Henry Nominates Hunter For School Land Post

Governor Henry today nominated former legislator and Secretary of State Mike Hunter to serve as the new secretary and executive director of the School Land Office.

If approved by the Commissioners of the Land Office, Hunter will replace Clifton Scott. Scott, former State Auditor and Inspector, announced his retirement earlier this year.

Hunter served in the House and as general counsel for the Corporation Commission. He served as Secretary of State under former Governor Frank Keating. Hunter has spent the last seven years as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Council of Life Insurers, continuing to work with Keating, who heads the organization.

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Pollster Suggests Watts May Eye Senate Race

A North Carolina-based pollster, Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling, suggested today in a KTOK interview that former Congressman J. C. Watts may be eyeing the U. S. Senate seat now held by Tom Coburn as well as the governor's race.

Jensen's comment came in an interview with the station's Reid Mullins. Jensen was discussing a new poll by his firm that shows Congresswoman Mary Fallin leading the field of candidates for governor next year. Watts, who has indicated he's considering the race, was included in the poll. Also included were Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Senator Randy Brogdon, a declared Republican candidate, apparently was not included in the poll.

Coburn has not yet announced if he'll seek reelection; he said on Monday he will announce his decision on June 1st. Former Governor Frank Keating reportedly has his eye on the seat if Coburn opts not to seek reelection.

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Keating Awaits Coburn Decision, Poised To Enter 2010 U. S. Senate Race If Coburn Opts Out

From The National Journal's Under The Influence ~ The American Council of Life Insurers could be getting a new leader later this year, depending on whether Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., decides to run for reelection in 2010.

The ACLI has quietly launched a search for a possible replacement for its current president and CEO, former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, who is seriously considering running for the Senate if Coburn chooses not to seek a second term, according to life insurance industry sources.

Keating, a Republican who served two terms as governor from 1995 to 2003, has a contract with the ACLI that runs to January 2011. He has told leading life insurance executives that he is waiting for Coburn's decision. Coburn has confided to close associates on K Street that he is uncertain about running for reelection; he is expected to make a decision within the next few weeks.

ACLI spokesman Jack Dolan said "the search process has always begun very early" prior to the end of a CEO's contract with the trade group, and noted that Keating's contract has been extended twice. Dolan added that "Gov. Keating has been entirely transparent with the ACLI leadership. In that context, he informed them that if Sen. Coburn decides not to seek reelection he would take a hard look at running." The ACLI represents 340 life insurance companies.

Keating had a high profile in last year's presidential contest as a co-chair for John McCain's campaign. The ACLI leader pitched in with fundraising and surrogate work for McCain and also generated controversy with public comments during the waning days of the campaign. In a radio interview, Keating said that Barack Obama was trying to cover up his "extreme record" and he urged the Democratic candidate to acknowledge that he "was a guy of the street."

http://undertheinfluence.nationaljournal.com/.

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Keating To GOP: Abolish State Income Tax

Former Republican Governor Frank Keating said today he'd like to see the Republican Legislature repeal the state income tax.

Talking with Reid Mullins on KTOK's "Mullins In The Morning" show, Keating said that while he was governor, he heard constantly from those in business, and others, that repeal of the income tax would stimulate business.

Keating now heads the American Council of Life Insurers in Washington.

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Cheney "A black cloud," Says Keating

Former Governor Frank Keating says in a new book that he thinks Vice President Dick Cheney leaked news of a cash gift from a retired New York financier to Keating's family.

The fallout from the leak could have played a role in Keating not being named as U.S. attorney general in 2001, when President Bush took office, the Tulsa World reported from its Washington Bureau.

Keating apparently never before had blamed Cheney for the leak, but did so in Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency, a book written by Washington Post reporter Barton Gellman.

"It obviously came from Dick Cheney or one of his people," Keating said in the book.

"It was gratuitous, and it was petty, and it appeared vindictive to me, and it was utterly beneath the dignity of a person of Cheney's achievement. I mean, Dick Cheney coming into my life has been like a black cloud."

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Keating Seeks Help For McCain Campaign

Former Governor Frank Keating is out with an appeal to Oklahomans asking that they contribute to John McCain's presidential campaign.

Keating, who now heads the American Council of Life Insurers in Washington, writes in an email message, "The differences between John McCain and Senator Barack Obama are clear and the voters in the great state of Oklahoma will have a clear choice to make on Election Day. Simply put, John McCain is prepared to lead our country as the next president and Senator Obama is not ready to lead.

