President: Barack Obama. There is no question the country's government needs great change to face its pressing problems. It's absurd anyone would think John McCain would deviate substantially from the policy positions of President George Bush. For this reason alone, Barack Obama is the clear choice. Obama also has the potential to be one of the greatest American presidents ever by uniting the country during a difficult time. An Obama presidency would represent a historical change of seismic proportions.
U.S. Senator: Andrew Rice. It's clear U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has been in Washington too long. What has he done all these years? Well, he has repeatedly embarrassed many people in the state with his outrageous and divisive comments about global warming and cultural wedge issues. This is a year of change. State Sen. Andrew Rice represents change. He is bright and articulate and will serve as a great Oklahoma ambassador in Washington.
Corporation Commissioner: Jim Roth, Charles Gray. Jim Roth proved his mettle as a Oklahoma County Commissioner. Gov. Brad Henry then appointed Roth to the Corporation Commission, and he has served with composure and distinction. He deserves your vote. In the other Corporation Commission race, Charles Gray deserves your vote. Gray would bring a real people's view to the commission.
U.S Representative: Dan Boren. It's essential Oklahomans return Dan Boren to Washington. As it stands now, he is the only Democrat in the state's Congressional delegation. He adds balance to the delegation and helps the state's image in the process. Boren is a centrist-to-conservative Democrat who has represented the state with distinction. He deserves your vote. I would urge voters in other Congressional districts to also vote Democratic this year.
District 84 State Representative: Ron Marlett. As I wrote earlier, "Ron Marlett is the clear choice for state representative in House District 84, a seat now held by Sally Kern, the right-wing ideologue who made national news when she publicly claimed homosexuality is a greater threat to the nation than terrorism." Marlett's election would tell the world that Oklahoma will not tolerate the hateful, extremist views of political leaders.
Our country remains mired in two military occupations. The government is running a record deficit to pay for tax cuts for rich people. A financial crisis threatens the retirement income of millions of Americans as taxpayers fund a massive bailout for rich investment bankers. A massive number of people are losing their homes.
The nation's health care system is broken, causing immense personal suffering and financial hardship. The United States, once heralded for its civil liberties, is now known throughout the world as a nation that sanctions torture, the suspension of habeas corpus and the indiscriminate wiretapping of its citizens.
Under the current Washington political culture and system, which is fueled by the money of special interests, it is impossible to bring about change, to fix our problems and move forward. Consequently, the only way ordinary people can make a difference is to replace the old guard that created our pressing problems and hold "change" politicians accountable for their actions.
State Sen. Andrew Rice, 36, a Democrat who is running against Jim Inhofe for the United States Senate, is definitely a politician who represents change and the future. His basic philosophical attitude puts the interests of ordinary people above Wall Street investment bankers and big oil companies. This is what the nation and Oklahoma vitally needs right now. We need something different. We need to change things up.
Some in the Oklahoma corporate media-those right-wing shills for their rich bosses-say they support Inhofe because of his long experience in Washington. But that is exactly why Inhofe should be sent into retirement.
It's no secret the 73-year-old Inhofe, a Republican, has sold out to special interests and is detested throughout the world for his extreme and sometimes outrageous views on cultural wedge issues and global warming. He is divisive. He still supports the failed neoconservative experiment. Afraid to discuss the issues or debate his opponent, Inhofe is the epitome of everything that is wrong with Washington. His particular experience is why he needs to be voted out of office and not given another six-year term.
If Oklahomans elect Rice to the Senate, it will send a powerful message to the world. It will say, "Oklahoma is open for business," and "Oklahoma cares about the future." His election would also add balance to our Congressional delegation, which is overwhelmingly Republican.
Vote for change this election. Vote for Andrew Rice.
(The Muskogee Phoenix, the state's fouth-largest newspaper, has endorsed Andrew Rice for the United States Senate. Rice, a state senator from Oklahoma City, is running against incumbent Jim Inhofe. You can read the endorsement below.)
No one takes lightly endorsing a relative newcomer to politics over a long-time senator. Jim Inhofe has been in the U.S. Senate 14 years, and he has a great deal of support in Oklahoma. But Inhofe has not been without controversy.
He may be the ranking minority member on the Committee on Environment and Public Works, but he has not shown a great deal of respect for the environment. He arrogantly blamed the New Orleans flooding from Hurricane Katrina not on inadequate levees, the real cause, but "far-left" environmental "extremists." He has adamantly called global warming a great hoax.
