OKGOP straw poll and debate
Updated: The Oklahoma Republican Party is conducting online the inaugural Oklahoma Presidential Straw Poll. Also Oklahoma Attorney General E. Scott Pruitt will moderate Saturday's FOX Network Republican Presidential Debate.
The poll will be an online straw poll conducted with the assistance of eVoter, a nonpartisan election information website.
"Many states hold presidential straw polls every four years creating national publicity and financial support for their respective state," said OKGOP Chairman Matt Pinnell. "We thought it was time the 'reddest state in America' had a straw poll of its own. Nothing could be a more accurate barometer of Republican primary voters than to poll those in the most conservative state in the country."
Oklahoma received notoriety as the 'reddest state in America' after all 77 Oklahoma counties went red in 2008, garnering the highest percentage of the vote in the country for the McCain/Palin ticket.
From November 21st - December 5th, voters will be able to cast a vote for their preferred presidential candidate for a $5 contribution to the Oklahoma Republican Party. "In other states, straw poll voters can end up spending hundreds of dollars in travel costs and ballot fees in order to vote," said Pinnell. "We wanted to provide a way for voters to show their support for their candidate from the comfort of their own living room."
Beginning on November 21st, voters will be able to cast their vote at www.oklahomastrawpoll.com. Voting will close at 5:00 pm on December 5th. Results will be announced December 5th at a "Victory 2012" Rally featuring special guest Herman Cain. The Rally will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Marriott at 3233 Northwest Expressway and will be open to the press.
For complete rules and information visit www.oklahomastrawpoll.com/faq.
Oklahoma Attorney General to co-host presidential debate
The Oklahoma Republican Party announced Monday that Oklahoma Attorney General E. Scott Pruitt has been asked by the Huckabee show on the Fox Network to co-host their Republican presidential candidate forum this Saturday evening.
Pruitt will be one of three state attorneys general who will interview candidates on a wide range of issues important to conservative voters.
Pruitt said, “What excites me most about this forum is that my colleagues and I will have the time to engage in meaningful discussion on complex issues like immigration, federal overreach and sanctity of life issues with each candidate one-on-one.
“This won’t be a ‘gotcha’ debate that traps candidates into sound-byte answers. Rather, our role will be to extract for conservatives the substance of what candidates truly believe, so that we can select the best nominee to lead this nation as our next President,” Pruitt said.
Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell congratulated Attorney General Pruitt on the effort. "We're proud that Attorney General Pruitt will be moderating a debate on issues of vital importance to Oklahomans and voters all across the country," said Pinnell.
"During his campaign, Attorney General Pruitt spoke of his commitment to the 10th Amendment and states' rights, and since his election he has been a national leader in fighting back against an overreaching federal government. I can think of no finer person to moderate a presidential debate on the proper role of government," concluded Pinnell.
Pruitt will be joined by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and host of the Fox show, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. The forum will air live this Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 at 7 p.m. (CST). Confirmed candidates include Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Congressman Ron Paul, Governor Rick Perry, Governor Mitt Romney., and Senator Rick Santorum.