President Obama has shattered the budget record for first-year presidents, spending nearly double what his predecessor did when he came into office and far exceeding the first-year tabs for any other U.S. president in history.
In fiscal 2009 the federal government spent $3.52 trillion -- $2.8 [...] 
By Chris Casteel In Washington For The Oklahoman ~ Sen. Jim Inhofe, considered the leading skeptic in Congress that human activity is causing global warming, wants an investigation into whether some of the leading scientists on the topic manipulated data to inflate the problem. The [...] 
From Gallup.com ~ Since the start of his presidency, U.S. President Barack Obama's approval rating has declined more among non-Hispanic whites than among nonwhites, and now, fewer than 4 in 10 whites approve of the job Obama is doing as president.
Obama last week fell below [...] 
The military's "political correctness" that resulted in the prosecution and conviction of Army Lt. Michael Behenna of Edmond and resulted in another prosecution, this time of Navy Seals, is criticized today by Rep. Rex Duncan, who says the Seals should be praised, not prosecuted.
Duncan, Sand [...] 
Rep. Joe Dorman and Fourth District Democratic Party Chair Betty Simmons are heading up a project to collect and deliver holiday and get-well cards for soldiers recovering at Fort Sill, after learning of a hoax that has caused many cards to be returned to their [...] 
By John Estus/The Oklahoman ~ A spokesman for conservative taxpayer advocacy groups called MAPS 3 the wrong tax at the wrong time and vowed Tuesday to campaign against it.
Former state Rep. Porter Davis, a Republican [former Libertarian Party chairman] who represented an [...] 
Gary Jones believes he was cheated out of election as state auditor and inspector in 2002 and 2006 and has filed a lawsuit that seeks damages from former Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan and his wife, former Senator Gene Stipe, and a host of others, [...] 
TMRO deals today with a computer glitch that could cause the sidebar materials on the right to be located too far to the right and down the page on some viewers. Bear with us as we work to resolve the glitch. [...] 
Kevin Calvey, Republican candidate for Congress in the 5th District, said today he is opposed to the controversial MAPs 3 Oklahoma City initiative. Calvey outlined his opposition on radio station KTOK. [...] 
From Muskogee Politico ~ State Rep. Terry Harrison (D, McAlester) has announced his intention to run for District Attorney in 2010, rather than run for a fifth term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. [...] 
Republican Shawnnessy Murphy, candidate for the Senate District 30 seat, kicked off her campaign today. Murphy's the third GOP candidate in the race, joining Matt Jackson and David Holt.
Murphy said she believes the very things that make Oklahoma unique are at risk of being lost because' [...] 
There are two great political speakers in the America today.By Rex Murphy, Toronto Globe & Mail Sarah Palin is the other one.
Barack Obama's speaking skills are his signature talent. He's a platform performer, a speechmaker in the great tradition, a kind of teleprompter Cicero. [...] 
Republican Rep. David Dank of Oklahoma City said today that Oklahoma is badly mismanaging its ongoing state budget crisis by imposing dangerous across-the-board cuts and untargeted employee furloughs that reduce essential state services.
“A private business that handled a downturn as foolishly as state government would [...] 
Fifth District Republican congressional candidate James Lankford claims to be the first Oklahoma candidate for a major office to surpass 10,000 Facebook supporters.
Lankford entered the race September 1st and to date, he said, 10,048 individuals have signed up on the fan support page.
"From all indications," [...] 
By Gavin Off/Tulsa World ~ Errors and poor estimates pepper the stimulus data that Oklahoma contractors recently submitted to the federal government.
The data list hundreds of jobs that have been created, even though the projects have yet to begin. They list at least seven [...] 
Columbia, S.C. (From www.newsmax.com) ~ South Carolina shoppers will get a second chance to buy tax-free guns.
The state Revenue Department sent out a reminder Wednesday of the upcoming "Second Amendment Weekend." The 48-hour tax break begins just after midnight the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Shoppers will [...] 
