Oklahoma Citizens Beat Back Obama's Plot

  I want to thank David & Barbara Green for expending personal assets on my behalf, to press the constitutional protection of laity to actually live out their faith in the marketplace. Oklahoma has been blessed to have such solid businesses grow from within our midst.

  It grieves me that the leaders of religious structures only spoke up when their church entity was coerced into sinful acts. The various "men of the cloth" demonstrated, to various degrees; a self-absorption with building their own religious empires, but showing very little concern for the devout "sheep of their fold" when the wolves of oppression were coercing them to deny the very practical daily expressions of their faith. 

  I am grateful that the courts have consistently upheld the rights of congregants to actually live true to their spiritual convictions.  A narrow 5-4 ruling of the high court is seriously troubling and the language of this decision needs to be expanded to the person who is coerced to pay a government expense which also violates strict tenants of faith.
  If the oppressors of our civil liberties (at this time it appears to be the Obama regime), are successful in supplanting honorable jurists with lackeys of their own making, then America will cease to be the land of the free.

David Van Risseghem

A Preview Of the November Election

  Many of the key 2014 Oklahoma races are a big step closer to being decided. Oklahomans entered the primary season with a few federal & statewide seats already decided because no one contested an incumbent.

2014 Oklahoma Election Progress UNITED STATES SENATOR Democrat 163K primary voters MATT SILVERSTEIN, 33,  8115 E 112th St S, Bixby, OK 74008 Republican 265K primary voters JIM INHOFE, 79,  2139 E 32nd St, Tulsa, OK 74105 Independent RAY WOODS, 78,  202 N Main, Fairview, OK 73737 AARON DeLOZIER, 30,  2103 Fm 171, Wichita Falls, TX 76305 JOAN FARR, 58,  PO Box 998, Broken Arrow, OK 74013 UNITED STATES SENATOR - Unexpired Democrat - runoff needed 163K primary voters CONNIE JOHNSON, 61,  3301 E Forest Park Dr, Oklahoma City, OK -or- JIM ROGERS, 79,  8623 E Reno Ave Apt 5, Midwest City, OK 73110 Republican 265K primary voters JAMES LANKFORD, 46,  16121 Windrush Pl, Edmond, OK 73013 Independent MARK T. BEARD, 54, 10321 Walnut Hollow Dr, OkC, OK 73162 UNITED STATES REP - DISTRICT 01 Republican - unapposed JIM BRIDENSTINE, 38,  10630 S Erie Pl, Tulsa, OK 74137 UNITED STATES REP - DISTRICT 02 Democrat 52K primary voters EARL E. EVERETT, 80,  316 W Benge Rd, Ft Gibson, OK 74434 Republican 32K primary voters MARKWAYNE MULLIN, 36,  RR 1 Box 8255, Westville, OK 74965 Independent JON DOUTHITT, 76,  22815 Woodridge Dr, Claremore, OK 74019 UNITED STATES REP - DISTRICT 03 Democrat FRANKIE ROBBINS, 68,  118 Fir Dr, Medford, OK 73759 Republican 66K primary voters FRANK D. LUCAS, 54,  Route 2 Box 136, Cheyenne, OK 73628 UNITED STATES REP - DISTRICT 04 Democrat 28K primary voters BERT SMITH, 66,  3309 Elmo Way, Moore, OK 73160 Republican 48K primary voters TOM COLE, 64,  104 Briarwood St, Moore, OK 73160 Independent DENNIS B. JOHNSON, 74,  3400 Enterprise Dr, Norman, OK 73026 UNITED STATES REP- DISTRICT 05 Democrat - runoff needed  30K primary voters TOM GUILD, 59,  2109 Rushing Meadows, Edmond, OK 73013 -or- AL McAFFREY, 65,  720 NW 16th, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Republican - runoff needed 55K primary voters STEVE RUSSELL, 50,  1313 SW 105th Pl, Oklahoma City, OK 73170 -or- PATRICE DOUGLAS, 51,  1712 Crossbow, Edmond, OK 73034 Independent BUDDY RAY, 70,  9904 N Charter Oak Cir, Edmond, OK TOM BOGGS, 51,  Baan Thai #2817 324 Rachamanka Rd - - Thailand, Nakhon Pathom, 73000 ROBERT T. MURPHY, 66,  2862 Classen Blvd, Norman, OK 73071 GOVERNOR Democrat 163K primary voters JOE DORMAN, 43,  708 W Apache Ave, Rush Springs, OK 73082 Republican MARY FALLIN, 59,  820 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Independent RICHARD PRAWDZIENSKI, 66,  1712 Timber Ridge Rd, Edmond, OK 73034 JOE SILLS, 34, 1232 SW 92nd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73139 KIMBERLY WILLIS, 51,  1111 NE 63rd #D, Oklahoma City, OK 73111 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Democrat 163K primary voters CATHY CUMMINGS, 52,  3015 Lakeside Dr, Oklahoma City, OK Republican 265K primary voters TODD G. LAMB, 42,  5423 NW 132nd, Oklahoma City, OK 73142 STATE AUDITOR AND INSPECTOR Republican  - unapposed GARY A. JONES, 59,  20237 SW Tinney Rd, Cache, OK 73527 ATTORNEY GENERAL Republican - unapposed SCOTT PRUITT, 45,  2834 S Utica Ave, Tulsa, OK 74114 STATE TREASURER Republican - unapposed KEN MILLER, 47,  1617 Durham Ct, Edmond, OK 73013 SUPT. OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Democrat - runoff needed 165K primary voters JOHN COX, 50,  13244 Hwy 82-C, Hulbert, OK 74441 -or- FREDA DESKIN, 65,  1701 N Mistletoe Ln, Edmond, OK Republican 265K primary voters JOY HOFMEISTER, 49,  5713 E 103 St, Tulsa, OK 74137 COMMISSIONER OF LABOR Democrat 163K primary voters MIKE WORKMAN, 63,  5862 S Pittsburg Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135 Republican 265K primary voters MARK COSTELLO, 58,  5901 N Santa Fe Ave, Edmond, OK 73025 INSURANCE COMMISSIONER Republican - unapposed JOHN DOAK, 51,  9910 E 97th, Tulsa, OK 74133 CORPORATION COMMISSIONER Republican - unapposed TODD HIETT, 46,  16431 Slick Rd, Kellyville, OK 74039

