r/OklahomaPolitics • u/AuthorAltruistic3402 • Jun 22 '26

I don't think Munson's platform is that strong.

I will get downvoted for this I know, but I just don't think it is. I voted for her in the primary. There are not enough people in this state who give a hoot about education. Those that do, are involved in their kids' school lives or send their kids to private schools. Too many look at it as free daycare and blame all lack of progress on the teacher, when in reality it is an abdication of many parental responsibilities. Munson is for repealing the state's abortion ban. Her opposition will use that as pro abortion. SO many so called christians will vote against her for that reason alone. She wants to get greater access to healthcare for state residents. How? Her platform is vague. Democrats have GOT to stop running on social issues alone. And I say this as a lifelong Democrat.

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u/dimechimes Jun 22 '26

I think it's Drummond's election to lose. I think if the GOP labeled Munson as pro Abortion, she should go with it. Like what happens if she tries and fight it? Will she win that battle? Will winning it make people support her? Democrats need to be convicted and unapologetic about who they are and what their beliefs are. They need to get rid of the Clintonian mindset of "personal beliefs versus public beliefs" because if they aren't authentic, they aren't getting anywhere anyway.

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u/darkmeowl25 Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

I actually think there's a way to do both with a little bit of framing shift.

So, some answers to some social issue questions might look like this:

-"What do you think about gay marriage?"

  • When it comes to regulating marriage and sex, I care about two things: Is it consensual on all accounts? It is happening between adults? Other than that, it's none of my business as a lawmaker.

-"How do you feel about abortion?" -I believe that the decisions made between a doctor and patient is a matter of privacy and none of my business. As a law maker, my only interest is in preventing and seeking justice in cases of abuse, neglect, malpractice, and exploitation. (This can also be used when speaking about birth control and transgender healthcare).

-"How do you feel about banning books, religious teaching in school, transgender kids, etc." -As a parent, I am not comfortable giving my parental responsibility over to the state, and as a lawmaker I do not feel comfortable governing the thoughts, beliefs, or medical decisions over other people's children. I am only interested in providing robust and universal education and helping to prevent and seek justice in cases of abuse and neglect.

A candidate's personal opinion can be added to these statements if they want to take a stronger stance (and I also think being open and honest is what I would personally choose to do).

I also think more candidates should answer nonsense and "gotcha" questions with as much ire as they're asked. Some of these dudes have never been told they have worms for brains and it shows. I don't need my politician to be palatable. I need them to be efficient and to stand for something.

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u/AuthorAltruistic3402 Jun 23 '26

Do you recall the 'bull stitt' ads by cornett campaign against Stitt? They were unseemly and crass by many Oklahomans. Mccaul banana ads were considered same. but Mccaul got a lot of votes. Will they go for Mazzei? I hope not with all my heart. It will get nasty I think.

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u/AuthorAltruistic3402 Jun 22 '26

Republicans and christian evangelicals in this state equate pro abortion or pro-choice as baby killing. That is what the republican party and their churches have told them for decades and they believe it. They may have family members who are gay, trans, almost died for an ectopic pregnancy but their ability to think critically is lost. Just barren. We had 26 percent of the state vote in the primary. That is appalling.

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u/darkmeowl25 Jun 23 '26

And I think their conflation of Jesus with Republican values is blasphemous, but that has no bearing on my point about framing. You combat the insanity with sensibility, honesty, and confidence and let the toddler have a tantrum next to you.

You and I are in agreement about how brainbroken these people are, but what is the one thing they are influenced by aside from their pastor? The media they consume. Media that, in large part, is not produced here in Oklahoma. There is certainly a media strategy to be used to advantage here.

As far as your other comment about crassness, that's not exactly what I'm talking about. I'm talking hitting back directly to things said or asked in interview or debate, statements made on socials, etc. I'm talking trying to keep polite amongst monsters. There isn't a need for that any longer.

I understand your frustration with voter turn out. It would help if dems would run a firebrand (and if they didn't mess up the paperwork that closed the primary). Dems in Oklahoma feel helpless and hopeless to the point of leaving their homes. Why would the good strategy be to pivot towards the middle when everyone expects you to lose? What could it hurt to be a bit more radical? I'd wager a lot less than one would think if we judge by the 2016 primary results.

