Don't give me your tired, your poor ....

... your really awful, tired clichés about women competing against each other.

Many of my female friends quietly or not so quietly celebrated U.S. Rep Mary Fallin and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins winning their respective Republican and Democratic primaries Tuesday.

After Oklahoma AG Drew Edmondson conceded the gubernatorial primary win to Askins, I posted a quick note on Facebook:

"Wow ... two female candidates for governor. CAN'T WAIT for the debates!!!! Gosh, I'm getting a little teary-eyed."

And almost immediately, one of my long-time male friends posted (from a newspaper where I used to work.)

"Gubernatorial cat fight... LOL."

And I took offense. I know my friend meant to be funny and know he really isn't a misogynist. But I'm afraid it foretells what's to come.

I want my journalist colleagues to reach beyond all those tired, old clichés to cover this historic race between two women. I don't want to hear the words cat fight, girls night out, cougar, meow or any of the other "clever" phrases referring to women.

In fact, I'd just as soon not have to hear that they're women every time Mary and Jari are reported on during this campaign. They're simply candidates for governor and the fact that they're female is nice, but it's not a reason to vote for either one. The reason to vote is because these two were the most qualified from their respective major parties to become our next governor.

And I don't want to hear about what they're wearing, please. Who the heck cares, unless they appear in a burlap sack or a $3,000 pantsuit? That isn't going to happen with these two.

Cover Jari or Mary on where they stand on the issues that are important to Oklahomans, a list that's could keep you going for awhile.

See you on the campaign trail.