Oklahoma Republican State Committee Endorses "Resolution Concerning Party Support of Candidates"

On January  22, 2011 over one hundred members of the Oklahoma Republican Party State Committee met in Tulsa to discuss party business.  

A motion to endorse this resolution was brought to the floor by Tulsa County Vice-Chairman J.B. Alexander.   

Following a second, and some discussion, the motion passed by a margin of 75%.

Vice-Chairman Alexander stated that a similiar resolution would be brought before the Tulsa County delegates at the March 5th county convention.
 
State Party Chairman Matt Pinnell stated a similiar one would also be forthcoming at the state convention in May.

 

Oklahoma Republican State Committee Endorses 

"Resolution Concerning Party 

Support of Candidates"

On January 29, 2010 the Republican National Committee passed a resolution tited "Resolution Concerning Party Support of Candidates".  

This resolution is the outcome of many complaints from Republicans across the country who are tied of seeing GOP dollars going to candidates who turn on the party during the campaign season  or following the elections.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have recently supported primary or special election candidates who professed allegiance to the Republican Party but who, as their circumstances changed and to serve their own interests, turned against the Republican Party and became or supported a candidate of another party; and

WHEREAS, many Republican leaders and Republican organizations were undermined and lost credibility as a result of the actions of such candidates; and

WHEREAS, there will be many more decisions regarding the support of candidates, and many more opportunities to enhance or diminish the credibility of Republicans and Republican organizations, in the coming election cycle; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Republican National Committee urges its leadership and the leadership of all Republican organizations to carefully screen the record and statements of all candidates who profess to be Republicans and who desire the support of Republican leaders and Republican organizations, and determine that they wholeheartedly support the core principles and positions of the Republican Party as expressed in the Platform of the Republican Party adopted at the 2008 National Convention; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Republican National Committee urges that no support, financial or otherwise, be given to candidates who clearly do not support the core principles and positions of the Republican Party as expressed in the Platform of the Republican Party adopted in the 2008 National Convention.

(I Sleep a lot) Henry has set a date for a special election to fill Sen. 47

(I Sleep a lot) Henry has set a date for a special election to fill the Oklahoma State Senate seat currently being held by Lt. Governor-Elect Todd Lamb.

Lamb was elected November 2 and will be sworn into office January 10. He announced Monday he would vacate his Senate seat on that date.

Gov. Henry announced a primary election for Oklahoma State Senate District 47 will be held January 11.

Voters will go to the polls for the general election February 8. A filing period for the office will be held December 13 - 15.

Republican Kenny Goza, Steven Dobbs, Greg Treat, Carol Hefner have file SO-1 with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to run so far

Maybe the Oklahoma House and Senate Republican Caucus should read this...

An Open Letter to Republican Freshmen Members of Congress

Welcome to all Republican Freshmen and congratulations!

Congratulations to all of you for your contribution to this historic election, and for the contributions I am certain you will make to our country in the next two years. Your victory was hard fought, and the success belongs entirely to you and the staff and volunteers who spent countless hours working for this chance to put government back on the side of the people. Now you will come to Washington to serve your nation and leave your mark on history by reining in government spending, preserving our freedoms at home, and restoring America’s leadership abroad. Some of you have asked for my thoughts on how best to proceed in the weeks and months ahead and how best to advance an agenda that can move our country forward. I have a simple answer: stick to the principles that propelled your campaigns. When you take your oath to support and defend our Constitution and to faithfully discharge the duties of your office, remember that present and future generations of “We the People” are counting on you to stand by that oath. Never forget the people who sent you to Washington. Never forget the trust they placed in you to do the right thing.

The task before you is daunting because so much damage has been done in the last two years, but I believe you have the chance to achieve great things.

