Election 2012: Thursday, November 1, 2012

ELECTION 2012T H U R S D A Y , N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 2

ELECTION 2012Who’s your dog in this race?

The Daily breaks out what you need to know for Tuesday’s general elections PAGES

6-7

The Daily profiles key candidates for local elections in the Oklahoma House

PAGES2-4

The Daily profiles key candidates for local elections in the Oklahoma Senate

PAGES9-10

The Daily columnists weigh in on the importance of voting

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The Daily editorial board endorses Obama for president

PAGE8

2 • Thursday, November 1, 2012 ElEcTioN 2012

House District 20 northern-most and eastern-most parts of Mcclain county; south of state Highway 9 and east of interstate 35 in cleveland county (not including Noble area); southern-most part of Pottawatomie county; northeastern-most corner of Garvin county

Molly ThoMsonFor The Oklahoma Daily

Although he can name all of the U.S. Presidents in order and John F. Kennedy was his childhood idol, Matt Branstetter just now is launching his political career.

Branstetter, Democratic candidate for Oklahoma House District 20, is an investment firm owner, 27-year resident of Noble, husband and father of three. He now also is a politician.

Branstetter said he is seeking ideas to solve Oklahoma’s education problem.

“I’m tired of being 48th, 49th and 50th,” he said, lamenting the state’s national rank in education. “Let’s see if we can get out of the bottom five.”

H e b e l i e v e s t h e country’s future as a p o l i t i c a l p o w e r depends heavily on education and that it is Oklahoma’s duty, as one of the country’s weakest links in this respect, to invest in it.

He also believes infrastructure is worth investment and will help the state develop economically.

Branstetter said he has faith his moderate values will appeal to citizens who identify with both parties. He sees the tea party as an advantage to his campaign because the party’s tendency to reject proposals has created a schism in the Republican agenda, he said.

“If a Republican has an idea, I can be for it ... and Democrats can have bad ideas,” he said, discussing his tendency toward political moderation. “If I hear a good idea, I’ll run with it.”

Branstetter holds two degrees from OU — business administration and political science.

After earning a business degree from OU in 1982, Branstetter quickly discovered that the world of business is not a merciful one, he said, so he pursued a second degree in his lifelong interest: politics.

However, the business world ushered him in once more. He responded to an ad in the paper and began a career as an

investment adviser.More than 20 years

later, he still is thriving i n t h e i nv e s t m e nt business, he said. He started his own firm in Noble in 2000, and in 2010, he joined a

Michigan-based broker dealer.Though he has secured a comfortable

career, he decided 2012 would be the year for him to follow the dream he has had for half a century, he said.

When House District 20 was created this year, Branstetter happened to live right at the heart of it.

The Friday before the final filing period, he received a phone call from State House Minority Leader Scott Inman that convinced him to run for office, and though he was hesitant at first, he finally agreed.

“I’m a loser,” he joked. “Before this June primary, I had never won a race in my life. I wasn’t good-looking, I wasn’t popular ... but all of a sudden people saw me as a ‘can-do’ type of person. Now that I’ve won an election, I think I can do it again, but it will be close.”

Rachel TeRRyFor The Oklahoma Daily

He was a fifth-grader who fell from almost eight feet, straight onto his head. The doctors said he wouldn’t make it.

After being in a week-long coma, Bob Cleveland woke up deaf in one ear and 70-percent deaf in the other. Now, despite that adversity, Cleveland is running for Oklahoma’s House District 20 seat.

He grew up in south Oklahoma City with two older brothers and two older sisters.

“We were kind of like everybody else back in those days: We were poor but didn’t know it,” Cleveland said. “I slept in my mom’s dresser. She’d take her stuff out and make me a bed in there until I was 2.”

About seven years a f t e r h i g h s c h o o l , Cleveland started his own business distributing sports equipment, a goal he’d had since the sixth grade. Cleveland manufactured some of the equipment himself and now has at least 10 patents and trademarks.

“I started from scratch; I didn’t inherit anything,” he said.

He lives in Slaughterville with his wife Barbara, whom he has been married to for 50 years and always works with. They opened a business on Campus Corner selling women’s shoes and ballet attire.

Later, he worked as a salesman, which enabled him to travel the country and beyond, including Taiwan and China.

His interest in politics came from his sons, Rob and Rod, who were involved in politics in school. Cleveland, then a registered Democrat, realized he should be a Republican through their discussions.

“Since I worked all the time and traveled a lot, I really couldn’t get involved in the Chamber of Commerce or really active in politics,” he said. “But once I slowed down, I started getting involved in politics by helping candidates run for office.”

He has held several offices in the Cleveland County Republican Party,

including his current position as mayor of Slaughterville.

“I’ve never had an interest in running for office until the seat came open,” Cleveland said. “I liked it because

it was an open seat in a very conservative district. I also started getting calls from people at the Capitol I’ve helped before.”

Cleveland was endorsed by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Labor Commissioner Mark Costello and Gov. Mary Fallin.

Rep. Paul D. Roan, D-Tishomingo, currently occupies the District 20 seat but can’t run for re-election because he has reached Oklahoma’s 12-year term limit.

Cleveland emphasizes that he embodies “true conservative leadership.”

“I’m working for everybody in this district,” Cleveland said. “I’m going to be very independent in my thinking. I’m representing the people of Oklahoma, whether you’re Republican, Democrat, or independent.

“We’ve got to move Oklahoma along — can’t let politics get in the way.”

