The Keating Wind Comes Sweepin’ Down The Plain
December 15, 2006 at 11:42 pm
The Associated Press is reporting that former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating — a colleague of mine when we worked at HUD for Jack Kemp — is thinking about running for president:
[Keating aide Dan] Mahoney said that after the defeat of Republican Sen. George Allen of Virginia last month, Keating was concerned about the absence of a “Reagan-like conservative in the mix” of presidential candidates.
Need a reason to like Keating? I’ll give you two. “Will Rogers” and “Theodore” — two books he wrote to share his love of America’s legends with our country’s youth. Most folks running for president write books about themselves and featuring themselves, not America’s real heroes. Keating’s humility sets him apart from those typical politicians. His books remind a cynical electorate that America can produce greatness.
Dennis said,
December 16, 2006 @ 8:34 am
Mr. Keating tends to put his foot in his mouth though…
Randall Smith said,
December 16, 2006 @ 10:01 am
I’m from Oklahoma, and Frank Keating was a partisan political hack. He was the worst Governor Oklahoma has ever had. He constantly put down our state and did nothing to help anything.
rastajenk said,
December 16, 2006 @ 10:25 am
“He constantly put down our state and did nothing to help anything.”
Sounds like he could pick up some crossover Dem votes, then.
jannelsen said,
December 16, 2006 @ 11:28 am
Top Insurance Lobbyist Seeks Presidency
Earned Millions as Trade Association Boss
It’s hard for former governors to give up the limelight, e.g. Tommy Thompson.
And if we have to go that route — and I admire Keating — I’d rather grab Marc Racicot.
matt said,
December 16, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
What about Tom Ridge then?
Kevin said,
December 17, 2006 @ 7:49 pm
Anyone who makes the claim Keating was the worst gov Oklahoma ever had doesn’t know anything about Oklahoma politics.
Ben said,
December 22, 2006 @ 12:05 pm
“Anyone who makes the claim Keating was the worst gov Oklahoma ever had doesn’t know anything about Oklahoma politics.”
My guess is, you’re not saying he’s great, but not certainly the worst. I coudl agree with that. However…
Keating cost the state millions on “the dome”, he contantly belittled and denigrated public teachers and did everything he could to sabotage their progress and good outcomes they would produce, used the state plane for everything including personal trips, used his position as governor to put friends of influential lobbiests and campaing contributors in positions of power that allowed them to reap millions in unearned gains at OK taxpayer’s expense…a model republican as of late I would say, maybe even a trailblazer!
Keating is an ass, not the best ever, and certainly doesn’t deserve any recognition in a bid for president.
Robert said,
December 27, 2006 @ 7:27 pm
The worst governor ever? Do the names David Hall and David Walters sound familiar? Keating was one of the top ten, if not one of the top five, governors this state has had. I would hate to see how Walters or Henry would have handled the bombing.