Istook, E

<p>Even weirder than having Aldrich on the podium, though, was the presence of former <a target="_blank" href="http://istook.blogspot.com/">Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.)</a>. Of all the former washed up congressmen you could drag out for a tea party, Istook is probably not a first choice. A longtime darling of the Christian Right, the Mormon politician is most famous for his attempts to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow prayer in schools. His record as a social crusader doesn't exactly align with some of the tea party's more libertarian or states' rights positions, or even its reverence for the Constitution.</p>

<p>

Outraged to <a target="blank" href="http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=2490">discover an ad on a DC bus urging marijuana legalization</a> during his time on the House Appropriations Committee, Istook once introduced legislation that would punish the DC transit system financially for accepting the ad. His bill also would withhold funding from any transit authority that dared accept bus or subway ads challenging the nation's drug laws. The law was eventually <a target="blank" href="http://www.aclu.org/drug-law-reform/justice-department-refuses-defend-congress-legal-battle-over-law-censoring-marijuana">found unconstitutional</a> by a federal judge who wrote, "the government articulated no legitimate state interest in the suppression of this particular speech other than the fact that it disapproves of the message, an illegitimate and constitutionally impermissible reason." </p>

<p>

Istook's record also shows scant little respect for local governance. Most Americans don't realize that DC residents do not have voting representation in Congress. We are the only American citizens who truly understand what it means to be taxed without representation. To their credit, individual tea partiers informed about this abomination are usually deeply outraged. Istook, though, who served on the DC subcommittee of the House appropriations committee (briefly as chairman), has shown little sympathy for DC's disenfranchised residents. He used his committee post to meddle in the city's affairs like nobody's business, taking advantage of the fact that city residents had no way to fight back.</p>

<p>

In the late 1990s, for instance, Istook joined with his GOP colleagues to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/daily/sept99/marijuana21.htm">prevent the city from counting the results of a ballot initiative</a> that would have allowed medical marijuana in the District. Eventually a federal judge rebuked Istook and reminded him and his fellow congressmen that they were engaged in a huge violation of city residents' First Amendment rights. Two years after the election, the ballots were finally counted; the measure passed. But rather than let city residents decide their own fate, Istook helped prevent DC from spending any of its own money to implement the law. Istook also helped push measures that barred the District from using city money to fund needle-exchange programs to fight HIV and AIDS, which are epidemic in the city.

His actions on the DC subcommittee were hardly those of someone with deep, abiding respect for local democracy. On Sunday, I asked him about whether he's had a change of heart about meddling in the District's affairs now that he's come out as a tea partier. But Istook was unrepentant. He even disagreed that city residents were taxed without representation, saying, "You have representation. You just don't have the same vote."</p>

<p>

Mark Meckler, one of the national coordinators of the Tea Party Patriots, the large national umbrella group that organized the event, said he was unaware of Istook's history in the District. "DC residents should have a vote," he said. Even so, Meckler said Istook was a good fit for the tea party because he has a stellar record on the group's core issues of fiscal conservatism.</p>

<p>

But there's still one more reason why Istook and the tea partiers make rather strange bedfellows: He was <a target="blank" href="http://www.okiefunk.com/node/10">implicated in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal</a>. Along with taking thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Abramoff's firm, Istook used Abramoff's sky boxes at Fed Ex Field during a Washington Redskins game for a fundraiser. Documents from one of the Abramoff-related prosecutions showed that Istook returned the favor by asking Abramoff what his clients would like to see in an upcoming transportation bill, a move that had Abramoff directing his staff to come up with a "Christmas list" of pork-barrel spending. Istook's chief of staff <a target="blank" href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,361781,00.html">ultimately pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges</a> for taking perks from lobbyists in exchange for official favors in a case related to the whole mess. It's hard to see how this sort of stuff would endear Istook to the tea partiers.</p>

<p>

Perhaps they simply invited him to the party because of his singing voice. After reminding the crowd that all of the inalienable rights outlined in the Constitution come directly from God, he declared, "America should bless God," and then startled everyone by launching into a stirring baritone rendition of "God Bless America." He wasn't bad.</p>

