Monday June 2nd begins Oklahoma's filing period for elective offices, and thanks to the proliferation of blogs, Oklahomans will have more information about candidates than ever before.

Some of the information will be items that the old and slow media, dogged by conflicts of interest from their wealthy owners, simply will not share with their readers, listeners and viewers. Some information will get altered, due to people like Mike Turpen, who tried to kill an extraordinary, and true, story that was damaging to his buddy Drew Edmondson. Some information is tainted, as exemplified by Turpen continually pimping his clients, without disclosing that fact to his viewers on the formerly respected political affairs show Flashpoint.

Further, with the slow and lazy Oklahoma media, the last minute dirty trick has become standard operating procedure. Responses through traditional media seldom are successful. Sometimes the press makes value judgments that a particular claim is in fact a dirty trick when it is not: the press erred when it did not take seriously Gary Jones' campaign claims about disgraced Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan. The press didn't do its job, and the voters did not have the information they deserved before they re-elected McMahan. Some watchdog, huh?

But there's also the clever tactic some candidates use when, in the rare occasions the press actually does their job and uncovers real character issues, to denigrate the information by actually employing the 'victim' mode: "they're throwing mud,"as the saying goes.

At OKPNS, we think open and vigorous discussion is what the votes deserve. After yesterday's revelations about Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud's ties to the George Soro's radical-left Aspen Institute, it seems another issue that could dog corporation commission elections is beginning surfacing.

OKPNS has obtained a copy of an arrest report that is being circulated. Commissioner Roth was arrested December 12, 1995 after 2 AM in a section of town known for its gay nightlife. Roth was arrested for DUI and following too closely. He refused the arresting officer's request for the "implied consent request," most likely a blood or breathalyzer test, and he was accompanied by Joe Mark Elkouri, a special municipal judge, who according to the arresting officer's report, appears to bargain with the officers to make the officer "forget this happened." The officer refused, and called in a supervising official. Elkouri died less than a year later after what the paper referred to as a lengthy illness.

It should be noted that the report by the arresting officer is in a public document that represents the officer's opinion that Roth was intoxicated. There are no attachments to the documents detailing how the case was adjudicated, and there is no indication from the report that Roth was involved in the effort to make the officer "forget this happened."

Excerpt from the police report. (Click here, here, and here to read entire report. Click on image to enlarge)

"(Elkouri) then stated to this officer, "There must be something I can do to make you forget this happened." I informed(Elkouri) that there was nothing he could do and that (Roth) was under arrest for DUI. (Elkouri) continued to state that he was a special judge and that (Roth) should not be arrested."

Undoubtedly, this document would have surfaced in the late hours of either the primary or general election. Now it's out in the open, regardless, the public will, and Roth's opponents, will demand an explanation for his behavior.

Some will say the incident, which happened in December 1995, is unfair to Roth because it was so long ago. That's non-sense. It's been nearly 40 years since Chappaquiddick, and Sen. Kennedy is yet to come clean. George W. Bush was hit with a DUI revelation less than 48 hours before the 2000 election. There were no Democrats screaming foul on that night. The public deserves to know, and Roth deserves time to make that explanation.

Developing………

Labels: Decision '08, Jim Roth

Posted at 5/29/2008 01:00:00 PM |

Judging by the information we at OKPNS are receiving, it's the two corporation commissioner races that will present the most drama this summer and fall, especially when considering the intrigue surrounding the two incumbents: Democrat Jim Roth and Republican Jeff Cloud.

While we know the U.S. Senate race between incumbent U.S Sen. Jim Inhofe and State Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, will be entertaining, the musical chairs theater that is developing over at the commission promises multiple story lines.

Roth became the first openly Gay person to hold a state-wide elected office when he was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry in May of 2007, replacing Commissioner Denise Bode. Per the Oklahoma Constitution, Roth is running for the last two years of Bode's term.

Cloud was elected to a six-year term by the voters in 2002, and according to reports is running for another six years.

The only problem is, what you're hearing about these races is just not true.

Electing Roth is the number 1 priority for Chesapeake Energy. Chesapeake championed Roth's appointment in the first place, and their officials have made it clear that they want Roth in the six-year seat that Cloud now holds. Cloud, like Roth, supported Chesapeake's successful campaign that stopped construction a coal-fired power plant and is seen as such a good friend to Chesapeake and the petroleum companies that he has a standing job offer from an unnamed natural gas company. According to sources, the sticking point has been the salary: Cloud wants in the neighborhood of what Bode took to become CEO of the Clean Skies Foundation, but his potential suitor believes Cloud is nowhere near as valuable as former Commissioner Bode, a national energy policy expert who headed the Independent Petroleum Association of America prior to her ten-year run at the corporation commission. Further, Cloud has gained a reputation as being so uninspiring and lethargic that insiders tell OKPNS that Republican Commissioner Bob Anthony's pet name for Cloud is the "ghost commissioner."

