Oklahoma
Candidate Trashes Gays in Comic Book Mailer

Satan, God, and toga-wearing gays are all part of Brent Rinehart's bid for reelection as Oklahoma County commissioner.

The Associated Press is reporting that Rinehart has prepared a 16-page comic book that lampoons liberals, gays, and critics of his hard-right stances.

In one sequence Satan ends a sentence with "If I can get the kids to believe homosexuality is normal!" To which an angel replies, "Hey, Satan, not with Brent around you won't."

Even in conservative Oklahoma City, Rinehart's campaign materials are inciting fury. "A drowning man tends to thrash about," Oklahoma attorney general Drew Edmondson told the AP. Edmondson was depicted as a villain in the comic book. "Nothing Rinehart says is worthy of comment or rebuttal," he added.

Oklahoma County sheriff John Whetsel called the book "extremely pathetic and very bigoted."

Another section of the comic book depicts five gay men holding signs, one of which says, "Jim Roth is our leader." Roth, who is gay, was a commissioner who worked and often clashed with Rinehart.

"I've really encouraged [Rinehart] on more than one occasion to get professional help," said Leonard Sullivan, an Oklahoma Republican. "He really needs it." (The Advocate)