Cole speaks to Oklahoma’s national GOP delegation
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Rep. Tom Cole calls it the “best speech I never gave.”
Cole, R-Moore, had been scheduled to address the Republican National Convention’s opening session Monday night, but presumptive Republican presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain asked that political speeches be omitted and to focus attention on Gulf Coast residents that were affected by Hurricane Gustav.
Cole, who joined President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney as those being bumped from Monday’s speaking list, said he didn’t mind not having the chance to address the delegates and much of the country.
Convention organizers today announced that several Republican figures would speak at tonight’s session, but that the political rhetoric would be toned down. Cole said he doesn’t know if he will be added as a speaker before the convention concludes Thursday night.
“I may have gotten lucky,: Cole said in an interview today after speaking to members of Oklahoma’s delegation to the Republican National Convention in nearby St. Paul, Minn. “If they decide to put me back on, that’s great. But I am so pleased that John McCain did the right thing. He literally gave up a political advantage.”
Cole also told the delegation that Republicans could have a “fabulous year in Oklahoma” in November’s elections. He said Republicans could increase their 57 to 44 majority they had the past two sessions in the state House of Representatives and could take control of the state Senate for the first time in Oklahoma’s 101-year-old history.
“You give (Senate Republican leader) Glenn Coffee the majority and they will make things happen for you,” Cole said. “If you control the Legislature, you run the state.”
A Republican-controlled Legislature will force Democratic Gov. Brad Henry to decide whether to work with GOP legislators on such Republican-favored issues as workers’ compensation and lawsuit reform or veto proposals to “and “be the last stand of the old Democratic guard.”
The delegation also heard from Ronald Kessler, chief Washington correspondent for Newsmax, a conservative Web site and magazine, and an author of several books, including ones on President Bush and another on first lady Laura Bush. His most recent book is “The Terrorist Watch.”
Kessler said the Bush administration deserves credit for there not being another terrorist attack in the U.S. since 9/11. He also said Democratic nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama lacks experience, saying Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, nabbed to be the Republican vice presidential nominee, has faced more executive challenges and has succeeded in getting property taxes cut when she was mayor and helping pass ethics reforms as governor.
“When it comes to changes, Sarah Palin has done it, and Barack Obama has mainly changed his mind,” Kessler said.
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Comments
While you may be relieved Tom, we sincerely miss hearing your Oklahoma brand of wit and wisdom and hope the nation will get to hear from you.
Thanks for all you do for Oklahoma and the nation.
Deloris Bradford
Tom, we missed you at our last class reunion. We’re trying to get everybodys contact information. We are also planning a class picnic next summer after the All Class Alumni Reunion on Saturday. We will send details out by e-mail or letter at a later date. We never know where you are, please send me your contact information so we will know how to get you the information for the next reunion. Also, I don’t know if you are aware, but we now have a web page that if very informative. Check it out. Looking forward to seeing you again.
David Buckles
216 Coventry Dr.
Hewitt, TX 76643
254-644-8910 cell
While you may be relived Tom, we sincerely miss hearing your Oklahoma brand of wit and wisdom and hope the nation will get to hear from you.
Thanks for all you do for Oklahoma and the nation.
Deloris Bradford