Down But Not Out: Pruitt May Be Welcomed Back In Oklahoma

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt walks during a picnic for military families on the South Lawn of the White House July 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (... Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt walks during a picnic for military families on the South Lawn of the White House July 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Despite getting unceremoniously booted from the White House, former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt may be welcomed with open arms back in Oklahoma, according to a Sunday New York Times report.

Though it is not yet clear if Pruitt and his family will return to his home state, some prominent politicians there seem to consider him a victim of the liberal mob whose dedication to deregulation outweighs any personal scandals.

“Whatever Scott Pruitt’s problems, whether they were self-inflicted or not, it really doesn’t matter, in my view, because his approach was correct, and that needs to continue,” Dewey F. Bartlett Jr., former Tulsa mayor, told the New York Times. “Now, how Scott will be welcomed back in Tulsa, back in Oklahoma, that will be okay.”

“It’s not like ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,’ necessarily,” he continued. “But I think he’s been seen as a person who tried hard, was pretty successful, and got beat up pretty bad.”

“I think Oklahomans still love him, support him and trust him,” Pam Pollard, the state party chairwoman, told The Associated Press. “We’ll give him the opportunity to tell his side of the story.”

There is reportedly some buzz that Pruitt could run for Sen. James Inhofe’s (R-OK) seat, should the 83-year-old retire soon.

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. Yes, please, let Oklahoma send Dirty Mattress to the Senate.

  2. How you gonna keep him down on the farm*, once he’s seen K Street?

    *I know that not all of Oklahoma is farmland, but I try not to let accuracy get in the way of a lame joke.

  3. Yes please
    The attack ads have already been written

    by Pruitt

  4. I was thinking there is probably some juicy wingnut welfare gig that will not involve a lot of effort or work.
    If they dangle that carrot , he ain’t going back

  5. A rather interesting thing to read a couple days after a friend of my 19 year old son is diagnosed with leukemia. He’s got a go fund me page if you’re inclined.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

25 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for pachy Avatar for sysprog Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for eldonlazar Avatar for bojimbo26 Avatar for steviedee111 Avatar for pdxer Avatar for yskov Avatar for sickneffintired Avatar for lastroth Avatar for greylady Avatar for dickweed Avatar for zlohcuc Avatar for boisdevache Avatar for unit44 Avatar for jacksonhts Avatar for erik_t Avatar for gregangelo Avatar for groundloop Avatar for bshop999 Avatar for katex Avatar for favoritecurmudgeon

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: