Newly-minted Speaker of the OK House, T.W. Shannon took to the podium Tuesday to address House members & guests and...

knocked their socks off.

I admit that I didn't know much about Shannon when he was named Speaker-designate. But one need not do much investigation of the Speaker's idiology after listening to this address.

Even on that busy day of his debut as Speaker, he still took time to meet with Wounded Warriors that morning and offer them breakfast and lunch.

Shannon's remarks were filled with true Conservative values: family, faith, responsibility, thrift, lower taxes, pro-life, and the dangers to our state from an over-reaching Federal Government.

Over my Christmas/New Year's time off, I was disheartened while watching the fiscal cliff "negotiations" in DC. I even had thoughts of leaving the GOP for the first time in my life. But after seeing Rep. James Lankford's principled departure from the votes of most of his party, I was encouraged.

And after listening to Speaker T.W. Shannon's ideas expressed so directly and clearly, I'm convinced that the OK-GOP has the right people with the right answers to the problems that we face here in Oklahoma, AND Washington. I think I just saw Oklahoma's future Governor, Congressman, Senator, or any other post he seeks.

Lead on, Mr. Speaker. Lead on.

-Reido

To hear or download the Reidcast of Speaker Shannon's full address, click here.