Women's Council Honors Denise Bode

WASHINGTON ~ The Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment today named Chief Executive Officer of the American Wind Energy Association Denise Bode as its Woman of the Year. Bode is recognized for her leadership and accomplishments in advocating for clean and affordable energy.

Bode is a former member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

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Will Jim Roth Replace Bode At Clean Skies?

The rumor mill is working overtime about a successor to Denise Bode at Aubrey McClendon's Clean Skies Foundation in Washington, and the present focus is defeated Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth, whose campaign co-chairman was McClendon.

Bode, who resigned from the Corporation Commission to take the McClendon job and was succeeded by Roth, resigned to become head of an organization pushing wind power.

Roth's campaign was fueled, in large part, by donations from McClendon and his associates at Chesapeake. The alliance between the two goes back to Roth's tenure as an Oklahoma County commissioner and was detailed here in early October.

McClendon is said to have been instrumental in convincing Governor Brad Henry to name Roth to the Corporation Commission when Bode resigned.

The American Wind Energy Association will be third energy group in Washington headed by Bode. She spent seven years as the head of the Independent Petroleum Association of America before being appointed to the Corporation Commission in 1997.

"I am thrilled by my new opportunity of working with the AWEA team to grow wind power in the U.S.,” Bode, 54, said in a news release. "I am particularly proud of the role I played as Oklahoma corporation commissioner to bring commercial wind power to Oklahoma.”

Tom Price, senior vice president for corporate development at Chesapeake, said potential successors to Bode at the Clean Skies organization have already been identified.

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Bode Leaves Foundation, Joins Wind Group

From Okie Campaigns ~ The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today announced the appointment of Denise Bode as its new CEO, effective January 2. Bode will succeed Randall S. Swisher, who is retiring after a 19-year stint with AWEA. Bode has headed the Clean Skies Foundation in Washington, an entity formed by Chesapeake Energry Corp. CEO Aubrey McClendon.

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Rob Johnson Files To Oppose Roth

Rep. Rob Johnson (R-Kingfisher) filed today for Corporation Commissioner to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Denise Bode, who vacated the seat last year. The seat is now held by Governor Henry's appointee, Democrat Jim Roth. Two years remain on the seat's tenure.

“So much needs to be done to ensure we make Oklahoma the best it can be, not only today, but also for our children and grandchildren” Johnson said, “As a member of the Legislature, I was able to do so by cutting taxes, improving education, and supporting pro-life policies. As a Commissioner, I will continue work to strengthen Oklahoma’s economy, make our state more business friendly, all while fairly representing all Oklahomans.”

A fifth generation Kingfisher County resident, Johnson graduated from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma Law School. Johnson and his wife of ten years, Michelle, also a fifth generation Oklahoman, have two daughters, Kensington and McKellyn.

Johnson was elected to the State House in 2004 and currently holds the leadership position of House Majority Whip. Additionally, Johnson has worked as an aide for Congressman Wes Watkins and Congressman Tom Cole. Johnson has also owned his own law practice, worked in the oil and gas industry, and worked in the family business, Johnsons of Kingfisher.

“The decisions made at the Commission can make Oklahoma a more energy and business friendly state and that will encourage more people to invest in Oklahoma,” Johnson said.
“I have been honored to serve the state of Oklahoma, and now I’m asking for the voters’ support to join me in helping to make this state the best it can be,” Johnson said.

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Bode: Clean Skies TV Launches Today

Former Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, who now heads the Clean Skies Foundation in Washington, announced on the group's website that its new Internet-based television-style news show will debut today, Earth Day.

Bode, who resigned a year ago to become CEO of the foundation, is now based in Washington. The foundation was formed by Chesapeake Energy and its chairman, Aubrey McClendon, who also serves as chairman of the foundation. Bode and broadcaster Ron Black now host "Energy Matters," a series of brief reports, on radio station KTOK in Oklahoma City, and other stations.

One of those involved in the pioneering Internet news show is former KOCO-TV news anchor Tyler Suiters, who announced a week ago he had resigned to join Clean Skies TV in Washington. Suiters made his on-air debut this afternoon with a field report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge during primary anchor Susan McGinnis's segment.

