Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour Campaigns with Mary Fallin

TULSA – Mississippi Governor and Republican Governors Association Chairman Haley Barbour was in Tulsa to campaign for Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin. The two addressed the media together at the Summit Club before a fundraiser held in support of the Fallin for Governor Campaign.

Barbour, who is leading the Republican effort to win 37 governorships this year said, “We consider one of our best opportunities [for a GOP win] to be here in Oklahoma, because we have such a great candidate. … Mary has a great record of achievement and has proven she’s willing to be clear about where she stands on issues and to stand up for Oklahoma.”  He listed Obamacare and the so-called “Cap and Trade” energy tax, both of which Fallin has vocally opposed and actively campaigned against, as examples of her willingness to stand up to Washington.

Barbour said that Republican candidates for governor like Mary Fallin would address state budget problems by “controlling spending and growing the economy … rather than looking for a handout from Washington.”

Fallin thanked Barbour for his visit to Tulsa and called him “one of the brightest minds in the Republican Party.”

Political Realities blog: "Interview with Mary Fallin"

Recently, Mary conducted a Q&A with the Oklahoma-based blog, Political Realities.  Below is an excerpt from the interview:

2.  Given that the current administration in Washington seems reluctant to enforce immigration laws, how do you feel is the best way for Oklahoma officials to work to reduce illegal immigration in our state?

The best way to combat illegal immigration is to give law enforcement agents the ability to enforce the laws we already have on the books. Arizona has done that and, when I am governor, Oklahoma will too.

We also need to give employers an effective, reliable way of checking the legal immigration status of their employees. Most employers want to hire legal immigrants, but I will absolutely have zero tolerance for those that knowingly break the law.

3.  What do you feel are the two biggest differences between you and your opponent, Jari Askins?

I think the biggest difference is that I did not vote for President Obama. Like a majority of Oklahomans in all 77 counties, I believe the president has an ideology that runs contrary to the way most people here see and understand the world. I think voters want a governor who sees the world like they do and who will stand up to Washington. I am ready to be that governor.

Second, I am a leader who is unafraid to take stands on big issues. For instance, whether you agree with me or disagree with me on Barack Obama’s health care bill, I have made it clear that I am opposed to it and I plan to challenge the constitutionality of the law. My opponent, on the other hand, says she is still reading the bill and is undecided. As another example, I made my opposition to the recent state bailout bill well known. My opponent has not offered a position either way.

A lot of times I hear that we have two nice people running for governor. That’s true. But I am the only candidate in this race who is fundamentally conservative and who is willing and able to stand up to the Obama Administration and the failed policies coming from Washington. I have been fighting for the kind of conservative, common sense policies that lead to job growth and prosperity for years and I know where I stand on the issues voters care about.

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