The Oklahoman Editorial ~ Speaker Chris Benge, who as a member of the Republican leadership has helped make the Oklahoma House more open and accessible, is taking a small step backward by not releasing security camera footage tied to "Portraitgate.” That’s among the names given to a flap over the swapping of portraits of Gov. Brad Henry and President Barack Obama that hang on the back wall of the House chamber. A Democratic member complained two weeks ago about the pictures being moved, so Benge, R-Tulsa, ordered them permanently affixed. A Republican member, Rep. Lewis Moore of Arcadia, subsequently came forward and confessed, saying he swapped them to add some levity to what had been a very long and stressful week of business.
House Democratic leaders say Moore hasn’t been the only offender, that the swapping has occurred several times this session. The Oklahoman asked Benge for about a months’ worth of security tape footage and he declined, saying no crime had occurred and no taxpayer money had been misused. House Democratic leader Danny Morgan of Prague and Rep. Scott Inman, D-Del City, are among those asking the speaker to make them available. "We’re not talking about classified information or top-secret details,” Inman said. He’s right.
Benge said Moore’s mea culpa is enough, and that efforts to uncover more details amount to a political witch hunt. We commend the speaker for defending his members, but they can do that for themselves if necessary. Releasing the tapes would put this issue to bed for good.
House Democratic leaders say Moore hasn’t been the only offender, that the swapping has occurred several times this session. The Oklahoman asked Benge for about a months’ worth of security tape footage and he declined, saying no crime had occurred and no taxpayer money had been misused. House Democratic leader Danny Morgan of Prague and Rep. Scott Inman, D-Del City, are among those asking the speaker to make them available. "We’re not talking about classified information or top-secret details,” Inman said. He’s right.
Benge said Moore’s mea culpa is enough, and that efforts to uncover more details amount to a political witch hunt. We commend the speaker for defending his members, but they can do that for themselves if necessary. Releasing the tapes would put this issue to bed for good.