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Stitt saves anti-SLAPP law

Monday, May 22, 2023, Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed HB 1236, a bill that, by the change of a single word, would have significantly neutered Oklahoma's deterrent against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). Deep-pocketed and powerful public figures have used meritless lawsuits to punish critics and chill free speech. The...

Posted by Michael Bates on May 22, 2023 11:42 PM

Re-elect Governor Kevin Stitt

Oklahoma hasn't elected a Democrat to statewide office since 2006. Since 2004, every county in Oklahoma has given a plurality of its vote in every presidential election to the Republican nominee. Voter registration, a lagging indicator, continues to trend toward the GOP across the state, most strongly in southeastern Oklahoma,...

Posted by Michael Bates on October 13, 2022 7:18 PM

HB 1775 and Critical Race Theory

The substance of HB 1775 occupies a mere page and a third, 282 words by my count. So why should mainstream media mischaracterize the bill, when they could easily quote the entire text?

Posted by Michael Bates on May 12, 2021 8:28 AM

Oklahoma needs Stitt and Pinnell

Life hasn't left me with much time to write about politics this year, so I've focused on areas like the State Questions where there's a gap in coverage. Where others have already said what I'm thinking, I'll gladly point you to their words. Jamison Faught, the Muskogee Politico, explains why...

Posted by Michael Bates on November 4, 2018 9:10 AM

Coburn, Cruz endorse Kevin Stitt

Two conservative stalwarts, former Oklahoma U. S. Senator Tom Coburn and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, have both endorsed Kevin Stitt in the runoff for the 2018 Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor. Coburn's Tuesday statement endorsing Stitt also included some sharp criticism for Mick Cornett's campaign tactics, refuting Cornett's attacks on...

Posted by Michael Bates on August 23, 2018 3:00 AM

2018 Oklahoma governor primary: Process of elimination

Can you tell I'm not excited about the race to succeed Mary Fallin? It's taken a long time to make up my mind, and it's still not as firm a decision as I'd like. As with many of the judical races, my current inclination to vote for Dan Fisher in...

Posted by Michael Bates on June 22, 2018 10:43 PM