Okla. tea party leaders say it's unharmed by trial
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The conviction of a tea party leader on felony blackmail and computer crimes charges brought unwanted attention to the conservative political movement but has not diminished its message of limited government and lower taxes, according to other tea party leaders in Oklahoma.
An Oklahoma County jury convicted Sooner tea party co-founder Al Gerhart on Wednesday after prosecutors claimed he sent a politically charged email to a state senator who testified that he felt threatened by the emails tone.
Gerhart was an Oklahoma City cabinet maker when he became an early face of the tea party movement four years ago. But even then, some conservative Oklahomans were concerned when he targeted the states Republican Party leader and floated the idea of a volunteer militia to guard the state from what were called federal infringements on state sovereignty.
Al has a very hard time working well with others, said Charlie Meadows, president of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee. Al is not effective at all, and its because of his confrontational style.
State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones, who was the state GOP chairman once targeted by Gerhart, said the Sooner tea party leaders influence is very small.
Its not representative of individuals that are part of the tea party movement. Hes the Lone Ranger on his mission, Jones said.
And Stuart Jolly, former director of the Oklahoma Chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political advocacy group, said People like Al Gerhart have tainted the words 'tea party in this state.
Gerhart has acknowledged he sent an email to state Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahoma City, urging him to schedule a hearing on legislation favored by Gerharts political group. Branan, chairman of the Senate Energy, Telecommunication and Environment Committee, testified he felt threatened.
The March 26, 2013, email said if Branans committee didnt take up a bill to prohibit state organizations from following a United Nations plan to help cities and countries become more environmentally sustainable, I will make sure you regret not doing it.
I will make you the laughing stock of the Senate , the email read. We will dig into your past, yoru family, your associates, and once we start on you there will be no end to it.
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Okla. tea party leaders say it's unharmed by trial