Highway Traffic Camera Plan Draws ACLU Concern

By Randy Ellis/The Oklahoman ~ A local civil rights organization Wednesday said it is concerned that privacy rights of Oklahomans could be violated by a proposed state contract to use highway traffic cameras to identify motorists without vehicle insurance.

To read The McCarville Report Online's detailed coverage of this issue, search Highway Cameras in the box at top left.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma issued a news release announcing it has submitted an open records request to the state Department of Public Safety seeking information about a proposed insurance verification enforcement system.

"While the state has a vested interest in demanding all drivers are insured, it is not acceptable if the information captured from this elaborate camera system is used for any other purposes,” said C.S. Thornton, deputy director of ACLU of Oklahoma.

For example, it would be an abuse of authority to use information obtained under the guise of insurance verification to identify locations of people with outstanding arrest warrants, contends Tamya Cox, legislative counsel and program director for ACLU Oklahoma.

The Department of Public Safety is evaluating bids submitted by four companies that are competing for the contract.

Former University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys football coach Barry Switzer has been promoting InsureNet, which is part of the Oklahoma Public Safety Consortium which is one of the bidders seeking the contract. The other bidders are Canadian-based Intelligent Imaging Systems of Edmonton, Alberta; MV VeriSol, headquartered in Kingston, Ga.; and American Traffic Solutions, based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

State officials are counting on the system to raise at least $50 million in additional revenue next fiscal year.

"I have many concerns of the potential authorized and unauthorized abuse of government intrusion,” said state Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, who brought the proposed contract to the attention of the local ACLU affiliate. "The idea that private information may be handed over by insurance companies to a third party without strong safeguards should worry all Oklahomans.”

Jonathan Miller, chairman of InsureNet, and Charles Pecchio, chairman of MV VeriSol, both previously told The Oklahoman that their proposed systems are designed to protect privacy rights.

A Department of Public Safety spokesman did not return telephone calls Wednesday seeking comment.

Read more: http://www.newsok.com/article/3470777?searched=aclu&custom_click=search#ixzz0rlfRVpJK.

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Sources: Barry Switzer, J. C. Watts Stand To Share In Huge Highway Traffic Camera Plan Fee

The McCarville Report Online has been told that former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer and his former star quarterback, ex-Congressman J. C. Watts, will share in a huge fee if the Chicago-based InsureNet is successful in its bid to help implement a system of highway traffic cameras to catch insurance scofflaws in Oklahoma and other states.

Thus far, however, Oklahoma is the only state where the firm's system has won gubernatorial and legislative approval and is in the process of being adopted; it has been rejected in other states, including Nevada and Pennsylvania, primarily because of privacy concerns raised by opponents. Failure by the company to win contracts in those, and other, states apparently means the two have been paid nothing for their efforts to date. In Oklahoma, the company is one of four bidders and may or may not be awarded the contract.

One of those involved says he knows nothing about any fees promised Switzer, Watts, or others, including himself.

Switzer has been the company's out-front representative in Oklahoma, meeting with Governor Henry's chief budget writer, Treasurer Scott Meacham, to push for inclusion of the company's plan in Henry's budget.

While Switzer has contended Henry "has nothing to do with this," it was Henry's action in including the plan in his budget that would make possible the fee due Switzer and others for their lobbying if InsureNet were to be awarded the contract. Switzer was one of Henry's chief fundraisers in his 2002 campaign and is credited with helping Henry win his upset victory over Republican Steve Largent.

Bids on the plan, which Henry claims will generate $50 million for the state in its first year of operation, have been taken by the Department of Central Services after being outlined by the Department of Public Safety and its expert, David Beatty; a contract has not yet been awarded. Payment due the firm chosen to implement the plan is estimated in the 25-30 percent range.