Bode writes that the site will air energy news updates every hour and provide programming throughout the day at http://www.cleanskies.tv/. (This morning's programming included a panel discussion about the presidential candidates and their positions on energy with panelists from The Associated Press, The Hill and Reuters.)

Bode's announcement, and and more about the new programming, can be found at http://www.cleanskies.org/.

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Complaints Filed Against Kim Holland Attacker

From VoteLaw ~ The group Public Citizen has filed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that a political operative and his controversial group identified by TMRO as key players in the 2006 television attacks on Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland violated federal election law and the group's tax status.

The complaints name the nonprofit group Americans for Job Security (AJS). The complaints, which were also sent to congressional committee leadership as part of a request for an investigation into the issue, ask the IRS to revoke the group’s tax status and the FEC to fine the group for election law violations.

It's the same group implicated in placing robo calls against Mary Fallin and Denise Bode in the 2006 Republican congressional primary.

Americans for Job Security is registered under Section 501(c)(6) of the tax code, the category reserved for business leagues and trade associations. Groups that are registered under this section are prohibited from engaging in efforts to influence elections as their primary purpose. But AJS, which maintains no Web site and appears to have only one paid employee, spends millions of dollars on advertisements to influence elections without appearing to engage in any other substantive efforts, according to the complaint. While many groups registered under 501(c) of the tax code participate in some level of electioneering activity and others may have violated the law, Public Citizen has identified AJS as one of the most egregious offenders. In response, Public Citizen is asking that the IRS revoke AJS’s 501(c) status, collect back taxes for its undeclared electioneering activities and require it to pay penalties for violating its tax-exempt status.

In 2006, TMRO reported, "The president of the controversial Americans For Job Security, Mike Dubke, has been indentified by The McCarville Report Online as the man leading the $250,000 attack on State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland.

"TMRO learned that the television commercials attacking Holland were placed by Dubke, a conservative Republican power broker who routinely launches attacks on Democrats, and sometimes moderate Republicans, in election years from his suburban Washington office in Olde Town Alexandria, Virginia.

"The commercials were placed through Crossroads Media, located at the same address as AJS. Dubke, over the last five years operating as an advertising agency, has placed attack radio and television commercials in races all over the country. He has been investigated, threatened and described as a 'political jackal' because he represents groups that don't disclose the sources of their money. He says that is deliberate, because keeping the sources secret means the debate is on his targets rather than his donors.

"AJS is located in Suite 555 at 66 Canal Center Plaza in Alexandria, VA. Crossroads Media, listed in Oklahoma television station documents as the agency on the anti-Holland commercials, is located in Suite 555 at 66 Canal Center Plaza in Alexandria, VA. A Federal Election Commission document located by TMRO lists Dubke as 'Crossroads Media/Partner.'"

In 2006, Attorney General Drew Edmondson said he'd reached a settlement with Americans For Job Security about robo calls placed against Mary Fallin and Denise Bode in the 5th District Republican primary and has found no evidence that any of their opponents was involved in the calls. Edmondson said AJS and vendor Advantage Inc. agreed to pay $3,000 each to cover investigative costs into the violation Edmondson alleged, that the calls did not contain the name of the entity sponsoring them in the proper place and did not contain a call-back telephone number. Edmondson said the investigation by his Consumer Protection Division concluded that "no other candidates were found to be associated with the calls."

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Bode To Interview Roth On Sunday Radio Show

From www.ronblackradio.com ~ SUNDAY EVENING ON ENERGY MATTERS, COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIM ROTH: Sunday evening on Energy Matters with Denise Bode and Ron Black (KTOK, 6pm), County Commissioner Jim Roth will be on the program to talk about the Corporation Commission to which he has been appointed. Tune in and learn more about your new Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner.

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Corporation Commission: Possible '08 Candidates Await Henry's Replacement For Bode

Capitol sources say some Republican politicians are preparing to run for the Corporation Commission seat being vacated by Republican Denise Bode, but the possible candidates are waiting to see what Democrat Henry names to replace her before they talk openly about their plans.

Bode has resigned effective May 31st to take charge of a new energy industry association in Washington. She's been a commissioner since she was appointed by then-Governor Frank Keating.

