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Oklahoma Watchdog
Posted: October 20, 2010
OKLAHOMA CITY –Last night’s forum involving gubernatorial candidates Mary Fallin and Jari Askins was interesting. Both candidates were strong, although Askins appeared to be more engaged in the “debate.”
Writes Trevor Brown for CNHI Capitol Bureau, via The Norman Transcript: Democrat Jari Askins and Republican Mary Fallin highlighted differences in their backgrounds and similarities in their opposition to the federal health-care bill in their first gubernatorial debate.
The two candidates differed little on several of the state policy questions during the event Tuesday night at the University of Central Oklahoma. However, both candidates noted that their respective past governmental roles is a driving force that separates the two women.
Askins said she is uniquely capable of dealing with the state budget challenges because of her experience. The current lieutenant governor said she has worked across the aisle as a judge, lawmaker and executive officer.
“I also have the strong background of knowing how to run a meeting, negotiate and do what is right for the state of Oklahoma without caring about who is going to get credit for it,” Askins said. “Nonpartisanship has never been part of my biography, and that is what separates us.”
Fallin said her combination of raising a family, working in business and serving in Congress sets her apart from Askins. She also disagreed that she would bring a partisan atmosphere to the governor’s office.
“Being in the Oklahoma legislature for four years, I was actually able to pass over a dozen pieces of legislation into law,” she said. “And I was a Republican in a Democrat House and with a Democrat Senate and a Democrat governor.”
Go here to read the full account.