InsureNet reports on its website that it now has formed a partnership with Intelligent Imaging Systems (IIS) to "blend their respective technologies in order to provide added functionality relating to vehicle insurance verification. IIS is a leading supplier of Smart Roadside™ solutions for the Transportation Safety and Security market. IIS’ automated electronic screening systems represent the evolution in effectiveness and efficiency of roadside law enforcement operations. With technology deployed in almost half the States and Provinces in North America, IIS is leading the way in helping public agencies use technology to improve highway safety and security."

Watts, a Republican who is now a Washington lobbyist, has not been publicly visible in working for InsureNet. Sources say, however, that he has worked behind the scenes on the company's behalf, "opening doors" in several states. Oklahoma City lobbyist Chad Alexander, Watts' former campaign manager and spokesman, is InsureNet's Oklahoma lobbyist. Alexander did not respond to questions about Watts' involvement, nor did House Speaker Chris Benge. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, through spokesman Randy Swanson, said he's had no contact with Watts. TMRO has been told that Watts had contact with a key member of Benge's staff when the push to land the contract for InsureNet began a year ago.

Former Rep. Wayne Pettigrew, whose contract with InsureNet expired May 31st, said he doesn't believe Watts is active in the Oklahoma effort: "I believe JC’s consulting company was only used in Louisiana."

Efforts to determine if Watts has been active on the company's behalf in Canada, where he was a popular professional football player, have been unproductive. InsureNet has pursued its automated license plate recognition system in that country.

Capitol sources say it may be the involvement of Republicans Watts, Pettigrew and Alexander that resulted in no questions about the plan from Republican House and Senate leaders, or from Republican Rep. Randy Terrill of Moore, chairman of the House Budget Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Department of Public Safety budget. Some observers found it curious that Republicans asked no public questions about the controversial use of the cameras, opposed by civil libertarians and privacy advocates, or about how the revenue figure was determined. Benge and Coffee approved the plan, apparently without question, when they signed off on Henry's budget.

Identified by The McCarville Report Online as part of the InsureNet "team" through company documents and sources are Switzer, Watts, former OU players and brothers Tinker and Steve Owens, Alexander, and Pettigrew. Tinker and Steve Owens are Norman insurance agents. Steve Owens says he was approached to join the InsureNet "team" but declined to do so; he was unaware a company document with his photograph was being used.

Pettigrew told TMRO he was contacted more than a year ago by Tinker Owens and asked to arrange a meeting with InsureNet's top official and Rep. Ken Miller, chairman of the House Budget Committee. Pettigrew said they subsequently had lunch. Miller confirmed the lunch and said he took no action as a result, and did not advocate InsureNet's plan with anyone.

A source with access to details of the alleged agreement involving Switzer and Watts says Switzer is to be paid 2 percent of the company's possible revenue in the states where he's been active, while Tinker Owens is listed also at 2 percent, with Watts, Pettigrew and Texan Jack West listed at 1 percent. West, who is in the insurance business, is a former pro football star known as the player who once ran into a goal post.

Pettigrew, however, told TMRO he knows nothing about those percentages or any contract outlining them.

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Benge Clams Up, Refuses To Answer Questions

House Speaker Chris Benge has refused to answer questions posed by The McCarville Report Online about Governor Henry's plan to install highway traffic cameras to catch vehicle owners without the required insurance.

Benge's spokeswoman, Jennifer Monies, responded to TMRO's repeated questions today with, "I am sorry, but the Speaker does not have a comment on either question."

TMRO asked Benge if he'd had any contact about the plan with former Congressman J. C. Watts, or anyone on his behalf.

Purpose of the questions, in part, was to confirm or deny information provided TMRO that Watts spoke with his "contacts" in Benge's office on June 10, 2009, and that InsureNet official Wayne Pettigrew spoke with Jim Reese, Benge's policy director, in May of 2009 as the company worked to gain approval of its plan in 2010.

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Meacham Confirms Highway Traffic 'Spy' Camera System Meeting With Barry Switzer; J. C. Watts Involved In Louisiana, Wayne Pettigrew Says

Governor Henry's chief budget writer confirms to The McCarville Report Online that he met with former OU and Dallas Cowboys football coach Barry Switzer as Switzer advocated one company's plan for a system of controversial highway traffic "spy" cameras to nab insurance scofflaws that Switzer wanted Henry to include in his budget.