Republicans campaigned on a promise to rein in out-of-control government spending and to repeal and replace the massive, burdensome, and unwanted health care law President Obama and the Democrat Congress passed earlier this year in defiance of the will of the majority of the American people. These are promises that you must keep. Obamacare is a job-killer, a regulatory nightmare, and an enormous unfunded mandate. The American people don’t want it and we can’t afford it. We ask, with all due respect, that you remember your job will be to work to replace this legislation with real reform that relies on free market principles and patient-centered policies. The first step is, of course, to defund Obamacare.

You’ve also got to be deadly serious about cutting the deficit. Despite what some would like us to believe, tax cuts didn’t get us into the mess we’re in. Government spending did. Tough decisions need to be made about reducing government spending. The longer we put them off, the worse it will get. We need to start by cutting non-essential spending. That includes stopping earmarks (because abuse of the earmark process created the "gateway-drug" that allowed backroom deals and bloated budgets), canceling all further spending on the failed Stimulus program, and rolling back non-discretionary spending to 2008 levels. You can do more, but this would be a good start.

In order to avert a fiscal disaster, we will also need to check the growth of spending on our entitlement programs. That will be a huge challenge, but it must be confronted head on. We must do it in a humane way that honors the government’s current commitments to our fellow Americans while also keeping faith with future generations. We cannot rob from our children and grandchildren’s tomorrow to pay for our unchecked spending today. Beyond that, we need to reform the way Congress conducts business in order to make it procedurally easier to cut spending than to increase it. We need to encourage zero-based budgeting practices in D.C. like the kind fiscally conservative mayors and governors utilize to balance their budgets and reduce unnecessary spending.

There in the insulated and isolated Beltway you will be far removed from the economic pain felt by so many Americans who are out of work. Please remember that if we want real job growth, we must create a stable investment climate by ending the tidal wave of overly burdensome regulations coming out of Washington. Businesses need certainty – and freedom that incentivizes competition – to grow and expand our workforce.

The last thing our small businesses need is tax hikes. It falls to the current Democrat-controlled Congress to decide on the future of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. If it does not permanently renew all of them, you should move quickly to do so in the new Congress. It would remove from households and businesses the threat of a possible $3.8 trillion tax hike hitting all Americans at the worst possible moment, with our economy struggling to recover from a deep recession! You must continue to remind Democrats that the people they are dismissing as “rich” are the small business owners who create up to 70% of all jobs in this country!

Another issue of vital importance is border security. Americans expect our leadership in Washington to act now to secure our borders. Don’t fall for the claims of those who suggest that we can’t secure our borders until we simultaneously deal with the illegal immigrants already here. Let’s deal with securing the border first. That alone is a huge challenge that has been ignored for far too long.

On foreign policy and national security, I urge you to stick to our principles: strong defense, free trade, nurturing allies, and steadfast opposition to America’s enemies.  We are the most powerful country on earth and the world is better off because of it.  Our president does not seem to understand this. If we withdraw from the world, the world will become a much more dangerous place. You must push President Obama to finish the job right in Iraq and get the job done in Afghanistan, otherwise we who are war-weary will forever question why America’s finest are sent overseas to make the ultimate sacrifice with no clear commitment to victory from those who send them. You should be prepared to stand with the President against Iran’s nuclear aspirations using whatever means necessary to ensure the mullahs in Tehran do not get their hands on nuclear weapons. And you can stand with the Iranian people who oppose the tyrannical rule of the clerics and concretely support their efforts to win their freedom – even if the President does not.

You need to say no to cutting the necessities in our defense budget when we are engaged in two wars and face so many threats – from Islamic extremists to a nuclear Iran to a rising China. As Ronald Reagan said, “We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.” You will also have the opportunity to push job-creating free trade agreements with allies like Colombia and South Korea. You can stand with allies like Israel, not criticize them. You can let the President know what you believe – Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, not a settlement. And for those of you joining the United States Senate, don’t listen to desperate politically-motivated arguments about the need for hasty consideration of the “New START” treaty.  Insist on your right to patient and careful deliberation of New START to address very real concerns about verification, missile defense, and modernization of our nuclear infrastructure. No New START in the lame duck!