Matt Branstetter » DeMocrat BoB clevelanD » repuBlican

Businessman pursuing longtime love: politics

Candidate runs on ‘true conservative leadership’

Branstetter emphasizes education to revive America

Small-town mayor wants politics out of progress’ way

Hometown: Slaughterville

Education: Capitol Hill High School (OKC)

Occupation: Mayor of Slaughterville

Hometown: Noble

Education: Holds two degrees from OU

Occupation: Investment adviser

“If a Republican has an idea, I can be for it ... and Democrats can have bad

ideas. If I hear a good idea, I’ll run with it.”

“I’m working for everybody in this district.

... We’ve got to move Oklahoma along — can’t let politics get in the way.”

definitely a big issue right now.”Virgin also said that education is an issue

that is particularly important to her.“I see the cost that every student has to

pay [for college], and so one big thing for me is making sure that college is afford-able for every student that wants to go,” she said.

Political science senior Sam Camp said he thinks the state of Oklahoma should have a similar university program to that of Massachusetts: There, if a student gets a certain SAT score or is in a certain per-centile of his class, he can get free tuition at Massachusetts public universities.

Camp, the chairman of the College

Thursday, November 1, 2012 • 3ElEcTioN 2012

House District 44 area north of state Highway 9, east of 24th Avenue NW, south of robinson street and west of state Highway 77 in Norman (includes most of ou campus); excludes triangle north of state Highway 9, south of imhoff road and west of chautauqua Avenue in Norman

Sarah SmithCampus Reporter

An OU law student with a family his-tory in law and political involvement is running unopposed for her sec-ond term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Emily Virgin, a 2009 OU graduate with a degree in political science and a cur-rent OU law student, first ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2010, when the incumbent no longer could run because of term restrictions.

“I started looking at that, thinking, ‘You know, this could be a good shot,’” she said.

Virgin said her desire to run for of-fice was inspired by a community ser-vice project she and other law students did the summer before law school. They worked at the courthouse where they helped women in abusive relationships fill out protective orders.

Many of the women told Virgin that the resources for help in obtaining these pro-tective orders had been cut by the state.

“I thought there were issues that should be addressed that weren’t cur-rently being addressed,” Virgin said, “and I think that was kind of the light bulb.”

Virgin said she has had success in her first term, citing three or four of her bills that were signed by the governor.

“Some of my legislation made sure that special education teachers were qualified and made sure that they were deemed qualified by the State Department of Education,” she said.

Additionally, Virgin helped to passed a bill making it possible for businesses to treat and reuse their water for golf cours-es and to fulfill other needs other than drinking water.

“It was really important in Norman es-pecially,” she said. “We’re a very conser-vation-minded community, and water is

Emily Virgin » DEmocrat

Virgin ready to continue tenure for second 3-year termCommunity service project inspired her political career

Education: Political science degree from OU; attending OU law school

Occupation: Representative

Committees Virgin is involved in: • A&B Judiciary • Common Education • Conference Committee on Redistricting • Higher Education & Career Tech • Judiciary

“I thought there were issues that should be addressed

that weren’t currently being addressed, and I think that was

kind of the light bulb.”

PHoTo PRovidEd

Oklahoma Representative Emily Virgin, D-Norman, speaks at the Oklahoma Girls State Conference at OU. The second-year law student is running unopposed for re-election in House District 44.

Republicans, had met Virgin through a friend, then helped to bring her to cam-pus for a bipartisan event at the Honors College.

“We just agreed to disagree on parti-sanship,” he said.

“I live in Emily’s House district and have seen Emily and her mom go door to door to meet with constituents and distribute campaign material,” said Ann-Marie Szymanski in an email.

Szymanski is a political science profes-sor who had Virgin in class and said that she “stood out [in class] for being well-informed and industrious.”

Politics runs in the family for Virgin.Virgin’s brother also went to law

school, her father is a lawyer, and her grandfather is preparing to retire from the position of County Commissioner for Cleveland County after 23 years.

Having grown up around campaigning with her grandfather, Virgin said she al-ways knew she wanted to be involved in politics.

Virgin hopes to stay in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for 12 years and practice law in private practice after graduation.

“I don’t know after the legislature if I will continue in politics, but I know that I will always be involved with politics and with helping and serving others,” she said.


House District 45 area north of robinson street, east of 12th Avenue NW, south of indian Hills road and west of state Highway 77 in Norman; area north of state Highway 9, east of state Highway 77, south of Franklin road and west of Lake thunderbird in Norman

AlexA YoussefFor The Oklahoma Daily

Growing up in rural Pottawatomie County, farming was not something Paula Roberts was particularly fond of. Visiting the hen house and coming face to face with its cackling chickens terrified the young girl.

“My siblings used to always tease me and tell me I was adopted because I didn’t like farm work,” Roberts said. Roberts never learned to like farm work, but she did learn from her parents the importance of education.

“Both my parents did not finish high school because they couldn’t, so it was im-portant to them that their children get edu-cated,” Roberts said.

Roberts eventually went on to achieve what her parents never had the opportunity to do — earn bach-elor’s and master’s degrees.

That education afforded her the oppor-tunity to teach and serve as the Cleveland County Election Board secretary.

Today, Roberts is using her education to enter something far more terrifying than a hen house: the political arena. She will run against incumbent Republican Aaron Stiles for a seat representing Norman House District 45.

Running against an incumbent poses an additional challenge.

“You need ammunition in order to beat an incumbent. Aaron has had his fair share of controversies, so that gives Paula some ammo, but that still might not be enough,” said Bill Nations, former state representative.

Facing a challenge is nothing new for

Roberts, who used to be a military wife. During her husband’s service, the couple moved around and once was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

“Arriving in Okinawa, the culture shock was huge,” Roberts said. “We were the minorities.”