And while sources say former OU football star and ex-Congressman J. C. Watts also has been involved in Switzer's effort here, one of those involved says Watts joined Switzer on the company's behalf only in Louisiana and "shied away" from involvement in Oklahoma. Louisiana's governor, Republican Bobby Jindal, is a former Washington appointee in the Bush Administration and a former congressman.

Later Today: Has The InsureNet Push Run Aground?

Henry adopted the plan Switzer advocated and included it in his budget as a measure that would generate $50 million in new revenue (and more millions for a company chosen to administer the plan). It also apparently would generate considerable sums for Switzer and others lobbying for it in fees for their efforts.

Switzer says he is working on a contingency basis for InsureNet, the Chicago-based firm that has bid on the multi-million dollar Oklahoma contract.

Treasurer Scott Meacham, through Deputy Treasurer Tim Allen, told The McCarville Report Online that he met with Switzer. Said Allen: "Yes, he (Meacham) did meet several months ago with Coach Switzer."

Allen said Meacham, Henry's chief budget adviser, didn't immediately recall all the details, or the date of the meeting, but last Friday said he would provide that information.

Switzer has confirmed TMRO's initial report that he represents InsureNet in numerous states, but denied his advocacy of the firm's system in Oklahoma has anything to do with the governor or their close personal and political affiliation.

Henry's 'Not even involved'?
"Brad Henry is not even involved in this," Switzer told The Oklahoman's Randy Ellis despite the fact that the entire purpose of the Meacham meeting was for Switzer and others to advocate the InsureNet system to spot vehicle insurance scofflaws for inclusion in Henry's budget. It was included as a revenue measure by Henry after Meacham's meeting with Switzer; bids have been taken by the Department of Central Services but a contract has not yet been awarded.

Switzer said he doesn't believe his relationship to Henry had anything to do with InsureNet seeking him out to lobby on its behalf although it appears to be the company's method of operation to secure politically-connected public figures and former elected officials as its advocates.

Switzer's ties to Henry are long-standing. In Henry's 2002 campaign, Switzer emerged as a key fundraiser and his support of Henry is credited by some with helping Henry stage his upset win over Republican Steve Largent.

The connection has prompted the suggestion that Henry's adoption of the plan pushed by Switzer is political payback from Henry since Switzer stands to profit from the transaction. Switzer told The Oklahoman he's not yet been paid, but expects to be if the InsureNet plan is adopted: "If these states go on these contracts, I'm sure I'll get paid for doing it."

Contingency Fee Payments Prohibited
That statement has resulted in the citation, by some, of Oklahoma's law prohibiting contingency fees. The law, OS 21.9334, reads, "Contingency fee prohibited. No person may retain or employ a lobbyist ... for compensation contingent in whole or in part on the passage or defeat of any official action or the approval or veto of any legislation, issuance of an executive order or approval or denial of a pardon or parole by the Governor. No lobbyist may accept any employment or render any service for compensation contingent on the passage or defeat of any legislation or the approval or veto of any legislation by the Governor. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars or by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding two years or by both such fine and imprisonment."

Pettigrew said, "I don’t know if Switzer had a contract or if he did if it was similar to mine with InsureNet but mine has a provision that if the contract would be in violation of any state or federal law, then it is null and void."

'All I do is open the door for them'
Switzer said InsureNet officials asked him to help introduce them to Meacham and others. He said he was introduced to InsureNet by Tinker Owens, the former OU wide receiver who is now a Norman insurance agent. (An internal InsureNet document viewed by TMRO shows Switzer, Tinker Owens and his brother, former OU star Steve Owens, as members of the "InsureNet Team" in Oklahoma. Steve Owens, however, says he was invited to join the team but declined. He was not aware the document is in circulation.)

Switzer said he introduced InsureNet officials to executives in Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. "All I do is open the door for them," he said.

