Inside the Beltway: GOP presidential hopefuls, Oklahoma-style

NEWS AND OPINION:

Oklahoma Republicans have their own brand of bodacious glitz, billing the Sooner State itself as a “united state built by an unwillingness to fail” — and a global crossroads in the middle of the heartland. Now there’s a showcase for such thinking: The Southern Republican Leadership Conference gets underway in Oklahoma City on Thursday, and has proven to be a powerful draw. Most of the White House hopefuls will be there in full plumage, along with 50 speakers, energy, utility and manufacturing opinion leaders — and the lure of the numbers. Officials will also conduct the largest regional presidential straw poll of the year during the course of the two-day event.

On hand: Sens. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham; Govs. Scott Walker, Chris Christie and Bobby Jindal; Jeb Bush, Rick Santorum, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Donald Trump and Rick Perry. Though he’s not in the running, John Bolton will also attend, along with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, Sen. James Lankford and Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin.

“The road to win back the White House begins in Oklahoma City,” the governor says. “The 2016 election promises to be the most important election in our lifetime. The choices we make in the next two years will define America for the next generation.”

Dramatic words, yes. But sharing such plainspoken talk is not a bad idea in an age when marketing and presidential tweets threaten to trivialize the entire democratic process. Meanwhile, there’s biscuits and sausage gravy to be had for breakfast, a young Republicans happy hour, an “Energizing America” gala with Mr. Cruz and a birthday party for oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens.

“A plan without action is not a plan, it’s a speech,” Mr. Pickens advises one and all.

GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES, FOX NEWS-STYLE

The countdown is on for the first Republican presidential debate, set for Aug. 6 in Cleveland — to be moderated by anchors Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace. There’s organizational items as well. Michael Clemente, executive vice president of news and editorial at the network, has also revealed the candidate entry criteria: They must meet all U.S. constitutional requirements, announce and register a formal campaign for president, file all necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and pay all necessary federal and state filing fees.

Of particular interest to one and all: The candidates also must place in the top 10 of an average of the five most recent national polls “as recognized by FOX News leading up to August 4th at 5 p.m. ET,” the network says. Such polling must be conducted by major, nationally recognized organizations that use standard methodological techniques. Mr. Clemente also noted that Fox News will provide additional coverage and airtime on Aug. 6 to those candidates who do not place in the top 10.

“We support and respect the decision Fox has made, which will match the greatest number of candidates we have ever had on a debate stage,” says Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.

There will be much interplay with Facebook, revealing “how the issues of the day are resonating,” plus input on questions for the candidates.

BERNIE’S BIG DAY

What are the chances that Ben & Jerry’s ice cream will come out with a flavor dedicated to Sen. Bernie Sanders? Probably pretty good. On Tuesday, the Vermont independent kicks off his presidential campaign in a Burlington park with sort-of-hippie trimmings, including a zydeco band and, yes, free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the manufacturer of the same name, founded 37 years ago for “peace, love and ice cream” in the very same town.

“There is nowhere else in the world where I would hold an event this important,” says Mr. Sanders. “I will lay out an ’Agenda for America’ which addresses the major crises we face and a vision of a government which works for all of our people and not just the billionaire class.”

Well, OK. But the ice cream guys have long been politically active in a big way. Co-founder Jerry Greenfield himself was on Capitol Hill this week, in fact, lobbying Congress to require food product manufacturers to include labeling that lists any GMO ingredients. So it stands to reason that “Frozen Bernie” — or words to that effect — might be in the works. Said ice cream would likely include maple, in keeping with the state’s signature flavor.

No word yet from Ben & Jerry’s, though the company does reveal that customers are currently voting on the next flavor to be released, choosing between Bourbon Pecan Pie and Bar-B-Que Peach.

MR. BOLTON RAMPS IT UP

The man who backs national security candidates and faithfully underscores the need for a strong defense and upfront leadership has founded a new nonprofit. That would be John Bolton, who launched the Foundation for American Security and Freedom on Wednesday with a five-figure broadcast ad campaign in support of Congress extending Section 215 of the Patriot Act by the June 1 deadline.

“Terrorists overseas are certainly trying to recruit people in America. Section 215 of the Patriot Act provides a critical element in the war on terror and keeping America safe at home while securing our interests abroad,” Mr. Bolton says. “I strongly encourage members of Congress to back NSA efforts that support America’s interests in the digital world. Without such, we are inherently vulnerable.”

And that’s just part of Mr. Bolton’s political presence; he already mans two aggressive political action committees. Find the new organization here: Fasfreedom.com.

MR. BAKER’S ABODE

Up for auction next month: the Tennessee estate of the late Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr., consisting of a 6,175-square-foot main home, plus cottage, guesthouse, pool and more, all on 11 acres in Huntsville. The home is unmistakably “mid-century modern” in style, with grand river and mountain vistas beyond the huge windows, some very streamlined expanses of brick and some sumptuous, old school-style drapes of the era. Baker called this splendid property his “center of the universe,” and for good reason.

Among the former Senate Majority Leader’s many guests: President Reagan and wife Nancy, Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia, Egypt President Anwar Sadat and countless lawmakers and officials from the great state of Tennessee. Baker died almost a year ago at the age of 88. Furniture, china, artwork, a piano and other personal property will also be available for auction.

“Senator Baker was a true diplomat, and he leaves behind a tremendous legacy,” says Rob Strickland, spokesman for the Furrow Auction Company, which is taking care of the particulars. See it all here: HowardBakerAuction.com.

POLL DU JOUR

• 74 percent of U.S. financial journalists have a positive outlook for the economy in the next year.

• 61 percent say they typically trust a company CEO as a key news source.

• 58 percent trust the credibility of company technical experts as sources.

• 57 percent feel positive about the health of the U.S. financial services sector in the next year.

• 53 percent trust the credibility of financial and industry analysts.

• 13 percent say they trust company PR professionals as credible sources.

Source: A Gorkana Financial Journalists survey of 400 U.S.-based journalists conducted throughout the month of March and released Wednesday.

Cantankerous commentary, vapid chatter to jharper@washingtontimes.com.