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Bridenstine reviews his race

David Arnett, Founder

An exclusive interview with Jim Bridenstine in the last days of his campaign to win the 1st Congressional District of Oklahoma, Tulsa Today asked…
 
Question: What has been your greatest surprise in this race?
 
Bridenstine: It has been amazing, but grassroots retail politics wins.  That was a surprise to some consultants that discounted the effort, but that was how we won the primary. 

Door-to-door in neighborhoods throughout Oklahoma’s 1st District we were glad to meet with people in their homes and at every civic group anywhere.  In the primary, we were outspent more than 5 to 1, but we won on the ground.  Shoe leather counts especially when spent by a dedicated group of volunteers.
 
After the primary, Congressman John Sullivan has been class-act in every regard.  The primary was highly competitive, but once the voting was over; he became an unexpected powerful asset in the continuing campaign.  John Sullivan has sponsored events, organized fundraisers, worked the phone, met and spoke to contributors and in all ways actively engaged to help us keep the 1st District of Oklahoma in the Republican camp.  I cannot say enough of how much I appreciate his support and enthusiasm.

Question:  Your commercials speak to the core of Conservative values, but for the 1st District, how do you plan to help us in Congress?
 
Bridenstine:  First I am looking forward to working with President Mitt Romney in pursuing North America energy independence.  What is good for North America energy independence is good for Oklahoma.  We have to roll-back excessive regulations on energy companies.  We must open public land to exploration.  We must move forward with the Keystone Pipeline.  We must counter the demonization of “fracking,” the oil extraction process Oklahoma has proven safe for decades under clear rules established by the Corporation Commission.  Bad Liberal ideas [irrational fears] must be challenged so American companies may develop energy, employ millions and return the nation to prosperity.

Question:  In debate with your opponent John Olsen, what has been the most striking difference in policy positions?
 
Bridenstine:  John Olsen is a Barack Obama Democrat.  He is not your generally conservative Oklahoma Democrat.  When you hear him talk, Olsen supports more government, more taxes, more regulations, more debt, more deficit spending, and Obamacare in all regards.  He goes full left down the line with the President’s agenda.
 
I first thought, if he were really trying to win the 1st District of Oklahoma, Olsen would have a different message.  I was talking with Democrats yesterday and they continue to be astonished at the policy positions he has enthusiastically embraced.    
 
 
Question:  So while Democrats like Dan Boren were known for independent positions, John Olsen is going by rote to the left of the Left?
 
Bridenstine:  That is correct.  John Olsen is supporting Obamacare.  He is supporting what he calls investments in roads and bridges – what Obama called “stimulus” and now our debt to GDP is 105 percent which is well beyond the historical norms that enable economic growth.
 
This 1st District race is very much reflective of the race for the presidency.  I believe in responsible, limited government.  John Olsen is Barack Obama’s policy reflection.
 
 
Question:  If a resident of the 1st District may believe that their vote doesn’t matter – that Mitt Romney will win the presidency and you will win the 1st District and that they don’t need to make the effort to vote – what would you say to them?
 
Bridenstine:  Now more than ever in America it is critical that everyone votes.  No one can afford to be complacent.  I don’t believe it will be good for the country to have a close vote or one where the popular vote goes one way and the Electoral College goes another.  It is critical for all Oklahomans to vote because they are a part of the popular vote tallies.  We need President Mitt Romney for the future of the country and the difference between free enterprise or government control are clear for all to see.  We have seen it for four years.  We see it at the gas station, grocery store and on everyone’s utility bills. 
 
Barack Obama is a failure we must fix with Constitutional government, equal application of the law, free enterprise, individual freedom to dream and build those dreams daily.  Somehow, Obama Democrats don’t believe people build things, but somehow roads build businesses – they claim that with a straight face even when it sounds like a joke to most Americans.  Republicans believe people build businesses then those businesses are burdened with taxes that provide money for roads, bridges and the social programs big government loves. 
 
Further, in Katie Henke’s race for the Oklahoma House District 71 in Brookside, she won and was certified in a special election by one vote, but the Court then decided the race was too close to call.  Democrats often run to court when they can’t win at the polls.  That is why Republicans, Independents, and Democrats that believe in traditional American government must turn out to vote Republican at this great turning point for our nation. 
 