Anne Marie died peacefully in her mother's arms Saturday night. Susie and I are deeply grateful for everyone who cared about her and prayed for her. "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." ~ Brandon Dutcher. [...] 
New York ~ Going Rogue is going big.
Publisher HarperCollins said Friday that Sarah Palin's memoir sold 300,000 copies its first day, among the best openings ever for a nonfiction book. In 2004, Bill Clinton's My Life debuted with sales of 400,000 copies. The year before, [...] 
The Innocence Project at the Oklahoma City University School of Law is Sunday's topic on The Verdict with guest Lawrence K. Hellman, dean of the School of Law. The show airs On Cox Channel 7 in Oklahoma City and on Cox Channel 3 in Tulsa [...] 
It's a slogan that worked for Republican Dewey F. Bartlett in 1966 and Republican Mary Fallin obviously hopes it will work again: More and better jobs. That's the slogan that helped propel Bartlett into the governor's office 43 years ago and today, Fallin issued a [...] 
By Frank Keating On Politico ~ What prevented military and civilian law enforcement authorities from acting against alleged Fort Hood mass murderer Nidal Malik Hasan when indicators were mounting that he represented a threat?
We need to take a cold, hard and honest look at that question. [...] 
Those who have followed Susie and Brandon Dutcher's gut-wrenching struggle to preserve their infant daughter's life won't want to miss Susie's latest post, a poignant, moving testimony to her feelings as she looks at baby Anne Marie. Read it at www.brandondutcher.blogspot.com and watch videos' [...] 
Congresswoman Mary Fallin has a redesigned website at www.maryfallin.org.
Sites for the other candidates may be accessed as follows: Senator Randy Brogdon, [www.randybrogdon.com]; Lt. Governor Jari Askins, [www.jariaskins.com]; and Attorney General Drew Edmondson, www.edmondson2010.com. [...] 
The Oklahoma Malt Beverage Association (OMBA) has elected officers and members of the board of directors for 2010. The new chairman is Matt Jett, owner of Jett Distributing Company in Clinton. Jett has served in numerous OMBA leadership capacities.
John Cresap, owner of Premium Beers of [...] 
KTOK News Director Jerry Bohnen today marks 30 years with the Oklahoma City news/talk station.
A Kansas native, Bohnen joined the station as a reporter in 1979.
Thirty years in radio news, not to mention 30 years at the same station, is a remarkable milestone and makes [...] 
From www.tulsaworld.com ~ A task force was told Wednesday that letting domestic violence victims have a temporary permit to carry a concealed weapon isn't a good idea.
Legislation proposed last session would have let some people who obtained a protective order under the Protection from' [...] 
"You can't vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man." ~ Jesse Jackson' [...] 
From Yahoo News/NAIROBI, Kenya – Somali pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama on Wednesday for the second time in seven months, though private guards on board the U.S.-flagged ship repelled the attack with gunfire and a high-decibel noise device. [...] 
Congresswoman Mary Fallin joined others on Capitol Hill in Washington this morning to prepare care packages for women serving in the military. [...] 
Oklahoma's not alone in facing a financial crisis in state government.
Across the country, state leaders cope with huge deficits. California's massive financial problem is well known.
In a budget proposal which would enact a major government reorganization, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has proposed merging eight of [...] 
Senator Tom Coburn is Neil Cavuto's guest at 3 p.m. Oklahoma City time today. Cavuto airs on Fox News (Cox Channel 44 in Oklahoma City). [...] 
From Politico ~ Mounting evidence that independent voters have soured on the Democrats is prompting a debate among party officials about what rhetorical and substantive changes are needed to halt the damage.
Read the entire story at [www.politico.com]. [...] 
A Republican primary election for attorney general next year is assured today, as Edmond Senator Clark Jolley (pictured) enters the race with attorney Ryan Leonard already in it.
And a Democrat, attorney Jim Priest, says he's running as well.
The race had been quiet, with Leonard the [...] 
From The Hill ~ Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) says he will make sure the entire healthcare bill is read out loud on the Senate floor before debate can proceed.