Switzer said he does not have a contract with InsureNet, only a handshake. Company officials did not respond to inquiries about the relationship of Switzer and others to the company, nor did Oklahoma City InsureNet lobbyist Chad Alexander, the former Oklahoma Republican Party chairman and former campaign manager for Watts. Governor Henry's office did not respond when asked when Henry met with Switzer.

Former Rep. Wayne Pettigrew, Edmond insurance agent who is partners with Tinker Owens in a Tulsa-based life insurance company, says he doesn't believe Watts has been active in Oklahoma for InsureNet: "I believe JC’s consulting company was only used in Louisiana," he told TMRO. However, another source said Watts made "introductory" phone calls for the company and Switzer in Louisiana, Nevada and other states.

Pettigrew has been a national representative of InsureNet and helped push the company's plan across the nation; he said today his contract expired on May 31st and he no longer is helping the company.

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I was blessed to spend Thanksgiving in my beloved home state of Oklahoma, and had the chance to visit with real people in small towns during that welcomed break from the craziness of Washington, D.C. During those few days of respite, I saw up close and personal how entirely out of touch Washington is with middle America.

Washington Out Of Touch With Middle America

By J. C. Watts In The Las Vegas Review-Journal

I saw families holding hands and bowing to pray over their

meal in a public setting. I saw lights and trees and festively festooned homes and Main Street businesses, whose owners are not shy or ashamed to refer to the ornaments as Christmas decorations.

It would never cross the minds of these good people to remove C-h-r-i-s-t from the word Christmas and replace it with an "X," nor would they think of referring to that tall evergreen decoration in the corner of their living room as a "holiday tree," as our White House and the politically correct establishment now prefers.

These people eschew the generic "Happy Holidays" greeting, preferring to wish friends and loved ones a very warm and heartfelt "Merry Christmas," and never even considering the political incorrectness of such.

While many of these people I've mentioned believe the White House and Congress are totally out of touch with them and their values, none of them have ever attended a Tea Party. They are, however, every bit as disgusted with Washington spending, Washington bailouts and Washington corruption as are the peaceful protesters most of the networks ignore.

Last Sunday, my wife and I stopped at a local dining establishment for our after-church meal. There, when we witnessed a family praying over their meal in a public place, as my wife and I do, I was tempted to ask these good people what they thought of the Washington elite being in such a bubble that they would consider this family's conduct to be ungracious, insensitive or politically incorrect at the least.

Folks like this family in rural Oklahoma are, I believe, a microcosm of traditional families across the country. They feel that Washington, Congress and President Obama are 50,000 miles away. Not even in their hemisphere. When they watch the newscasts, or when they read about a bridge that serves 50 people costing $250 million, or a stimulus package costing more than $150,000 per job, when they hear of people wanting to read Miranda rights to Osama bin Laden (no kidding), they rightly conclude this new reality is downright obscene and foreign to them. This isn't the America they grew up to love.

They puzzle over the hundreds of billions of dollars being spent on a stimulus package that's not stimulating. They see the federal government getting bigger and bigger, and of taxes being raised. They hear of the government taking over the automobile industry and the health care system in America. They hear politicians and the press telling them that government is the answer. But in all of this, they never hear anything about values.

You see, these people are less concerned about money, but are extremely concerned about values. They weep for the country in which they raise their children and grandchildren. Their only concern about money is in the hopes that their government won't take any more of their hard-earned dollars, and would rightly stay out of their wallets and purses.

These people still take American pride in saluting the flag, honoring veterans, and they still think Dec. 25 is the most significant birthday celebration in history. You see, these people still believe that America is an exceptional nation, and they have no desire to see their grandkids inherit a merely normal nation. These people still believe that this place you and I call home and the rest of the world calls America is pretty special. However, in talking to folks from places in Oklahoma such as Eufaula, Stillwater, Davenport and Luther, they feel we are doing much to water down our specialness.