"But John McCain won't win in November without Oklahoma and that's why I write to you today. Will you support the McCain campaign by making a contribution right away of $25 or more? August is the last month the campaign can accept primary contribution dollars, so it is critical for you to give right away."

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Henry, Former Governors Endorse Tax Extension

Governor Henry and former Governors David Boren, Frank Keating and George Nigh today endorsed passage of Tuesday’s sales tax vote in Oklahoma City to improve the Ford Center.

“Oklahoma City voters have an opportunity to take a bold and visionary step seizing on the momentum of our capital city,” Henry said in a statement. “This city and state are more than ready for such a prospect.”

His statement, and the endorsement of the issue by the former governors, was released by Citizens for a Big League City campaign, a group supporting the proposal.

Oklahoma City voters on Tuesday will decide whether Oklahoma City should keep retain a present penny sales tax to raise $121 million for overhauling the Ford Center and building a practice facility to help attract the NBA Seattle SuperSonics to the city.

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Coburn, Keating: Why We Support John McCain

Statement By Senator Tom Coburn And Former Governor Frank Keating ~ Senator John McCain has his admirers and his detractors among conservative Republicans. But, as committed conservatives, we both believe John McCain is the right person to lead our country at this time and deserves the support of all conservatives.

First, Senator McCain is the only candidate who actually knows what war is – and not just the part about flying missions and getting medals, but also the part about facing his own death, undergoing imprisonment and torture, not knowing whether he will ever see his family again. That experience is of inestimable value in our next president because, like it or not, we are a nation at war.

Our enemies are fanatics who will not rest until they have destroyed our entire way of life. They will fight us on the other side of the planet or the other side of the street. Our next president must be resolute in defending America against those who would do us harm. And our next president must also understand and honor the sacrifices made by our military personnel and their families. John McCain knows these things. The others can only imagine them.

Second, our greatest domestic threat is Congress’ total failure to prepare for the impending demographic tsunami of retiring Baby Boomers that will bankrupt Medicare and Social Security and perhaps wreck our economy. Senator McCain is the only candidate who has proven he has the guts to put the brakes on Congress’ reckless spending habits. He has consistently fought against wasteful pork-barrel spending and has pledged to veto bills that are loaded up with pork, just as President Reagan did. Senator McCain will stand up to big spenders in Congress at a time when our nation won’t be able to escape the difficult task of entitlement reform.

Third, John McCain is a leader who puts the interests of the country ahead of his own interests or the interests of his party. He is an intellectually honest leader who does not approach issues with his mind already made up. He makes decisions on the basis of what he actually thinks is best for America, not on the basis of how this will help his party score a point against the other party. This trait has angered partisan Republicans at times but we believe his independence is a tremendous asset, particularly at a time when confidence in government is near an all-time low. The American people are sick and tired of business as usual politics in Washington. A leader like John McCain has the ability to unite the country and help Congress rise above the divisiveness and excessive partisanship that has come to define our national debate.

Finally, John McCain is a man of courage. When public frustration and media scrutiny of President Bush’s Iraq policy was at a fever pitch Senator McCain was unwavering in his defense of the troop surge. His core message that we can’t allow Al Qaeda to secure a victory over the United States did not change and has not changed. Senator McCain said he would rather lose an election than a war, which is the kind of character America needs in a president.

Also, even though we disagreed with Senator McCain’s decision to pursue what he thought would be a workable long-term solution to the problem of illegal immigration, we applaud him for having the guts to propose a solution he knew could undermine his presidential campaign. We’re pleased that Senator McCain now shares our view that Congress has to first regain the trust of the public by securing our borders before contemplating a guest worker program, but we applaud him for approaching the issue on the basis of principle rather than political opportunism.

John McCain isn’t the perfect conservative and he isn’t the perfect Republican. We have disagreed with him on specific policies in the past and probably will again in the future. However, John McCain is by far the best Republican candidate seeking the presidency. His unique blend of courage, honesty and experience make him the best person to address a determined enemy abroad and economic uncertainty at home.

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Keating Leads 'Catholics For McCain'

Former Governor Frank Keating is the co-chairman of "Catholics for McCain," formed to support Arizona Senator John McCain's Republican presidential bid.

Said Keating: "John McCain can uniquely appeal to Catholics with his strong, 24-year pro-life record, his stand for traditional values and school choice, his proven leadership in defending America, and his demonstrated ability to appeal to independent-minded voters. These are exactly the type of qualities that Catholic voters will be looking for in 2008."

