Op-Ed: A Call To Nullify

by Joe Newhouse -

  Knowing that his time is short, we are now seeing President Obama’s full rage and wrath towards the Constitution as he issues broad sweeping executive orders that take direct aim at undermining the Rule of Law.

  In 2014, Republicans vowed to the American people that if they were given control of both houses of Congress, they would stop Obamacare and defeat the president’s unconstitutional executive orders concerning immigration.  We all witnessed in utter frustration when the majority of Republicans – including every single member of our Oklahoma congressional delegation NOT NAMED JIM BRIDENSTINE – do an amazing impression of French military leadership by promptly surrendering to the nation’s adversary, and vote to fully implement the Obama Agenda.

Trump Arena Math: Where 9=27

Trump Supporters jeering the media, at Trump's request.         Photo credit: Jarell Wade

  Donald Trump came to Oklahoma, today. His much publicized event has been anticipated for the past week. But the 11,000 capacity arena was set up  to handle just 9,000 attendees.
  Nothing was on time. The Secret Service screening at the entry was very cumbersome and folks had to wait even longer when they finally did get to a seat.
  The Trump aircraft landed at the Tulsa Intl. about 40 minutes late and Trump took to the stage 70 minutes past the scheduled start time.
He immediately made claims that the comfortably full 8k venue "had 20k in attendance and 7k more were turned away".
  But in the next few sentences his account changed to 15k in attendance with 5k turned away. Observers indicate that no one was turned away and  there were hundreds of open seats scattered in the upper level. At one point Trump taunted the press corp camera crews to pan the arena and show the audience. He knew it could not be done, nor would an independent press take any orders from a politician. But Trump is lucky that they did not. A good slow pan would have revealed every scattered empty seat and empty row.

Cole & Mullin In Trouble Over Deficit Recklessness

Montage: Cole, Obama, Ryan, and Mullin

Deficit Jumps 24% Under Republican Rule

  The Washington Times is reporting tonight that the Omnibus federal funding bill passed late last month has exploded the federal deficit.
 Their headline reads:

Federal deficit to soar in 2016 after Ryan-Obama tax deal

The tax-cut deal inked by President Obama and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan last month has put a major dent in the federal budget, helping send the deficit soaring by 24 percent, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday. 

The $544 billion deficit projected for 2016 marks the first year since 2009 that the red ink has grown, and it powers the deficit back up over the half-trillion mark, where it had been for most of Mr. Obama’s tenure.  Read the Washington Times story, here. 

Richard Engle Considering A Bid For OKGOP Vice Chair.

  In the wake of Estella Hernandez' sudden resignation from the OKGOP Vice Chair; I asked Richard Engle if he is considering the role.

Sooner Politics: "Richard, is your hat in the ring?"

Richard Engle: "We will determine if that is the best place from which to serve more."

  This would be Engles' 2nd run for vice chair. He was previously edged out in the 2013 race.
  He is a former national president of the Federation of  Republican Assemblies, an organization formed by Reagan supporters in the 1970s.
 Richard is an Oklahoma City businessman, teacher, and author. He continues his work in the Republican Assemblies, serving as a regional leader. He is married to Denise, a former  Deputy Insurance Commissioner and appointee to the state workers' Comp commission.

OKGOP State Committee Will Elect A Vice Chair

  In the wake of the resignation of embattled vice chair, Estella Hernandez; The OKGOP State Committee will receive a call to meet and select a replacement.  No one has stepped up, as of yet, to place their name in consideration.
  Here's a posted explanation from the OKGOP Rules Facebook page:

Question: I heard that the State Vice Chairman resigned, just a few months prior to the Quadrennial convention. Will we elect a new State vice chair at the convention?

Answer: No. the rules state that the State Committee shall call for an election at the state committee meeting, held at least 30 days later. But the replacement must be done within 60 days of the vacancy.

"..the election is to take place between Feb. 17th & March 18th"

• "Rule 10-(i) Vacancies of State Chairman and Vice Chairman: If the State Chairman shall die, move from the state, resign, or otherwise become disqualified, then the Vice Chairman shall serve as Chairman until such vacancy shall be filled by the State Committee at a special meeting held within sixty (60) days for such purpose pursuant to written or electronic notice sent to all members of said committee stating such purpose 30 days prior to said meeting. Any person elected to fill such vacancy shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term. If the Vice Chairman shall die, move from the state, resign, or otherwise become disqualified, then the vacancy shall be filled by the State Committee as described for filling the office of Chairman."

So, if the resignation is dated January 18th, then the election is to take place between Feb. 17th & March 18th. The state convention will not be required to act in this matter, if the state committee does their job.

  Hernandez has had a rather controversial 9 months at the OKGOP, serving as acting chair for a month, after the chairman resigned in September. She had a very rocky working relationship with former Chairman Brogdon; publicly criticizing his actions, and particularly his other staffing appointments.
  KFAQ Radio reported an inconsistency in Hernandez' claims, in their research of the endless strife of last year.