<p>

<a href="http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/08/post-beck-dc-tea-party-brings-strange-bedfellows">http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/08/post-beck-dc-tea-party-brings-strange-bedfellows</a></p><p>
</p><p>===</p><p>
</p><p><b>Ernest James Istook Jr.</b> was a <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Republican_Party" title="Republican Party" class="mw-redirect">Republican</a> member of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/U.S._House_of_Representatives" title="U.S. House of Representatives" class="mw-redirect">U.S. House of Representatives</a> representing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma" class="extiw" title="w:Oklahoma">Oklahoma's</a> 5th district (<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/ok05_109.gif">map</a>) from 1993 to 2007. He declined to run for reelection in 2006, choosing instead to pursue the governorship of Oklahoma. <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=91223">[1]</a></p>

<h2>Contents</h2>

<ul><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Bio"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Bio</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Congressional_Career"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">Congressional Career</span></a>

<ul><li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-4"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#2006_elections"><span class="tocnumber">2.1.1</span> <span class="toctext">2006 elections</span></a></li></ul>

</li></ul>

</li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-5"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Meet_the_Cash_Constituents"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Meet the Cash Constituents</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-6"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Controversy"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">Controversy</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-7"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Committees_and_Affiliations"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">Committees and Affiliations</span></a>

<ul><li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-8"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Committeess_in_the_109th_Congress_.282005-2006.29"><span class="tocnumber">5.1</span> <span class="toctext">Committeess in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)</span></a></li></ul>

</li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-9"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#More_Background_Data"><span class="tocnumber">6</span> <span class="toctext">More Background Data</span></a></li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-10"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Articles_and_Resources"><span class="tocnumber">7</span> <span class="toctext">Articles and Resources</span></a>

<ul><li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-11"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Local_blogs_and_discussion_sites"><span class="tocnumber">7.1</span> <span class="toctext">Local blogs and discussion sites</span></a></li></ul>

</li><li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-12"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#Contact"><span class="tocnumber">8</span> <span class="toctext">Contact</span></a></li></ul>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<p>Istook was born February 11, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas. He received a

bachelor of arts degree from Baylor University (in Waco, Texas) in 1971

and received a law degree from Oklahoma City University in 1976.

Istook has worked as a journalist, served as director of the Oklahoma

State Alcoholic and Beverage Control Board (1977-78), was legal counsel

to Oklahoma Gov. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/David_L._Boren" title="David L. Boren">David L. Boren</a>

(1978), and was a member of the board of the Oklahoma County

metropolitan library system (1982-1986), chairman of the Warr Acres city

council(1982-1986), director of the Warr Acres chamber of commerce, and

was an Oklahoma state representative from 1987-1993. He was elected to

the U.S. House of representatives in 1992.

Istook is a conservative member of the GOP. His campaigns have all

been pro-life (anti-abortion), in favor of tax cuts, and a have had a

general platform of "less government and lower taxes"</p>

<h2> <span class="mw-headline" id="Congressional_Career">Congressional Career</span></h2>

<p>Istook voted for the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force_Against_Iraq_Resolution_of_2002" title="Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002">Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002</a> that started the Iraq War.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ernest_Istook#cite_note-0">[1]</a></sup></p>

<div style="margin:0.5em 0.75em 0.5em 0.75em; border-collapse: collapse; background: #dce8f8; border: 1px solid #5c79b5; padding:.25em .25em 0.25em .25em;"><span>For more information see the chart of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/U.S._House_of_Representatives_votes_on_the_Iraq_War" title="U.S. House of Representatives votes on the Iraq War">U.S. House of Representatives votes on the Iraq War</a>.</span></div>

<h4> <span class="mw-headline" id="2006_elections">2006 elections</span></h4>

<p>In 2005, Istook announced that he would be running for the governership of Oklahoma. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Democratic_Party" title="Democratic Party" class="mw-redirect">Democrats</a> nominated <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Paul_David_Hunter&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Paul David Hunter (page does not exist)">Paul David Hunter</a> and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Republican_Party" title="Republican Party" class="mw-redirect">Republicans</a> nominated <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Mary_Fallin" title="Mary Fallin">Mary Fallin</a> to contest the November 2006 election for his House seat. (See <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/U.S._congressional_elections_in_2006" title="U.S. congressional elections in 2006" class="mw-redirect">U.S. congressional elections in 2006</a>) <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://opensecrets.org/states/election.asp?State=AL&year=2006">[2]</a></p>

<h2> <span class="mw-headline" id="Meet_the_Cash_Constituents">Meet the Cash Constituents</span></h2>

