Posted on 10/29/2010 12:53:54 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Gubernatorial candidates Democrat Jari Askins and Republican Mary Fallin agreed on one thing at Thursday night's OSU-Tulsa gubernatorial debate: Sarah Palin is presidential material.
Joe Kelley, KRMG talk radio host, asked both candidates whether Palin was presidential material.
"I personally admire Sarah Palin and her true grit, her hard work, her tenacity, her willing to say whatever's on her mind," Fallin said. "She's earned great admiration, especially trying to put up with some of the things she's had to go through with even the national media.
"I appreciate what she does. She certainly has been a leader in talking about how we get America back on track."
Askins said she has not met Palin yet but that she would love for her to come to Oklahoma.
"I'd love to go hunting with her," Askins said. "Take her turkey hunting."
Askins said she thinks it would be a nice and informal way to become acquainted with Palin.
"I haven't been hunting grizzly bears, but if she would invite me up there (Alaska), I can promise you I'd go," Askins said.
"She's a wonderful communicator. She does a great job in trying to reach the people and communicate with them, and I think everyone in the U.S. realizes now that if you have the desire, anyone who sets their mind to it can run for president of this country, and she's certainly one of those."
Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World writer, asked both candidates if they supported the education-centered State Question 744.
Lt. Gov. Askins and U.S. Rep. Fallin said they do not support SQ 744 and will vote against it in Tuesday elections.
Askins said Oklahoma should not strive to be average, in reference to the question mandating Oklahoma to keep up with surrounding states' average per student spending.
Fallin agreed with a statement Askins made about how Oklahoma doesn't need to be average but excellent.
Kim Jackson, KTUL news anchor, asked the gubernatorial candidates how each wanted to be remembered if chosen as governor.
Askins said she wants to be the governor whose focus was on children.
Fallin said she wants to be remembered as one who gave all Oklahomans a better future and one who was bold enough to stand up to Washington when they were hurting our economy.
Jackson also asked how each candidate plans to use her experience as a woman to make a difference while governor.
"I don't think it makes any difference whether you're a man or a woman," Fallin said. "It's about leadership. It's about the person that's prepared and ready to lead the state of Oklahoma that has a vision and understands the challenges of a working family."
Fallin said she's campaigned throughout Oklahoma for a year and a half talking about her plan to move Oklahoma forward by focusing on creating jobs, making government right-sized, creating a better and stronger workforce, and standing up to Washington when they do things to hurt Oklahoma's jobs and economy.
Fallin said if what she's campaigned about is done, Oklahoma will build a stronger economy, which will help the revenue the state needs to fund important services, including education, corrections, law enforcement, mental health services and roads and bridges.
"We're going to have a great future ahead of us doing those things," Fallin said.
Askins said: "Our budget reform act is about from 1947, there's been some changes since then but not a lot. I have proposed and I will continue to propose that we extend a state question to the people of Oklahoma changing Oklahoma's budget cycle from a one-year to a two-year budget.
Askins said this would allow an opportunity for all 101 members of the House and all 48 members of the Oklahoma Senate to be involved as members of a sub-committee.
"We need all the eyes we can get, looking line by line through our agencies," Askins said. "Looking for programs that serve similar constituencies because we have a tough decision to make this next year."
Askins said Oklahoma will have $1 billion less in revenue next year.
"Being able to change the mechanics of how government works will help us all make smarter decisions as our economy begins to improve," Askins said.
Info Box:
Both candidates support SQ 755 concerning Shariah law
Both candidates against SQ 744 concerning education
Both candidates believe Palin is presidential material
Internet links:
http://www.maryfallin.org/
http://www.jariaskins.com/
http://www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu/
Ain’t it amazing when Democrats like Askins find Conservatism at election time ? Like crooks who find the Lord AFTER they’ve been caught...
LLS
I’m praying every day until the election that Americans will straighten up and fly right!
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