You can stand against misguided proposals to try dangerous, evil terrorists in the US; precipitously close the Guantanamo prison; and a return to the failed policies of the past in treating the war on terror as a law enforcement problem. Finally, you have a platform to express the support of the American people for all those around the world seeking their freedom that God has bestowed within all mankind’s being – from Burma and Egypt to Russia and Venezuela – because the spread of liberty increases our own security. You, freshmen lawmakers, can and will be powerful voices in support of foreign policies that protect our interests and promote our values! Thank you for being willing to fight for our values and our freedom!

In all this, you should extend a hand to President Obama and Democrats in Congress. After this election, they may finally be prepared to work with Republicans on some of these issues for the good of the country. And if not, we will all be looking forward to 2012.

Remember that some in the media will love you when you stray from the time-tested truths that built America into the most exceptional nation on earth. When the Left in the media pat you on the back, quickly reassess where you are and readjust, for the liberals' praise is a warning bell you must heed. Trust me on that.

I and most Americans are so excited for you. Working together, we have every right to be optimistic about our future. We can be hopeful because real hope lies in the ingenuity, generosity, and boundless courage of the everyday Americans who make our country exceptional. These are the men and women who sent you to Washington. May your work and leadership honor their faith in you.

With sincere congratulations and a big Alaskan heart,

Sarah Palin

RIP: Jim and Mina Hibdon was found dead at their West Norman home Friday.

Norman Police said they do not consider the deaths suspicious.

Norman Police Sgt. Jennifer Newell confirmed Saturday night that police were sent to a house in west Norman Friday afternoon. Officers went to check on those who lived at the home.

When police arrived, they found a man and woman dead inside the house, Newell said.

She said because the deaths were unattended, the bodies were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Oklahoma City.

The Hibdons moved to Norman in 1961 when Jim Hibdon accepted a job teaching economics at the University of Oklahoma. Jim Hibdon retired from OU in 1991.
Mina Hibdon, a Republican, was elected in 1973 to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in a special election and served through 1976. She represented House District 44 and was a member of the Republican Party.

Services for the Hibdons are pending.

Schwartz drop out of GOP Lt. Governor race

Got this from Colby Schwartz today...

“Over the last 90 days it has become obvious to me that the current economic climate has hindered my ability to raise the needed financial resources to effectively fund a statewide race for Lt. Governor. Therefore, I am removing my name from consideration for the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor of Oklahoma.”

“During my past campaigns for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, my support has always come from everyday, hard-working Oklahomans. It is these same supporters who have felt the pinch of the economic downturn the hardest; and now have less disposable income to contribute to a political campaign.”

“I remain as passionate about Oklahoma and its future as I did when I entered this campaign; but I understand the political reality that an effective statewide bid for public office requires sufficient funds to communicate my message to the entire state.”

“I will continue to diligently serve the citizens of the Yukon and Mustang communities, as I have throughout my service to the House of Representatives. This is a humbling honor that has always remained my top priority even during the course of exploring a bid for Lt. Governor.”

“My wife Brenda and our family would like to thank everyone who has offered their prayers and thoughts throughout this process. I have made many new friends across this great state and will continue to work with them to move Oklahoma forward.”

“As a fourteen-year Republican Party activist, I look forward to fully supporting the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor, as well as the other slate of Republican candidates.”

Demo Senator John Sparks trash the Oklahoma Republican Party

Just FYI: The 'Hal Smith' is the President of the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. So next time you go out and eat remember how your hard earn money will be use by Mr. Smith, if you eat at one of his restaurant. Or just call Mr. Smith 405-321-2600, and tell him that you are no longer eat at his restaurants because you do NOT want your money going to Far Left Progressive Liberals.

