OK 2018: Boren open to running

[Maxwell]

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Oklahoma+midterm = Boren loses

You do realize Boren won reelection to the House in 2010 with 56% of the vote, right?

At that time, I believe it was the most democratic district in the state, although it did still have a republican PVI.

Not true. OK-5, the Oklahoma City district, is the least Republican PVI, though that district (Dan Boren's old one) is more historically Democratic.

It all depends on who is President. If Hillary is President, Dan won't run, because no matter what, Oklahoma will elect a Republican. If it's a Republican who is President, then the opportunity is there, especially after 8 years of Mary Fallin. I wouldn't be surprised if Dan won in that scenario, considering the Boren name has a very positive effect on people in this state (though I'm sure he does very poorly in Stillwater ).

[Maxwell]

He missed the perfect opportunity to run in 2014. Republicans will probably get a better candidate in 2018.

Don't be so sure - I mean, yes, there is a bench, but there will also be a crowded primary. And chances are, if it's that crowded, someone could sneak out of it who could lose the general. I mean, generally even the sneaky ones still win the general (Most pundits thought Tom Coburn could very well lose to Brad Carson), but Boren could at least make a race out of it. But Boren is fairly calculating - he will not run if the tide is against him enough. Considering his voting record in Washington and the people he affiliates with, I'm almost (keyword: almost) surprised he won't be running for Governor as a Republican.

[Maxwell]

He ought to just switch to the GOP if he wants to run. The GOP Establishment would no doubt be happy to have the Boren name in their tent and the Tea Party vote could fragment among multiple candidates in the primary. Then Oklahoma might have a sane Republican governor who isn't preoccupied with defending the state from sharia law and teh gayz.

Boren would lurch hard to the right if he joined the GOP. Think: Wes Watkins, who voted as a moderate Democrat, but when he switched parties, voted about as right-wing as he could.

Are you also aware Boren is a huge social conservative and is against "teh gayz"?

[Maxwell]

I could be wrong, but Boren likes to tease the Democrats of the state. And personally, I think Dan Boren is pretty useless - he's just as bad as the Republicans here.

[Maxwell]

^ I do remember him saying in an interview that his ideal job would be Governor of OK, though. Otherwise, yeah, he'd be as useless as Evan Bayh.

... Coming from Miles?  You don't seem like you'd be one to throw around the DINO criticism.

You're not getting Ted Kennedy in Southern states.

There's a difference between Ted Kennedy and someone who was completely and totally embraced and loved by Republican leadership and out right recited Republican talking points, like Dan Boren has. You can get someone who is centrist enough to win in the South without doing that. That's how John Bel Edwards won, that's how Brad Henry won in the past.

I'd much prefer Joe Dorman, even if he lost to Fallin last time.

[Maxwell]

Why are Democrats here complaining that Dan Boren will essentially govern as a Republican, while Republicans are fine with Phil Scott in Vermont likely governing from the left of many Democrats?

Because Republicans here are mostly liberal Republicans who just like the Republican label for some reason (nostalgic, maybe). I want someone who will actually advance at least some sort of change from the deeply conservative status quo here. Again, there is a difference between a Democrat who is kind of to the right of most Democrats on certain issues and a Democrat who literally spent his time in Congress reciting Republican talking points. Even for Governor, Dan Boren's nomination would just further legitimize Republican rule over the state.

There are quite a few Republicans in Oklahoma I'd rather have Governor than Dan Boren.

[Maxwell]

Why are Democrats here complaining that Dan Boren will essentially govern as a Republican, while Republicans are fine with Phil Scott in Vermont likely governing from the left of many Democrats?

Because Republicans here are mostly liberal Republicans who just like the Republican label for some reason (nostalgic, maybe). I want someone who will actually advance at least some sort of change from the deeply conservative status quo here. Again, there is a difference between a Democrat who is kind of to the right of most Democrats on certain issues and a Democrat who literally spent his time in Congress reciting Republican talking points. Even for Governor, Dan Boren's nomination would just further legitimize Republican rule over the state.

There are quite a few Republicans in Oklahoma I'd rather have Governor than Dan Boren.

I repeat: ANY such Republican will be MORE conservative then Boren, and, undoubtely, will "further legitimize Republican rule over the state". So, i will prefer Boren...

well I'm actually from Oklahoma. Mick Cornett may be more conservative on policy papers, but I'd absolutely trust him far more to be independent and stand up to the Republican legislature on things that matter. I do not trust Dan Boren.

I'll concede as much as I kind of wish he would run for his old district - Boren isn't good at all but I'd rather have a representative who does ANYTHING over someone who is completely useless like Markwayne Mullin.