Henry vs. Istook -- Six reasons why Henry wins

[RummyTheDummy]

My two cents: This is the race Henry's camp wanted.

1-They'll roll out the Istook-Abramoff ads early and often and put him on the defensive.

2-Istook has a looooooong record to run on. Lots and lots of targets.

3-Istook winning without a run-off is actually a good thing for Henry. The run-off in 2002 put Henry's name on the map and while taxing from a resources standpoint, kept him in the news for an extra month. When you're trying to boost your name recognition across the state, that extra month is huge. Istook won't get it. Voters will tune out. Bad news for Ernie.

4-Henry is infinately more likeable. I don't think the 2002 race has ever been truly appreciated. Unknown St. Sen survives a run-off and beats a drowning in money NFL Hall of Famer and Congressman in a state where the Republican has every concievable advantage.
Anyone who followed that race remembers the commercials with Henry and his daughters rolling around playing with puppy dogs on a sunny day. Great ads. Largent came off as robotic. Can anyone see Istook rolling around on the ground with puppies?

5-Istook will come out swinging on the lottery in an attempt rally his moralist base. Meanwhile half of that base is sneaking off to 7-11 to buy scratch offs when nobody is looking. This issue doesn't work for them IMO. He'll also sling some tort reform mud, too. Only trouble is, explaining tort reform is not exactly a made for TV experience.

6-Henry has spent about 5 cents so far. He's raised more than 3 million and will raise more. Henry has the high ground here. The trick is not getting too complacent with all that dough as the Largent camp did in 2002.

I see it 52-43, Henry

People have problems with Henry. I like him, but I have problems with Henry. However, the image of Ernest Istook lording over this state for four years will get me to the polls on election day rain, sleet or snow. No doubt about it.

[OKNancy]

1. I think you are right

If I could give Henry some advertising advise, I'd say play up how embarrassing it would be to have Istook as Gov. and of course Henry's lovely family. Also if polls show approval, all the money the lottery has given to the schools.

[Joey Liberal]

2. Istook is an idiot n.t

[blonndee]

3. Hope you're right!

I can't see Istook getting elected. Then again, I couldn't see that reprehensible waste of space Coburn getting elected, either.

But Henry's popularity right now also bodes well for him, I think.

[fishwax]

4. I certainly hope you're right

even though I don't live in Oklahoma anymore, the thought of Istook in the governor's mansion makes me nauseous.

I haven't been in OK in just over a year, so I don't know everything that's going on, but your reasoning seems sound. Of course, Henry will have to fight against the Gaylord Media Machine, but he had to do that last time around too ...

[Z_I_Peevey]

5. Brad Henry has a certain George Nigh quality that people

just love. The nice guy, non-threatening. I hope he cleans Crazy Izzie's clock.

[RoyGBiv]

6. Media friendly ...

It doesn't hurt that he plays the media a lot like Clinton did.

He goes on morning radio shows, for example, and not always by phone, nor ever by messenger, and not just when he's running or promoting something specific. And, the radio shows he frequents are ones like Jack and Ron on 98.9, which has a large following and isn't perceived as a stuffy "talk" show.

In Okie terms, this is a bit like Clinton appearing on Arsenio Hall.