Mary Fallin Continues to have no plan for Immigration Reform

In Governor Fallin’s State of the State address much was discussed.  Budget, spending, values, education, public safety, and on and on and on.  One thing was missing, however.  No mention of how to stop illegal immigration in the state.  No mention at all of the unbelievable number of illegals costing our state billions in tax-payer funded hand outs.

Remember that one time Fallin’s own Republican Governors Association ran that ad attacking her opponent on illegal immigration?  What’s worse, I’m just curious.  Creating a sensible immigration policy similar to President Bush’s for the state of Oklahoma or… doing nothing?  How’s that working out for all you republicans?

Mary Fallin Supports DREAM Act Opposes Cutting Deficit Takes ObamaCare

So much Mary Fallin FAIL so little time…

Mary Fallin Skips Vote on DREAM Act 

Hey remember that one time the Republican Governor’s Association went after Jari Askins for supporting the DREAM Act… those were the days weren’t they. And oh how they’ve all grown in just a few short weeks.

Wednesday night Congress voted on the DREAM Act - Mary Fallin didn’t vote. Way to support your party and your values there… oh wait… those are only your values when they’re convenient for you… right… I forgot….

Oh hey - and remember that other time Mary said she was going to stand up to Washington and fight them when she thought they were doing something wrong.  So… does that mean that she doesn’t think the DREAM Act is wrong since she didn’t even show up to vote? Just curious.

And it isn’t going unnoticed by members of her own party either. The popular forum ResistNet has quite a few comments with folks upset with Fallin and the others who refused to show:

“Mary Fallin is always sending me email newsletters about what a great America she is…..yeah, right. Unless she was in the hospital, there was NO EXCUSE to miss this very important vote!” says Joyce Romano

“Joyce - call Mary Fallin up or visit her office and force a “face to face” meeting. Insist she explain to you why she “copped out” and did not vote. Something stinks, here…. this was a HUGE, HUGE vote!!!!!!!” Replies Jim Pixley

Another FallinFail maybe its just senioritus?

But wait… there’s more… Mary Fallin supports deficits and super spending
After campaigning on the importance of stopping the ballooning deficits and the unfair financial burden it places on future generations, here, here, here on her campaign website, here, and here ON HER OWN CONGRESSIONAL WEBSITE!… Mary supports the tax cuts to the wealthy.

According to the Congressional Budget Office estimations on the chart to the right you can see the deficit projection escalating with the Millionaire Tax Breaks.

“Just two policies dating from the Bush Administration — tax cuts and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — accounted for over $500 billion of the deficit in 2009 and will account for almost $7 trillion in deficits in 2009 through 2019, including the associated debt-service costs.” According to Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

And ala Stephen Colbert - its so great that you’re continuing something that hasn’t worked so far because it it’s going to help now!  Well done.

These tax cuts add $700 BILLION to the deficit. Can we finally say that Mary has no credibility on 1. Fighting Washington, 2. Reducing the deficit and 3. Telling the truth?

Oh wait… it gets so much better.  Mary Fallin Takes Government Funded Health Care
Didja hear the one about the Congressman who campaigned against ObamaCare and then threw a fit when he found out he wasn’t getting his government funded health care until like… the end of January? OMG fer real… this happened…

So, this week the Oklahoma Democratic Party called on newly elected Congressman James Lankford to forgo his government funded health care program because he campaigned against Obama’s … government funded health care. Right? Seems reasonable - why would you take something that you thought was wrong? Holy principles, Batman!

Oddly enough, Mary Fallin also campaigned against what she and con’s lovingly referred to as ObamaCare …. except the whole time she was dissing ObamaCare she was accepting …. wait for it…. …… … a government funded health care package!! In fact.. Mary’s health care plan has been paid for by Oklahomans or our federal tax dollars for over 15 years! Oh… kids these days….

Given Mary’s support of reducing the deficit and her aversion to government funded health care - me thinks she too should pay for her own health care costs instead of passing it off to tax payers like us.
Darn that turnaround being fair play. Ten bucks says she’ll take the tax payer funded health care.  I bet Randy Brogden is kicking himself right now.

