Health care reform and Oklahoma’s next governor
We’re in a unique position in Oklahoma to observe the national health care debate intertwined with a bid for governor.
U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Okla. is seeking the Republican nomination for governor. Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat, is seeking the nomination for his party.
Republicans are urging Edmondson to join other state’s in filing a lawsuit challenging the federal health care plan. Fallin hasn’t missed an opportunity to ask for the same thing. Earlier this week, the Twitter feed for her campaign posted Edmondson’s office phone number and urged people to call the AG’s office and urge him to file a lawsuit.
This afternoon, Edmondson’s campaign sent a news release out urging Fallin to “tone down rhetoric.” Edmondson called on Falling to “take care not to incite criminal acts by those opposed to the health care reform bill.”
Congresswoman Fallin’s actions on the steps of the U.S. Capitol this week show disrespect for the office she holds and disregard for the potential consequences of her actions,” Edmondson said. “I hope as the debate continues, she will remember that there are those who would do our leaders harm, and that they may hear her words as a call to action.”
Fallin made national news this week when she appeared before protesters on the steps of the U.S. Capitol waving a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag.
Earlier today Fallin’s camp posted this on their Twitter page:
“Safe/enthusiastic rallies are a grt way 4 Americans 2 let Washington know they don’t want big-government takeover of health care! #hcr
UPDATE….
I received this response from the Fallin campaign this evening:
“Violence, racial slurs, and hatred have no place in politics. I absolutely condemn any members of either party who act illegally or traffic in hate. With that said, my constituents and the people of Oklahoma are mad about this health care bill. This legislation will cost Oklahoma jobs. It will dump hundreds of millions of dollars in unfunded mandates on our state in the middle of a budget crisis. It will remove our freedoms and introduce a new and highly unconstitutional mandate to purchase insurance. There are good reasons for the people of Oklahoma and the people of the United States to be mad, and they have a right to peacefully voice their outrage at Washington.”
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or follow this blog's RSS and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Stop crying foul Edmondson….be a man and fight to protect the Consitutional rights of individual Oklahomans!! Stop playing politics and weighing how your decision on suing the federal government on behalf of Oklahomans will effect your chances in the gubernatorial race in the Democratic primary.
Did Fallin respond to her primary opponent’s “fried chicken” reference that was made on the floor of the State Senate?
Did anyone from newsok ask her?
I just hope we don’t see Fallin waving any flags with the Jefferson quote about the tree of liberty being watered from time to time with the blood of tyrants. That seems to be the view of some of the right wing crazies out there. You know the ones who insist on carrying in public their big guns attached to their hip like they’re Wyatt Earp or something. Edmondson knows the Republican AG’s ploy is purely political. Every constitutional scholar I have heard on this subject says there is no real legal argument that would overturn the law. But you know the Republicans have to do something to keep this issue before the public. There’s still seven months until the election. Might as well waste time and taxpayer dollars filing lawsuits that will go nowhere.
Scott Pruitt is an attorney specializing in Constitutional Law and an Attorney General candidate. He said if he is elected he will initiate a constitutional challenge to the Health Care bill.
I am not sure of Ryan Leonard’s credentials but he is among a host of politicians urging Edmondson to pursue a challenge. Leonard is also an AG candidate.
So our beloved Attorney General is reminding us that if we oppose the health care package we are radicals? And if we were to side with the current President we are civil?
I listened to Mrs. Fallon comments and at no time did I feel like I needed to run out and blow something up. So much for free speech and our ability to oppose what our government wants to shove down our throats…..and this man wants to be our next Governor?
I am a 54 year old democrat. I opposed this health care bill and I voiced my opionion to the Representatives. I was respectful, but was not treated with respect. I did find out in their opionion I was a right wing extremist. I thought I was an average Patriotic American. Sounds like Edmondson is demonizing people like me. Thank you Mary Fallin for taking a stand, you will have this democrat’s support.