 While 2014 will be historical for the number of seats contested, the voters have a significant number of races decided for them.
  Jim Bridenstine, Scott Prewitt, Gary Jones, & ken Miller were not challenged electorally. Todd Hiett & John Doak won clear primary victories and were not challenged by any Democrat or independent candidates.
  Democrats will have statewide runoff elections to determine their candidate for Superintendent of Public Education and for US Senate in the unexpired term being vacated.
  The Oklahoma City metro area will send both Republican & Democrat voters to the polls for a runoff of congressional candidates in District 5.

Markwayne Mullin

 The steady growth of the Republican Party continues to demonstrate an overwelming advantage in most areas of the state. Only in District 2 were there more Democrats at the primary polls than Republicans. Incumbent Markwayne Mullin will seek a 2nd term to congress in this historically "Dixiecrat" part of East & Southeast Oklahoma.
  There was one very public rebuke and eviction in the June 24th election. State Superintendent, Janet Barresi was widely rejected for her administration of the state's public schools. Her advocacy of Common Core was repudiated by Conservatives and proponents of state independence in education standards. Liberals and school district administrators blasted her "grading the schools" initiative.  A groundswell of public support for school district flexibility began to emerge in legislative initiatives. Gov. Fallin could have received equal scrutiny, but she still won the primary election.

James Lankford

The most stunning victory came in the US Senate race to finish Tom Coburn's term. A young Baptist preacher-turned-politician rose to leadership in every arena of church and govt. service. His 57% in the primary was not expected. While some credit his record of service, others also point out the strong support of the state's Southern Baptists and thousands who send their teens to Falls Creek Baptist Church Camp, where he was a popular director.
  The "Tea Party" label became ambiguous in Oklahoma because nearly every Republican claimed to identify with the populist label. While originally the term identified with a strong opposition to federal bailouts of banks and others deemed "too big to fail"; it is now vaguely connected in media outlets with anti-immigrant, states' rights, privacy rights, and other social issues.
   Lost in the 2014 election is the issue of Federal mandated health insurance requirements and the massive federal deficit. the issues of marriage and abortion have rarely been debated or even referenced in campaign literature.

David Van Risseghem

Live election Night Coverage

   Sooner Politics will be live and up-to-the-minute with official State Election Board returns as they are posted.

   Our network of bloggers will be reporting from the many watch parties and from their own headquarters.

We'll be publishing reactions to the results and reflecting upon why the candidates fared the way they did.

   If you're at a watch party with your tablet or phone, log into www.SoonerPolitics.org to get all the latest info and news from around the state.

Our mobile web portal will include all the latest details and we welcome your comments via our Facebook page and discussion group.

David Van Risseghem

The Runoff 'Bump'

How voter's support will migrate in a runoff election

A study of the likely voters in the June 24th Republican Primary

   SoonerPolitics.org conducted a poll of very likely voters over the first 3 weeks of June, leading up to the Republican primary election. We were able to ascertain some significant information about how candidates will be effected by the consolidation factor of a runoff election, assuming that no candidate garners a majority of the primary vote. Candidates who drew at least 10% in the polls, are tracked in this migration study.

   The only race that is projected to avoid a runoff (according to a consensus of polls) is Jim Inhofe's bid for 4th term in the U.S. Senate.