Fallin Fail: Fallin Lightens Immigration Stance After Election

Fallin Fail: Fallin Lightens Immigration Stance After Election

Governor Elect Mary Fallin did not even wait until she was sworn into office before breaking her first campaign promise. According to a recent article from the Daily Oklahoman, Fallin has signaled a decisive u-turn on immigration.
Fallin had originally said during the Republican primary that she felt immigration was a federal issue and not a state issue. Under heavy criticism from primary opponent Randy Brogdon, Fallin clarified those remarks and said that she supported the Arizona immigration law and would support one like it in Oklahoma.

But not anymore…… Wonder if the RGA will run ads against her for it

Daily Oklahoman Confirms Fallin Extremism and RGA Lies

In a shocking endorsement by the Oklahoman in Sunday’s newspaper, the Editorial Board has written a scathing endorsement of Congresswoman Mary Fallin.

I’ll admit that this blogger thought for sure the Oklahoman would endorse Fallin much in the way they’ve endorsed every Republican from now since forever regardless of whether or not it’s the right choice for them or for Oklahoma.  This endorsement for DC Mary reads like a disappointed reporter desperately attempting to defect to support Lt. Governor Jari Askins.  

“Both are hardworking women with small-city roots. One of them will usher the state into the second decade of the 21st century…. Negative campaign ads notwithstanding, Askins is not a liberal and does not share many views with President Obama. She’s moderate, energetic, intelligent and personable….”
And Fallin?”She’s obviously more conservative and would need to moderate her ideology if elected.” 

Even the Oklahoman thinks that Fallin is too extreme and Askins is more representative of Oklahoma values. Their reason for supporting her is two fold:  economic development and workman’s comp reform.

One comment from a reader hits the economic development argument pretty hard:”Fallin while in Congress was consistently against small business proposals, she voted no seven (7) times, and voted to continue outsourcing American jobs, she refused to close tax looholes that encourage companies to outsource, this she did five (5) times. Fallin offered nothing in the way of legislation, with millions out of work, she couldn’t think of one single thing to offer. Please give me a break this woman doesn’t even know how to think.”

Workman’s comp reform?  Two commented questioning the usefulness of that in a state where jobs and education are the top issues of the day.  In last week’s debate Askins mentioned that she’s authored workmans comp reform, you have to wonder if the Oklahoman (or perhaps a company funding the Oklahoman) is getting slapped with a ton of lawsuits from people being hurt at work.  Maybe when Fallin talks about workman’s comp reform she has an insight into who we’re specifically targeting with such legislation.

In the end, the endorsement isn’t a ringing endorsement for Fallin, my guess is this is because they agree that she’s an empty shirt that can’t speak to specifics and move beyond name dropping and platitudes that sound good but mean nothing.

If I’m Askins and I win on November 2nd, every paper in the state gets an exclusive interview except the Oklahoman, but I’m more vindictive than she seems to be.

Fallin Changes Her Story on Immigration

Throughout the campaign, DC Mary has been touting her “support” for the state of Arizona’s recent immigration law.  In fact, she has insinuated that her opponent doesn’t take a hard enough line against illegal immigration because she hasn’t spoken publicly for or against the law in Arizona.

That might have something to do with the fact that both women are running for governor of Oklahoma, not Arizona.  The laws of another state are wholly irrelevant in a gubernatorial campaign.

That is, of course, unless one or both of the candidates specifically intends to emulate the other state’s laws, and enact a similar measure after being elected. Fallin, up until last night, had stayed quiet as to whether that was indeed her intention.

However, in the post debate spin room, Fallin was asked directly if she would support passing the same law enacted by the Arizona state legislature in Oklahoma.  Her response, after a great deal of talking around the issue, was no.  She does not think that Oklahoma and Arizona have the same immigration issues, and thus does not support the passage of a similar measure here.

In other words, Mary Fallin has been running all over Oklahoma talking about issues that impact another state, and solutions that work in that other state, while ignoring the real problems faced by the state in which she is actually running.  In so doing she has wasted the time of everyone who has had to sit and listen as she goes on about how her opponent isn’t sharing her opinion on the laws enacted by another state, which have absolutely no bearing on this one.

Why would she spend so much time on an issue that has nothing to do with Oklahoma?  Because she wants to play on the fears and prejudices of voters, rather than appeal to their indigence with real discussion of genuine issues.

And for that, she should be ashamed.

