State Rep: Fallin's Absence At Obama's Visit 'Embarrassing' For Oklahoma

A Democratic state representative from Oklahoma City is criticizing Governor Fallin and other state officials for being AWOL during President Obama's visit to the Sooner state.

Representative Mike Shelton said the Governor's absence was an embarrassment for Oklahomans.

"Regardless of your partisan affiliation, there is such a thing as basic decency and neighborly politeness," said Shelton, in a statement emailed to News On 6.

According to the Governor's press secretary, their office found out about the President's visit on Friday afternoon from the media. The Governor and her family were already out of state on vacation.

03/21/2012 Related Story: Fallin Not In Oklahoma To Welcome President Obama

Shelton found fault with the Governor's explanation of why she wasn't available to greet the President.

"While the governor did not have time to meet or even greet the president, she did have time to issue press releases attacking him," Shelton said.

Shelton is referring to a statement issued by the Governor before Obama's visit, welcoming him to the state but calling out his energy policy.

"I am glad the president supports the construction of the pipeline connecting Cushing to the Gulf. Impeding the progress of something which is so obviously beneficial to both the economy and the energy security of the United States would have been nothing short of irresponsible," Governor Fallin said.

"Unfortunately, President Obama and his administration are practicing exactly this kind of obstructionism on the northern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline."

Shelton went on to say, "today, Oklahomans looked good on energy, but poor on leadership."

The President left Oklahoma for Ohio Thursday afternoon.