She said this experience taught her to become more open-minded.

Another personal challenge came in February 1999, when Roberts went in for a routine check-up at the doctor’s office and

learned she had breast cancer.“It was devastating.” Roberts said. “You

ask yourself, ‘Why me?’ But then you re-alize, ‘OK, this is the situation, and now I have to research, look at my options and deal with it.’”

Roberts did deal with it, fought and won. She credits the experience with leading her to a more positive outlook on life.

“You realize your time on earth is lim-ited,” Roberts said. “You have to make the best of it.”

In the end, the office will be won or lost on the doorstep because voters will vote for the candidates who establish them-selves as more likeable than their oppo-nents, Gaddie said.

“People vote for the people they’d like to have coffee with in their living room,” Nations said. “Paula can make the argu-ment that she is that person.”

Alex ewAldFor The Oklahoma Daily

As incumbent candidate for District 45’s state representative, Aaron Stiles takes se-rious the idea of being a “pit bull” for the people — a role he’d resume if re-elected.

After working in the Oklahoma state capitol for two years, the Republican can-didate said he has learned the realities of working within a political system needing reform.

“I think a lot of politicians just tell people what they want to hear, and that’s not what I’m going to do,” Stiles, 33, said behind a mahogany conference table in his Main Street office’s conference room.

The building houses his 4-year-old law firm, Stiles Legal Group, and half a dozen other local businesses renting the space from him.

At a recent candidate forum at the Norman Chamber of Commerce, Stiles thanked his wife, Joanne, calling them-selves a “2-in-1 special,” a good team vot-ers would be lucky to have.

“Basically, you get her brains and beauty, and my humility,” he said to the audience.

The couple, married since 2003, live with their dogs on a ranch outside Norman by Lake Thunderbird.

Stiles, who has a communications de-gree from OU, doesn’t just cut the ten-sion—he melts it away with the relaxed charm of an all-American boy.

His Okie twang fades when he hits home a serious point though — he’s running for office to serve his district’s citizens.

If elected to a second term, Stiles said he would continue to focus on revising

the state legal system, including medical litigation and attorney fee-churning, rein-ing government spending and promoting local business growth.

During his time in office, Stiles has served in three House committees—Government Modernization, Judiciary and Veteran and Military Affairs—and

the Appropriations and Budget Judiciary subcommittee.

Oklahoma is facing a crossroads in its fu-ture, so its legislators need to focus on “stay-

ing the course and cutting needless gov-ernment spending,” Stiles said

“I think people like the fact that I fight for them [in the House], and I don’t back down from fights when I’m trying to pro-tect my constituents,” Stiles said.

After losing in the 2008 general elec-tion, Stiles was elected in 2010 after a sec-ond campaign against incumbent Wallace Collins, D-Norman. He won by nearly 500 votes of the 12,000 ballots cast, according to the state election board.

District 45 includes the more rural county areas outside Norman’s city limits, where issues such as road maintenance and water rights with Lake Thunderbird matter more, local civic leader said Stephen Tyler Holman.

“Generally they want better roads out in country, they want intersections that are not blocked, deer signs, things like that are what I hear,” he said.

Paula ROBERTS » DEmOcRaT aaROn STilES » REPuBlican

Former school teacher emphasizes education

Incumbent not afraid to fight for constituents

Personal challenges readied candidate for political arena

Candidate seeks 2nd term to revise state’s legal system

Hometown: Norman

Education: Law degree

Occupation: Attorney

Hometown: Norman

Education: Master’s from OU

Occupation: Former school teacher

“I think when you experience life as a

minority, you see the world differently and come to

understand ... other people.”

“I think a lot of politicians just tell people what they want to hear, and that’s

not what I’m going to do.”

Mike WorMleyCampus Reporter

The names of twelve Oklahoma judges will appear on the ballot this November and Oklahoma voters will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to retain them.

Four Oklahoma Supreme Court Justices and eight appellate judges — three from the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals and five from the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals — are up for retention.

Voters can decide to retain them thanks to the 1967 amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution and a 1987 statute that moved the three appellate courts from partisan campaigns to a merit retention system.

Judges do not campaign to be retained so voters must take a proactive approach to educating themselves on the judges, said Oklahoma Bar Association President Cathy Christensen.

Christensen said courtfacts.org is an invaluable resource to help voters learn more about the current judges.

“In my opinion Sooners appreciate the importance of a level playing field,” Christensen said. “The website helps voters understand that judges and justices must be free to decide a case without fear of retaliation.”

While retention is not as big a topic


• The Daily’s pull-ouT voTer’s guiDe •

Visit OUDaily.com for lists of polling places and election watch parties in the Norman area

Judicial Retention

12 state judges up for retention this election4 Supreme Court justices, 8 appellate judges on ballot

Supreme Court JuStiCeS

Justice Noma Gurich District 3 First appointment: 1988

Justice Yvonne Kauger District 4 First appointment: 1988

Justice James Edmondson Disctrict 7 First appointment: 2003

Justice Douglas Combs District 8 Appointed 2010, up for first retention

Court of Civil AppeAlS JudgeS

Judge Thomas Thombrugh District 3, Office 1 Appointed 2011, up for first retention

Judge William Hetherington Jr. District 4, Office 1 Appointed 2009, up for first retention

Judge Kenneth Buettner District 5, Office 1 First appointment: 1996

Judge Robert Bell District 5, Office 2 First appointment: 2005

Judge E. Bay Mitchell District 6, Office 1 First appointment: 2002

Court of CriminAl AppeAlS JudgeS

Judge Clancy Smith District 1 Appointed 2010, up for first retention

Judge David Lewis District 4 First appointment: 2005

Presiding Judge Arlene Johnson District 4 First appointment: 2005

AT A GLANCE A look at the state judges up for retetion in this year’s election

as the presidential race, she said voters should be concerned with the retention of judges and justices in every district because it is a state level issue and all Oklahomans are affected by the decisions of these judges.