It's a good bet that the puppeteers over at Chesapeake do not want two of their favorites running against each other, so based upon what Chesapeake officials are repeating, their expressed desire to have Roth in the six-year seat would indicate Cloud is in the way. Some are suggesting to OKPNS that Cloud knows he is leaving, but using time as leverage to increase the value of his compensation package. "Chesapeake would much rather have Roth than Cloud: he's sharper, harder working and has become an extraordinary ally for them, and besides, they have a much more energetic person than Cloud ready to put into the two-year term," one corporation commission insider tells OKPNS, "so while Cloud is a friend, Chesapeake has others they want on the commission that simply will work harder than Jeff."

So where does that leave the other announced candidates? Until Cloud divulges his intentions, or is forced by his potential employer to make finally make a move, the others are forced to wait. "It's not even out of the realm of possibility that Cloud and Roth will eventually reach an accommodation, and that Roth will file against Cloud, who would then drop out AFTER filing to thwart others," says another political observer familiar with Chesapeake's concerns.

So while Roth and Cloud are different in every conceivable way except their allegiance to Chesapeake, it appears that the two are very dependent on each other to get what they want. So even after filing is over next Wednesday, we may still have no clue how this drama is going to play out. OKPNS will keep following this developing story.

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, jeff cloud, Jim Roth

Posted at 5/27/2008 01:43:00 PM |

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, Denise Bode, Jim Roth, OGE

Posted at 5/17/2008 09:15:00 AM |

Since the mainstream media has rolled over and played dead on this issue, it's great to see Mark Shannon and the blogosphere do their jobs for them.

From markshannon.com

Why AUBREY MCCLENDON would be an Honorary Co-Chairman for a homosexual candidate for CORPORATION COMMISSIONER. Mighty convenient when you're in the OIL AND GAS BUSINESS, don't you think? No conflict in interest there, huh? No ethical questions? No appearance of wrong-doing, do ya think??!!!?!?!

In a letter mailed to friends by Mr. Bennett and Mr. McClendon they state, "Moving Oklahoma forward by making it a better place to work and live is a mutual goal. Jim Roth also shares our vision of a pro-growth Oklahoma." They continue, "As the Incumbent, he is a leader that demonstrates the vision, integrity and experience necessary for the responsibility of this position."

(Insiders tell me that AUBREY is upset with REPUBLICANS because they won't rescind 1804, making it easier for Chesapeake companies like TOTAL ENVIRONMENT to more easily hire cheap, illegal, labor.

Apparently one of McClendon's minions has been calling in Republicans on various levels of government and reading them the riot act, TELLING THEM they should bend to his will. Apparently only Harry TURN Coates is willing to do his bidding, because 1804 still stands.) Read more...

Related:

EXCLUSIVE: Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; Ambush Planned for Rep. Terrill

EXCLUSIVE (Pt 5): Candid Emails Reveal Depths of 1804 Repeal Conspiracy; The Poll They Didn't Want You to See

Labels: Chesapeake Energy, HB 1804, Jim Roth

Posted at 5/15/2008 11:23:00 AM |

Profile of openly LGBT Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth

Labels: Decision '08, Jim Roth

Posted at 3/19/2008 07:02:00 PM |

Scroll down for update.

Remember that audio tape "anonymously" released to the blogosphere by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund which resulted in Oklahoma's Sally Kern (R-OKC) being stalked and threatened by gay activists nationwide?

OKPNS has learned that there are two Oklahoma candidates actively seeking re-election, that are activly being supported by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

Jim Roth, according to the site, "Originally elected to public office in 2002, Jim Roth became the first openly LGBT elected official in Oklahoma history when he won a seat on the Oklahoma County Commission."

In his public response to the releasing of Kern's statement to the legislator, Roth said:

As a public official I have taken an oath to serve 100 percent of our citizens and I only wish that Representative Kern would honor the same spirit of our democracy...My focus is on serving the citizens of Oklahoma, not on responding to the rantings of an angry legislator. We all have a duty to serve all people. The politics of division and demagoguery only steal the future from what our state needs for everyone's sake.

Al McCaffrey (D-OKC), the first LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bi-Sexual/Transgender) person to ever serve in the Oklahoma legislature when he was elected in 2006, who according to the Victory Fund site, is "currently in the process of creating a political action committee to help fund LGBT candidates in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas."

