Gentner Drummond walking tightrope between pleasing crazies, remaining true to self
All in the name of defeating Ryan Walters, which is unfortunate, but forgivable
It’s a lot to explain and I wasn’t paying close attention in the first place, but a while back attorney general Gentner Drummond decided his office should represent the state’s interests in a federal court case, Cherokee Nation et al vs. U.S. Department of Interior et al, and our governor, Kevin Stitt, didn’t like it one bit.
The case involved several gaming compacts Stitt negotiated with several tribes and while Stitt sought to be represented by attorneys of his choosing, Drummond thought the governor was full of it and sought to bring the case into the AG’s office.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court settled the brouhaha on Wednesday in favor of the governor.
Drummond may still appear in the case, but may not usurp the governor’s authority, which he would be doing were he to replace the governor’s counsel.
To be clear, Stitt won this round, yet because these guys don’t care for each other, each claimed victory and slammed the other in dueling press releases.
“Unfortunately, AG Drummond wasted a lot of time and taxpayer money trying to take control of litigation that was meant to protect Oklahomans,” Stitt said. “His power grab was rejected.”
Phil Bacharach, who performs communications for the attorney general’s office, spoke for Drummond.
“This lawsuit, which has squandered state resources over four-plus years,” he said, “is the result of unlawful gaming compacts orchestrated by the governor.”
File this one away as the Oklahoma Supreme Court recognizing Stitt’s right as governor to continue committing governing malpractice in tribal dealings.
Consider it a golden oldie, too, perhaps the last time we’ll be reminded of the enjoyment Drummond’s given us by so purposely upsetting Stitt’s applecart so directly.
Consistent with his understanding of the law, of course.
That’s because, as Drummond recently announced, he’s running to replace Stitt and doing that will require the nomination of his party and, wouldn’t you know it, in a race to the Republican bottom, where so many votes reside, it’s state superintendent Ryan Walters with the natural advantage because whackadoodle Republicans prefer whackadoodle Republican candidates.
Walters has yet to announce his run for governor, though everybody believes he will.
Thus, perhaps you’ve noticed, in the name of whackadoodle appeal, Drummond’s suddenly been doing what he can to shed his Democratic base, which I’m sure is a group of words he’d rather I not write in that order.
Oh, well.
Given the values he’s exhibited the last two years, those of a Republican trying to bring his party back from the brink, I’d gander the only reason Drummond voted for Donald Trump, if he voted for Donald Trump, was to not have to lie about it when asked about it, by right-wing media or whackadoodle Republican candidates he must beat.
Trump was always going to win Oklahoma, so who cares, right?
Here’s an example of Drummond’s recent political navigation.
As you may know, Trump just handed pardons to 1,500 or so felons who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, many of whom committed violent acts upon Capitol Police officers.
Soon after, Drummond had this to say via Twitter.
“I am pleased to report that all J6 prisoners who were in custody here in Oklahoma have been released. I am proud of how our state & local officials worked with federal agencies to implement President Trump’s policies.”
On its face, it sounds like Drummond supported the pardons in full, affecting those incarcerated in Oklahoma and beyond.
Yet, all he’s really doing is congratulating “state & local officials” for helping the feds carry out the pardons, which they’re required to do.
Is he “proud” of the policy that required federal and state actors work together or is Drummond merely proud of the seamless coordination that took place?
I think I know the answer and so does Drummond. I also think he’s happy if the whackadoodles take it the other way, and I’m begrudgingly all right with that, too, because Ryan Walters must be stopped.
Drummond, as it happened, attended Trump’s inauguration because what else would the Oklahoma AG be doing on Monday?
While there, he tweeted this:
“It was an honor to be in our nation’s capital for this historic day & watch as President Trump was sworn in for his second term. I look forward to working with him to protect Oklahoma families & deport illegal immigrants who have invaded our state. America’s best days are truly ahead!”
I don’t care for “invaded” because I’m pretty sure the vast, vast, vast majority of undocumented in Oklahoma are keeping businesses afloat via their labor, often performing jobs Oklahomans would prefer not do, but the rest of it?
It’s an inauguration and thus “historic,” not to mention Drummond probably feels honored to represent the state 24/7 and Monday he just happened to do it as witness to the peaceful transition of power.
This time.
Bottom line, he gets to endorse Trump for the super righties who watch him closely without really endorsing Trumpism, which helps him sleep at night.
It’s a tight fit.
Thursday, Drummond picked up a twofer, when Stitt initiated a Twitter fight over budget requests.
Stitt said this:
“Disappointed to learn AG Drummond is looking to our State House for a 204% increase in his office budget this year — that’s $90M.
“This type of increase is concerning for conservatives trying to limit the growth of government. We need flat budgets across all state agencies.”
Drummond shot back:
“Oh no! The Governor has caught me advocating for spending more on public safety.
“Instead of squandering our tax dollars on barbecue boondoggles and electric car fantasies like the Governor does, I prefer to invest in law enforcement.
“We didn’t go from more than 12,000 marijuana grows down to 3,000 on a “flat budget.” We didn’t do battle with the Biden Administration over their radical agenda on a ‘flat budget.’”
See how he did that?
If you’re curious about those budget requests, here’s a paywall-free explanation from Oklahoma Voice’s Barbara Hoberock.
Not only did Drummond get to kick Stitt around again, he got to do it from the moral high ground AND gratuitously call the Biden administration’s agenda “radical” which I’m sure he knows wasn’t — were FDR and Truman radical, too? — yet a policy here and a policy there, sure, putting him in his own moral clear.
It’s disappointing.
Inevitable, too.
In the world Drummond inhabits — Oklahoma Republican politics — where intellectual honesty is endangered and political expediency pervades, what he’s doing is small potatoes.
Not to mention, if the end ever justifies the means, keeping Ryan Walters out of the governor’s chair qualifies.
So we watch.
How artful can Drummond remain, throwing in with the crazies without losing himself?
Stay tuned.
Interesting. I appreciate your analysis.
Almost makes me want to switch parties so I can vote for Drummond in the primaries…