Our children will ask us how we voted in this election.  History will hold us accountable.

Sen. Wilson questions online ethics reports

Staff Report

State Sen. Jim Wilson has asked Attorney General Scott Pruitt to investigate online Ethics Commission reports.

Wilson noted the removal of an original contribution report from the State Ethics Commission’s website and the substitution of a different report.

In a letter sent to Pruitt on Monday, Wilson notes the original report, which was dated October 30, 2012, had incorrectly listed the name of an organization contributing to Friends of Wayne Shaw for Senate 2012.  Subsequently, a completely different document was substituted for the form. 

The new document deleted a contribution listing from the first form and shows an equivalent amount listed as contributions of $50 or less in the aggregate.

“First of all, any errors in the original report should have been corrected with an amended report.  The ability to remove an actual report and replace it with a backdated ‘new’ original report implicates complicity from the Ethics Commission staff or at least a breach of security,” said Wilson, D-Tahlequah.  “The second consideration is knowingly and falsely claiming the $500 amount came from aggregating contributions of $50 or less.”

Along with the letter, Wilson forwarded the original document as well as the “new” original report.“I’m asking the Attorney General to investigate this because he is the chief law enforcement officer for the State of Oklahoma.  Any explanation or justification by the Ethics Commission based on an internal investigation would be suspect,” Wilson said.

Vision2 for Tulsa

David Arnett, Founder

Analysis:  The Tulsa County jobs and infrastructure package Vision2 provides two propositions.  Proposition 2 generates $257.9 million for city projects, $92 million for county capital projects and $12 million is the expected bond and interest cost for a total of $361.92 in improvements without increasing taxes.  If you like the individual projects and trust local elected officials, this package will earn your support.

Proposition 1 is a little more complicated, but the short take away is that facilities at the Tulsa International Airport (TIA) Industrial Complex are owned by the City of Tulsa.  We have operated them as a slumlord and failed to maintain what has provided high paying jobs from multiple enterprises that have clearly multiplied prosperity throughout the region for generations. 

Since Herman DeVry’s short flight on July 11, 1911 in his homebuilt monoplane; Tulsa has been a key city for aviation (visit the Tulsa Air and Space Museum for dramatic details).  In the 30s Tulsa was World’s Busiest Airport with 58,000 takeoffs recorded in 1939.  On March 4, 1941 Tulsans voted and approved a bond issue to purchase 1,000 acres of land to build a U.S. Air Force plant to produce bombers.  The Vision2 package is the long delayed necessary upgrade.

The inside of some buildings have not been painted since my father worked there during WWII.  At the American Airlines maintenance facility today, workers must flatten the back tires and lift the noses of newer planes just to get them in the door for work.  Over 15,000 Tulsa families depend on aerospace/manufacturing jobs at the now 639-acre complex.

Vision2 Proposition 1 improvements include: Roof maintenance, hanger modifications to support new aircraft, pavement repairs to ramps, roads, and parking lots, utility upgrades, air conditioning, and equipment specific to aircraft maintenance.

Of course the primary tenant of these facilities, American Airlines, is currently in the news with bankruptcy issues which, depending on who you ask, is either the total and complete fault of mindless management or destructive demands by unions.  Pick one or believe they are both at fault as you may, even if the company structure dissolves or another business buys them, the Tulsa facility holds capabilities that should continue to generate regional economic prosperity.

Also included in Proposition 1 is a fund to provide an expected $52.94 million to attract and keep companies that bring jobs to Tulsa County.  This money is restricted to designated infrastructure such as sewer lines, water and street improvements.  Employers are required to provide guarantees of employment levels within specific industries (aerospace/aviation, energy, health care, information security, professional services, regional headquarters, transportation, distribution/logistics).  Even if these companies later move (terms of location are required), the community infrastructure remains for other private companies to utilize.

Many who follow local issues have known of the needs at the TIA complex for years and how American Airlines was seriously concerned by Tulsa’s failure to maintain the facility.  Other cities have offered to build whatever American wanted if they would move, but the company is both loyal to Tulsa and aware that one of their competitors could easily assume operations at the complex if American should relocate.