The Oklahoma Democratic Party will not make any retention recommendations, said party chairman Wallace Collins.

Collins encouraged individuals can contact the parties to learn more about

the affiliation of a specific judge or justice. He also recommended voters visit the state of Oklahoma’s website and its judicial branch page to learn more about individual cases.

Because the judges and justices are not running in campaigns it can be difficult for voters to find information about them said political science junior Kenneth Meador.

“There isn’t a consolidated source for this,” Meador said. “If the judge is not

controversial you will not hear about the judge.”

He usually votes to retain on the basis that if you haven’t heard about a judge, they’re doing their job, he said.

The Oklahoma Republican Party could not be reached at the time of this publication.

Mike Wormley, [email protected]

WE DON’T JUST IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE LESS FORTUNATE.

1-800-899-0089 www.VolunteersofAmerica.org

There are no limits to caring.®

WE IMPROVE THE LIVES OF AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

ELECTION 2012

STATE QUESTION 758STATE QUESTION 759STATE QUESTION 762STATE QUESTION 764JUDICIAL RETENTION U.S. REP DISTRICT 4 U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 5 OK HOUSE DISTRICT 44

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• THE DAILY’S PULL-OUT VOTER’S GUIDE •

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This measure would amend the state constitution concerning ad velorum taxes, which tax the value of property.

It would lower the cap on growth of fair cash value, a key factor in determining the amount of real property tax owed, from 5 percent to 3 percent a year.

This measure would amend the state constitution to abolish af� rmative action in employment, education and contracting.

The measure’s authors say af� rmative action programs give preferred treatment based on race, color and gender. It still would be permitted to discriminate on those bases.

This measure would amend the state constitution to eliminate the governor from the pardoning process for noviolent offenders, placing sole authority in the hands of the Pardon and Parole Board (which still is appointed by the governor).

The authors say it is meant to streamline the process and save tax dollars.

This measure would amend the state constitution to allow the state Water Resources Board to issue bonds to create a reserve fund that can be used for water resource and sewage treatment programs.

The bonds would have to � t within certain parameters to be issued.

OUR TAKE: VOTE YESOUR TAKE: VOTE NOOUR TAKE: VOTE YESOUR TAKE: VOTE YES

Every six years, Oklahomans decide whether to retain state judges for another six-year term.

There are 12 state judges on the ballot for retention this election, including four state Supreme Court justices.

Democrat Donna Bebo and libertarian R.J. Harris challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Tom Cole.

Although Cole has a grounded stance on education policy, he pales in comparison to Bebo’s track record with the economy and social issues.

Republican incumbent Rep. James Lankford has a good track record on education but refuses to vote to raise taxes or slash defense spending to balance the budget. He also would get a “D” grade on his stance on social issues.

We like Tom Guild (D) across the board.

OU law student Emily Virgin runs unopposed for re-election as the state representative for the campus area.

We feel Virgin did a solid job in her � rst term and � rmly support her for a second.

OUR TAKE: VOTE YES OUR TAKE: BEBO OUR TAKE: GUILD OUR TAKE: SUPPORT VIRGIN

This measure w

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This measure w

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constitution to exempt all intangible

personal property from ad velorum

taxes.

Intangible property includes things like patents, form

ulas, land leases, insurance policies, tradem

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OUR TAKE: VO

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Sometimes voting can seem as daunting a task as a four-hour game of Monopoly. And who among us hasn’t endured one of those torturously-long games?

Every election, new candidates must be compared against each other, complicated ballot questions must be considered and “Rock the Vote” keeps happening.

The responsibilities of being an informed voter,

when piled on top of a full class load and part-time job, are often cast aside by students with an already-loaded plate.

So that’s why The Daily created this pull-out guide. If you haven’t had the time to prepare your vote before Tuesday, we’ve done it for you, complete with analysis and endorsements for local and federal elections.

Visit OUDaily.com to read full stories about each state question and candidate.

PAY YOUR ELECTRIC BILLCHANCE

DO WORKDON’T LET THE TRAIN

MAKE YOU LATE TO CLASSOF JAIL

STAY OUT

FREE PARKING? GO TO

VOTE

NOT ON CAMPUS

DON’T DO

DRUGS

AND STUFF

GET PAID

DON’T LET THE TRAIN

MAKE YOU LATE TO CLASS


• The Daily’s pull-ouT voTer’s guiDe •

Our View: As a student and as a citizen, your right choice is Obama.

It likely comes as no surprise to our readership that The Daily endorses President Barack Obama. We have supported his views over Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s in every major issue we’ve examined. But as a student newspaper representing student voters, the choice was clear.

There are many reasons we think Obama deserves a second term. His economic policies balance intelligent cuts with revenue raising tax increases, as well as job-creating tax incentives and policies to help those most affected by the recession.

And most importantly, it’s possible — the numbers add up in a way Romney’s plan can’t.

Obama’s strategy is the best hope for continuing the economy’s slow, but steady recovery.

Obama’s policies have helped create jobs, begun to navigate the U.S. out of never-ending foreign conflicts and done more to correct social inequalities and extend rights to oppressed citizens than most of his predecessors combined.

And when it comes to the two issues that most directly affect students, Obama outpaces his

opponent even more.

Higher Education policiesBoth candidates have clear plans

regarding higher education — fortunately, it’s equally clear which plan is stronger.