Another interesting thing is that so many of these people have identified with Republicans or Democrats in the past, but today they tell me they are thoroughly disgruntled with both parties.

While these people are too busy raising their families and running their small businesses to attend any tea parties, they cheer from the sidelines, believing the Tea Party participants are speaking for them.

J.C. Watts (JCWatts01@jcwatts.com), chairman of J.C. Watts Companies, a business consulting group, is former chairman of the Republican Conference of the U.S. House, where he served as an Oklahoma representative from 1995 to 2002.

Hat tip to Brandon Dutcher.

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J. C. Watts Says He Won't Run For Governor

J. C. Watts announced today that because of business and contractural obligations in Washington, he will not seek the Republican nomination for governor next year.

The announcement followed 24 hours of speculation he would opt not to make the race. The former 4th District congressman has built a thriving lobbying business and is in demand as a public speaker at conservative and business events.

Watts issued this statement: "After much prayer and deliberation with my family and friends. It is with a heavy heart that my wife and I have decided not to run for governor in 2010. I have observed with great interest and pride the progress my state is making under the bold and innovative leadership of the state legislature. Nothing would give me greater joy and satisfaction than to go work with these leaders to grow and prosper Oklahoma. However, my current business and contractual obligations create hurdles that I cannot overcome at this time. Oklahoma has much to offer both nationally and internationally. I would challenge the candidates running for governor to put their best foot forward to advocate for us on both stages. The new Governor must aggressively pursue and promote the virtues of our state. I would cherish that opportunity, but unfortunately that will not be in 2010. Many Oklahomans, Republican and Democrat, red, yellow, black, brown and white, from all walks of life encouraged me to make the race. I am deeply honored, humbled and grateful for the confidence they have shown in me.
I'm sorry we won't fulfill our goals together. I will continue to work for a prosperous and thriving Oklahoma, this glorious place we call home and the rest of the world calls America."

Congresswoman Mary Fallin, an announced candidate for the GOP nomination for governor, said, "J. C. Watts has been a great friend and a great asset to the people of Oklahoma. He is a popular figure both here and nationally and I am sure he will continue to find success in or out of politics. Decisions like this are never easy but at the end of the day I am sure he did what he felt was best for him and his family."

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Poll: 80 Percent Believe Watts Is Out

If J. C. Watts announces he's a candidate for governor, it will surprise many who have voted in today's online poll on The McCarville Report Online.

Thus far, about 80 percent believe Watts will announce he's not running. The poll can be found on the top right side of this page; if you've not yet voted, please do so.

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Pollster Suggests Watts May Eye Senate Race

A North Carolina-based pollster, Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling, suggested today in a KTOK interview that former Congressman J. C. Watts may be eyeing the U. S. Senate seat now held by Tom Coburn as well as the governor's race.

Jensen's comment came in an interview with the station's Reid Mullins. Jensen was discussing a new poll by his firm that shows Congresswoman Mary Fallin leading the field of candidates for governor next year. Watts, who has indicated he's considering the race, was included in the poll. Also included were Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Senator Randy Brogdon, a declared Republican candidate, apparently was not included in the poll.

Coburn has not yet announced if he'll seek reelection; he said on Monday he will announce his decision on June 1st. Former Governor Frank Keating reportedly has his eye on the seat if Coburn opts not to seek reelection.

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FEC Records: Watts Donated To McCain Campaign

Despite controversial comments taken by some to be an endorsement of Democrat Barack Obama in last year's presidential race and a harsh criticism of the Republican Party, former Republican Congressman J. C. Watts donated to the campaign of John McCain for president.

Federal Election Commission records show that Watts, a Washington lobbyist, donated $500 to the McCain-Palin Victory 2008 committee on October 13th, 2008. Earlier, on January 8, Watts donated $1,000 to the John McCain 2008 Inc. committee, the records show.

Comments attributed to Watts by The Associated Press created the impression he was endorsing Obama last year. Watts issued a statement following the story by The AP in which he explained he was expressing his disappointment in what he said was the failure to reach out to African-Americans.

