Weekly Opinion Editorial
MUSICAL CHAIRS!
by Steve Fair
U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., was nominated to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this week after President Donald Trump removed Secretary Kristi Noem. The move follows bipartisan criticism of Noem’s leadership, including contentious congressional hearings and scrutiny over departmental spending and media campaigns.
Mullin accepted the nomination shortly after the president’s formal offer and now awaits U.S. Senate confirmation. “I am super excited about this opportunity. It came — not as a complete surprise — but it came at a little bit of a surprise for us,” Mullin said on the steps of the Capitol shortly after Trump announced Noem’s ouster Thursday afternoon.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has 30 days after receiving Mullin's resignation to appoint a registered Republican to temporarily fill the seat after the senator leaves his post, but the appointee must sign an affidavit pledging to not run for a full term in November. Many believe the restriction to prevent the appointee from running for a full term is illegal and would never stand up in court. Oilman Harold Hamm has supposedly asked to fill the placeholder seat. It remains to be seen who Stitt will appoint. Three observations:
First, Mullin will follow Trump's orders. Secretary Noem's poor judgment in policy and her personal life became a major distraction to Homeland's mission. Removing her from the cabinet was a wise move. Senator Mullin agrees with Trump's immigration policy and will carry out his directives without a hitch. Mullin faces a Senate confirmation hearing, but it appears there is no organized effort to derail the nomination. Senator Lindsey Graham, (R-SC) said about Mullin's nomination: "President Trump could not have chosen a better candidate to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security than Senator Markwayne Mullin." With the GOP in control of the Senate, he should sail through the confirmation.
Second, the timeline for senate candidates is short. Filing for federal, state and county offices is April 1-3. The primary election is June 16th and the primary runoff August 25th. Some claim a tight campaign schedule favors a grassroots candidate. Others believe it favors a candidate who can self fund a high visibility advertising campaign. Oklahoma 1st district Congressman Kevin Hern, (R-Tulsa) has indicated he is going to run for the full term. Other potential candidates include Governor Kevin Stitt, Congressman Stephanie Brice, (R-OKC) and former State Senator and OKGOP Chair Nathan Dahm. There is just 90 days until the primary. Whomever decides to run will have to hit the ground running. The race will be won in the GOP primary in June. No Democrat has represented Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate in 30 plus years.
Third, Mullin's appointment creates a domino effect in Oklahoma. If Congressman Hern or Brice run for the senate, a scramble to replace them in the House will draw multiple candidates. Most likely state legislators would be among the aspirants for the Congressional seats, creating openings in their districts. County elected officials would likely pitch their hat into the ring, creating openings for their offices.
Musical chairs is a classic fast-paced game of elimination that tests reaction time and listening skills. Players march around a circle of chairs- numbering one less than the participants- while music plays. When the music stops, everyone rushes to sit; the person left standing is eliminated, a chair is removed, and the game continues until one winner remains. That is what is happening in Oklahoma politics.
Cue The Laughing Policeman.
Who will be the 'placeholder' in the U.S. Senate?Click the headline to read this full article, Who will be the 'placeholder' in the U.S. Senate?, at FAIR AND BIASED
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