Editorials
The Oklahoman
Conservative confusion?
State Rep. Mike Reynolds was active in the effort to oust one of his Republican House colleagues. Although it’s almost unprecedented for a legislator to campaign against members of his own party, Reynolds reportedly knocked doors for the opponent of state Rep. Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond. Cooksey has voted to cut taxes and supported anti-abortion measures, yet Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, and other critics claimed she wasn’t a true conservative. Hmmm. The Oklahoma Constitution newspaper, which describes itself as being to the right of Rush Limbaugh, found that Cooksey voted conservative 90 percent of the time during the 2012 session. Reynolds voted that way just 73 percent of the time. Apparently, Reynolds believes we need more lawmakers who vote like Marian Cooksey and fewer who vote like … well, him. Voters agreed; they re-elected Cooksey.
Budget challenge
Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello recently went to Wisconsin to campaign for Gov. Scott Walker in the recall election. We’re sure many Wisconsin natives were saying, “Mark who?” More recently, Costello cut a radio ad for Republican candidate Paul Blair, who challenged state Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond. Although Blair fell short, we bet he won’t forget Costello’s support — but Jolley might not either, and he chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. Maybe Jolley is a very forgiving fellow. But if not, we recommend Costello be happy if the Department of Labor budget pays for a single chair to sit on next year. Costello’s focus on campaigning, even in other states, is just one more reason to make labor commissioner appointive instead of elective. In the meantime, Costello should keep in mind the saying: If you shoot at a king, you’d better not miss.
