More Fan-freaking-tastic publicity for Oklahoma

[Kenosha]

Nice. Creationism at the zoo. Cockfighting. Now this.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/25/oklahoma.primary.ap/index.html

quote:Oklahoma GOP primary race has lots of laughs
'Hee-Haw' issues include tattoos and gorillas

Tuesday, July 25, 2006; Posted: 7:58 a.m. EDT (11:58 GMT)

 
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (AP) -- Rep. Ernest Istook is giving up his congressional seat in hopes of taking on a highly popular Democratic governor. But first the Republican has to get past an opponent in Tuesday's primary who has run a commercial with a comedian wearing an Istook mask and making pig noises.

Millionaire Tulsa businessman Bob Sullivan, who has tried to position himself to the right of the highly conservative Istook, has outspent his opponent and shook up the race with the commercial.

It criticizes Istook for voting for pork barrel spending in other states, specifically for tattoo removal in California and $1 million "to put gorillas in Kentucky." The ad stars "Hee-Haw" comic Gailard Sartain.

Istook, 56, has run his own attack ad, challenging Sullivan's commercial. "Come on, Bob, Oklahomans know dishonesty is no laughing matter," the ad says.

Some Republican leaders defended Istook's vote because the money was in a $25 billion bill that contained money for veterans' benefits and defense projects.

If Istook wins the GOP nomination, he is likely to face an uphill battle against Gov. Brad Henry, who had a 75 percent approval rating in one recent poll and has only token opposition in the Democratic primary.

Istook, known for pushing prayer in school and other conservative social issues, raised less than $1 million, according to his pre-primary report.

Henry, 43, has raised more than $3 million so far and also is running as a conservative, having signed record tax cuts the past two years. He also signed legislation requiring parental notification before a teenager could have an abortion, and expanded the ability of citizens to use deadly force and claim self-defense.

Six Republicans and two Democrats are running in the congressional district that Istook has represented for seven terms.