Mike McCarville & Staff
The McCarville Report asked numerous Republican and Democrat political-watchers, pollsters, consultants and newsfolks to nominate the top stories of 2013.
[Before their lists, let Mike McCarville proclaim the winner of the 2013 Political Crisis Mismanagement Award to Ed Shadid and his handlers. Lordy, what a disaster.]
Our lists were compiled before Randy Brogdon announced, on Christmas day, that he will again seek to challenge Fallin. That story likely would be a top choice of all those who responded.
That said, here are the pre-Brogdon announcement lists of those who responded:
Pat McFerron
Pat McFerron, consultant, pollster:
Lynne Hardin defeat of Angela Monson and a new day at OKCPS
Leading to the eventual appointment of Dave Lopez as interim Supt., this election (which also saw two additional pro-reform candidates elected) could well set the course for the revitalization of this urban school district.
Bartlett reelection
This election proves you can recover. Left for political death just a year ago, Bartlett reemerged and proved that elections are not just referendums on incumbents but a choice voters have to make.
Courts throw out Tort Reform on Single-Subject rule
While the recent workers’ comp ruling shows the justices may have learned a lesson, this decision proves that the last stronghold of trial lawyers is within the court system. It is yet to be seen if those who so successfully helped create a conservative takeover of the legislature decide to do the same with the judiciary or not.
Democrat failure to recruit candidates
Sean Burrage leaving the State Senate
Proof that the road for Democrats in the state will be difficult. Burrage has been a stand-up Senator who, quite frankly, embodies the best hopes for Democrats in the future as he is smart, articulate and able to combine both urban and rural appeal. Unfortunately, the rest of the party could not compete enough to make it worth his valuable time to stay. Civility will also take a hit with the departure of Burrage who has been a class act, even seconding the nomination of Senator Brian Bingman to be Pro-Tem.
Role of Oklahomans in National Leadership Organizations
With Mary Fallin chairing the National Governors Association, Todd Lamb chairing the National Lt. Governors Association and in line to chair the Republican Lt. Governors and Scott Pruitt finishing his terms chair of the Republican Attorney Generals Association, our state has had a tremendous amount of influence on state policy and politics throughout the nation. While most Oklahomans may not be aware of these endeavors, these organizations help expand the reach and scope of Oklahomans. No state in America has as many leaders in these types of organizations as does Oklahoma.
Jerry Bohnen
Jerry Bohnen, News Director, Radio Oklahoma Network; dean of Oklahoma news broadcasters
Obamacare and impact on Oklahomans and the state’s political leaders!
Trial and conviction of former Rep. Randy Terrill and plea of former Senator Debbe Leftwich.
Growth and development of Rep. James Lankford’s political standing in Washington.
Janet Barresi’s problems at the Education Department.
Charges against Sooner Tea Party co-founder Al Gerhart.
Fight over open records with governor’s office and her lack of transparency
City councilman Ed Shadid’s bid to unseat Mayor Mick Cornett.
Tulsa mayoral race.
Senator Tom Coburn’s health problems.
Jamison Faught
Jamison Faught, MuskogeePolitico blogger, activist Republican:Kathy Taylor’s comeback bid failing.
Jim Bridenstine’s emergence as a national conservative player (i.e. government shutdown, voting against Boehner).
T.W. Shannon’s swearing-in as Speaker.
Special session (first since 2006).
Oklahoma Senators’ health (Inhofe’s heart, Coburn’s cancer).
Pinnell leaving the OKGOP for the RNC.
Barresi’s problems.
Terrill-Leftwich trial.
Common Core becoming a major controversy, splitting top Republicans (i.e. Fallin/Barresi for, Shannon against).
Demise of the Oklahoma Democratic Party (registration dropping, party leadership floundering, first year with zero elected officials above state senator or district attorney).
Keith Gaddie
2. The death of the Democratic Party’s political bench.
3. The strong hand of the OklaCo DA in pishing against small thuggery and shenanigans (Terrill, Gerhart).
Bill Shapard
Terrill and Leftwich.
Bartlett win.
TJ Shannon.
Horse slaughter vote was a top story.
The lack of substantive tax cuts with a super majority of Republicans in House/Senate (and a Republican governor) should be considered.
The lack of action on tax credits could be considered.
Scott Pruitt’s filing with the Supreme Court should be considered, although if it succeeds it will be the biggest 2014 story!
The Hobby Lobby lawsuit should be considered. If they fail, I would not put it past the Green Family to do something radical in order to avoid the mandate.
Fount Holland, partner, AH Strategies
Fount Holland
U.S. Senators Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe both faced serious health issues. Coburn’s talk of leaving early prompted speculation among politicos everywhere that opportunity for higher office appeared eminent sooner than expected. In the upcoming scramble, the GOP could see heavyweights squaring off against each other whether happens in 2016 or earlier.
In a 2013 battle of heavyweights, Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett was outspent more than 3 to 1 by former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor. At last report, she sunk $2.7 million into her campaign, an unprecedented amount. Bartlett, the underdog, surprised insiders when he soared to victory by double digits.
In a defeat for the state’s powerful legal community, Republicans made good on a longtime promise by passing a workers compensation reform package. The reform put an administrative system in place, lessening the earning potential of attorneys involved. The state Supreme Court later upheld the new law.
With tort reform and tax cuts thrown out by the Supreme Court, citing the
single-rule provision, the state’s justices could be next on the Republican
chopping block. Holiday months filled the air with cheerful talk of judicial
reform; whether it be term limits, an age limit or partisan elections. Out with the old and in with the new; Republicans have done it before and threaten to do it again.
Early in 2013, Tulsa Congressman Jim Bridenstine became a national Tea Party favorite after he broke ranks with the rest of the state’s delegation and voted against the re-election of U.S. House Speaker John Boehner.
Charges
The convictions of state Rep. Randy Terrill and state Senator Debbie Leftwich, and the charges David filed by Prater against Sooner Tea Party Al Gerheart for threatening state Senator Cliff Branan.
T. W. Shannon
Speaker T.W. Shannon captured the imagination of conservatives across Oklahoma and even the country. He was sworn into office in January, and hosted a dazzling Speaker’s Ball with entertainment by the legendary Diana Ross for the political event of the year and a flashy start onto a bigger stage for the lawmaker from Lawton.
GOP Divisions
Divisions in the Republican Party on the issue of common core curriculum in education. Superintendent Janet Baressi, Fallin and Senate Pro-Tem Brian Bingman are for it, while Shannon and the state’s two United States Senators are against it. Baressi became the most controversial political figure in the state, and has become a top target for the state’s Democratic Party which believes they can beat her to win at least one statewide office in 2014.