Though the final Senate bill hasn't been revealed yet, the House version spanned almost 2,000 pages. The' [...] 
In Oklahoma, recovery.gov lists more than $19 million in spending -- and 15 jobs created -- in congressional districts that don't exist. And that's just the tip of the iceberg ABC News melted to get to this story: [abcnews.go.com]. View the Oklahoma information at [www.recovery.gov]. [...] 
Iraq war veteran Kevin Calvey, Republican candidate for Congress in the 5th District, today said the recent decision by President Obama’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other 911 terrorists in civilian court will have far-reaching negative consequences that would endanger [...] 
Tulsa blogger Michael Bates has been examining the vote returns in last week's mayoral election and found this fairly startling result: (Tom) Adelson and (Dewey F.) Bartlett Jr each lost his own home precinct. Bartlett Jr got barely a third of the votes (34.0%) [...] 
A clemency hearing has been set for January 7th for Edmond Army Lt. Michael Behenna, now serving a 20-year-sentence in the death of an al Qaida operative in Iraq.
The controversial conviction of Behenna is being appealed based on the withholding of evidence favorable to him [...] 
Rep. Mark McCullough said today he will file legislation to overhaul Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system. He said the goal is to increase benefits for the injured while also driving down costs for employers.
“This is a very serious effort to restructure our system that has been [...] 
The governor and legislative leaders disagree on how much of the state’s savings account should be used to deal with this fiscal year’s budget, which is now on track to come in about $1 billion short of estimates. Read more: [www.newsok.com]. [...] 
Oklahoma is headed towards a catastrophe if Governor Henry depletes the entire Rainy Day Fund this year as he proposes to do, the head of Oklahomans For Responsible Government (OFRG) said today.
“Everyone agrees that the state is facing a serious revenue shortfall, but Governor Henry [...] 
McCarville Family Diary: Grandson Colby Stuck says that in Afghanistan, there's a lot to be said for a hot shower and a soft bed. He should know; the Navy Seabee spent the first two months of his deployment in that primitive country without either.
Regular readers [...] 
Kids As Lottery Shills: Why would anyone be surprised that now we have elementary school students shilling for the state lottery in television commercials? Okay, the lottery is "for education." Does that mean we begin indoctrinating our kids that gambling is good? Isn't this part' [...] 
By David Arnett/Tulsa Today ~ Dewey Bartlett, Jr. becomes Tulsa’s next mayor December 7 and Pearl Harbor Day is an appropriate beginning.
Read Arnett's story at [www.tulsatoday.com].
' [...] 
By Peter Wehner/Commentary Magazine ~ The results of races for the governorship of Virginia and New Jersey were ominous for Democrats. The most alarming development for them should be that independents voted for the GOP candidates by roughly a 2-to-1 margin. This was a sea [...] 
By Aaron Blake/The Hill ~ The healthcare battle appears to be helping Republicans running for the Senate.
Two Quinnipiac polls released Thursday show the leading GOP candidates in Connecticut and Ohio growing their leads. Former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.) leads Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), 49-38, and [...] 
Former University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys Coach Barry Switzer is the host of a fundraiser for Texas Governor Rick Perry this weekend at Switzer's home in Norman.
The Sooners are hosting Texas A&M's football team. Presumably the coach and the Republican governor, a former Aggie [...] 
By Noemie Emery/Washington Examiner ~ Three take-away points from the national media as regards the elections last week: President Obama endorses Creigh Deeds and Jon Corzine, embraces them, campaigns with and for them, and calls them his partners in politics. He practically moves to the [...] 
News Item: Before each game, some OU fans shout "home of the Sooners” instead of "home of the brave” at the end of "The Star-Spangled Banner.” Unintentionally disrespectful. Stop it.
Irrational: Some OU "fans," we are told, suggest it is time for Coach Bob Stoops to" [...] 
From The Norman Transcript ~ Sarah Palin will visit Norman next month for a book signing at Hastings.