Senator John and Beth Sparks
Dr. Joe Carter
Hal Smith

Cordially Invite You to a Fundraising Reception Benefitting
Senator Richard Lerblance

Thursday, July 2, 2009
6:00 - 7:30 pm
At the home of Senator John and Beth Sparks
2512 Walnut Road, Norman

Please RSVP to 405-701-1863

$200 Suggested Contribution per Couple

Last year the Oklahoma Republican Party got very overconfident about their prospects all over the state of Oklahoma when they kept seeing candidate Barack Obama poll so low in our state. They took a chance and spent an enormous amount of money trying to beat our friend in the State Senate, Richard Lerblance.

Sen. Lerblance has been a thorn in the side of the extreme Republican agenda at the Oklahoma legislature ever since he was first elected. Richard is an unapologetic progressive, Democrat and often finds himself among just a few Senators willing to make a tough vote on principle.

The Republicans threw a lot of money at trying to beat Richard last November-- but they lost. Richard's hard work and popularity in southeast Oklahoma earned him his re-election, and the people of his district arelucky to have him serving them another 4 years.

As is the case with many hard fought political races, Sen. Lerblance still has considerable campaign debt. I hope you will come join me in Norman this Thursday evening and help me raise money for Sen. Lerblance's efforts to reduce his campaign debt. Richard is a proud, progressive Democrat in our very "red state, " and he more than deserves our financial support.

John Sparks

Odom, Sparks & Jones, PLLC

2350 McKown Drive
Norman, OK 73072

United We Stand

Michigan Republican Party created this to instill that we are ONE nation under God. Politics stops at the waters edge. The Dem's have taken a complete vacation from responsibility.

The Michigan Republican Party understand how to use 'New Media', its very sad that Gary Jones and Oklahoma Republican Party are so far behind in 'New Media'

And its not like Gary has NOT been ask by people to let them help him in this !

Internet Now Major Source of Campaign News

Too Bad Gary Jones,
Oklahoma GOP
still do NOT get this...

In Prec 59 in Cleveland County ,
I have 88% of the Republican and
even a few demo on my
Prec E-Mail list.
I use it to help get the word out !

Internet Now Major Source of
Campaign News

Continuing Partisan Divide in
Cable TV News Audiences

Many more Americans are turning to the internet for campaign news this year as the web becomes a key source of election news. Television remains the dominant source, but the percent who say they get most of their campaign news from the internet has tripled since October 2004 (from 10% then to 33% now).
While use of the web has seen considerable growth, the percentage of Americans relying on TV and newspapers for campaign news has remained relatively flat since 2004. The internet now rivals newspapers as a main source for campaign news. And with so much interest in the election next week, the public's use of the internet as a campaign news source is up even since the primaries earlier this year. In March, 26% cited the internet as a main source for election news, while the percentages citing television and newspapers remain largely unchanged.Not surprisingly, the internet is a considerably more popular source for campaign news among younger Americans than among older ones. Nearly three times as many people ages 18 to 29 mention the internet as mention newspapers as a main source of election news (49% vs. 17%). Nearly the opposite is true among those over age 50: some 22% rely on the internet for election news while 39% look to newspapers. Compared with 2004, use of the internet for election news has increased across all age groups. Among the youngest cohort (age 18-29), TV has lost significant ground to the internet.

On television, the cable news outlets clearly dominate the big three networks as main sources of campaign news. Nearly half of the public (46%) turns to the cable news channels, with 25% naming CNN as a main source of campaign news, 21% naming Fox News Channel and 10% naming MSNBC. Only 24% rely on the network news outlets ABC, CBS and NBC. Another 13% look to local TV news. This reflects broader changes in news consumption patterns. In recent years, cable news outlets have overtaken the networks as the general news sources that the public watches most regularly.1

Cable News Audiences Highly Partisan

The audiences for the major cable news networks are highly partisan, while the audiences for network TV and the internet are more in line with the general public.

