Askins, Fallin don't talk motherhood at forum

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The two women running to be Oklahoma's first female governor concentrated at a Tuesday forum on discussing business-related questions, staying away from the issue that's drawn attention of late: Does being a mom make one candidate better than the other?

U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, the Republican nominee, said during a debate last week that the fact that she was a mother was an important distinction between the candidates.

Some have viewed Fallin's remarks as a slap at Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, who is not married and does not have children.

Askins appeared Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America" program to discuss Fallin's remarks, and Fallin distributed a statement Monday saying she wasn't attacking Askins when she mentioned her own family several times during the Oct. 19 debate.

Appearing Tuesday before members of the state Chamber of Commerce, Fallin and Askins both stayed away from family talk and discussed business and economic development.

They managed to agree that expected budget shortfalls will limit how much can be spent on programs like a state fund for high-tech investments or an account the governor can use to close business-location deals when competing with other states.

Askins, a 12-year state lawmaker finishing a four-year term as lieutenant governor, said she's confident she's closing the gap over the favored Fallin -- saying the GOP nominee's margin had narrowed to little more than a few percentage points.

"It's single digits," Askins said. "It's close. We're in good shape."

Fallin, a former three-term lieutenant governor completing a second term in Congress, said her campaign planned to launch caravans of supporters from the four corners of the state who would converge in Oklahoma City on Saturday.

"We're going to continue to campaign until the very last hour of Election Day itself," Fallin said.

Campaign finance reports released this week show Askins, fueled by more than $1.1 million in personal loans to her campaign, narrowly surpassed Fallin in overall fundraising.

Askins reported raising $1.5 million during the Aug. 10 to Oct. 18 reporting period, bringing her total to $3.9 million. Fallin reported raising $1 million during the last quarter and $3.8 million overall.

"I'm very proud that we raised over $1 million, and that's money that I raised, not put into a race, but money I raised from individual supporters," Fallin said.

Askins had a more than two-to-one advantage over Fallin in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.

During the forum, Fallin highlighted the consistent themes of her campaign -- creating a "business friendly" environment, shrinking state government and resisting oppressive federal mandates.

She emphasized lowering workers' compensation costs and protecting businesses from frivolous lawsuits.

Askins cited her economic development efforts in her hometown of Duncan, which lost oil services giant Halliburton when the company moved its headquarters to Texas, and stressed she would continue a working relationship between the business community and the governor's office at the state Capitol.

"I don't believe jobs are created at 23rd and Lincoln," Askins said. "I believe jobs are created on the main streets of our communities."

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)