Tulsa World: Bartlett seeks to expand his support

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Bartlett seeks to expand his support
He urges Republicans to unite behind his campaign.

Speaking Friday at the Republican Club of Tulsa, mayoral candidate Dewey Bartlett thanks the candidates who competed against him in the GOP primary and calls for the party to unite behind his campaign. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 9/19/2009 2:29 AM
Last Modified: 9/19/2009 4:14 AM

See the Tulsa World’s city election Web page for continuing coverage.

Dewey Bartlett Jr. worked to shore up his Republican support Friday after securing the GOP nomination in the mayor's race last week.

At the Republican Club of Tulsa, Bartlett thanked the 10 candidates who competed against him in the party primary for being involved in the process, highlighting his two chief rivals, Chris Medlock and Anna Falling.

He said he admired Falling's "courage to espouse her Christianity and to interact that with a firm desire to improve the quality of life in Tulsa north."

Bartlett said he has sat down with Medlock since the primary election to talk about common ground and a move forward "arm in arm."

"Pro-and-condiscussions happen on whatever subject Chris brings up," Bartlett said during a luncheon at the Summit Club. "There's no doubt that if he says something, there's a conversation about it, and that's a good thing."

But now is the time for all Republicans to unite behind his campaign, Bartlett said, to prevent a "liberal Democrat" from winning the office.

Bartlett, the president of Keener Oil & Gas and a former city councilor, will face Democratic state Sen. Tom Adelson and independent candidates Mark Perkins and Lawrence Kirkpatrick in the Nov. 10 general election.

"We will see

a strategy where my opponent (Adelson) will try to cast himself as a conservative," he said. "This is very contrary to his record, obviously. He's trying to show that up is down, and his left is actually right.

"I am a conservative Republican businessman, with an open mind, an open heart and an open door to all of Tulsa. My opponent is a liberal Democrat."

Adelson, who is an attorney, "doesn't have the experience, history or temperament to properly lead this city out of our present financial problems to the point where we are once again America's most livable city," he said.

Adelson has done nothing to make himself qualified to be the CEO of a city with 4,000 employees, Bartlett said.

"I offer you my resume, very humbly," he said, noting his own history of job creation and business leadership.

"We are going to win. I can assure you of that," he said. "We are going to have a terrific four years, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. But I need your help and your vote to get there."

Reached by telephone after Bartlett's speech, Adelson's campaign released a statement.

"These are the self-serving comments of a politician who has fallen behind in the polls," Adelson said, referring to his own polling. "I trust the voters to examine both our records. They will see clearly that I am the fiscal conservative and that Mr. Bartlett never met a tax increase he didn't like.

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Bartlett has failed to discuss the real issues that matter to Tulsa."

Brian Barber 581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Mayoral candidate Bartlett rallies Tulsa Republicans," which was published on 9/18/2009.

	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/18/2009 2:01:43 PM) Dewey Bartlett Jr.'s in the wax museum?
	Report Comment Four Sixteen Rigby, Tulsa (9/18/2009 2:06:45 PM) The election is probably Bartlett's to lose. But, people said that about Steve Largent when he ran for Governor and look how that turned out.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/18/2009 2:11:19 PM) 2ndjoyce, That's funny... Ya know, he reminds me of someone but I just can't put my finger on it.
	Report Comment Scooterman, (9/18/2009 2:17:09 PM) Jeff Bridges look a like.
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/18/2009 2:17:02 PM) If Eric Clapton and Beau Bridges got married and had a baby....?
	Report Comment Bball Fan, (9/18/2009 2:18:38 PM) Ric - Beau Bridges, maybe?
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (9/18/2009 2:18:39 PM) HUH?
	Report Comment drkdt, (9/18/2009 2:19:35 PM) Maybe Paul McCartney, with some Eric Clapton mixed in.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/18/2009 2:20:28 PM) Yep, I think a combo of McCartney and Bridges does it.
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/18/2009 2:21:13 PM) We are not right.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/18/2009 2:22:16 PM) Who wants to be normal anyway?
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (9/18/2009 2:22:24 PM) Calling the paddy wagon on you.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/18/2009 2:23:06 PM) Don't forget the straight jackets and spit net.
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/18/2009 2:24:10 PM) I've always wanted to be normal. But it's too hard. And no fun.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/18/2009 2:25:48 PM) Everytime I try to act normal, people stare at me...
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/18/2009 2:27:41 PM) ...like you're a wannabe, Ric?
	Report Comment ost, (9/18/2009 2:27:54 PM) get a room ric and joyce
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (9/18/2009 2:27:44 PM) Abby Normal
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/18/2009 2:36:49 PM) 2ndJoyce yep, a wannabe straight-laced normal fella, but it never lasts very long. Arby, My favorite part of that movie is when he says, "Dooon't put the candle back".
	Report Comment DowntownDan, Tulsa (9/18/2009 2:43:03 PM) I don't understand what conservative and liberal have to do at the city level of government. I'm a democrat, but I'll probably vote for Bartlett because I think he will keep Tulsa improving while being fiscally responsible. I don't really care what his views on abortion, the war, or Barack Obama are.
	Report Comment peelumba, (9/18/2009 2:44:09 PM) hhmm adelson cut taxes? does that sound liberal?
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (9/18/2009 2:44:18 PM) Ric, mine was "Where wolf......there wolf"
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/18/2009 2:51:20 PM) Arbythree, what about, "Wasn't that on the other side yesterday?" "What hump"?
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (9/18/2009 3:02:23 PM) Oh she will run again skinny. My guess is US Senate.
	Report Comment 2ndjoyce, BA (9/18/2009 3:09:23 PM) Wasn't poking fun at Bartlett, skinny. That picture reminded me of the figures in the wax museum. And I, like Ric, have had a nagging question for a few weeks about who he reminded me of. I kinda like the guy. I do like the meatlover's, though - not from Mazzio's - I'm a Pizza Hut girl.

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