Among those who name the Fox News Channel as their main source for campaign news, 52% are Republicans and only 17% are Democrats. By contrast, among those who rely on MSNBC for their campaign news, 50% are Democrats and only 11% are Republicans. Similarly, CNN's campaign news audience is largely Democratic -- 45% are Democrats and 13% are Republicans.

Notably, there are substantial differences in awareness of recent campaign events among the different cable news audiences. Majorities in each audience said they heard a lot about reports that the Republican National Committee spent about $150,000 on clothing for Sarah Palin and her family. But far more of those who get most campaign news from MSNBC than those who rely on Fox News heard a lot about the controversy (71% vs. 51%, respectively). Among those who turn to CNN for election news, 62% reported hearing a lot about Palin's wardrobe.

Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama registered more widely among the MSNBC news audience than among those who rely on Fox News for presidential campaign coverage. Seven-in-ten MSNBC viewers heard a lot about the Powell endorsement, compared with 54% of the Fox News audience. Close to six-in-ten (59%) of those who turn to CNN heard a lot about the endorsement.

About two-thirds of those who rely mainly on Fox News for campaign coverage (66%) said they had heard a lot about links between Obama and ACORN, the community organizing group that has been accused of voter registration fraud. A comparable proportion (62%) of those who rely mainly on MSNBC heard a lot about this story. A majority of those who get most of their campaign news from CNN (52%) heard a lot about the ACORN allegations.

Notes

1 See "Key News Audiences Now Blend Online and Traditional Sources," released August 17, 2008.

Can We get this Guy to run for Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman

South Carolina’s Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson has done a lot to improve the status of the GOP in South Carolina. He has taken crucial issues like school choice and offshore drilling and helped incorporate them into the party platform.

So I guess that makes Dawson “scary” to leftists across the state and country, like the folks at some liberal rag in Boston that I’ve never heard of who named him the “25th Scariest Conservative in America.”

Why, then, are they so afraid of Dawson? I’m guessing it has a lot to do with the RNC chair statement.

These are the times that try men's souls...

Thomas Paine could have been talking about the Oklahoma House and Senate Republican Caucus or the Oklahoma Republican Party as 'sunshine patriot'

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is darkness only that gives every its value."

-- Thomas Paine (The American Crisis, No. 1, 19 December 1776)

John McCain's 2008 Campaign Announces Oklahoma Coordinators

John McCain's 2008 Campaign
Announces Oklahoma Coordinators
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced new additions to its Oklahoma Leadership Team. Chad Alexander and State Representative Trebor Worthen will lead the growing grassroots organization on behalf of John McCain’s candidacy leading up to Oklahoma’s February 5th Primary. Alexander and Worthen join State Chairman, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn and Honorary State Chairman, Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating.

"There is no greater champion of fiscal responsibility and government reform than John McCain,” said Alexander. "John McCain's conservative convictions and principled leadership are what our nation needs right now, and that’s why I am proud to back him for the Republican nomination.”

“I am honored to work for a man like Senator McCain whose integrity and character is unmatched. Oklahomans, like all Americans, will choose a President who has the experience to lead on day one, and John McCain is that man,” said Representative Worthen.

Senator John McCain spoke to his appreciation for his Oklahoma team. "I am pleased to have the backing and support of these veteran Republican leaders. My campaign will benefit from their hard work and energy as we work towards a victory in Oklahoma.”

Chad Alexander previously worked to elect J.C. Watts, Jr. as the first African American to serve in Congress from Oklahoma. After managing the re-elections of Congressman Watts, Alexander was elected chairman and executive director of the Oklahoma Republican Party.

Representative Trebor Worthen was elected in 2004 to the Oklahoma legislature as its youngest member. He previously served as political director of the Oklahoma Republican Party. Worthen currently serves as chairman of the House Taxpayer Protection Caucus and chairman of the House Elections and Redistricting committee.