While there are 3-1/2 years remaining on Bode's term, the person Henry names to replace her will serve until the 2008 election.

Sources say two ambitious GOP legislators, House members Dennis Adkins and Rob Johnson, are talking to some about their possible candidacies.

Adkins, 43, is chairman of the House Energy and Technology Committee. The Tulsan has been in real estate and is term-limited in 2012.

Johnson, 33, is majority whip. He is an attorney and is term-limited in 2016. He served as a legislative expert for former Congressman Wes Watkins and for Congressman Tom Cole.

Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl about those Henry might name to replace Bode. The resignation of former State Treasurer Robert Butkin as dean of the Tulsa University School of Law prompted rumors Butkin is in the running. But in resigning the top TU post, Butkin said he wanted to spend more time with his wife and three children. That was essentially the reason he gave for resigning as state treasurer; his family lived in Tulsa and he grew weary of the commute and absences from the family. It seems unlikely he now would take on an equally-demanding Oklahoma City job unless he plans to move to the city, and those who know him say that is unlikely.

The names most heard are those of Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth and Oklahoma City Councilman Pete White. Roth has let his interest in the post be known and has met with Republican Commissioner Bob Anthony. He reportedly has the support of Capitol lobbyist Pat Hall and others. White, a former Democratic Party chairman, also has support from numerous legislators and, it is said, from many in the energy industry.

Henry has given no indication yet of who he will name; he has said he hopes to have an announcement before Bode's official resignation date the end of this month.

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Add Pete White To Corp Comm Speculation List

Add the name of veteran Oklahoma City Councilman Pete White, a former Democratic Party chairman, to the list of those Governor Brad Henry may consider for appointment as corporation commissioner to replace Republican Denise Bode. Capitol sources confirm that some Democrat legislators are prepared to urge Henry to consider White for the position.

Bode has resigned effective May 31st with three and a half years remaining in her term. A replacement named by Henry will serve until the 2008 election.

White served on the Oklahoma City Planning Commission from 1980 to 1982, the last year as its Chairman. He was first elected to the City Council in 1982 to fill the remainder of the term vacated by the previous councilman. He was reelected in 1985 to a full four year term.

An attorney, White served as chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party from 1989 to 1992.

In January 2005, the council chose him to serve the remaining term of office of a departing council member. He was elected to a full four year term in April, 2005. He is currently the Chairman of the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust, a post he held previously from 1984 to 1989. He also serves on the City Council Finance Committee, Social Services Committee, and Judiciary Committee.

White was the first Chairman of the Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, serving from the trust's creation in 1985 until 1989. He also served on and chaired the Oklahoma City Convention and Tourism Trust from 1985 to 1987. He served as Vice-Chariman and Chairman of the Sooner State Games from 1982 to 1997.

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Who Will Replace Bode? Regan At Top Of List?

Who will Governor Brad Henry name to replace Republican Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, who has resigned effective May 31st?

Lots of names are being mentioned and the one at the top of the list appears to be Peter Regan, an attorney and former chief of staff for Congressman Dan Boren. A member of the law firm Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis, Regan unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor last year. He lost the runoff to Lt. Governor Jari Askins.

Others being mentioned include former State Treasurer Robert Butkin, former Commissioner Cody Graves, former State Rep. Charles Gray and Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth.

Graves held the commission seat until he resigned 10 years ago, paving the way for then-Governor Frank Keating to name Bode to the seat. Last year, Graves sought to unseat incumbent Commissioner Bob Anthony, but lost in an Anthony runaway, getting less than 42 percent of the vote.

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The Gadfly On The Wall

Bode's Resignation: Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode's resignation surprised most. Some insiders say her heart hasn't been in the job since she lost last year's congressional primary, the theory being she wanted to return to D. C. Others say she'd grown weary of the daily grind at the Commission. Whatever the case, she's gone (with three and a half years left in the term) as of May 31st and Governor Brad Henry now gets to name her replacement. Is Cody Graves parked on the governor's door?