McCaffrey commented:

It saddens me that we hear bigotry from our representatives. There is not a gay agenda. There are a lot of people who have money who are willing to support progressive candidates. [I am a father and grandfater] nd I happen to be gay. I think we need to look at individuals.

Updated: A group is meeting outside the courthouse tomorrow to promote this gay activists "non-agenda," and McCaffrey's "hate crimes" legislation proposal, which groups a verbal attack on homosexuals in which physical attacks including murder. For more information see the OGLPC's Pink Papers.

Sally Kern maintains that her comments were taken out of context, that she was speaking out against the gay activist agenda, and not against individuals. To watch a video, and hear a complete discussion from Kern, explaining her position and her comments, go here.

Labels: Al McCaffrey, Homosexual Activists, Jim Roth, Rep. Sally Kern

Posted at 3/17/2008 09:01:00 AM |

Henry appointed Roth to the Corporation Commission position left vacant by Denise Bode in May 2007. She left to serve as chief executive officer of the American Clean Skies Foundation. Roth was sworn in on June 1, joining commissioners Bob Anthony and Jeff Cloud.

"I love my job," he said in a news release. "Every day I go to work energized and excited that I have the opportunity to serve Oklahoma and try to make a positive difference for our state. The Corporation Commission has an awesome responsibility. As the public body that regulates oil and gas drilling, utilities and certain areas in telecommunications and transportation, the commission has a huge impact on our state's economy and our citizens' lives. I want to make sure that impact is positive for our future."

Read More

Labels: Coporation Commission, Jim Roth

Posted at 12/07/2007 10:45:00 AM |

Read More

Labels: Jim Roth

Posted at 9/20/2007 11:53:00 AM |

OKPNS has been on top of the developing story regarding the proposed coal-fired power plant near Red Rock. News outlets are reporting that OG&E and PSO power companies are 'shocked' by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's plans to reject the application for the facility. "They used their opponent's ad agency, they had no advocacy program, they were simply naive' and foolish," says one insider. Chesapeake Energy, who worked hard to get Gov. Brad Henry to place Commissioner Jim Roth on the commission after Denise Bode's resignation, simply outmaneuvered the utilities. "OG&E and PSO are typically ignorant, as are most Oklahoma businesses, about the new modern rules of political engagement. If they're shocked, they're dumber than we think." Here's the story from today's Journal Record: http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=81629

Labels: Brad Henry, Jim Roth, OGE

Posted at 9/11/2007 09:42:00 AM |

Further proof that Drew Edmondson thinks he's above the law? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: State Rep. Mike Reynolds Capitol: (405) 557-7337 OKLAHOMA CITY (July 27, 2007) - It appears newly appointed Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth has violated state law by giving illegal campaign contributions to Attorney General Drew Edmondson, state Representative Mike Reynolds said today. "While reviewing Attorney General Drew Edmondson's recent letter to the Ethics Commission admitting to being an illegal conduit for political contributions I discovered that not only did he give illegal contributions but he received them as well," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. "The issue at hand is two different contributions given from the campaign account of County Commissioner Jim Roth to the campaign account of Drew Edmondson. After careful scrutiny of the ethics rules, applicable statutes and discussions with officials in the State Ethics Commission, I believe Roth's contributions violated state law." Reynolds has routinely been a watchdog over various filings at the Ethics Commission and is recognized as an expert in ethics database issues. The contributions in question were given in October 2005 and May 2006. Both contributions were recorded in Edmondson's reports as being from the Jim Roth for County Commissioner campaign committee. "Under normal circumstances I would have gone to the Attorney General and asked for an investigation into the matter since it included highly placed public officials, but I obviously was not going to ask the A.G. to investigate himself," Reynolds said. The South Oklahoma City lawmaker also noted that he could not find any reference to the contributions in Roth's ethics reports. "I hope Commissioner Roth was not attempting to hide these contributions because he did not list them on line 16a of his County Commissioner ethics report which is also required by law," Reynolds said.

