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Last Weeks Poll Results

Which Republican do you favor for the 4th Congressional District race?
Marc Nuttle 67% Tom Cole 33%

The Current Poll

Do you feel Steve Largent's campaign for Governor is on the right track? Yes or No
Poll ends midnight Wednesday August 28th

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Green Campaign Comic Book Gets "Earned Media"

Channel 5's EyeWitness News in Oklahoma City picked up the ever-growing story of a comic book being distributed by the Tim Green for Attorney General Campaign. The story was covered from the angle of "mud-slinging" due to loud complaining from the Denise Bode Campaign.

The most interesting point is that of omission. Not one person representing the Bode Campaign went on the record to say that the comic book was inaccurate. With all the loud complaining being recorded, it would seem that the Bode Campaign could come up with at least one item covered in the comic book that was inaccurate.

It is also clear that the Bode Campaign is on the ropes and is hoping that, by crying foul, people receiving the comic book will be less inclined to believe the facts documented. Nevertheless, the Bode facts uncovered by the comic book seem to be having a real impact. That's why Eyewitness News picked up on the story.

The second most interesting point is that even with all the loud complaining coming from the Bode Campaign, Chad Alexander, the Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman, refused to say that Green was negative campaigning or "mud-slinging." He had the opportunity to make the comment but refused to do so. That makes it pretty clear. Truth telling isn't "mud-slinging."

The Third most interesting point is that Denise Bode seems to be missing in action. She has chosen to hide behind her spokesman and husband John Bode. When Mike McCarville of KTOK put out the call for her to answer questions regarding Ed Apple's endorsement of Drew Edmondson, her husband answered the call. When Channel 5's EyeWitness News wanted a statement from the Bode Campaign, again her husband John Bode stepped forward. Denise Bode seems to be dodging the press. The urgency of both issues demanded a response from the candidate. Not her husband.

Maybe the wrong Bode is running for Attorney General?

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Tulsa World Reports: Reneau-Wynn "Planned All Along" to Eliminate Labor Department

An August 20th, Tulsa World editorial endorsing Brenda Reneau-Wynn has exposed yet another campaign revelation. According to the editorial, Reneau-Wynn has decided to pursue the elimination of the State Labor Department.

Tim Pope was the first candidate to purpose this idea. Apparently, Reneau-Wynn has adopted the idea as her own. According to the World, "Brenda Reneau-Wynn claims she has planned all along to systematically work toward its elimination, and legislator Tim Pope is promising the same."

This is an amazing revelation in light of the loud carping from the late Patrick McGuigan who was arguing against the proposal on behalf of the Reneau-Wynn campaign.
This reminds me of the time Bill Clinton tried to take the credit for enacting the Welfare Reform Bill.

Reneau-Wynn has not made her plans known in any campaign literature and seems to be the "Brenda-come-lately" on the issue.

Does anyone really believe this has always been her plan? If so, I've got some scenic mountain property in Hope, Arkansas that I'd like to sell.

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Is Oklahomans For Life, Inc. Survey Playing Political "Dirty Tricks?"

When asked about his connection to Denise Bode. Lauinger stated that he is a member of a committee that appointed Denise Bode to be its Rose Day "Celebration of Life" speaker. In Bode's speech, she said, "I recently read an article written by my friend Tony Lauinger that talked about the important function of laws and why we need the right laws to guide our generations in the future."

If Mr. Lauinger and Oklahomans For Life, Inc. continue to survey candidates in the future, perhaps it would be more meaningful to list what the candidate actually says rather than "interpreting" what he thinks the candidate means.

Due to Lauinger's "interpretations", the Oklahomans For Life, Inc. survey will serve much better as fire starter for a charcoal grill than a useful and dependable voting tool. "Interpreting" candidates answers seems to be unethical at best. And at the worst seems to be playing political "dirty tricks."

Lauinger forwarded a letter that states, "We regret any confusion that may have been caused by our survey, Tim Green's responses, or our newsletter. We made a good-faith effort to accurately represent the position of each candidate, including Tim, on each question on our survey, and we believe we have done so." (See Link)

Somehow I doubt many will agree. Lauinger's "interpretive" survey practices do nothing to further his most important cause, which is to protect the unborn. And will surely cause donors to take a hard view at what looks to be a political "dirty trick."

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Haney Campaign says, "Magazine ranks Orza among worst-performing CEOs"

Democrat Kelly Haney's campaign for Governor issued a press release August 21, 2002 asking if Vince Orza "is a successful businessman?" The Haney Campaign cited an August 15, 2002 issue of Restaurant Business Magazine that includes Orza in its 2001 "Ten Worst CEO's" list.

Haney's release states, "My idea of a successful businessman is someone who can create wealth for many people," says Haney. "Not a greedy corporate CEO who pays himself hundreds of thousands of dollars at the expense of low-paid employees and stockholders."

Perhaps Haney is correct. Should Haney become Governor, we could become the number one state in the union for selling Capitol Statues. Which of course would be better than if Orza became Governor. If Orza becomes Governor, we'll all have to learn to flip hamburgers with smile. UHRRR…Right.

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Dana Murphy Criticized by Opponents

Mark Snyder and Jeff Cloud seem to be teaming up on Dana Murphy. Both held a press conference on Tuesday 8/20 to condemn Murphy. According to the Oklahoman, "Cloud said Murphy has shown she 'is willing to bend or even break the law for her personal gain.' Snyder cited 'a pattern of unethical conduct." Both Cloud and Snyder are feeling the heat of her campaign.

Murphy has a decided advantage going into next Tuesday's primary. However, Murphy has not directly responded publicly to Cloud or Snyder. One would hope that she doesn't employ the "mud-slinging" cliché like Denise Bode. People who use the "mud-slinging" cliché are usually people afraid to directly address the truth of the matter.

Allegations raised about Murphy's past divorce deserve to be answered directly by Murphy. During a recent interview, I asked Murphy about the anonymous copies of divorce documents I received in the mail. Murphy said, "That was a really painful time in my life. I had to learn some difficult things. True character is how you deal with things when the storm clouds arise."

I would hope that Murphy directly addresses the issues raised by her opponents. Hiding behind the veil of "mud-slinging" isn't helpful and doesn't address the issue. Once the issue has been addressed head-on the voters will decide whether or not her actions during a divorce should count against her today. I doubt most voters will give much weight to the allegations if they feel the question has been directly addressed.

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MPC Readers Letters

To whom it may concern:

Mayor LaFortune is still in the process of building his administration.
Karen Keith and her position as the Mayor's Communication Director is an integral one for any city of substantial size, let alone the City of
Tulsa, which happens to be one of the only cities in Oklahoma with a
Strong Mayor form of government. This means that Mayor LaFortune is the Chief Executive of the City of Tulsa. Basically, it makes him the equal of any CEO in the private sector, and he also doubles as the political leader.

I think this justifies the Communications Director position. Do you
think there is any substantial political office without a position like
this? If so, I am afraid you are excessively uninformed.

In order for the office to run efficiently and effective a full staff
compliment is necessary. The Mayor's Office is not spending beyond what has been budgeted.

I suggest that before you advertise your "opinion" next time, you should understand the full situation more thoroughly.

Thank you,

M. W.
Tulsa, Ok.

My Comments: I think all government waste is bad. Whether it's Republican or Democrat waste makes no difference. If a mayor of a large city is not capable of writing their own speeches, maybe they should resign their office and go back to school so that they might be better qualified in the future.
M.W. seems to write quite well. Maybe he could be mayor?