Adios, Gary: Gary Stearman, for 20 years a Saturday morning fixture at KTOK-AM 1000, has resigned. His final broadcast is today. Stearman has hosted the Home & Garden Shows and reportedly will be replaced by longtime Sunday night talk show host Gwin Faulconer Lippert.

U.S. Gun Control Plan from the Australian Shooter Magazine ~ "If you consider that there has been an average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theater of operations during the past 22 months, and a total of 2112 deaths, that gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers.The firearm death rate in Washington DC is 80.6 per 100,000 for the same period. That means you are about 25 per cent more likely to be shot and killed in the U.S. capital, which has some of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S., than you are in Iraq. Conclusion: The U.S. should pull out of Washington."

Howard Dean: The screamer, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, will be the keynote speaker at the Oklahoma Democratic Party's Convention in Oklahoma City on May 19th.

From Keith Gaddie at www.tailgatepolitics.blogspot.com ~ Mike McCarville is bemoaning the lack of a Zydeco music station on the Sirius network. Well, Mike, until you can get over here to Southfork and listen to my collection of Ambrose Sam, John Delafose, Fernest Arceneaux, and the Zydeco Hurricanes, I'm directing you to a few places down in Louisiana where I get my fix when I'm online . . . laissez les bon temps rollier!
http://www.kbon.com/
Louisiana variety, Cajun and Zydeco
http://www.klrzfm.com/
Cajun mornings & swamp rock
http://www.krvs.org/
KRVS-Lafayette (has Zydeco weekends & Mon-Fri 5am-7am)
http://www.wwoz.org/
WWOZ Community Radio in N.O.
radiolouisiane.com
pretaped show on live365 player

Istook-isms: Former Congressman Ernest Istook presents some interesting twists on his new blog, http://istook.blogspot.com. Given his experience, it should be interesting. Among his first posts was one analyzing the "burn rate" of presidential candidates and their money, the burn rate being how fast they are going through their cash. Istook says he likes to shoot turkeys in the field and in politics.

Senate Bill 507: Don't be surprised if Governor Henry vetoes this one, a legal reform bill with lots of provisions, including one that holds gun manufacturers harmless if their products are used in crimes. The bill is backed by the National Rifle Association, which endorsed Henry for reelection last year. A sticky wicket for the governor.

Rock On: Miss America 1944 has a talent that likely has never appeared on a beauty pageant stage: She fired a handgun to shoot out a vehicle's tires and stop an intruder. Venus Ramey, 82, confronted a man on her farm in south-central Kentucky last week after she saw her dog run into a storage building where thieves had previously made off with old farm equipment.

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Bode Resigns, Will Take D. C. Trade Position

Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode announced today she is resigning effective May 31st to head a new natural gas trade association, American Clean Skies Foundation, in Washington. A major member of the association, she said, is Chesapeake Energy Co. of Oklahoma City.

Appointed by Governor Frank Keating, Bode took office on August 20, 1997 and was elected on November 3, 1998 with over 60% of the vote, a record for a Republican running statewide for the first time. She was reelected to her second full term in November, 2004. Bode worked for nine years on the staff of then–U.S. Senator David Boren as his legal counsel, focusing on the areas of energy and taxation. Before joining the commission, Bode served for seven years as president of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).

Governor Brad Henry will appoint Bode's successor; that person will serve until the 2008 election cycle.

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Ron Black Back On The Air

Ron Black, former talk show host at WKY radio before it flipped to Spanish music, will be back on radio this weekend as the host of two new shows.

Black reports he will co-host "Energy Matters" with Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode Sundays from 6 to 7 p.m. on KTOK-AM 1000, and host "Oklahoma Outdoors" Sundays from 7 to 8 p.m. on KEBC-AM 1340.

Black, a Republican campaign consultant who worked with Bode in her congressional campaign, has posted details about the new shows on his blog.

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Cornett Raised $521,000, Spent $515,000

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett raised $521,006 and spent $515,846 in his unsuccessful bid for Congress last year, his final campaign finance report shows.

The report was filed with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday.

The latest report filed by Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, who finished third in the 5th District Republican primary to Cornett and eventual winner Mary Fallin, indicates Bode at the time of the filing had a $250,000 debt. Her most recent filing shows she raised $730,000 and spent more than $1 million.

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