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Remember This 2000 Fishing Trip?

A recent Conoco-financed Alaskan fishing trip Gov. Frank Keating took with corporate executives violated state ethics rules, the executive director of the Oklahoma Democratic Party said Friday.

Gordon Melson said that the salmon-fishing trip and other questionable activities of the governor show "a pattern of skirting, pushing the envelope or downright violation of campaign finance and ethical rules."

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20000717/ai_n10139391/print

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Lucas, McCampbell Tout Keating As AG

By Jerry Bohnen, KTOK Radio News ~ Even before Alberto Gonzales went before radio microphones and TV cameras to announce his decision to resign today, the name of former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating was proposed as a replacement.

Oklahoma Republican Representative Frank Lucas made the suggestion in an interview today with KTOK. And former U. S. Attorney Robert McCampbell of the Western District joined Lucas in endorsing Keating for the job.

"We have an Oklahoman who was mentioned once upon a time as a substantial attorney general candidate who has those very set of skills. We'll see if they're wise enough at the White House to consider bringing Frank Keating back into government service."

Lucas went on to suggest that Keating would be "an ideal individual" who had the moxy to sit down in front of the Democratic controlled Senate and House and explain he would do and how he would "do it in his own way."

"That's the kind of individual the White House has to nominate or there will not be a confirmed attorney general for the remainder of this term," said Lucas, who added it was "for the good of the administration" that Gonzales resign.

McCampbell suggests Alberto Gonzales did the right thing in resigning as Attorney General and at the same time suggested that Keating would be a good replacement.

When asked about possible successors, McCampbell said, "Frank Keating would be an excellent Attorney General and has just the right kind of pedigree and experience, and could bring the kind of credibility that the Department of Justice needs right now."

Since leaving the governor's office in 2003, Keating has headed the American Council of Life Insurers in Washington.

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Keating Backs Holland On Insurance Issue

UPDATE: Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, now head of the American Council of Life Insurers in Washington, has written a letter supporting Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland's position on insurance company investments. Keating's letter puts him in opposition to several Republicans in the State House.The McCarville Report Online obtained a copy of Keating's letter, which reads in part:

"On behalf of the American Council of Life Insurers, I would like to thank you for your past and continuing efforts in working to adopt legislation that is based on model laws. I applaud your latest efforts to update Oklahoma's investment laws to conform to the investments of Insurers Model Act adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

"ACLI expresses its support for the changes to Oklahoma law that would regulate the types and amount of investment of insurer assets in construction loans. The limits set forth in H 1958 reflect exactly the limits prescribed in the investments of Insurers Model Act. This Model Act was adopted in 1996 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and was the product of four years of concerted effort to create a modern and comprehensive investment law for all insurers. The effort included all segments of the insurance industry, state and federal regulators, Wall Street, investment bankers and consumers.

"The Model Act created a set of realistic limits that reflect the level of investments currently being held by a majority of our nation's insurers. After much study done by regulators and such interested parties as the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Investment Company Institute and ACLI the limit set forth in H 1958 was selected as representative of the amount of investment risk insurers should assume to balance their interests in assuring stable capital bgrowth while protecting their assets to pay promised benefits. In fact, our present research (current as of December 31, 2005) shows that our companies investments in such construction and land development loans amounted to 2.6 billion dollars which represents 0.1% of our companies general account assets."

The letter puts the former Republican governor at odds with GOP Rep. Greg Piatt of Ardmore, who pushed for an investment percentage 10 times that which Holland recommended.

(Originally posted March 6th) ~ Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland warned the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee that an amendment proposed by Republican Rep. Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, and apparently supported by the House GOP leadership, opens "the door for companies that are marginal to come into Oklahoma."

The amendment, supported by the Gene Phillips family insurance companies lobbyist Bobby Stem, sets a 20 percent cap on how much money insurance companies can invest in real estate construction loans. Holland wants the limit set at 2 percent. She said real estate construction loans are "speculative and risky," and that only three insurance companies, all tied to the Phillips family, want the change.

The committee's action, and Holland's comments, drew more than usual attention since the Republican that Holland defeated, former Rep. Bill Case, is now a member of Stem's lobbying firm. Case had considerable support from Enid attorney Stephen Jones, who has been linked to the Texas group "Just The Facts America" that tried to defeat Democrat Holland last year. Jones is among the state's most generous political donors, giving most often to Republicans.