<table class="prettytable"><tbody><tr><th colspan="3">Links to more campaign contribution information for Ernest Istook

from the Center for Responsive Politics' <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opensecrets.org">OpenSecrets.org</a> site.</th></tr><tr><td>Fundraising profile:</td><td><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00005551">2006 election cycle</a></td><td><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allsummary.asp?cid=N00005551">Career totals</a></td></tr><tr><td>Top contributors by organization/corporation:</td><td><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00005551">2006 election cycle</a></td><td><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allcontrib.asp?cid=N00005551">Career totals</a></td></tr><tr><td>Top contributors by industry:</td><td><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/indus.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00005551">2006 election cycle</a></td><td><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allindus.asp?cid=N00005551">Career totals</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2> <span class="mw-headline" id="Controversy">Controversy</span></h2>

<h2> <span class="mw-headline" id="Committees_and_Affiliations">Committees and Affiliations</span></h2>

<h3> <span class="mw-headline" id="Committeess_in_the_109th_Congress_.282005-2006.29">Committeess in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)</span></h3>

<ul><li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/House_Committee_on_Appropriations" title="House Committee on Appropriations">House Committee on Appropriations</a>

<ul><li>Subcommittee on Homeland Security</li><li>Subcommittee on Interior and Environment and Related Agencies</li><li>Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies</li></ul>

</li></ul>

<h2> <span class="mw-headline" id="More_Background_Data">More Background Data</span></h2>

<ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=H3291103">Background information on Ernest Istook from Project Vote Smart</a></li></ul>

<ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=H3291103">Interest group scorecard ratings for Ernest Istook from Project Vote Smart</a></li></ul>

<ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/i000047">Voting record for Ernest Istook from the Washington Post database</a></li></ul>

<ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/cgi-bin/newmemberbio.cgi?lang=&member=OK05&site=congressmerge">Information on Ernest Istook from Congress Merge</a></li></ul>

<p><i><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Wikipedia" title="Wikipedia">Wikipedia</a> also has an article on <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Istook">Ernest Istook</a>. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFDL">GFDL</a>.</i></p>

<h2> <span class="mw-headline" id="Articles_and_Resources">Articles and Resources</span></h2>

<ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.house.gov/istook/">Official website</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.istook.com/01_home/home.asp">Campaign website</a></li><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://opensecrets.org/races/index.asp">Open Secrets</a> - 2006 congressional races database</li></ul>

<h4> <span class="mw-headline" id="Local_blogs_and_discussion_sites">Local blogs and discussion sites</span></h4>

<ul><li><i><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://okiefunk.com/">Okie Funk</a></i></li><li><p>This non-endorsement of Istook is a big slap in the face to his

misguided campaign, which has been floundering for months. It also

shows that the state’s oppressive, right-wing power structure is either

(1) certain Henry will win and is fishing for new corporate tax cuts

this coming legislative session or (2) truly believes as many do that

Istook’s public theocratic religious agenda would harm the state. Maybe

it’s a little of both.

Congressman Istook’s religious agenda includes his infamous <a href="http://religiousfreedom.house.gov/" target="blank">Religious Freedom Amendment</a>,

which was nothing more that an attempt to break down the wall

separating government and religion. If elected governor here, Istook, a

Mormon, will surely propose religious legislation or enact executive

decrees that would bring religion into state government.

Istook’s election would also be a serious red flag to progressives

and liberals in the state. Who would want to live in such a

close-minded place with an obvious religious extremist as governor?

Polls show Governor Brad Henry with a <a href="http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=5604395" target="blank">commanding lead</a>.

Henry, a moderate Democrat, obviously deserves a second term as

governor. He has worked to fund public education while cutting taxes.

He plays to the pragmatic center. Many people are sick of Istook’s

brand of GOP extremism as the Iraq war debacle drags on.

Meanwhile, the Istook campaign is taking the low road with pathetic

attack ads and ugly campaign rhetoric. Istook, for example, has

criticized Henry for signing a bill allowing a few children of

undocumented workers to get in-state college tuition. It seems so petty

and senseless. None of the ads have gained any traction.

Istook’s campaign has also suffered because of the country’s low

approval of current Republican leadership on the national level. Istook

uses the immigration issue to criticize Henry, but he was actually in a

position to do something about it and failed to do so. Istook merely

draws attention to his failed tenure in the U.S. Congress when he brings

up immigration.</p></li></ul>