This writer argued against the timing of Vision2 passionately with multiple elected officials, but American Airlines made a compelling case that they need a commitment from local officials on critical infrastructure as soon as possible.  Ok, fine, the greatest turning point of our nation’s history will be decided Tuesday as we choose between socialism and free enterprise, but regardless of that national outcome Tulsa’s local infrastructure requires attention.  This package does not grow government, but provides funds for bricks and mortar that support employment critical now and for generations to come.  

Tulsa Today supports Vision2 in both propositions.  For more information on Vision2, click here.

Spigot Cities to sway vote?

Staff Report

President Barack Obama’s campaign team could have more control over the outcome of the 2012 election than you think with highly targeted voter fraud in key cities that could determine who gets the electoral votes from many swing states.

The potential fraud would be focused on major, decisive cities that are believed to help keep states blue, and therefore earning them the electoral college’s votes. They’re called “spigot cities.”

J. Christian Adams, an author and former attorney for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, spoke about the spigot cities on the BlazeTV documentary — “The Machine” — which delves into various forms of voter fraud and how it’s being perpetuated. Many believe it is ultimately resulting in a loss of freedom through a corrupt voting system.

Adams believes spigot cities are managed by the Obama campaigned with some involvement by the Voting Section of the Justice Department.

“Without the spigot being opened in Philly, without the spigot being opened in Saint Louis, without the spigot being opened in Detroit and Fort Lauderdale and– and– and places around the country like that, Milwaukee– Cleveland, Cincinnati, those states would not go blue,” Adams said on “The Machine.” “It requires massive turnout– in large unopposed numbers in those urban centers for those states to remain in– in the blue column. What you have, unfortunately, is pervasive systemic voter fraud in many of those places. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”

An editor’s note with the post explains that the article is based on “The Machine,” a documentary on that aired on TheBlaze TV Nov. 1 as the first of an occasional news magazine series called “For The Record.”  An encore broadcast is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8 at 8pm ET.

Click here for much more from TheBlaze with video.

Fallin reappoints Preston Doerflinger

Staff Report

Governor Mary Fallin Thursday reappointed Preston Doerflinger as director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), formerly the Office of State Finance.  Doerflinger resigned in March as OMES director in order to serve as interim director of the Department of Human Services (DHS) at Fallin’s request.

With the recent selection of Ed Lake as permanent DHS director, Doerflinger is returning to his post at OMES.  Doerflinger’s reappointment requires confirmation from the Oklahoma State Senate. 

During his absence, Transition Project Manager Carol McFarland served as acting OMES director.  Doerflinger remained secretary of finance on the governor’s cabinet during his time at DHS.

“I want to commend Preston Doerflinger for his service as interim director of DHS,” Fallin said. “Preston helped guide DHS during a critical time when key reforms, such as the Pinnacle Plan, were implemented.  His leadership helped the agency move forward as improvements were made to ensure DHS adequately serves our state’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Fallin continued, “As OMES director and secretary of finance, Preston Doerflinger has been a critical part of my administration’s efforts to save tax dollars by implementing cost-saving reforms and consolidating state agencies.  I’m glad to have Preston back at OMES as we continue to pursue reforms to save tax dollars and help us deliver on the promise of a more efficient and effective state government.”

Doerflinger added, “Though I’m returning to OMES, I will offer my support and remain a resource for Ed Lake as he begins his tenure at DHS.  I want to thank the staff at DHS for their hard work and dedication and for welcoming me as interim director.  The staff at OMES did a great job during my absence as director and I’m excited to rejoin the team.  There’s more work for OMES as we pursue further reforms that will save tax dollars, eliminate wasteful government spending and improve the effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of government services.”

Before being selected as OMES director and secretary of finance in the Fallin administration, Doerflinger was elected city auditor of Tulsa in 2009. He previously served as chief executive officer of PLD Management, a business consulting and investment firm he founded.  Prior to that, he helped found several health care consulting and supply companies across Oklahoma.  Doerflinger holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Southern Nazarene University, where he graduated with honors.