Another reason for the attention is that former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher is accused of accepting money and gifts from Phillips, his family and business associates; Fisher awaits trial in a bribery case that's an extension of the criminal investigation that drove him from office.

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Keating Endorses John McCain

Former Governor Frank Keating, who considered a run for the Republican nomination for president in 2008 himself, today endorsed U. S. Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Appearing on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show with Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen, Keating said he knows all the GOP candidates but supports McCain because, in the overall, he is "right on the issues...that matter to me."

Keating also revealed that President Bush asked him to become the "czar of the South" to help put states ravaged by Hurricane Katrina back together; he said he declined.

Keating also said that he plans to head the American Council of Life Insurers in Washington for several more years, but that he and wife Cathy plan to return to Oklahoma to live within a couple of years.

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Watts Leaving GOPAC; Official Denies Pressure

Former Congressman J. C. Watts is leaving the chairmanship of GOPAC, the Republican Party's premier candidate recruitment and training organization, but a GOPAC official who confirmed that today denies there's any connection between his departure and anger over his endorsement of Democrat Cody Graves in last year's Corporation Commission race.

The confirmation came in a statement faxed to Oklahoma City radio station KTOK.

Earlier, sources said Watts was being forced out because he endorsed Graves over Republican Commissioner Bob Anthony, and dissention because he, as a GOP leader, had endorsed a Democrat over a Republican.

Subsequently, Congressman Tom Cole, Watts' political mentor who now heads the National Republican Congressional Committee, denied that he and others were angry over the Graves endorsement. Today's announcement from GOPAC Executive Director John Morgan reiterated that position, saying neither Cole nor former Governor Frank Keating are upset with Watts as several sources had contended.

Morgan said Watts gave notice he intended to step down last summer. Morgan said GOPAC will have an announcement soon about his replacement.

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Cole Says There's 'No Strain' With Watts

UPDATE: Late Wednesday, Congressman Tom Cole told TMRO that he wants Watts to remain at GOPAC. He said, "J. C. and I, personally and politically...there's no strain. I'm hopeful he will return to (elective) public service in the future." Cole said he understands the dissention some Republicans have voiced over Watts' endorsement of Democrat Cody Graves, but he does not believe that detracts from Watts' role as GOPAC chairman. Former Congressman J. C. Watts, since 2003 the head of GOPAC, the Republican group that recruits, trains and seeks to elect and reelect Republicans nationwide, may be about to get the boot.

A source in Washington says Watts angered many last fall by his endorsement of Democrat Cody Graves, who sought to unseat Republican Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony. The source confirmed word in Oklahoma that Watts is on his way out at GOPAC and said it may be weeks before it happens. He said one of those most concerned about Watts' endorsement of Democrat Graves was Watts' political mentor, Congressman Tom Cole, a former consultant who guided Watts' political career beginning with his race for the commission in 1990. Cole now heads the Republican National Congressional Committee (NRCC) and has long ties to the GOPAC operation.

Another top-level source, however, says Cole needs Watts as his ally at GOPAC, and he is not at all concerned about Watts' endorsement of Democrat Graves. That endorsement apparently is not well-known in Washington GOP circles, but we're told a major D. C. publication is preparing an article about the dissention Watts' endorsement has caused.

Also involved in GOPAC is former Governor Frank Keating. TMRO is told Keating expressed his concern over Watts' endorsement of Graves last fall, citing Watts' role as the leader of a group dedicated to the election of Republican candidates and his break with that dedication in endorsing a Democrat. "Keating went bazonks," our source said.

Keating and Cole both apparently heard from some major GOP donors in the state who expressed their disappointment in Watts' action. Asked if he has been contacted, Cole said, "Frankly, I have not...to any extent."

Watts became chairman of GOPAC in March 2003. Founded in 1978, GOPAC is the premier training organization for Republican candidates across America.

Watts, who served on the Corporation Commission with Anthony, endorsed Graves as did former GOP Commissioner Ed Apple. Neither of them got along with Anthony, the no-nonsense veteran who easily defeated Graves last November.

GOPAC Image: Watts with House Republican leadership in 2003.

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Keating Says He Won't Run

Former Governor Frank Keating says he won't run for president in 2008. Keating, 62, had been considering a possible race for the Republican nomination in 2008, but decided against it. Keating had traveled around the country talking to GOP activists in recent weeks.