Here’s the video from the spin room:




I’ll have a debate follow up for you later in the day, but for now, just know that the biggest qualification she was able to offer last night was that she’s given birth.

Oh, and share this link with your friends:

tinyurl.com/fallinfamilyvalues

Fallin's Ugly Campaign Backfiring?

Fallin’s sure running an ugly campaign, for someone who promised to run a positive, issues oriented race.
From Gorilla Rants:

This gubernatorial race has been exceptional to watch.  The RGA launches against Askins, Askins responds appropriately - calling for Mary to denounce the ads, Mary goes on the attack and blames Askins for going negative.  THEN, Mary’s campaign says how they are running a positive campaign and will continue to run a positive campaign - at the very time that their consultants are putting together a negative ad to air.  When the Fallinistas are asked about how they feel regarding their fearless leader going back on their word…they follow the talking points memo to a fault and say, “But Mary didn’t have anything to do with the RGA ad.”  Classic avoidance.  This is only going to get better.  Jari Askins won’t put up with the double-talk for very long and for the first time in her political career, she is facing a general election opponent who is well liked and has the money to get out her message.  Jari beat Drew Edmondson in a tough race, Mary needs to be very, very careful or that whistle stop train ride she’s on will land her in the caboose.

As far as we’re concerned, that sounds like a pretty good place for her…

RGA Ad Backlash

This post originally appeared RonBlackRadio.blogspot.com and is brilliant
Mike McCarville posted an attack ad earlier this week, bought and paid for by theRepublican Governor’s Association (RGA) that attacks Lt. Governor Jari Askins on the issue of illegal immigration.  Some would say it is a smart move because illegal immigration is an 80 percentile issue.  80% of the Oklahoma population believes there to be a serious illegal immigration problem.  And they would be correct.

Unfortunately, the RGA fails to recognize that under the United States Constitution, immigration is largely a federal problem - one that Congresswoman Mary Fallin vowed to tackle back in 2006 when she was elected.  Much like Ernest Istook arguing that Brad Henry was soft on illegal immigration, Henry pointed out the fact that after 14 years in Congress, Istook failed to accomplish anything about the issue he himself trumpeted.

The bill under scrutiny by the RGA ignores the reality that even Representative Randy Terrill’s HB1804 protected the policies regarding illegals and their education status.  Let’s not forget that many of Mary Fallin’s supporters in the business community have very loudly opposed HB1804, but Mary has said nothing about it.

Neither has she done anything about illegal immigration in her four years in Congress.  Constitutional Conservatives should ask Congresswoman Fallin about her position on both HB1804 and what the proper role of the federal government is regarding immigration and why she didn’t author any legislation relative to challenging the interpretation of the 14th Amendment (birthright citizenship) - as she promised to do back when she was elected to Congress in 2006.

Here is what Mary DID say about illegal immigration:  “We must insist on assimilation.” 

Will there be backlash?  Probably.  The Democratic Blue Dogs who may have leaned toward Fallin will more than likely be ruffled over the ad and will support Jari as a result.  Particularly in Southwest Oklahoma where Jari is very well known and very respected.  Let’s not forget that Askins was the House Representative in a District where Halliburton was/is headquartered.

To me, it’s just more negative “gotcha” politics but in this case, it is without substance or without justification.  It sickens me and more than likely, there will be others sickened by it as well.  But Mary has an “out” - she can simply say that she had nothing to do with the ad and is not responsible whatsoever for the content therein. 

Unless the Askins campaign kicks it into high gear very soon, Mary’s victory will be a fait au compli.  Of all the statewide races where a Democrat has a chance against a Republican, this is it.  Jari has been liked and appreciated by people on both sides of the aisle, but if she isn’t more vocal and aggressive, it’s done.  She can plan her trip back to Stephens County.

UPDATE FROM THE FALLIN CAMP:   The following was received via email regarding what Mary has done on the issue of illegal immigration.  Still, doesn’t answer the question about Mary’s promise to deal with birthright citizenship, but does say that she supported HB1804.  Neither does the email address the RGA ad.

