Another Henry Ad Claim Questioned

The Republican author of a bill designed to curb meth labs says Governor Brad Henry's claim, in a television commercial featuring Kingfisher Police Chief Dennis Baker, that "his" law has made Oklahoma a model for the nation, is false advertising. State Rep. John Nance, R-HD 90 in Bethany, said Henry didn't have much to do with the new law except sign it. He said that "does not merit a commercial bragging about it. That's not the Oklahoma way."

Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control said Henry was involved in several meetings held to discuss passage of the bill. In his 2004 State of the State address, Henry said, "I urge you to pass a measure this year tightening restrictions on tablet sales of pseudoephedrine, the chief ingredient in meth. We must protect our citizens, we must protect our children."

Nance was among Republicans blasting Henry for the television commercial, and others. Republican State Chairman Tom Daxon said the commercial is part of a pattern of false claims on Henry's part. "Brad Henry is taking credit for things he didn't do," Daxon said.

Photo: Kingfisher Police Chief Dennis Baker, featured on the Henry television commercial.

Earlier, State Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, said a commercial for Henry's campaign falsely claims the governor instructed the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on how to detain and deal with illegal immigrants. Terrill says Henry issued no such instructions and he quoted the Commissioner of Public Safety, Kevin Ward, as saying he had never received any written instruction from the governor on the subject and the first he heard about it was when the commercial aired. Ward subsequently said he doesn't know where Terrill came up with that and said he had discussed the issue with Henry months ago. Terrill, who supports Henry's opponent, Congressman Ernest Istook, said Henry's claim is a "lie." Terrill said Henry's support of in-state tuition at colleges and universities for illegal immigrants has become an issue in the campaign and Henry is trying to cover himself with the claim.

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