Keating served two terms as governor; he is now the president and chief executive officer of the Washington-based American Council of Life Insurers.

Keating was on the short list to be President George Bush's running mate before Bush chose Dick Cheney.

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Keating Tests South Carolina Waters

Former Governor Frank Keating, toying with the idea of a run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, is in South Carolina today for a private meeting with GOP leaders in that important primary state. His trip has set off national speculation.

Keating's trip is the latest development fueling speculation about his plans. The first inkling he was considering the '08 race came when it was learned he had visited with GOP strategist Ed Rollins about it over lunch, an event reported by columnist Bob Novak and noted here on December 4th. Next, Keating showed up in New York at a meeting with Governor George Pataki and other governors; Pataki is considered a possible candidate himself.

South Carolina is important because it holds the first southern state presidential primary.

Keating's spokesman, Dan Mahoney, told The Oklahoman Keating knows he has to make a decision early and that's likely within a few weeks. While a Keating presidential race seems unlikely to some, there is the belief that the possible GOP field is weak and he might be able to get traction.

Keating now heads the American Council of Life Insurers in Washington. Keating has been president and chief operating officer of the Washington, D.C.-based trade organization since 2003.

Image courtesy Simon & Schuster

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Keating A Leading Conservative?

Would Frank Keating immediately become the leading conservative in a run for the Republican nomination for president? Some say that's so, and thus, he'd have a leg up in the South. Keating's a staunch 2nd Amendment advocate and seems "right" on most other core conservative issues.

Here are the (partial) records of other potential GOP candidates:

Rudy Giuliani's record: Giuliani is a Roman Catholic who is pro-choice, favors same-sex civil unions, gun control, and embryonic stem-cell research.

John McCain's voting record: 2005, Senator McCain supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent. 2004, Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all Congressional candidates in 2004, the National Rifle Association assigned Senator McCain a grade of C+ (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F). 2003-2004, Senator McCain supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent.

Mike Huckabee on the 2nd Amendment, in a letter: In 1999, I signed into law an act prohibiting Arkansas' local governments from suing firearms manufacturers seeking compensation for injuries and deaths resulting from the illegal use of these companies' products. To hold the gun industry accountable for crime is like holding our nation's farmers liable for the healthcare costs associated with obesity. The desire of some to blame the gun manufacturers for crime rather than prosecute criminals seems to me a sadly misguided attempt at protecting our citizens. It is also a rather thinly veiled attempt to vilify and control those who engage in a business which is eminently legal and necessary, yet not particularly smiled upon by the current administration in Washington. I thank God previous administrations understood and appreciated not only the sanctity of the Second Amendment, but its necessity as well. Gun manufacturers make the Second Amendment a viable right rather than some theoretical proposition. I will not abuse my authority as Governor to pursue their demise or dictate their business practices through coercion. So the answer is a definite "no," I will not seek the capitulation of firearm manufacturers through the use of asinine lawsuits or the doling out of taxpayer-funded government contracts.

From Mitt Romney's record: "The candidate reiterated his support for an assault weapons ban contained in Congress' crime bill, and the Brady law which imposes a five-day waiting period on handgun purchases. `I don't think (the waiting period) will have a massive effect on crime but I think it will have a positive effect,' Romney said." Source: Joe Battenfeld in the Boston Herald August 1, 1994.

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Keating Attends Pataki Meeting In New York

Race42008.com reports today that former Governor Frank Keating will be in New York for an interesting meeting on Sunday: Outgoing New York Governor George Pataki will, on Sunday, host a gathering of former United States governors, which, surprisingly and yet not surprisingly, includes two other potential presidential candidates–former OK Gov. Frank Keating and former WI Gov. Tommy Thompson. Not only this, but Pataki will also be holding the event in New York City, specifically–potential rival Rudy Giuliani’s home turf. Perhaps it’s the old adage of “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

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Novak: Keating For President?

Former Governor Frank Keating has talked to Republican strategists about a possible run for president, syndicated columnist Robert Novak reports.

Novak writes that Keating met recently with GOP consultant Ed Rollins, who managed President Reagan's 1984 reelection campaign and has been a sought-after national consultant for years.

Keating now heads the life insurance industry's trade association in Washington. In 2000, Keating was said to be on a list of possible vice presidential candidates with George W. Bush.

Novak writes that the rationale for a possible Keating presidential bid is the lack of a "clear and viable right-of-center presidential candidate" in the mix.

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