I had not considered this happening in the 2010 election for Oklahoma Governor, but the race is apparently going to be a national one. There are a lot of issues that are state related, but there is one, over-ridding factor that both candidates have to take into account. That is especially true for Jari Askins. She is a liberal Democrat, although possibly less liberal than the Democrats on the national level. I am talking about President Obama and company. She has to be asking herself this question. How closely does she want to be tied to that company?
It was April 23, 2008 when Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry announced he was endorsing Barack Obama for President. At the time, he cited his ability to reach across party lines and unite America. Since taking office, I am not so sure the promise of unity has panned out, as The McCarville Report has so aptly described.
Obama thus far has proven to be a divider; Gallup shows black Americans overwhelming support him while whites and Hispanics are critical. Gallup reports, “Obama’s job approval rating averaged 88% among blacks and 38% among whites in July, a 50-percentage-point difference that has been consistent in recent months but is much larger than in the initial months of the Obama presidency. Obama’s job approval ratings among blacks, whites, and Hispanics in July are all at their lowest levels to date, although the overwhelming majority of blacks still approve.”
Jari Askins and her campaign staff are now faced with a choice. Do they use Governor Brad Henry and his popularity and run the risk of being tied even closer to President Obama and his unpopularity? It is indeed, a tough choice. One thing they should keep in mind is that Oklahoma is the only state in which Barack Obama failed to win a single county. All 77 of them went to John McCain. At the very least, it’s something for them to keep in mind.
I think that many of these state elections that don’t usually become national stories are probably going to become national stories because of how divisive this president has become. These elections are–for better or worse–are going to be used as a barometer on the Obama presidency and yes, it is going to be interesting to see how many Democrats try to tie themselves to the president and how many try to distance themselves from him.
Wow Larry. Given the way that candidates across the country are distancing themselves from Obama, Governor Henry has given his opponent a wonderful gift. He basically put himself in opposition to the majority of Oklahoma voters. Making it worse, that opposition came on election day in ’08. I could not possibly be better in election day ’10.
It’s funny how most Democratic candidates are running as fast as they can away from Obama and his policies. He really has little to offer his party and that leaves him in political siberia. Not good for a first term President wanting to win a second.
I think the strategy for every Dem up for election is to distance themselves from Obama. I’m sure Obama will send in the money and Bill Clinton but he won’t be seen too often helping candidates.