With the stock markets roiling and money to loan drying up, there’s no doubt that the economy, barring something unforeseen, will be the issue as Campaign 2008 moves forward.

As for Oklahoma, with energy prices falling, it’s just natural to assume that the Wall Street doings will soon affect Oklahoma’s main streets. The first casualty may be the con artists who were floating greedy plans on the waves of energy consumers’ anger over high gas prices. No doubt the propeller pushing, CNG scamming confidence plans are in serious jeopardy today. The odd stock deals, massive expansions and building plans by the local energy companies may be threatened as well.

The Wall Street mess and plunging energy prices will be a double whammy for Oklahoma. We assume that the capitol press corps will be tracking down the governor and legislative leadership to get them on record as to what they are doing to anticipate the economic impact to Oklahoma. America’s investors and consumers are worried, and Oklahoma’s budget will be drastically affected. President Bush hurried yesterday to seek to calm the fears, and we’re sure the press corps and the governor will tackling the topic as well.

Or will they? The fact is, the press corps (with the exception of the Journal Record) simply does not have the economic IQ to adequately pursue this story. There are hundreds of stories to pursue, and we’ll let you know if they even try. Press releases issued by the governor, the Speaker and senate leadership are simply not adequate leadership. Speaker Benge is also under the gun after his sell-out to the energy con artists.

Simply put, it’s prime time for the Oklahoma press and state leadership: let’s see how they do!

Meanwhile, as the economy moves to front and center, OKPNS will keep you informed of the top political/economic stories affecting you. Here’s the economic read on Obama and McCain .

Developing……..