Unlike Romney — who suggested students shop around or borrow money from their parents to afford college — Obama understands the economic realities facing students.

He is committed to making education accessible. Romney argued resources were wasted focusing on college accessibility.

Obama supported debt forgiveness plans to remove some of students federal debt in extreme circumstances or if they devote their lives to public service.

In the same vein, recognizing the current

economic situation, Obama has introduced a “Pay As You Earn” plan to limit the monthly payments on federal student loans to 10 percent of one’s monthly income.

This plan offers a grace period for students who cannot find work immediately after graduation, while allowing students to begin paying back loans as soon as they are hired.

He has expressed support for doubling Pell grant funding and increasing recipients, which would benefit the poorest students.

He also has urged colleges to

find ways to lower tuition and has encouraged states to increase funding for higher education.

Healthcare protectionsObama’s health-care law offers

many protections that benefit students.

Students can stay on their parents health insurance plan until they are 26, giving them more time to find a job in the struggling economy.

You can no longer be dropped from your insurance coverage once you become sick, and by 2014, insurance companies will not be able to deny you coverage based on a pre-existing condition.

And Obamacare doesn’t just make it easier to get insurance coverage, it also requires fair and complete coverage. New plans — and, by 2018, all plans — must cover preventative services without a co-pay or any other additional fees.

Preventative care refers to cancer screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies, birth control and other tests and treatments.

Already, insurance providers can no longer cap the coverage you can use in a year or during your lifetime. By 2014, they will no longer be able to charge higher premiums or co-pays on the basis of health or gender. Everyone will pay the same amount for the same services.

Obama’s health-care reforms have and will continue to make health insurance more accessible and fair. If his opponent is elected, many of these reforms will be lost.

Of course, we cannot ignore the president’s failures. His abysmal track record of civil liberty violations is, frankly, unforgivable.

And his continuing drone strikes against civilians in Pakistan, Libya and other nations put his war-hawk opponents to shame.

But his opponent gladly endorses these same policies.

In the end, Obama is the only choice for students, the only choice for pro-equality voters and the only choice for Americans on Nov. 6.

Comment on this at OUDaily.com

Our view » endOrsement

Choose Obama for a stable, equal AmericaWhy an endorsement?While many major newspapers across the country have recently released endorsements for presidential candidates, many student newspapers have chosen to forego the tradition. These editorial boards offered sound reasons: They do not feel qualified, they do not normally comment on politics or they don’t feel they can affect the outcome in their area.

The Daily’s editorial board decided to offer a presidential endorsement because we do commonly offer political research and analysis. We have made it our mission to inform students about a different aspect of the election each Wednesday, and in doing so we have garnered knowledge about the candidates’ current plans and past stances.

And while we know Oklahoma — and likely Cleveland County — will go red on Nov. 6, that’s all the more reason we feel it necessary to articulate our support for the opposition.

AT A GLANCEHow’d we vote?The Daily’s editorials may support Obama, but our decisions are rarely unanimous. Here’s who the editors are voting for:

Barack Obama (D): 5 Mitt Romney (R): 2 Gary Johnson (L): 1 Undecided: 1

years. The family moved around a lot, forcing Griffith to learn to make friends quickly.

While Griffith attended Norman High School, she met for the first time her future husband, James Griffith II, at a J.C. Penney store. She remembers he wore his U.S. Navy uniform that day.They dated for three years before marrying.

Then James Griffith served a year in Vietnam for the Navy. Meanwhile, Claudia Griffith earned her associate degree from

Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, throwing newspapers along a 110-mile route to help pay tuition.

Griffith then worked for a while as a nurse before going back to college at Cameron University while pregnant, which raised some eyebrows.

“It was really not acceptable to be pregnant in nursing school,” James Griffith said. “But she determined that she would graduate on time and she did so.”

That determination has won Griffith at least one vote.

Heidi Smith met Griffith five years ago when working for an accounting firm that managed the account of Health for Friends, a non-profit group Griffith worked for. If something needed to get done, Griffith would not rest until it was accomplished, Smith said. And for that reason, the


Senate DiStrict 15 most of cleveland and Mcclain counties

Michael RunyanFor The Oklahoma Daily

Her friends called her crazy. She had to think about it for longer than a year. She didn’t know if she could run in this race. But her reasons for trying mattered more than the risk.

Claudia Griffith would campaign for office.

Griffith is a first-time candidate, running as the Democratic nominee for Oklahoma Senate District 15. Her Republican opponent, Rob Standridge, also is a first-time candidate for this d i st r i c t . St a n d r i dg e, a Bl a n c ha rd pharmacist, declined an interview request because of time constraints. Incumbent Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, has reached Oklahoma’s 12-year term limit and therefore cannot be reelected.

District 15 recently was reconfigured, giving it a decidedly more Republican flavor, said Keith Gaddie, an political science professor at OU.

In an already Republican district, that change does not bode well for Griffith.

Griffith, 62, worked as a nurse for most of her professional life and decided to run for the Senate seat because she, like many people, is frustrated with party politics and politicians’ self-interest.

Another reason to run was better representation for women. Oklahoma ranks 48th in the nation for the number of women legislators, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures website. Five women currently serve in the 48-member Senate.

“This is ridiculous,” Griffith said. “We are making laws and setting legislation on women’s and children’s issues without having women being there to participate in the discussion.”

Griffith came from a working-class family. Her dad, Claud Russell, was a middle manager for IBM in its formative

Claudia Griffith » demoCrat

Candidate seeks better representation for womenDemocrat runs in decidedly Republican-heavy district

Hometown: Norman

Education: Master’s degree from OU

Occupation: Nurse

“We are making laws and setting legislation on women’s and

children’s issues without having women being there to participate

in the discussion.”

