For as long as I can remember J.C. Watts has had the ability to captivate an audience when he is behind the microphone.

Nothing has changed.

The former Congressman and OU and professional quarterback was the keynote speaker at the annual Oklahoma Press Association Convention at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City last Friday and Saturday.

Watts warmed up the crowd of journalists with humorous stories and had them in the palm of his hand by the end of his speech.

He even gave a shoutout to Patty Gasso and her four-time back-to-back National Champion softball team.

He spoke of other Eufaula Ironheads who were All-Americans at OU, the Selmon brothers, noting that Lucious dated his sister for a while.

Watts said, to no one’s surprise, that there is far too much negative political discourse in our country today.

He said it’s gotten to the point in Congress that if a certain person’s name is attached to a bill, no matter the party, some members of Congress will be against it no matter what.

Politics in our country has digressed to personalities.

Watts also said America has lost its “Wow” factor.

No one is wowed by anything we do and that needs to change.

“We need to get that back,” Watts said with gusto.

Watts said a big reason for the loss of our “Wow” factor is the level of political fighting from both sides of the political spectrum.

He said the extreme fringes of both political parties are equally to blame.

But he remains hopeful that elected officials of The United States can get back to governing with effectiveness.