It's been a little while, so I thought I'd better catch up and provide a little color commentary to the already jaded political and social landscape. It's what you expect from me, so I choose not to disappoint. Let's get after it, shall we?
POTUS: What a train wreck. How in the world we ended up with these two candidates is something that OU Political Science Professor Keith Gaddie will be writing about long into the future, but it befuddles the rest of us. The Trump Train exists, in my opinion, as a rebellion move against the establishment of the GOP that has been virtually indistinguishable from the mainstream of the Democratic Party over the last decade. Fortunately, we have three branches of government so two out of three will have to get us through the next four years. I truly have no pony in this race at all and it looks like I may have to vote for the Libertarian just so I can preserve what is left of my tattered soul.
Oklahoma County Sheriff: This has turned into a barn-burner of a race, hasn't it? The State Auditor released findings that basically showed that incumbent Democrat Sheriff John Whetsel has not been so adept at handling financial issues. Of course, most of us with any functioning brain cells whatsoever have seen the disaster that is the Oklahoma County Jail; but at least we don't have to deal with Joyce Gilchrist any longer. But I digress... Representative Mike Christian is the GOP hopeful for the race and I've known Mike for a long time; we used to hunt and consume adult beverages together "back in the day." I think I may even have some film from my old TV show with Mike on a hunt with us. He has survived the turmoil of the Randy Terrill/Debbe Leftwich disaster that sent Terrill to jail. Now, he is gunning for the Sheriff's badge. This will be a close nail-biter of a race to watch and it's anyone's guess as to who will win this one.
Oklahoma County Clerk: David Hooten surprised everyone and found himself in a runoff with Carolyn Caudill and then he defeated her in the runoff. Embattled former Speaker of the House, Lance Cargill, helped run the campaign and it is a pretty significant one to win. There is a lot of taxpayer dollars involved in that office and a whole lot more than one would suspect. Garnering the endorsements of two previous governor's, David Hooten will be facing the perennial Libertarian candidate, Chris Powell. Hooten will run away with this race and soundly defeat Powell. What will be interesting to watch, however, will be who Hooten brings into the County Clerk's office to work with him. Who will be his Chief Deputy? That pick will set the stage for either reform, or more of the same.
As far as the Congressional races go, expect the incumbents to win easily. The Oklahoma Congressional Delegation will remain in the grasp of the GOP as will House and Senate seats in the Oklahoma Legislature.
What a world in which we live. God help us.
Of course, these are just my opinions and I could be wrong, but I seriously doubt it.
Gorilla
