in the United States: Ronald Reagan.

Question: "What's your opinion of Brad Henry?" Answer: Probably the smartest politician this state has ever seen. Henry Bellmon, David Boren and George Nigh come in as close seconds.

Question: "I was told you used to be in the governor's office. When was that?" Answer: 1968-1970, press secretary for Governor Dewey F. Bartlett.

Question: "Have you ever thought about running for office?" Answer: Never. No way, Jose.

Question: Do you consider the war in Iraq the worst mistake this country's ever made? (The antagonistic questioner at the Kiwanis Club luncheon asked.) Answer: No. America's treatment of the American Indian and those with black skins are the worst mistakes we've made as a nation.

Question: What's your most memorable political moment? (Same luncheon.) Answer: Standing outside Richard Nixon's Oval Office while the head of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee passed out stacks of hundred dollar bills to Republican U. S. Senate candidates in 1972. (My candidate refused to accept the cash.) Close second: Introducing Ronald Reagan at a Republican fundraising reception in 1976.

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