Brad Carson: International Man of Tsalagi

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Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Brad Carson (D-Oklahoma) has an impressive resume. Lawyer. Rhodes Scholar. White House Fellow.

Add Spy to the list. Well at least according to the rival Tom Coburn campaign. After being raked over the coals for claiming that most Cherokees, probably even Carson, "aren't Indians," Coburn is striking back -- his campaign claims that Carson and other unnamed Cherokees somehow taped the "private" conversation in which he made those controversial remarks.

We're not sure how Carson and his crack team of Cherokee counter-intelligence spies did it, seeing as how the conversation occurred at a town hall that was also the subject of numerous press reports. [Craphead anyone?]

But then we realized that since Cherokees are so white, they probably just blended in with the crowd. They don't even need disguises to fit in! That should teach Coburn a lesson: Stay away from the white ones AND the red ones!

At any rate, here's the e-mail a Coburn staffer sent to someone who asked about the remarks.

From: Brian Treat [mailto:XXXXXX@coburnforsenate.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 5:39 PM
To: XXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Coburn for Senate

You are absolutely right and Dr. Coburn agrees with you. As you have heard, Brad Carson and a few Cherokee leaders taped a private conversation between Dr. Coburn and a questioner in Altus. They have taken his words so grossly out of context, and have tried to paint Dr. Coburn as a racist.

I have known him for over six years, and I know that nothing could be further from the truth. While he is concerned that some of the larger tribes are trying to crush some of the smaller Oklahoma tribes, he is still adamant about the need to respect and uphold treaties; They represent a commitment of the Congress, and as in every other aspect of his beliefs, believes that it is critical that the federal government keeps its word.

In addition, as a Congressman he is focused on holding the BIA accountable for its inaction (and misuse of power) towards Oklahoma tribes. In fact, the legislation he is accused of opposing in that audio tape (he does) would give even more power to the Department of Interior over the tribes. That is wrong and must be stopped.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions; We are battling a campaign that is willing to say or do anything to win; We must fight back with the truth.

Thanks again and have a great evening.

Brian Treat
Coburn for Senate