Gov. Mary Fallin hits Democrats in Charlotte, but some Oklahomans shrug her off

Fallin came here Tuesday night and went down on the floor of the Time Warner Cable Arena during the opening night speeches.

Wednesday, she participated in a news conference with a small-business owner and other elected Republican officials who criticized President Barack Obama and Democrats on a number of fronts.

If the president is re-elected, Fallin said at the news conference, “What we will see is another four years of the same policies that haven't worked for America. And it is time for a change.”

Wallace Collins, chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said, “I personally think she ought to be back in Oklahoma earning her salary.”

Collins said the state is paying her salary as governor while paying Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb to be governor in her absence.

Moreover, he said, the state is paying for her security detail, which travels with the governor.

Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said the presidential campaign of Republican Mitt Romney paid for the commercial airfare for the governor and Weintz, who accompanied the governor.

The campaign also paid for lodging for the governor, Weintz and her security detail. Oklahoma taxpayers paid for the travel for the security officers.