Governor Fallin Welcomes President's Visit To Oklahoma

President Obama and his policies don't often generate words of praise here in our red state. But the President's visit brought quite a bit of positive commentary, even from one of his harshest critics: Gov. Mary Fallin.

The Governor candidly acknowledged that she and the President don't always agree on things, but she wanted to take this opportunity of his 2-day visit to, not only thank him for coming, but to point to some areas where they do agree.

The Governor was there on the tarmac at Tinker Air Force Base last night to greet the President as he arrived in Oklahoma City, after he had spoken in Durant about a pilot program to provide broadband internet access to more low-income families.

"I was pleased that he was focusing on underprivileged families, but also on rural connectivity. It's a goal we've been pursuing here in Oklahoma for quite some time. We have a program to do that in the state, and so, that particular issue we're in agreement on,” Fallin said.

Of course, the second half of the President's trip was about reforming the criminal justice system, putting fewer non-violent offenders behind bars, something the Governor is also pursuing.

“We want to be able to be smart on crime and get them the services and substance abuse treatment programs that people need so hopefully they don't go into the criminal justice system.”

The Governor had her family out there to greet the President, and she seemed genuinely grateful that he had chosen to promote these issues here in the Sooner State and, as a token of her appreciation, she says she gave him a Thunder t-shirt. He is, after all, a big basketball fan.