PhOtO PrOvided

Oklahoma Senate District 15 candidate Claudia Griffith stands in front of her home with her husband Jim. She is running on the Democratic ticket against Republican Rob Standridge.

Democratic nominee has her vote, despite considering herself a Republican.

After Griffith got her bachelor’s degree, she helped her husband graduate from dental school, raised three children and went back to school for a master’s from OU.

Only recently did Griffith consider politics as an outlet for her energies, despite having a politician in the family. James Griffith holds the Norman City Council seat for Ward 6.

Griffith’s career as a nurse helped prepare her for entering the political arena, though. She was called to Oklahoma City in the aftermath of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, just four months after completing her master’s degree.

On Day 3, She set up a rescue tent and helped keep the searchers hydrated and treat any wounds they incurred. That same day, President Clinton came to the site. Griffith was given an FBI clearance badge, along with a hardhat and pair of boots she kept.

The boots still have broken glass embedded in them.

T h e s e d a y s , w h e n s h e ’ s n o t campaigning, Griffith leads a quiet life. She and her husband of 41 years enjoy long walks. Their children are grown, and Griffith no longer works as a nurse.

Only time will tell if her platform resonates with voters. Griffith’s husband acknowledges that she’s behind in the polls but still has faith, he said.

“If you want her to accomplish anything, tell her she can’t,” he said. “Trust me; it’ll happen.”


Senate DiStrict 43 southeast Oklahoma city and the northeastern part of Moore

Ajinur SetiwAldiFor The Oklahoma Daily

Mike Fullerton, a Democrat from District 43, said he is running for the Oklahoma Senate to improve the quality of education and infrastructure in his district.

Oklahoma ranked 12th in cuts to higher education funding last year, according to the Associated Press.

Education is key to a good economy, Fullerton said. If he is elected, he said he would fight for schools in his district and protect education from budget cuts.

District 65 Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, said he sup-p o r t s F u l l e r t o n ’s campaign because Fullerton cares about education.

“It’s criminal the way we are treating ed-ucation now,” Dorman said.

Fullerton said he started thinking about running last year because of the poor state of education in his district.

“My 16-year-old son couldn’t bring home a textbook,” Fullerton said. “They were short on books.”

Other schools lack resources, too.“Not enough books. No specimen for

anatomy. No chemicals for chemistry. A lot of schools in the district are having the same issues,” Fullerton said.

Schools in District 43 are in serious need of repair, Fullerton said. Besides fixing schools, he said he would work to provide nutrition and safety for children.

The senate has hundreds of millions in the rainy day fund, Fullerton said, and he said using money from the fund to fix schools makes sense.

“It’s raining; it’s time to fix it,” he said.

Aside from education, the infrastruc-ture of District 43 is a major issue for his campaign, he said. Oklahoma can’t de-pend solely on the oil and gas industry; in-vesting in the infrastructure — improving Oklahoma’s roads, water and sewers — will create more jobs and business in the state, he said.

“Oklahoma is re-ally growing on oil and gas,” Fullerton said. “But we need some-thing to absorb that if the market falls.”

Fullerton said he is anti-abortion and op-

posed to gay marriage. As a member of the National Rifle Association, he believes the right to bear arms should be respected, he said.

Fullerton was born and raised in Duncan, Okla. He said the rural values he grew up with prepare him to take a common sense approach to issues that face his district.

Fullerton’s father, from the Rush Springs area, was in the U.S. Air Force before start-ing a plumbing business. His mother, a hairdresser from Duncan, also owns her own shop.

A good senator has to be willing to lis-ten to his people and work with them, he said.

“I have heard people say ‘ Team Democrat,’ ‘Team Republican,’” Fullerton said. “I am Team District 43.”

joSeph trueSdellFor The Oklahoma Daily

When U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer Corey Brooks returned from his duty in Afghanistan to his hometown of Washington, Okla., he didn’t know what to do next.

“I just didn’t really know what path I’d be down next,” Brooks said.

He eventually decided to run for the Oklahoma State Senate seat in District 43 as a Republican.

Brooks said that it was his desire to get involved in the area and serve others that finally enticed him to enter the race.

“ I t t o o k a l o t o f thinking, praying and talking to folks and gathering thoughts from some important people in my l i fe,” Brooks said.

Brooks focuses his attention on jobs, education for the children in his district and regulating the encroachment of fed-eral government on state’s rights, he said.

Brooks believes Oklahoma can create jobs by being a leader in energy produc-tion, whether it is natural gas, wind power or other alternative sources, he said.

Brooks believes the best method for helping Oklahomans secure a better qual-ity of life and making them more employ-able is through education, according to his website. He plans to work for more local control of schools, more focus on the ba-sics and more dollars directed into the classroom, where they can have the most benefit, he said.

“We want to continue to grow the econ-omy in Oklahoma and send those precious few education dollars to the classrooms

and bypass administration hierarchy,” Brooks said.

Most of the school districts in District 43 are small districts containing only one high school with more than 300 stu-dents. Because of the smaller districts, the schools receive fewer tax dollars.

Purcell resident Mike Berrey had two children graduate from Purcell High School, the largest in the dis-trict, and has two more currently in the school system — an eighth-g r a d e r a n d a h i g h school sophomore.

“I’m very happy to see Brooks willing to invest so much in the schools,” Berrey said. “He was raised just down the road in Washington and knows the need for school funding in this area.”

Another principle of Brooks’ campaign is stopping what he sees as the encroach-ment of federal government on state’s rights, he said.