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Jim Roth

Posted at 7/28/2007 09:22:00 PM |

(OKLAHOMA CITY)Oklahoma County Democratic Party will have a candidate forum on Tuesday, July 24, 7:00pm, at the Springlake MetroTech auditorium. The Democratic candidates for county commission, district 1, have been invited to speak in advance of the primary election on Tuesday, August 14. The vacancy is due to the appointment of the former County Commissioner Jim Roth to the state-wide office of Corporation Commissioner. The Democratic candidates in alphabetical order are: Bart Bates, former legislator Fannie Bates, teacher and activist Debbie Blackburn, former legislator Willa Johnson, Oklahoma City council member Ann Simank, Oklahoma City council member The candidate receiving the most votes will advance to the general election on Tuesday, September 11, 2007. There will be no run-off election for this position; only a plurality is necessary to determine the winner. Springlake MetroTech is located at 1900 Springlake Drive, just north of NE 36 and M.L. King Boulevard in Oklahoma City. All interested voters are invited to attend. Related The Red Dirt Political Report: Roth settling into role as new corporation commissioner

Labels: Jim Roth, ODP

Posted at 7/17/2007 05:14:00 PM |

By Stefanie Brickman Hoping to extend what she calls Jim Roth’s pro-business agenda for county government, Oklahoma City council member Ann Simank, Ward 6, is planning to run for his soon-to-be-open county commissioner’s seat. Gov. Brad Henry announced on May 14 Roth will serve as the state’s next corporation commissioner. Read more...

Labels: Ann Simank, Jim Roth

Posted at 5/16/2007 04:08:00 PM |

Oklahoma Republicans were beat to the punch once again by Democrat Governor Brad Henry with his selection of Jim Roth to the Corporation Commission. Republicans scarcely raised an eyebrow at the controversial appointment of the openly gay liberal democrat. Roth was clearly the favorite of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, and that fact has several business groups clearly worried. The "coal" lobby, which will be battling natural gas companies such as Chesapeake in the years to come over who will fuel new power plants, are big losers. But the big loser could be AT&T, who held a strangle hold on the commission for several years. It is believed Roth will side from Day 1 with AT&T-hating commissioner Bob Anthony. While it was easy to see this one coming, Oklahoma Republicans and some business groups once again were thumped by a group of politicians who will never be confused with expert public relations operatives.

Labels: Bob Anthony, Brad Henry, Chesapeake Energy, Jim Roth

Posted at 5/15/2007 09:07:00 PM |

Our blatantly anti political correctness quote of the day comes from Oklahoma Opinions: "The openly gay county commissioner has been selected by Henry to fill the seat vacated by Bode. I guess Henry felt it would be sexist to have three men there."

Labels: Jim Roth

Posted at 5/15/2007 12:04:00 PM |

The controversy is quietly starting to build as Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth is aggressively, and some say recklessly, launching what can only be described as a campaign designed to convince Gov. Brad Henry to appoint him to the Corporation Commission seat soon to be vacated by Denise Bode. "It's not just about his open homosexuality," an insider familiar with the process says, "but rather about his qualifications. If he's campaigning to give cover to a governor who appears to be moving rapidly to the left on the political spectrum, he's going to be inviting shots not just at his lifestyle, but rather his competence." According to reports, Roth has met privately with several corporations who have a huge stake in proceedings at the commission, and he's even met with Commissioner Bob Anthony. "The guy's gotten real good press thus far for his Oklahoma County gig, but let's face it, who cares about the county stuff. That's basically no press coverage at all. He's trying to go from the Class B ball to the majors, and he's already making mistakes," the insider reports. Already, some of his supporters have been contacting other important players in the business community to attempt damage control. "As the perceived front-runner, people are starting to examine the reality, not the carefully crafted image, of Jim Roth, and that has caused some major discomfort for some. Spin control is already underway. Whoever is handling this guy has miscalculated and put his guy in a very vulnerable position." Henry has been silent on the issue, but his recent rash of vetoes on issues pushed by conservatives has fueled speculation that the governor is positioning himself for a national appointment should a Democrat win the White House in 2008. "His pro-abortion, pro-plaintiff lawyer vetoes are more in line with the national Democratic party, and appointing an openly gay politician would position him as the type of ultra-liberal that would be very attractive to Hillary Clinton or Barry Obama. If that is Henry's motive, this decision will be about being homosexual, not about what's good for Oklahoma." Reports about Roth as the favorite for the corporation commission job have some Republicans salivating. "I'll bet that the governor gets a call from Gary Jones urging him to appoint Roth: if Roth is appointed, the Repubs will kill this guy when he runs for re-election. Jones has McMahan and Edmondson busy with their scandals, and this would be icing on the cake. It could set back Democrats for years if this blows up: Roth is no Jackie Robinson, and Henry is no Branch Rickey. So right now, it looks like nothing more than a political nod to the gay community for pure political purposes to me," the insider says. The Oklahoma Political News Service will continue to investigate.

Labels: Brad Henry, Jim Roth

Posted at 5/04/2007 08:47:00 AM |