Watts said, "It has come to my attention that an Associated Press article on black conservatives indicates many are considering voting for Barack Obama for president in November. The writer refers to me and states, '(Watts) said he's thinking of voting for Obama.' That is the writer's interpretation of my statement.

"If recent polls are accurate, a large percentage of Evangelicals and minority conservatives are leaning to or have committed to Senator Obama. I am not one of them.

"Like many Republicans across the nation, I consider myself a 'free agent' this year, which is what I told the AP. Presidential candidates are going to have to work to earn my vote, and not assume it.

"I'm urging my friends and associates to follow their hearts in November. I'm hopeful, as the course of the campaign plays out, that Senator McCain will work as hard to merit our votes as he is for other voters, that he would give them reason to vote for him in November.

"The article further lists some of my concerns with the Republican Party over its lack of outreach to the black and Evangelical communities. Those concerns are true, and anyone who has spoken to me or read my writings in recent months and years should not be surprised by that position.

"But I regret to conclude that the GOP leadership -- the party I embraced and for whom I have worked diligently across the nation -- has come to place evangelicals and Republicans who are concerned about the black community, in the same boat. It seems the party leadership is taking this loyal group of voters for granted and no longer feels the need to work for our votes."

The FEC records list $21,250 in donations to federal candidates by Watts in the 2007-2008 election cycle.

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World: Watts More Interested In Texas?

From The Tulsa World Editorial Page ~ Former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts may be thinking about running for governor of Oklahoma, but some of his recent activities suggest he's more interested in representing Texas interests.

It came to light recently that Watts' Washington-based lobbying firm has been representing the Tarrant Regional Water District since late 2007.

The Tarrant group, recently joined by the city of Dallas, has sued the state of Oklahoma, seeking to overturn a moratorium blocking out-of-state water sales.

A spokesman for Watts' firm said its staff isn't involved in the Oklahoma water dispute, but a spokesman for the water district said Watts' firm has "helped us understand the dynamics of water resource issues in Oklahoma."

Watts' involvement on behalf of the Texans isn't the only curious wrinkle in this long-running battle over what happens to Oklahoma's water resources. This week, legislative leaders have been engaging in intense and increasingly frantic talks in an effort to come up with legislation addressing out-of-state water requests.

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McIntosh County: No Record Of Watts' Vote In 2006 Governor's Race But He Says He Voted Absentee

Examination of the voting records of the five announced and potential candidates for governor next year shows that one of them, former Congressman J. C. Watts, apparently did not vote in the 2006 general election for governor.

At least that's what the record shows. However, Watts insists through spokesman Chad Alexander that he did vote, and he and his wife, Frankie, completed their absentee ballots and mailed them together. Her ballot is shown as having been received, while his is not.

Watts, who registered to vote in McIntosh County on June 28, 2004, listing a rural address a few miles outside his hometown of Eufaula, always votes by absentee ballot, county election board records show.

The records show he voted once in 2006, in the July 25th Republican primary. But there's no record that he voted in the general election, in which Congressman Ernest Istook was pitted against incumbent Governor Brad Henry, a race Henry easily won. Two calls were made to the McIntosh County Election Board to confirm that no record exists of a Watts vote in the general election and Alexander said today he also spoke with the election board and confirms there's no record of Watts' absentee ballot having been received.

Watts has not yet announced he's a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, but he is expected to do so soon. He is now a Washington lobbyist.

Records in Stephens County show that Democrat Jari Askins, lieutenant governor who is an announced candidate for her party's nomination for governor, registered to vote at her current address in Duncan on October 20, 1971. She has voted at least 67 times. In 2006, the record shows, she voted on February 14th, April 4th, July 25th, August 22nd and November 7th.

Records in Tulsa County show that Republican Randy Brogdon, state senator who is an announced candidate for his party's nomination for governor, registered to vote at his current address in Owasso on August 13th, 1980. He has voted at least 38 times. In 2006, the record shows, he voted on July 25th, August 22nd and November 7th.

