I almost never say anything good about those in charge of public policy in reactionary, redneck, reckless Oklahoma, but … Republican Attorney General Gentner Drummond is thankfully the exception to my otherwise ironclad rule.
He is so painfully honest and forthright about our state’s status compared to others in our nation it’s hard to believe this brilliant, capable pilot/lawyer and Republican thinks he can survive a challenge from his extreme right in a campaign primary where moderates like Gentner go to die.
Drummond has blocked unconstitutional proposals on many topics flowing from the lackadaisical Legislature; he has defended the tribes against demagogue Gov. Kevin Stitt; he has served notice to state Superintendent Ryan Walters there will be accounting for his wasteful spending of federal funds; he has indicted three EPIC executives; he has done the same to senior Swadley owners for alleged lawbreaking; he has filed protests at the Supreme Court concerning multi-billion dollar decisions made at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission related to Super Storm Uri; plus dozens of other courageous steps usually avoided by elected folks.
Drummond is a rare duck in elected politics. He seems to be committed to doing what’s right rather than what is popular and/or easy, regardless of whose toes he steps on.
Similar to his flying days over Baghdad, this fellow must think he is bulletproof, whether the projectiles are steel or mere words. Either can kill, one quickly and physically while in the cockpit of his F-16 fighter jet or the other slowly, but surely just as terminal, politically speaking.
Personally, I like this fellow a lot which probably counts as one more strike against him but time will tell. Maybe the Party of Lincoln actually does want to leave its Founder’s 19th century and move into the 21st.
Now that really would be revolutionary, remarkable and rewarding – not just to Drummond but our entire state as well.
Talk about earth shattering: I might even vote for him but don’t tell anybody. That really would be fatal.