“Things like No Child Left Behind and Obamacare put restrictions on Oklahoma,” Brooks said. “No Child Left Behind puts rigorous standards on testing.”

Brooks’ prior experience in politics is something he thinks will help him get elected and as a senator if he were to win. He has worked for the George W. Bush ad-ministration in Washington, D.C., as an intern out of college, followed by stints as a Bush administration staffer and six years in the Department of Defense.

Mike Fullerton » DeMocrat corey Brooks » repuBlican

Fullerton ready to tackle education shortcomings

Navy officer says better education will lead to jobs

Candidate stresses value of good schools, infrastructure

Brooks says state can create jobs by being energy leader

Hometown: Washington, Okla.

Education: Bachelor’s from OBU

Occupation: U.S. Navy Officer

Hometown: Duncan

Education: Bachelor’s from UCO

Occupation: Roadway designer

“We have to make sure all our schools are equal. Every child should be able to take their school books

home.”

“We want to continue to grow the economy in

Oklahoma and send those precious few education

dollars to the classrooms.”


OPiniOn

Many American Indians are cynical about

the American political process and how it affects their culture or communities, and for good reason. However, if the people of the first nations of the Americas want to have their voice heard in the marketplace of ideas, they should be politically engaged and vote.

The terms “conservative” and “liberal” are culturally relative and nobody knows that better than Indians. For instance, one who expresses a concern for ecology or for policies pertaining to the environment is typically thought of as a Liberal or “treehugger.” However, in Native culture and tradition, such a person would likely be considered a Conservative or traditionalist.

On the other hand, many Native Americans strongly support defense and the military, therefore identifying with the Republican Party because of Native American warrior traditions.

I also understand the value of such things within the limits of reason; howev-er, any citizen of the United States should question what politicians tell us about the necessity for excessive military spending and war waging.

I also admonish, as I have before, the many Indians who love this country and who consider themselves patriotic to be wary of the over-use and improper use of the word “socialism” in political discourse.

Many people who use the word ap-parently do not understand socialism. In fact, in contemporary Conservative politics, the special and treaty relation-ships the tribes have with Uncle Sam are commonly regarded as a form of social-ism and something to be done away with.

Think about that if you are of Native descent and at-tending school on a tribal or federal grant or loan or are receiving govern-ment subsidized tribal-assistance of any kind as part of treaty rights and relationships.

Approximately 15 percent of University of Oklahoma students

have Native American ancestry, accord-ing to Scott Ketchum, Native American studies professor. American Indian stu-dents, especially those at our university -- should strongly consider casting their vote for Barack Obama on Election Day if they care about the status of American Indians.

Some students support Obama because he not only recognizes American Indians are an important community, but he actively reached out to answer tribes’ questions. “Obama is the first president to grant interviews to the Native Americans. The key word is first,” said Sheila Bird, Native American studies senior.

It’s important for all Indian tribes to support an administration who will take the time and get to know us. If you are an American Indian, this should be im-portant to you, for our communities, the Indian Health Service, Li-heap, tribal col-leges, education and self governance.

Your vote for Obama may seem wasted in this predominately Republican state, but it will send a message to our state and national leaders that if they want our money and votes, they’d better start lis-tening and recognizing our treaty rights.

Speak up, Native America. This is our chance to speak to the U.S. and let Washington know we are still here.

Scott Starr is a Native American studies senior.

In the stew-like mix of important factors concerning

the national debt, energy floats near the top. In the search to replace oil, it seems that each side of the political spectrum has cogent reasoning for the validity and absurdity of every replacement being sought after.

What are the major differences between President Obama and Mitt Romney’s energy policies?

Fuel emission standardsRomney is against raising fuel emis-

sion standards on automobiles. He feels this will cripple the auto industry in a time desperately needing manufactur-ing jobs. The Obama administration passed the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandate, historically pushing fuel efficiency standards to a new level — mandating an average fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon for au-tomobiles, gradually increasing to 35.5 mpg by 2016 and 54.5 mpg by 2025. The current administration estimates this will reduce oil consumption by 12 billion barrels and consumers will save $1.7 tril-lion over the duration of the program.

Clean energyRomney thinks we’re wasting billions

per year on clean energy and this is why oil prices are so high. He claims many of the technologies are just fads, creating temporary jobs and a waste of money. Obama argues the 3.3 million green jobs created thus far are long-term. He has promised not to walk away from clean energy because it is the key to getting off not just foreign oil but fossil fuels as a whole, in addition to ensuring regulatory market oversight over the manipulation of oil prices.

Land useRomney highlights increased

protection of public lands by Obama and the pre-vention from millions of barrels of oil. Obama counters with the fact that although additional land has been protected, more unutilized land is being drilled on than in the last 25 years.

This sheds some light on why in the second

presidential debate; Obama maintained the claim “oil and gas production is at an eight-year high” and Romney refuted, “You have continued to block more pub-lic land from being drilled on, prevent-ing exploration.”

Climate changeObama has acknowledged climate

change is a threat and believes we must continue striving toward carbon reduc-tions. Romney has been harder to peg on climate change. In June 2011 Romney said, “the world’s getting warmer, “ that “I believe humans contribute” and “it’s important for us to reduce our emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases.” Since however Romney has cushioned saying, “I don’t know if [rising tempera-tures are] mostly caused by humans.”

There is much to consider when eval-uating the candidates’ energy policies. When arriving at a decision, the impor-tance rests in thoroughly understanding both stances and the objectives of each. Which energy position will sustain limit-less energy? Which delves further into the future while addressing the present? Information is key and regardless of the decision you make before the presiden-tial election – be informed.

