Did Little Elian Gonzalez Help to Defeat Steve Largent?

Self | 11-07-02 | Theodore R.

[Theodore R.]

One of the biggest surprises of the election to me was the narrow defeat of former Congressman Steve Largent for the OK governorship. One contributor to this forum said that he voted for the independent candidate, who one might argue denied victory to Largent, because Largent spoke in platitudes and had nothing really to say on state issues. The incoming Democrat governor is Brad Henry. Normally, OK does have a Democrat governor, with outgoing Governor Frank Keating having been an exception to the rule for the past eight years. The Republican lieutenant governor was reelected, as I understand.

Now could Largent be the latest casualty of "Elian's revenge"? Already the foremost opponent of little Elian, Janet Reno, failed to win her gubernatorial nomination in FL. Steve Largent was among those in Congress pushing strongest for the deportation of Elian Gonzalez to Cuba. This was at a time when Senator Bob Smith of NH was one of the few leaders to speak up for the child remaining with the relatives in Miami. Steve seemed unable to understand that there are no "father's rights" in Castroland. With the fall of international communism in Russia, Steve did not comprehend the hold of communism on Cuba. So in the name of "father's rights," Steve was inadvertently supporting the Castro regime.

For that reason, it would have been very hard for me to have pulled the Largent lever in OK had I voted there. I might have held my nose and did so, for I don't like third parties denying victory to Republican candidates. But Steve's judgment is what I question -- not his sincerity. Obviously, he was not suited to be a gubernatorial candidate. Alas, it was John Thune who really wanted to run for governor in SD, but the president persuaded him to take an alternative course.

The rise and fall of Steve Largent is an interesting sidebar to this election. Comments anyone?

[Guillermo]

I was hoping Largent would lose, precisley for his stance on Elian.

I have an ex-gf who lives in OK, who is a GOP'er. She told me, before the election that "The Big Man (Largent) wouldn't get out among the 'little people'" and she predicted his subsequent loss.

[anniegetyourgun]

I'm not from OK, but used to live in his former stronghold (WA state). It's very curious....guess he isn't the 'hometown hero' there in OK that he is in WA. Oh well, given his faith Steve will no doubt see this as a change in plans coming from his Creator. There may be other things Steve needs to be doing right now. And since I too believe Providence knows best, he's better off for having lost.

[Nick Thimmesch]

Had nothing to do with Largent's loss: Oklahoma is -- despite two GOP Senators and four out of five GOP representatives -- like neighboring Arkansas, a Dixiecrat State. With a well funded indie like Richardson hitting Largent daily with negative TV ads and Largent's unwillingness to go negative on either candidate, Henry only had to remain neutrel and let Richardson do his number on Largent. It worked.

[Theodore R.]

Did your friend mean that Steve is "physically large"? Actually from having seen him on TV, he did not look that large for a former football player? I am surprised that she found him "aloof." He did not come across that way on TV. At one time he was seen as a dashing future GOP leader. I was just appalled that Steve was hoodwinked by Castro. It showed to me that he lacked basic judgment.

[JameRetief]

Here are some of the factors in the race.

Largent never campaigned outside of OK City and Tulsa. Henry, on the other hand, campaigned all over the rural areas.

The third party candidate, Richardson, is a former GOPer.

Largent, in an interview, cussed out a reporter.

Largent ran against a state lottery, while Henry and Richardson ran for it. ALOT of Oklahomans enjoy gambling. We have alot of Indian casinos and we send ALOT of tourism money to Vegas, and Kansas City.

Richardson and Henry both ran on removing the tolls on our highways (Very popular since we are 2nd in the nation for number of toll roads behind New Jersey). I hadn't heard Largent's position.

There are other factors, but as you can see Largent was only weakly campaigning. That said, he only barely lost by 7000 votes. He is very well liked, but he thought he could coast on that. Just a little more effort and he would have won it.