Records in Oklahoma County show that Democrat Drew Edmondson, attorney general who has not yet announced he is a candidate for his party's nomination for governor but is expected to do so, registered to vote at his current address on December 18th, 2005. He has voted at least 10 times; he was a regular voter at his previous address as well. In 2006, the record shows, he voted on March 7th, May 9th, July 25th, August 22nd and November 7th.

Records in Oklahoma County show that Republican Mary Fallin, congresswoman who is an announced candidate for her party's nomination for governor, registered to vote at her current address on October 24th, 1986. She has voted at least 63 times. In 2006, the record shows, she voted on March 7th, July 25th, August 22nd and November 7th.

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Is Watts About To Announce In Governor's Race?

There's word today from multiple sources that former 4th District Congressman J. C. Watts, now a Washington lobbyist, is about to enter the 2010 governor's race.

Watts has said for weeks he'll make a decision by Memorial Day. If he gets into the race for the Republican nomination, he'll join Congresswoman Mary Fallin and State Senator Randy Brogdon of Owasso, both of whom already have announced.

In what appears to be a coincidence, word that Watts may be about to enter the race comes at the same time as word there's a new statewide poll that will be released on Tuesday showing that if Watts does enter the race, he will be in a competitive position with Fallin, considered the front-runner for the nomination.

"He's at 95 percent (to run)," said one source in a position to know.

Fallin's pollster, The Tarrance Group in Washington, earlier distributed a memo to supporters showing Fallin in the lead. The late April poll showed Fallin preferred among registered Republicans with 45.3 percent of the vote to 25.9 percent for Watts. Brogdon, of Owasso, got 5 percent.

A SoonerPoll released earlier this month showed Fallin at 48 percent, Watts at 34 percent.

Democrats Jari Askins, lieutenant governor, and Drew Edmondson, attorney general, are the top Democrats. Askins has announced, Edmondson has not.

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Noted Quote: Mark Shannon On J. C. Watts

"...I 'm not looking for a 'hired gun' based on money, not principles, for Governor.... And that appears to be exactly what J.C. Watts has become. J.C. should stick with being a lobbyist. Oklahoma needs someone that appears more principled and more dedicated to conservative principles to run this state's government." ~ Radio talk show host and blogger Mark Shannon

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Noted Quote: MyTake On J. C. Watts

"I am not saying this constitutes a conflict of interest on the part of J.C. Watts, but I do think it bears a closer examination. We have seen an increase in the influence of lobbyists on Washington politics and I am not at all sure we need to see that influence transferred to state politics, either in Oklahoma or any other state." ~ MyTake

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Lobbyist J. C. Watts Paid $180,000 By Texas Water Group Suing Oklahoma Over Water Rights

Washington lobbyist J. C. Watts, the former 4th District congressman contemplating a bid for the Republican nomination for governor next year, has been paid $180,000 by a Texas group that is suing Oklahoma for the right to purchase water that flows through the state. That disclosure comes as Republican leaders in the Legislature fight the lawsuit to prevent the Tarrant Regional Water District from getting the water free of charge. House Speaker Chris Benge said, "We're just trying to make sure that we don't end up having to give water to Texas and protect Oklahomans' interests."

The Oklahoman's Chris Casteel has the story at http://www.newsok.com/conflict-flows-from-water-use/article/3368200?custom_click=lead_story_title.

Read a companion story about the conflict at http://newsok.com/article/3368193.

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Fallin: 'Little bit insulted' By Watts' Comments

By Jerry Bohnen/NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ As an already-announced candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor, U.S. Representative Mary Fallin indicated Thursday she didn't like what former Congressman J.C. Watts said about the field of candidates to date.

"I was a little bit insulted when he said there were no quality candidates in the race for governor," said Fallin in an interview on KTOK's First News with Reid Mullins.

"I spent a lot of time, investing my time and effort to represent the state, but he's a great friend." Fallin laughed as she made the reference to the insult.

