Presidential Pivot?

A Kinder, Gentler Stitt On Display … Until It Isn’t

Earlier this month, social media was a-twitter with posts Gov. Kevin Stitt was about to unveil an exploratory committee, the first step in a possible 2024 presidential run.

Hook … line … sinker.

The April Fools’ Day social media meme provided a mix of disbelief, outrage and laughter, but the “announcement” succeeded for three reasons:

First, the governor’s public hubris suggests he believes he could be – maybe even is destined to be – the nation’s commander-in-chief.

Second, the faux Kevin Stitt for America “news release” deployed a red, white and blue logo and lettering meant to evoke images from his gubernatorial campaigns.

It even included a Stitt-esque statement: “I have a proven track record of delivering results, both in the private sector and in government, and I believe that I can do the same as President of the United States.

“As President, I’ll make every state a Top 10 State.” [An obvious tell, right?]

Third, the April 1 clickbait followed a stretch in which Stitt – by design, chance or a bit of both – managed to soften some of the his-way-or-the-highway bluster that predominated his first term.

Remember the outcry last November when Stitt, praying on the Capitol steps, claimed “every square inch” of Oklahoma for Jesus? How did that “square” with his pledge to serve all four million Oklahomans – one-fifth of whom describe themselves, according to the Pew Research Center, as “religious nones” or adherents to non-Christian faiths?

Dismayed Jewish leaders quickly asked to meet the governor. They subsequently described the longer-than-scheduled conversation as productive.

“The governor seemed to understand,” Jewish Federation-OKC President Adam Brooks told the Oklahoman in an email, “we are always concerned when statements could be misinterpreted by people who wish to harm Jews and other non-Christians.”

Then, on March 30, Stitt was photographed yukking it up with a member of – gasp! – the Biden Administration, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg while touring the FAA’s Mike Monroney Center in OKC.

Stitt and Buttigieg also discussed infrastructure projects important to Oklahoma, including electric vehicle charging stations, shoulders on rural two-lane highways, Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer proposed extension to Newton, KS, and maximizing historic Route 66’s potential as its centennial nears in 2026.

Polar opposites politically. Rationally, civilly discussing actual public policy. #ImagineThat

A day later, Stitt was scheduled to appear at the annual Ramadan Iftar hosted by the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The state’s wildfire emergency forced him to cancel last-minute, but he did send a greeting that read in part:

“This celebration is a reminder of the values that make our State and our Nation great, especially our belief in freedom and religious liberty for all. We believe that every individual has the right to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or persecution. In Oklahoma, we are proud to honor and respect the religious diversity of our communities. I understand the importance of unity, faith and discipline. These values during the month of Ramadan remind us of the power of coming together in community.”

[Worth noting: In 2019, Stitt welcomed attendees to CAIR-OK’s annual Muslim Day at the Capitol. Former Gov. Mary Fallin never accepted the group’s invitation to appear.]

Finally, Stitt now plays the role of quasi-conciliator-in-chief as Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall exchange snark over educating spending proposals.

Giving reporters an upbeat assessment, the governor said, “I still think cooler heads are going to prevail” and “I think we're at a really good spot; I think we're talking and we're all on the same page.”

Do these examples reflect an ambitious politico’s awakening that Mom’s recipe for success – you attract more bees with honey than vinegar – has merit? That dreams, even pipe dreams, of higher elective office begin by taking steps to expand your base, including giving your critics reason to reconsider?

Hardly.

Amidst a rash of mass shootings, Stitt pandered to the GOP’s gun zealots by signing a gubernatorial proclamation declaring April 3 as National Rifle Association and Oklahoma Rifle Association Day in Oklahoma.

Then, he attacked the Biden Administration’s proposed rule that would block wholesale bans on transgender athletes competing in K-12 schools and colleges, but would permit their exclusion if necessary to promote an “important educational objective, such as fairness in competition.”

Finally, without warning, Stitt arbitrarily dissolved the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, leaving Oklahoma without a statewide strategy for addressing homelessness.

Stitt’s reasoning? He said he didn’t think the council was “moving the needle on homelessness.” He also rejected the idea of directing other state resources toward building housing to address homelessness.

At a press conference, the governor actually said out loud: “Building housing, giving people free stuff is not the answer.”

Move over, Marie Antoinette. “Let them eat cake” is evidently a predictable response when you’re beneath living in the Governor’s Mansion [despite millions of dollars in renovations]; when you’re busy raising $6 million to build a royal castle for future governors; and when you own your own mansion in the swanky, gated Oak Tree community in north Edmond.

Clearly, the leopard isn’t changing its spots, presidential ambition notwithstanding.

As Maya Angelou once put it, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”