[mikeb704]

Largent, in an interview, cussed out a reporter.

I would have thought that that would have increased his liklihood of winning.

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[iconoclast]

Now could Largent be the latest casualty of "Elian's revenge"?

Interesting. I didn't know he had taken that stance.

A lot of our fundamentalist Freeper brethren were recently taking Largent to task for saying a bad word (BS!) to a reporter. How much do think think that came into play?

IMHO, to totally reject an articulate, attractive conservative on either issue is just typical "stupid party" nonsense.

[JameRetief]

It made alot of people think he was a bit immature.

[yellowdoghunter]

You are exactly right. I did not see Largent out campaigning nor did I see many signs for him. However, I must say that I didn't follow the race that closely because I thought it was a shoe-in. I mean this is Oklahoma. But, apparently not and we must give credit to Henry for all the work he did.

I have heard that it might of had something to do with the measure to ban cock-fighting, that did pass. Largent came out to ban cock-fighting, however, Henry would never really say. I have heard that it turned out the rural democratic vote that did not want to ban cock-fighting and those people went ahead and voted for Henry. I am sure it played some role in Henry winning.

Also, Richardson really hurt Largent.

I am over the shock here in Oklahoma and will give Henry a chance. I really don't know much about him so we will wait and see. Rest assured though that Henry is no Clinton or McAuliffe democrat! Even our democrats in Oklahoma are conservative.

[Theodore R.]

I had not read anything on the governor's race in OK -- anywhere. OK Freepers did not keep us posted. I did not know about Largent cursing a reporter. That would have hurt him in that he is an outspoken Christian. Such an outburst would have demonstrated that he had trouble with his tongue. I know nothing about the third candidate Richardson, but he undoubtedly drew otherwise anti-Democrat votes. I find it unbelievable that Largent confined his appearances to Tulsa and OK City. That sounds like "President Dewey," whose wife was an OK native.

[sinkspur]

There are other factors, but as you can see Largent was only weakly campaigning.

Exactly. Largent acted as if he was owed the governership.

I'd wager that Elian Gonzales never crossed the minds of voters in Oklahoma.

[truthandlife]

Largent definitely did not read Horowitz' book "The Art of Political Warfare" or "How to Defeat the Democrats." He thought he was still being a receiver for the Seahawks instead of treating his race as a war. He never attacked his opponent he just got attacked. He was never on the offensive. Horrible campaign and deserved to lose. Republicans should take note on what not to do when running for governor.

[iconoclast]

It made alot of people think he was a bit immature.

It made me think he was probably tired and exasperated.

[Theodore R.]

Even our democrats in Oklahoma are conservative.


Have you told this to former Senator Fred Harris, former Senator Mike Monroney, but they were in office long ago, when it was "cool" to be an FDR advocate in OK.

[Guillermo]

No, large in stature.

[JameRetief]

I know someone that grew up with Largent and he told me that Largent was somewhat arrogant and could be a real @ss sometimes.

Not entirely unexpected. He did have to be confident and competitive to get ahead in sports. But someone like that does need to keep it in check or they will overdo it. Sounds like that is what happened.

[kjam22]

Elian had nothing at all to do with Largent losing. Largent lost because he ran a lousy campaign as described by others on this thread. He got beat by Steve Largent.

[kjam22]

I agree with you. He had no ideas, no plan, no issues, no platform. He simply ran on "I'm opposed to what the other guys are in favor of". And he ran on "I'm pro-life". Being pro-life is a good thing to be. But if that is his platform.... then he should have stayed in congress and authored some constitutional ammendments or something to get the courts out of the way.

[rwfok]

Don't discount the Barry Switzer factor. Switzer did a commercial for Henry that had, in my opinion, one of the most annoying jingles in recent memory. Many Oklahomans consider Switzer to be some sort of omnipotent being.

In the end though, Largent's refusal to answer attacks in kind and failure to get his message across the state cost him the race.