Karl Rove Seeks To Rally Oklahoma Republicans

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Presidential political adviser Karl Rove praises Congressman Ernest Istook for supporting President Bush's policies and says Istook would make a great governor.<br/><br/>About

Tuesday, October 10th 2006, 6:11 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Presidential political adviser Karl Rove praises Congressman Ernest Istook for supporting President Bush's policies and says Istook would make a great governor.

About 350 Republicans attended the fundraising event at the Oklahoma History Center, some paying $1,000 to have their picture taken with Rove, who came to Oklahoma last night to energize Istook's lagging gubernatorial campaign.

Istook press secretary Derek Kern didn't have an estimate of how much was raised at the event. It cost $100 to hear Rove speak and $500 to attend a reception.

Rove called Istook a leader in fiscal responsibility and values of faith, family and life who would support pro-business policies to move the state forward.

He spoke for 35 minutes, most of it devoted to a rousing defense of President Bush's war effort and a denunciation of congressional Democrats.

Istook blamed Governor Brad Henry for an economic growth rate slower than the national rate.

The most recent polls show Henry far ahead of Istook, who's leaving his Fifth Congressional District post after seven terms to run for governor.