It was Wednesday when reporters interviewed Watts, who is exploring the possibility of running against Fallin and Owasso State Senator Randy Brogdon in the bid for the GOP nomination.

When pressed about his "quality" comment, Watts said it's what voters have told him. "I think that's their concern. Does that mean that we don't have good candidates? I'm not saying that."

Watts went on to say he didn't mean to be "ungracious to anybody" or "disrespectful or anything."

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BCS Series Pays Lobbyist Watts $620,000

By Daniel Libit/Politico ~ J.C. Watts has won at every level in sports and politics in Oklahoma — he was a beloved quarterback for the Sooners in the late 1970s, brought home two Orange Bowl victories and later became a popular Republican congressman from his home state.

But his latest position may be tougher than running the wishbone offense against Texas or schooling Democratic politicians in Oklahoma: He’s the lobbyist for the much-maligned Bowl Championship Series.

The job — which has paid Watts’ firm $620,000 over the past five years — involves defending the BCS against a flurry of politicians who want to tear down the quirky system for determining college football’s national champion. Recently, this controversy has produced a congressional hearing, and even President Barack Obama has jumped into the fray, saying he would prefer a playoff to the current system.

Read it all at http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22200.html.

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Poll: Fallin With Huge Lead Over Brogdon, Watts; Askins Leads Edmondson By Slight Margin

The SoonerPoll reports that Congresswoman Mary Fallin has a huge lead over possible gubernatorial primary opponent J. C. Watts and announced opponent Senator Randy Brogdon.

The late April poll shows Fallin preferred among registered Republicans with 45.3 percent of the vote to 25.9 percent for Watts, who has not announced his candidacy. Brogdon, of Owasso, got 5 percent.

In a two-way race for the Democratic nomination Lt. Governor Jari Askins had 33.9 percent and Attorney General Drew Edmondson had 28.6 percent.

The sampling was of 168 registered Democrats, 139 registered Republicans and 11 independents. It was conducted April 23-26 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percentage points.

Of the Republicans surveyed, 23.7 percent indicated they did not have a preference or declined to answer.

"I think J.C. not having been on the ballot since 2002 is having an impact on his numbers. Memories are short in politics," said Bill Shapard of The SoonerPoll, which he heads with political science professor, author and pollster Keith Gaddie.

"I think if J.C. is going to run and be a viable candidate, he's almost going to have to reintroduce himself to the electorate. We've had a few more football stars since he last ran," Shapard told The Associated Press.

Shapard said the poll shows Askins and Edmondson "are well known among the Democratic electorate, which is evidently divided between the two. I think that is going to be a dogfight primary if Edmondson finally commits to the race."

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Noted Quote: J. C. Watts On Obama's Election

"I think it (Obama’s election) is a testament that God answers prayers in ways that we might not understand." J. C. Watts, as quoted in The Oklahoman 1/25/09.

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Watts Refers Questions To Former Manager

Former Congressman J. C. Watts, who has said he is "looking at" the 2010 governor's race, today issued a memo telling recipients that his former campaign manager, Chad Alexander, is the contact for questions about the governor's race.

Alexander, also a former Republican Party chairman, sent the memo:

"To: Political Reporters, Editors & Producers. Re: J.C. Watts, Jr. Contact Information. Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr., requests all media seeking comments concerning the possible 2010 gubernatorial campaign or any inquiries into the 2010 governor's race be directed to Chad Alexander. Alexander is a former Watts' campaign manager and a longtime friend and associate. He also is former Republican party state chairman."

Alexander served as Oklahoma co-coordinator of John McCain's presidential race last year. Ironically, Democrats pounced, and Republicans recoiled, after statements by Watts last year that seemed to indicate he favored Barack Obama in the race; The Associated Press circulated a story saying Watts was considering casting his vote for Obama. Watts sought to clear the air following publication of those remarks, saying he had not endorsed Obama. But those remarks, and more recent comments criticial of Republicans in Congress, have stirred considerable discussion about him in GOP circles.

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