Tulsa mayoral candidate Dewey Bartlett, Jr. appeared on KFAQ’s Pat Campbell Show on Tuesday morning to answer some tough questions. One of these questions was whether or not Bartlett supported Democratic mayor Kathy Taylor’s candidacy in both 2006 and 2009. Another question was why he endorsed her. His answers in August are inconsistent with his remarks on Campbell’s show, as well as a story in the Tulsa World last June.
The following is a chronology of the World story and transcripts from Campbell’s show. Emphasis was added for effect.
Tulsa World (June 26, 2009) Oilman, ex-councilor enters campaign for mayor
Even though Taylor — who has decided not to seek re-election — is a Democrat, Bartlett backed her 2006 mayoral campaign, and she asked him to co-lead an analysis and gather public input before last fall's Fix the Streets package was assembled. He said he would not have run if she had campaigned for a second term.
Bartlett said he will not be concerned if people consider him an extension of Taylor's leadership.
Bartlett on Pat Campbell Show (June 29, 2009)
Campbell: Now during your announcement the other day, you mentioned…and I want you to explain this too…if Kathy Taylor had not dropped out of the race you wouldn’t have thrown your hat into the ring. Now why is that? Is that because she has such deep pockets? Or is it because you were satisfied with the job she was doing?
Bartlett: Well she…I think the main reason was…is that…uh…is that she…has…a…strong…support in the community. I think her election…uh…was pretty much a done deal. I think that…uh…
Campbell: If she had run for re-election?
Bartlett: If she had run for re-election…yes. And I think it would have been very, very difficult for anyone to have a good campaign against her. Uh…she has extremely deep pockets and exhibited that the first time she ran for office. So…uh…anyway…that was the reason.
Bartlett on Pat Campbell Show (August 25, 2009)
Beginning at 1 min. 42 secs. of podcast
Campbell: I am told and I have read that you supported Kathy Taylor when she ran in ’06 and again when she initially announced that she was going to run for re-election in ’09. First of all, is that true?
Bartlett: Partially. Uhhhh….I endorsed…uh…her in her…uh…recent…uh…bid for election.
Campbell: OK.
Bartlett: Early this year. The…uhhh….
Campbell: What about ’06?
Bartlett: Not that…no. [Note Tulsa World quote from above!!!]
Campbell: You did not?
Bartlett: No.
Bartlett on Pat Campbell Show (August 25, 2009)
Beginning at 3 min. 30 secs. of podcast
Campbell: So….and just set the record straight. If she was still in this race, you would not be? Is that correct?
Bartlett: Uh…boy…I don’t know. It would be interesting to see what happens, because you know, a lot of things have happened since then. Obviously if…uh…if…uh…if I’d have known I was going to run…uh…uh…for this uh…position at this point and time I never would’ve done it. [Pause] Uh…hmm.
Bartlett is either a liar, or can't remember what happened a mere three years ago. Clearly he supported Taylor. Not only do I and many other people remember that he did, but the Tulsa World which endorsed him, remembers that he did. For him to say otherwise now is insulting.
Bartlett emphatically states that he only supported Taylor’s re-election efforts. However, the Tulsa World wrote on June 26, that Bartlett supported her in ’06. He never asked for a retraction, despite months of being pummeled for this support. On Campbell’s show, he attempted to get out of the interview with a clear misstatement of fact.
Additionally, it is Bartlett’s support of Taylor for re-election that has me and other Republicans most upset. If, as he states, he wanted a solid business person, then why not support a solid business person from his own party?
He endorsed the Democrat before finding out if a solid GOP business man would be running. City Councilor Bill Christiansen wanted to run for mayor and was going to do so until Bartlett got in the race and announced he would be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. This caused Christiansen to balk. Christiansen is a very successfully businessman. Why did Bartlett have to support Taylor over Christiansen?
Are we to believe that Dewey Bartlett, Jr. endorsed Kathy Taylor for re-election because she was virtually unbeatable? Or are we to believe that he admired her administration and supported based on what he said in his featured quote on Taylor’s re-election web site, where he said the following?
“Tulsa has always had a history of great leadership from the business community. Kathy’s tireless, visionary style is yet another example of non-partisan leadership that focuses on the future of Tulsa. I am proud to support her re-election efforts.”
Was Bartlett's praise for Taylor simply because she was "unbeatable", or because he admired her ideology? Is this what we should expect expect from a Mayor Bartlett, lies when presented with uncomfortable truths?
1 comments:
I missed much of the interview, but happened upon it at just about that moment you describe. I almost couldn't believe he said it and recall shouting at my radio.
Thought perhaps I had missed some context of earlier comments. Thanks for confirming what I heard was what was actually said.
I guess outright lies are the standard these days.
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