   The unscientific voting sample was not indicative of who would prevail in the primary election, itself; but it does provide an insight into the mindset of the supporters of each of the candidates. you can study the  summary, here.

Governor

Over 90% of Chad Moody's support shifts to Dax Ewbank.

Over 80% of Dax Ewbank's support shifts to Chad Moody.

Over 80% of Mary Fallin's support shifts to Dax Ewbank.

Unexpired U.S. Senate

Over 60% of James Lankford's support shifts to Randy Brogdon.

Over 60% of Randy Brogdon's support shifts to T.W. Shannon.

Over 60% of T.W. Shannon's support shifts to James Lankford.

U.S. Senate New term

Over 40% of Eric Wyatt's support shifts to Jim Inhofe.

Over 50% of Jim Inhofe's support shifts to Eric Wyatt.

State Superintendent

Over 80% of Brian Kelly's support shifts to Joy Hofmeister.

Janet Barresi's support splits evenly between Brian Kelly & Joy Hofmeister.

Over 80% of Joy Hofmeister's support shifts to Brian Kelly.

These statistics are based upon the responses of  voters who were asked;

 "Who is your 2nd choice? Select the candidate you next prefer, if your first preference was not available.".

The internals of this polling data can be studied at Sooner Politics Polling.
SoonerPolitics.org is not affiliated with "The Sooner Poll"

David Van Risseghem

Legal Contortionists Fight to Save A Tulsa County Campaign

Asst. Tulsa D.A., Steve Kunsweiler

Rep. Fred Jordan

   A key ruling is being sought from Oklahoma's judicial branch regarding the language of the Oklahoma Constitution. At the heart of the issue is a controversy of what the meaning of 'elected' is. Tulsa Asst. District Attorney, Steve Kunsweiler is the petitioner.

   State Representative, Fred Jordan of Tulsa County; has a legal team promoting the idea that the state legislature actually does the electing sometime in next year's legislative session. Most citizens have come to understand that the electing happens over the course of the open polling hours on 'election day'. The state and county election boards certify the results hours and days after the election was held, but they did not do the actual electing.
   About 10 years ago, the Oklahoma legislature remained in office and in official 'special session' even more than a week after some of them were replaced in a November general election, So there is no basis to say that current legislators are done with their elective duties after the spring regular session adjourns sine die.

   A legislator cannot even resign his current office prior to a new election date because the constitutional language says he is not eligible util after "the term for which he was elected".
   A somewhat flimsy precedent ruling happened in the very early years of our state, when a judge ruled that the election of a statewide office gets certified by the new legislative body, in the opening of the next legislative session. But that process does not cover county elections. Currently, county election boards certify results and are accountable to some degree to the state election board.
   When an election is held (whether primary or general), state law calls for the successful candidate  to be certified (declared 'elected') on the following Friday.

"If no contest shall be filed by 5:00 p.m. Friday next following an election, the county election boards and State Election Board shall declare the result of such election and shall issue the appropriate lists or certificates to the successful party as provided by law. Provided, however, that no such lists or certificates shall be issued until the total of all returns has been verified, and a complete tabulation thereof made."

   And if no further general election is needed, a primary election's successful candidate is certified as the new office holder after it is determined that the time for filing to that office has lapsed (in this case, the filings closed on April 11th, 2012).

 "Certificates of Election may be issued to unopposed candidates after 5 p.m. on the second day following the close of the filing period."

Sen. Brian Crain

   The unprecedented situation here, is that 3 candidates were eligible at the time of their filing (in April), but legislative action is deemed to have made 2 of them ineligible on the last day of the legislative session (in May). So no clear controlling administrative authority is in place to make a ruling after the April eligibility contest period. This is why the courts are needed, to rule on the facts and the law.

   A separate legal issue, which has not been challenged, is the legality of an election ballot which offers the choice of a candidate whom everyone assumes is ineligible by constitutional restrictions. Senator Brian Crain took the initiative in recusing himself immediately after his legislative body passed an emolument (pay adjustment), in late May. Had this been a "plurality wins" election, a serious injustice would become very obvious. The election board opted not to order new ballots and Mr. Crain will appear on the ballot despite his withdrawal from the race.

   There are also national implications in this matter. The U.S. Supreme court can intervene, just as they intervened in Florida's 2000 general election for 25 state electors. The SCOTUS ruled that an election's rules and process cannot be changed after the fact. So despite the vague and ambiguous language of our state constitution, we are bound to it's terms during this election term. The only other legal remedy would be for the courts to set aside the election results and call for a new filing period and special election. During that time, the Governor could appoint an acting district attorney, just as Governor Keating did at the untimely death of David L. Moss, in the mid 90's. Tulsa was then served by Bill LaFortune, and later by Chuck Richardson; until Tim Harris was elected in the next term.

David Van Risseghem