Mary Fallin’s comment during the gubernatorial debate last week that her status as a wife and mother makes her more qualified to be the next governor has lead to a wave of national media attention.

Jansing and Co., Good Morning America, The View, The Joy Behar Show and countless newspapers across the country have all weighed in, and the consensus opinion is Fallin crossed a line in implying that Jari’s decision not to have children in some way impacts her professional credentials.

In Sean Murphy’s orignial AP story about Fallin’s comment, former Republican state labor commissioner Brenda Reneau was quoted as saying, “I don’t understand why that’s important, Is she going to bring them to work? I’ve never found one thing while I was in office that I needed experience in being married and having children.”

Several media outlets have attempted to interview Fallin, seeking her response to all the national attention, however she has generally declined to appear in person, preferring to send a pre-written statement.

Jari’s professional experience makes her by far the most qualified candidate in this race. Her time as a legislator, as a judge, on the pardon and parole board, and as the Lt. Governor have all given her the experience and the knowledge she needs to be the chief executive officer of the state.

Todd Goodman, Chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said it is unfortunate Fallin has decided to go this route in her bid for governor.

“Ordinarily this kind of information wouldn’t be relevant in a campaign, however Mary Fallin used her experiences as a wife and mother to attempt to show she is more qualified than her opponent to lead the state,” Goodman said. “That comment has lead to a firestorm of national attention and a national debate on the role of family in public life. The candidate who is pushing family as primary consideration for her qualifications to be governor doesn’t have the best record to run on. It is my belief, Jari Askins represents Oklahoma values much better than her opponent.”