Cole Says Henry Tough Opponent For Istook

Congressman Tom Cole said Sunday on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" that Governor Brad Henry is a tough opponent for Congressman Ernest Istook. In so many words, Cole said Istook's battle to defeat the incumbent governor is an uphill one. Cole said Henry has "genuine assets" as governor and he cited Henry's incumbency and ability to raise money. He said Istook is "an excellent candidate" who will "go after Governor Henry" and is a "formidable opponent" that Henry and his staff don't take lightly. Cole said, "We (Republicans) don't win governor's races easily," noting the state has had just three GOP governors: Henry Bellmon, Dewey F. Bartlett and Frank Keating. Cole was questioned on a range of issues by Linda Cavanaugh, Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen. Cole said the Oklahoma Supreme Court's decision to toss out the Taxpayers Bill of Rights initiative petition will have an impact in November; he said had the TABOR question been on the ballot, it "would have helped Republicans" because conservatives would want to vote for the tax and spending limitations embraced in TABOR. Cole defended the war in Iraq; he's been there numerous times. Cole also said that Iraq will be "a dominant issue" nationwide in congressional elections. He said he believes the U. S. Senate will remain in GOP hands, but the U. S. House is "very much in play."

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