Andrew Sartain is an interdisciplinary perspectives on the environment and nonprofit management senior.

Vote to honor the freedom, peace afforded you by U.S. democracy

Don’t waste your vote by using it, accomplish real change instead

Scott [email protected]

OPINION COLUMNIST

Column » native issues Column » energy

Andrew [email protected]

OPINION COLUMNIST

ElectionTab11-1-12-a-011.indd 2 10/29/12 12:48:30 PM


Point-CounterPoint

You’ve probably heard the com-mon arguments

against voting: My vote doesn’t count among 314 million people or my vote doesn’t count in an eter-nally red state.

But my opponent has different reasons.

He argues there are not enough differences be-tween the candidates to warrant voting. After watching the last debate, I have to concede that the candidates do not have many important differences.

Though Gov. Mitt Romney seemed to spend the beginning of his campaign trying to convince his Republican base he was “Republican enough,” he has re-cently moved toward the center. This has not gone unnoticed by President Barack Obama, who accused Romney of “mak-ing stuff up based on whether it is conve-nient or not.”

However, the candidates do have some different positions on important issues.

Gay rightsObama has explicitly stated he sup-

ports gay marriage. Though Romney was a stronger supporter of gay rights during the 1994 Senate race in Massachusetts, his views have since moved to the right.

EconomyThe candidates disagree on how much

government involvement is necessary. Both stereotypically represent the par-ties: Obama wants more government and Romney emphasizes free markets.

EnvironmentObama has supported investment in

green energy. Romney, however, sided with the oil companies during the sec-ond debate. Romney pointed to the federal lawsuit against North Dakota oil

companies for violating the Migratory Bird Act and killing 28 endangered birds.

My opponent also ar-gues change can be done more effectively through direct citizen engage-ment than through voting. While this is true in some situations, some tasks are too large and costly to be

done at a grassroots level. Though the intentions of the average

citizen taking on large, essential projects like road and bridge construction is ad-mirable, it is not realistic or advisable.

His final reason against voting is too often people vote based on charisma and personality instead of the actual issues.

I am the first to agree with this asser-tion. I think Romney is an incredibly ob-noxious, uninteresting, rich white man who has seen little struggle in his life. I have struggled to separate his platforms from his grating personality.

But this reality is why it is so important to vote every four years. Because in other countries where democratic elections are not a part of the government, these charismatic personalities come to power and stay in power until they die. In these countries, switching leadership — for whatever reason — is not an option.

Yes, you are one voter out of millions, and if you are like me, your vote won’t really count in this state, but you are for-tunate enough to live in a country where every four years we can have a peaceful transfer of power.

We don’t live under the constant threat of a military coup or a tyrannical dictator. This is a liberty that many people in the world would love to enjoy, and shame on you if you take that liberty lightly.

Janna Gentry is an English senior.

Imagine this Election Day, you are pressed for time.

Let’s say this results in a conflict we can describe by paraphrasing Albert Camus: “Should I vote or have a cup of coffee?”

The average college student will likely shrug off their “civic duty,” realizing it is unlikely their vote will matter, especially in Oklahoma. But even if your vote did impact the election, it still wouldn’t matter.

That’s because the two candidates on the ballot in Oklahoma, President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney, have practically identical positions, with most differences boiling down to personality.

One might object that clearly this is not the case – after all, Obama is clearly pro-choice and Romney is clearly pro-life.

Yet, Obama seemed to not care too much about reproductive rights when he supported a bill preventing certain kinds of birth control from being sold over the counter to women under 17. And it seems unlikely a President Romney would be the first of many pro-life presidents to do anything toward reversing Roe v. Wade.

On economic policy, we find the same charade that’s been going on for many years. Romney pretends to be in favor of free markets against big government. Obama pretends to be in favor of helping the poor against big business. Meanwhile, both agree on supporting the use of big government to prop up big business and protect it from competition, with occasional scraps thrown to the poor.

A good example of this is health care. There’s much debate about “Obamacare,” (literally the national version of “Romneycare”) but little discussion about ways government makes health care artificially scarce and expensive.

Still, people see the candidates as

radically different. This highlights one of the worst aspects of the dominant, voting-centric way of viewing politics.

Seeing politics as centered on voting reduces it to team sports. Rather than basing one’s views on what’s just, those steeped in the culture of electoral politics base

their views on those of their favored candidate or party.

Hence why Romney was wrong when he said “when there are elections, people tend to vote for peace.”

In this election, it is impossible to vote for peace. The most we can do is vote for whether or not the person ordering drone strikes that kill children in Pakistan, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and wherever else also gives funding to a television program for American children.

Somehow, voting gives people a sense of having “done something.” This relief is toxic. When you feel you’ve “done something,” you are less likely to actually do something to engage your community.

Both candidates have changed their official stances several times depending on what’s popular. This seems to show that if you educate the public, the ever-shifting beliefs of politicians will follow.

So, if it comes down to voting or coffee, snag the coffee. Your vote would do nothing to affect real change, whereas the coffee tastes good. Voting leaves you complacent, while the coffee might give you the energy to actually do something.

And as an added bonus: you probably won’t have meaningless discussions about irrelevant issues in your barista’s personal life with grown men and women acting like they’re in middle school.

Jason Byas is a philosophy senior.

Vote to honor the freedom, peace afforded you by U.S. democracy

Don’t waste your vote by using it, accomplish real change instead

Janna [email protected]

OPINION COLUMNIST

Jason [email protected]

OPINION COLUMNIST

is it worth your time to visit the voting booth this tuesday, or is not voting the best candidate during this election?

Vote » Don’t Vote »

Election 2012: Thursday, November 1, 2012

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