I am a cosponsor of the bipartisan SAVE Act, legislation that offers a practical solution to the problem of unchecked illegal immigration. I continue to support this bill and push for the measures outlined within it. These measures include:

• The creation of physical barriers like walls and fences on our Southern border
• The addition of thousands of new Border Patrol agents
• The use of advanced technologies like aerial surveillance at our borders
• The creation of an employer e-verification system used to confirm the legal status of employees

If we embrace the solutions outlined in the SAVE Act, we can successfully control the flow of immigrants into the U.S. and discourage employers from hiring workers who have come here illegally. Moving forward, we should ensure that the rule of law always prevails and those who have broken our laws intentionally do not receive amnesty. Additionally, special privileges, like in-state tuition, should not be offered to those living in this country illegally.
Herein lies the problem:  These “solutions” Mary has proposed clearly do not work - and sending the National Guard to the border isn’t part of the solution.  Were the National Guard to be fired upon, they cannot respond in kind - that is the role of the regular Army, not the STATE militia (i.e., National Guard).  The National Guard could protect the Oklahoma border against invading Texans, but not foreign nationals.

Sorry.  Answer insufficient.  Please drive through.

Let’s address these:
“Physical border.”  Where is it?  Where is the all-important fence?  Did Congress fail yet again?  And what about our northern border?  Granted, it’s not like we’ve had a sign

“New Border Patrol Agents.”  Why not authorize the use of our active duty military?  Is that not what they are trained to do?  Because we have tied the hands of Border Patrol (thank you, Congress), the only solution (if we’re serious) is to allow our active duty military to protect our border which, by the way, is Constitutional.

“Advanced technologies.”  Again, where are they?  A couple drones here and there has really helped hasn’t it?  (Sarcasm alert.)

“E-Verification.”  Teeth.  Where are the teeth?  How about punishing businesses who knowingly hire illegals?  A slap on the wrist and removal from Chamber dinner party invitations aren’t enough.

The bottom line is that America deserves better and deserves more from elected officials who tend to talk out of both sides of their necks every two years - or when higher offices become available.

No Truth in Fallin's RGA Ad

By genius M. Scott Carter in ever so brilliant The Journal Record

It if wasn’t so poorly done, the television advertisement by the Republican Governors Association that tries to paint Jari Askins as a clone of president Barack Obama would be funny.

Claiming Askins, the Democrat’s nominee for governor, is too liberal for Oklahoma, the ad goes on to tell those who bothered to watch it that Askins and the president both support immigration laws that the GOP considers to be a bad idea.

Funny thing, though, that proposal they’re talking about was written by a Republican state representative. Look closely and you’ll see the 2003 legislation the ad mentions was written by then-state Rep. Kevin Calvey.

Yeah, that Kevin Calvey.

Say what you want about Calvey, but the last thing in the world anyone can accuse Calvey of is being a liberal; seriously, this is the guy who filed a lawsuit against the federal health care plan. Liberal is not a part of his DNA.

Despite what the RGA would have you believe, the legislation in question allowed undocumented students (who were required by the bill to begin the process of becoming legal residents) to pay in-state tuition and apply for state financial aid.

The bill didn’t give the students anything; it allowed them to apply and it wasn’t targeted at students who were here illegally – it was an attempt to help those students who were establishing legal residency.

Seriously, I doubt that Calvey is going to stretch very far for an undocumented, illegal resident.
But what the GOP governors would have you believe is that Askins somehow joined forces with Darth Vader, the Evil Emperor, Ming the Merciless, and a sinister group of intergalactic meanies to give away our tax dollars.

The GOP governors – who remind me of the “Swift Boat” boys – also failed to mention that the 2003 bill they’re talking about passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote in both houses of the Oklahoma Legislature.

Further, U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin didn’t do herself any favors with her campaign’s lukewarm “it wasn’t our fault” response. Fallin, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, was serving as lieutenant governor when the measure passed and I don’t remember any public statements from her concerning the 2003 bill.

Certainly, if it was an issue then, why didn’t she raise Cain about it?

If Fallin is as serious as she claims to be about running an issue-oriented campaign, then she could easily flip open her cell phone, and call the RGA and ask it to stop running the ad; I’m pretty sure that hasn’t happened yet.

So it’s come to this: A group of people you don’t know, who have no idea about what’s going on here and who have very little invested in this state, want you to believe that Askins is the bad guy.
Well, she’s not.

Askins – and her opponent – are decent, honorable people who, I believe, are trying to do the right thing – even though a really lame television ad by RGA wants you to think otherwise.