House Speaker Chris Benge's attempt to play with fire has tainted his tenure, damaged his reputation and allowed Democrats to score point after point in the Obama portrait switch controversy.
It has been Benge's strategy to try to brush off media requests that he release House camera tapes that would show who removed President Obama's portrait from the House chamber wall, saying the subject is closed and to further discuss it or release the tapes "is nothing more than a political witch-hunt or an effort to further ridicule a House member, which I do not believe is appropriate."
Mr, Speaker, you don't get it. This is not a "witch-hunt," or an effort to "further ridicule a House member."
It is about the transparency in government that Republicans have promoted and pursued. It is about the public's right to know what goes on and how it goes on. It is about the Legislature writing openness rules for all others in state government and then exempting itself from the rules.
Had the speaker produced the videotapes last week, as first requested by KTOK reporter Jacqueline Scott, this controversy likely would be over by now. By refusing this week to produce the tapes for The Oklahoman's Michael McNutt, and others I suspect, the speaker has compounded his public relations problem and stimulated the impression he's trying to hide something and protect one or more of his fellow Republicans.
This is not the stuff of trust and respect. This is the stuff of ridicule and suspicion.
Benge should reverse his stance and release the videotapes.
The Gadfly: Benge's Losing Strategy
By Mike McCarville
It has been Benge's strategy to try to brush off media requests that he release House camera tapes that would show who removed President Obama's portrait from the House chamber wall, saying the subject is closed and to further discuss it or release the tapes "is nothing more than a political witch-hunt or an effort to further ridicule a House member, which I do not believe is appropriate."
Mr, Speaker, you don't get it. This is not a "witch-hunt," or an effort to "further ridicule a House member."
It is about the transparency in government that Republicans have promoted and pursued. It is about the public's right to know what goes on and how it goes on. It is about the Legislature writing openness rules for all others in state government and then exempting itself from the rules.
Had the speaker produced the videotapes last week, as first requested by KTOK reporter Jacqueline Scott, this controversy likely would be over by now. By refusing this week to produce the tapes for The Oklahoman's Michael McNutt, and others I suspect, the speaker has compounded his public relations problem and stimulated the impression he's trying to hide something and protect one or more of his fellow Republicans.
This is not the stuff of trust and respect. This is the stuff of ridicule and suspicion.
Benge should reverse his stance and release the videotapes.