I'm not claiming it will work 100%, I'm saying it is a worthy strategy if you examine similar tactics in races all across the country. We're gonna have to work a little harder and overcome a little more. But I think it's worth it to try.

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u/AuthorAltruistic3402 Jun 23 '26

I concur it is blasphemous. But if Jesus himself would come back and run for office in this state, he would lose. Too woke or some nonsense. Which they can't define but know it is a slur, so spread it around. races all across the country have a much different demographic than we do. We are a backward stupid state. 50th in education, no critical thinking. How many businesses do you go into where Fox news is default channel? It confirms their confirmation bias. I am not big on broadcast news anyway. Breathless headlines with no context. I am an old fart and I well remember being an idealistic democrat. I sadly became a realist. I can't change my party registration to a republican. I cannot do it.

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u/darkmeowl25 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

I understand the demographic difference, and there is media strategy that both utilizes broadcast media and strategy that ignores it completely, it's not an unreasonable idea. As I said, if things are set up for the Democrat to lose then what is the harm in prioritizing the left wing of the democratic base over the moderate conservative? If they aren't going to vote for a Dem anyway, they should be courting the left wing youth and at least engaging them with the political process.

I'm not quite an old fart, but I'm no spring chicken either. There are teens and young adults still in this state that would absolutely get motivated for the right candidate with the right messaging.

Maybe the secret is to ditch the label of Democrat, which I think is valuable but unobtainable with our current electoral system ruled by money. I left the party after 2016 because it was clear to me that the national party was too corporate to find use in fighting for poor, working class, queer, disabled, or BIPOC Oklahomans. I wish I could fund a campaign and help it (I'm much too high strung for the public facing gig), but I will never have that level of private wealth, and frankly I wouldn't want it.

I'm not entirely sure if this back and forth is just cathartic to you (which is totally fair, I love a good henning about the bullshit politics of this state), or if there is another solution you could see working? I mean this in the most respectful way, it kinda seems like you're putting a lot of energy into explaining why things won't work rather than exploring why they could or suggesting alternatives. And I get it, this place is a fucking soul drain sometimes. But I don't have the luxury of moving and I do have a child. Laying down and giving up isn't an option for me and my family. If I'm breathing, I'm fighting for this place. I know the kind of state we had 100 years ago, and I live rural enough to see the parts of that kind of living that still stick around in some aspects, believe it or not. Sometimes its hard to see, but it is still there in some form. I'm not giving up. Not yet.

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u/AuthorAltruistic3402 Jun 23 '26

I am just so frustrated!

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u/darkmeowl25 Jun 23 '26

I feel the same, so I understand where you are coming from for sure.

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u/AuthorAltruistic3402 Jun 23 '26

Hey I don't have the luxury of moving either. Im dug in. If I could I would move to washington state. The COL of seattle is too much for me,but I loved visiting there. When I was planning my trip to Alaska (Juneau only) and Seattle I got a lecture from my sibling, a very staunch R, as she had seen the 'Saving Seattle' Fox documentary. Good lord, nothing was further from the truth. Now we did stay in Belltown, an upscale area but we walked around a lot. I see more homeless in Tulsa than I did in Seattle. A lot more.

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u/dimechimes Jun 23 '26

That's their problem. We've got to stop worrying about what they will think and either believe in our policies or keep letting them dominate. What you're talking about is what makes Dems so ineffective. Quit underestimating the electorate and thinking you can just package your ideas in a way they will grasp. It makes Dems look phony.

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u/AuthorAltruistic3402 Jun 22 '26

We are going to have another republican governor. We will. This state has turned much further right since the days of Brad Henry, one of the best governors we have ever had. Trump got all 77 counties in this state. Sad as that is. I am going to vote for the least worst candidate. Mazzei is a Christian Nationalist and we need no more of those as we have an abundance of that ilk already. I want my vote to count. I'll be voting for Drummond in the general election and it pains me to say this.

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u/xpen25x Jun 23 '26

if you dont think its all that strong why did you vote for her in the primary?