Congressional Page Scandal Taking A Toll On Voters?

Is the Mark Foley scandal having an impact with voters? Several new national polls show support for Republicans at all levels eroding. But Tulsa party leaders are divided over whether the scandals or

Wednesday, October 11th 2006, 6:30 am

By: News On 6

Is the Mark Foley scandal having an impact with voters? Several new national polls show support for Republicans at all levels eroding. But Tulsa party leaders are divided over whether the scandals or the poll numbers mean anything for Oklahoma.

Democratic Party leader and candidate for the state house Steve Gallo says he thinks the political winds are changing. He says he's seeing more support from Democrats, independents and Republicans. But Tulsa GOP leaders disagree. They say they're getting calls, even angry calls, but not at the party.

Tulsa County Republican Party chairman Jerry Buchanan: "They're wanting to find out what they can do to get fellow Republicans to get out to vote because they're so irritated at how things are being blown out of proportion."

A University of Tulsa political science professor says general feelings about a political party usually affect presidential politics. But it does not tend to effect how voters cast their ballots for local representatives.