Ok Demo Party Calls on GOP Leadership to Come Clean about Ethics Violations

Oklahoma Democratic Party Calls on House Republican Leadership to Come Clean about Ethics Violations

Dr. Ivan Holmes, Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, called on Speaker Lance Cargill and House Republicans to do the right thing by coming forward with the truth about allegations of illegal campaign contributions and expenditures. Revelations about tens of thousands of dollars being funneled from the accounts of Republican lawmakers into the Oklahoma County Republican Party to assist Republican House candidates all over Oklahoma come at a time when the GOP has been plagued by scandal after scandal.

“Despite lip service about family values and morality, the culture of corruption in the Republican Party goes from the State House to the White House. Time and again they have broken the law and violated ethics rules in pursuit of power for the Republican Party, not for the good of Oklahoma or their constituents,” stated Holmes. “It is time they come clean and place statesmanship ahead of partisanship.”

Gary Jones, Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, has confirmed repeated reports that the Oklahoma Ethics Commission is investigating House Republicans for diverting checks written to the Oklahoma State Republican Party to the Oklahoma County Republican Party for use by their targeted House candidates. Sources have named House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, and Rep. Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City, chairman of the House political action committee that raises money for candidates, as the targets of this investigation.

Even former Republican Speaker of the House Todd Hiett has called on Speaker Cargill to come forward with the truth, "Cargill obviously felt like he was on solid ground. I honestly hope he would come forward with the legal ground that supports that action."

“Not only did Cargill and Worthen mislead the voters of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, but they also misled their own legislative members who believed they were legitimately donating to the State Republican Party,” stated Holmes. “I hope Republican Representative David Dank will join me in calling for his House Republican Leadership to step down as he did for other elected officials who are currently under investigation.” Dank announced he will introduce ethics reform legislation similar to legislation introduced previously by Representative Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, that had been killed in committee by Republican leaders.

Will Gary Jones jump the Shark too ?

When will Oklahoma State
GOP Chair Gary Jones
jump the Shark, like this guy did ?

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/

State GOP chairman heads Huckabee team

POSTED AT 5:12 PM ON JANUARY 7, 2008 BY TIM PUGMIRE

The chairman of the state Republican party announced today that he'll head the Minnesota campaign of GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee.

Ron Carey says he's been quietly supporting Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign for a year. Four days after Huckabee's convincing win in the Iowa caucuses, Carey went public with his preference. He also unveiled a list of other prominent Minnesota Republicans who've joined the Huckabee team. Carey said Huckabee is the best of a stellar group of GOP candidates.

"He really has an opportunity to rebuild a coalition of average Americans, just like Ronald Reagan did, and bring us together with hope and opportunity, yet at the same time not compromising our conservative values that make the Republican Party what it is," Carey said.

Carey says he doesn't know if Huckabee will visit Minnesota before the February 5th precinct caucuses.

The move is unusual but Carey says the state party bylaws allow him to give his early support to a presidential candidate.

"I'm going to take some hits for this," Carey said. "But I truly believe in the long haul that this is the best thing for the Republican party to have a viable campaign for Mike Huckabee. And I think he's the candidate that has the best chance to lead up to success in November."

But a co-chair of Mitt Romney's Minnesota campaign criticized the move. Brian Sullivan said Carey would be better served helping all Republicans rather than one particular candidate.

Former State Sen. Scott Pruitt to chair Oklahoma Huckabee’s campaign

Former state Sen. Scott Pruitt will chair presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s Oklahoma Leadership Committee.

Huckabee, who has been surging among Republican presidential candidates, said Thursday he and Pruitt share conservative values.

“He is well-respected within the Republican Party and throughout Oklahoma,” said Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas. “I welcome him to our organization and am thrilled that he is chairing our efforts in this important state.”

Pruitt was elected to the state Senate for two four-year terms beginning in 1998, and served as Republican whip and assistant Republican floor leader during his tenure in the legislature. He resigned his Senate seat to run for lieutenant governor in 2006, but was defeated in the GOP primary.

Pruitt is minority owner and general managing partner of the Oklahoma RedHawks minor league baseball team.