We finally have some controversy in the Gubernatorial race!
Tulsa attorney Gary Richardson – the sleaze ball trial lawyer who’s trying to muck his way into the Republican nomination for Governor – recently released a new campaign ad that exploits the tragic death of the late Bob Barry Jr. to promote a hard-right anti-immigration agenda.
Check it out:
Wow. Gary Richardson tried to use the sudden, tragic and shocking death of a local celebrity for political gain? That’s almost as revolting as demonizing an entire group of people based off the illegal actions of one person! Thank goodness the guy who senselessly killed BBJ wasn’t a poor white guy without auto insurance, otherwise Gary Richardson would be trying to deport 40% of Oklahoma back to Europe.
The ad really struck a chord with BBK’s old employer – KFOR Channel 4. In a rare instance of defending dignity over profit, they called out the Richardson campaign for exploiting one of the station’s former personalities. Check out this nugget from their report:
News 4 is obligated to run a political candidate’s ad as long as it is factual and legal. The ad met both of those requirements.
“It meets all the legal requirements of the FCC,” said KFOR General Manager Wes Milbourn. “But, we did mention that we were displeased with their advertising tactics and the exploitation of Bob Barry Junior.”
In all fairness to Richardson, it’s not like BBJ’s family wasn’t involved with this. Richardson’s campaign obviously contacted the family to get permission… right? He wouldn’t do this without permission?
Well… check out this response from BBJ’s son – Matt Barry:
“First and foremost, the Barry Family finds it deeply concerning that Mr. Richardson chose to feature the tragic and untimely death of our Father in his campaign advertisement without seeking consent. The last few years have been a very difficult time for the Barry family as we’re still reeling from this unexpected loss. Although we have no personal dislike for Mr. Richardson or his political ambitions, we find it very troubling that Mr. Richardson ran an advertisement that could imply that the Barry family endorses in any way his election as Governor of the State of Oklahoma. In sum, the Barry family does not appreciate the liberties taken by Mr. Richardson and his campaign; and condemn the utter lack of respect shown towards our tragic loss.”
Well said, Matt. I can’t believe he ran that ad without getting your family’s permission either. That’s a thoughtless and classless move even by shady trial lawyer standards. Richardson should be ashamed.
Instead, he’s treating it like no big deal. This was Richardson’s response to KFOR:
“I truly have a heart for the Barrys. I have a heart for the people of Oklahoma,” said Richardson Monday afternoon from his law office in Tulsa. “We’re just doing the best we know how to do to help people become aware.”…
“We’ve had people offended at other ads we’ve run, you know,” Richardson said. “It’s politics, you know.”
Yeah, but in the past you’ve offended people with your backwards political views, or by putting Kevin Stitt in a hoodie. This offended people because you’re blatantly trying to exploit a man’s death strictly for political gain. There’s a big difference.
Although Richardson’s ad was offensive to some, I’m pretty sure that was the goal. Gary Richardson’s entire campaign strategy seems to be built around a Donald Trump / Roger Stone “Any publicity is good publicity” playbook. Do or say something stupid, let the media rush to cover it, and then fight back against the media by calling it fake news:
Sh*tbag.
There is a special place in hell for scumbags like Gary Richardson.
+1
Just watch, he’s going to win. I feel like I’m watching a bad horror movie where the idiots keep running headlong into certain death via bad decisions. Except here, I’m in the room with them and can’t be heard.
Fortunately, he was a distant fourth in recent polling.
I’m not voting for any male candidate who has had work done on him. And bad work at that.
uh uh,,, not doing it.
This is a new low. A total piece of garbage.
Piece Of Shit. It’s not to be debated. It cannot be debated.
Isn’t funny that this piece of shit Richardson is kissing Trump’s ass, but that little cum stain Trump, Jr. will be in town tomorrow promoting Todd Lamb?
They’re all going to kiss Trump’s ass. The white evangelicals in this state clearly adore Marmalape despite his whoring, lying and general shittiness.
No shortage of xenophobia in our “lovely” state.
And no, SouthRobinson…there’s nothing funny about Lamb getting a public handjob from Dump Jr.
I think that even Mary’s little Lamb would have to say that the Richardson ad is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
Trump backer on fake immigration (net illegal immigration from Mexico is zero for the past three years – build that wall, build that wall – most illegal immigration is from individual overstaying their legitimate Visas). That means he’s also in favor of adultery (multiple times), banging entertainment ladies while his wife is pregnant, in favor of stiffing contractors, in favor of quashing the constitutional right to a free press, in favor of demeaning and slandering US intelligence agencies and the FBI, lying with every breath (there are numerous sites that track the thousands (yes, 1000s) of lies complete with references.
Since he’s behind (Trump’s behind), he needs to go all in and campaign in a white hooded robe.
Alas, the other candidates aren’t appreciably better. Bringing in Trump Jr. for example; following in Daddy’s footsteps of adultery and shady business deals with Russian mobsters (banks/oligarchs).
Our holier than thou neighbors will willingly ignore all (and I mean ALL) their Sunday sanctimonious teaching and swallow the BS sound bites while enabling our current crop of legislators to continue the destruction of Oklahoma. MOAS Make Oklahoma A Shithole (even more of one).
Shit ad, if I may continue. He should fire the publicity agency for not having a MAGA ball cap on the “ordinary blue collar working class guy ™” in the staged photo. And a guy in a fake cowboy hat? Please. Richardson’s just another overstuffed wannabe one-percenter.
I don’t normally judge on appearance, but you can just look at Gary Richardson and tell he’s a Grade A Slimeball. And where did he get his teeth? Big Lots?
Well – Cambridge Analytica did pop up on his ethics report – to the tune of $52,000 – so – not surprised.
When he came south for a forum, he had so much trouble speaking that I first thought that he was suffering mental lapses (more so than what he espouses) and then thought he might have had an afternoon nip of bottled courage to get the juices flowing. Finally realized the problem was those loose, ill-fitting teeth.
You can hear the entire interview this morning with Gary Richardson with me on the Tod Tucker show, on the KOKC Radio FB page.