OK Democratic Governor wins primary...Lessons for Ohio

By Jim Irvine

Last week, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry (D) easily won his primary race and will be on the ballot this November looking to keep his job as Governor.

We have received several comments lately from both Republicans and Democrats about supporting candidates of the opposite party. “Is he/she really good?” is a common question. Yes. If the candidate was not good, we would not have endorsed them.

Political parties are important, and still serve a purpose, including the so called “third parties” such as the Libertarian or Green party. Both the Republican and Democratic parties put party above all else. It’s about having control of the legislature, and thus the political process.

For the voter, it should be about ideas and issues. It’s important for voters to understand that all parties have good candidates, and all parties have bad candidates. Society is better off if we all support the best candidate, no matter what party they belong to.

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From a recent Associated Press story:

OKLAHOMA CITY - Democratic Gov. Brad Henry, a favorite for re-election to a second term, has found a way to maintain high popularity in one of the most conservative states: He stakes out Republican-like positions, builds consensus and keeps a low profile. He also presided over the largest tax cut in Oklahoma history.

Some in his own party may grumble, but Henry's approach has struck a chord with voters in a state that hasn't supported a Democrat for president since Lyndon Johnson.

...The Democrats' co-opting of tax-cutting, traditionally a Republican issue, "seems to be more widespread than just a fluke in Oklahoma," said Charles Franklin, polling expert and political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"I've done what I said I would do," said Henry, 43. "I've worked well with everyone, regardless of party, and we've accomplished a lot in four years."

What a novel concept! Working together to get things done. A politician working “with everyone, regardless of party.” How can this be? Well, it’s not Ohio.

In Ohio, we have Governor Taft, who will not even work with his own party, let alone another party. That should be OK though, because we have checks and balances. The House and Senate can override a veto if they believe the Governor is wrong. Taft has an approval rating 19% and is disapproved by 74% of those surveyed, worst in the nation in both categories. The overwhelming opinion is that Taft has made a lot of mistakes. So how many times in his 7 ½ years has his veto been overridden? Zero. Not by either House. Its never even been tried.

Consider last session’s SB 4, a bill to protect mentally retarded individuals. Not only did it pass the Ohio Senate 33-0, but every single Senator signed on as a co-sponsor. The bill passed the House with resounding support. But even though a veto-override was a sure thing, it was never even tried. Why? I can’t say for sure, but lack of real leadership from the Republican-controlled Senate seems like the obvious answer.

This session we have new leadership, but still Taft seems to have the power of a dictator, not a Governor. That harms all of Ohio. The Republican Party has complete control over the Ohio legislature, and all of the recent polling data suggest it the whole party has been damaged. Maybe Ohio voters are not as dumb as some of those arrogant politicians seem to believe.

Again from the Oklahoma story:

For his part, Henry says he has kept faith with the voters and worked for positive change.
Henry said his policies have Oklahoma "on the move" economically, "even if they upset, from time to time, members of my party."

Both Ken Blackwell and Ted Strickland have upset members of their own party. Most notably, Blackwell with taxes and Strickland with firearms. Like Henry, they have done so with items popular to the voters.

I hope both parties learn from these respective leaders and states such as Oklahoma. Focus on what the populace wants. Focus on what is right and not the party that has the control or the ideas.

Buckeye Firearms Association is a non-partisan Political Action Committee. We endorse the best candidate for the firearms issue, regardless of party. If you value your rights and freedoms more than a particular party’s control, we encourage you to vote for our endorsed candidates.