"She wanted to come into smaller towns," Hastings store manager Rob Wood said, adding that Norman will be Palin's only Oklahoma stop on her book tour.
The former vice-presidential' [...] 
The announcement by U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder that 9/11 terrorists will be given civilian trials in New York drew a sharp rebuke from Senator Jim Inhofe today.
Inhofe said the suspects don't deserve the constitutional rights because they are not Americans and they committed' [...] 
By Byron York, Chief Political Correspondent/Washington Examiner ~ There's been a Mitch Daniels boomlet in Republican political circles lately. The governor of Indiana has been mentioned as a possible 2012 contender by a number of well-connected pundits, he's been featured on the cover of National [...] 
Wilson Research Strategies, headed by Oklahoman Chris Wilson, is out with its latest national assessment of the political climate and Republicans will find optimism in it for the 2010 election year. The WRS assessment is among several from leading analysts that point to the same [...] 
[...] 
Susie Dutcher provides the latest update on her baby daughter's condition. Read "Extraordinary" at http://www.brandondutcher.blogspot.com.' [...] 
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 30% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -10 (see' [...] 
Afternoon Updates: "3 of 3: Overwhelmed w/gratitude for all prayers, texts, FB messages, etc. We read them all; hope to adequately respond to each some day. "2 of 3: Fruitless, draining to blog each peak + valley on roller coaster. Nutshell: dread this morning, joy now, [...] 
Key Precinct returns courtesy Rodger Randle/OU Center for Studies in Democracy and Culture in Tulsa It is safe to now call this election for Dewey Bartlett. It is 7:33pm. A new City Auditor has been elected. Phil Wood has served since 1988, but now will retire [...] 
In the world of political consultants, mention of the name Celinda Lake brings descriptions of "powerful," "national player" and "liberal Democrat." Lake is "one of the Democratic Party's leading political strategists, serving as tactician and senior advisor to the national party committees, dozens of Democratic'" [...] 
Republican Rep. Ken Miller of Edmond today amended Ethics Commission paperwork to allow him to accept contributions as a candidate for treasurer. Miller, chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, amended his current campaign committee paperwork to reflect his intent to seek the treasurer's' [...] 
The Tulsa Metro Chamber has hired Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee's adviser on policy and political issues. Gwendolyn Caldwell will become the chamber's vice president of government affairs and joins the staff on December 1st. [...] 
To the surprise of no one, Senator Susan Paddack, Ada Democrat, announced today she will seek her party's nomination for superintendent of public instruction.
She, and three others who already have announced, seek to replace Superintendent Sandy Garrett, a Democrat, has said she will not seek a' [...] 
Oklahoma's election for governor is a year in the distance, but the four leading candidates, two Democrats and two Republicans, already have spent more than $1.2 million of the $3 million they've raised.
That's an overall "burn rate" of about 40 percent.It's not how much you' [...] 
From The Center For Responsive Politics In Washington ~ Even members of Congress, many among the country's richest people, aren't impervious to the nation's economic recession.
Current congressional members' median wealth uncharacteristically dropped nearly 5 percent in 2008 when compared to the prior year, a [...] 
Cart Me Off In Style: This is something probably more appropriate on that outstanding, local, fun-to-read social blog The Lost Ogle, but it strikes me that if one is arrested by the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department, he or she is carted off in a' [...] 
By Randy Krehbiel/Tulsa World Staff Writer ~ Two months of highly charged campaigning have hardly budged public opinion about Tuesday's Tulsa mayoral election, the Oklahoma Poll has found.
The survey of 687 likely voters, taken Oct. 31 to Nov. 5, shows Republican Dewey Bartlett Jr. [...] 
By Robert A. George/Chicago ~ President Obama didn't wait long after Tuesday's devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships.
After news broke out of the shooting at the [...] 
The federal health care bill being pushed through Congress by U. S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Obama Administration would create $128 million per year in additional unfunded federal mandates for the state of Oklahoma as the state copes with budget shortfalls, an Oklahoma [...] 