There is no doubt that Inhofe maintains a conservative attitude that reflects the position of his constituent base, but the extremist statements he has made throughout his career on many subjects hurts his credibility and the state's image despite whatever positive contributions he has made while in Congress. And extremism, whether to the right or left, does not promote good government policies or government that benefits everyone.
That is why Andrew Rice is a better candidate in the U.S. Senate race.
Rice has a more even-handed and rational approach to the issues and problems we are experiencing. He has gained a experiential world view as a missionary, working with rural development projects in Asia, that would serve him well in the Senate.
Rice also has demonstrated in the state Senate a willingness to work with others rather than sticking to a rigid ideology. Oklahoma would lose the seniority Inhofe has gained if Rice were elected, and that would be a tough loss. But there is something to gain with Rice as well.
(In the coming weeks, Okie Funk and Blue Oklahoma will set the record straight when it comes to U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. This blog will be publishing an open-ended series, "The Case Against Jim Inhofe." The series will comment on Inhofe's political and business escapades, from his earlier lies about when he graduated from college to the insurance company he ran into insolvency to his dirty campaign tactics. It will show how Inhofe has consistently hurt the state's image. It will focus as well on Inhofe's atrocious record on economic, health, energy, environmental, military and government spending issues. Here are the installments published before this post: Part I: "Rice Gains Ground on Inhofe," Part II: "Character Issue Follows Inhofe,"Part III: "When Inhofe Talks, People Cringe,"Part IV: "Iraq Distortions Cast Shadow Over Inhofe Campaign.")
The failed economic policies of the Bush administration and the Republican Party have taken this country close to a complete financial collapse once again.
People around the country are now asking these basic questions: Is my money safe in the bank? Will I lose my job and home? Are my retirement funds safe? Will food and energy prices continue to go up? Will I be able to fill my prescriptions this month? Can I help my children go to college?
In a form of corporate socialism, the Bush/GOP ideology rewards the wealthiest in our culture through tax cuts, business deregulation and other incentives. The ideology punishes most everyone else with higher prices, stagnant wages and inadequate health care.
The recent collapse of several major companies tied to the subprime mortgage controversy has shown, once again, the harsh reality behind the Republican trickle-down theory. In the midst of this man-made muddle, there is much to condemn about the GOP's bogus philosophy that creates the free market as the arbitrator of all American reality.
(In the coming weeks, Okie Funk and Blue Oklahoma will set the record straight when it comes to U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. This blog will be publishing an open-ended series "The Case Against Jim Inhofe." The series will comment on Inhofe's political and business escapades, from his earlier lies about when he graduated from college to the insurance company he ran into insolvency to his dirty campaign tactics. It will show how Inhofe has consistently hurt the state's image. It will focus as well on Inhofe's atrocious record on economic, health, energy, environmental, military and government spending issues. Here are the installments published before this post: Part I: "Rice Gains Ground on Inhofe," Part II: "Character Issue Follows Inhofe,"Part III: "When Inhofe Talks, People Cringe.")
(A different version of the below post was first published May 7, 2007.)
"Our intelligence system has said that we know that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction -- I believe including nuclear. There's not one person on this panel who would tell you unequivocally that he doesn't have the missile means now, or is nearly getting the missile means to deliver a weapon of mass destruction. And I for one am not willing to wait for that to happen."--Jim Inhofe on Meet The Press, 2002)
U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe's bizarre comments last year on the Iraq occupation completely contradicted what he said during the time period leading up to the invasion.
In a Tulsa World article ("Vice President Visits Tulsa: Cheney, Inhofe blasted Democrats' plan for Iraq," April 27, 2007), Inhofe claims the reasons for the gruesome Iraq occupation initially had nothing to do with finding weapons of mass destruction. Inhofe actually blamed the press for the so-called "mischaracterization."
This was not simply political spin on Inhofe's part. This was a calculated lie by an angry warmonger intent on rewriting history to cover his errors and misjudgment.
(In the coming weeks, Okie Funk and Blue Oklahoma will set the record straight when it comes to U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. This blog will be publishing an open-ended series titled "The Case Against Jim Inhofe." The series will comment on Inhofe's political and business escapades, from his earlier lies about when he graduated from college to the insurance company he ran into insolvency to his dirty campaign tactics. It will show how Inhofe has consistently hurt the state's image. It will focus as well on Inhofe's atrocious record on economic, health, energy, environmental, military and government spending issues. Here are the installments published before this post: Part I: "Rice Gains Ground on Inhofe," Part II: "Character Issue Follows Inhofe.")
There are few states in this country that suffer more from image problems than Oklahoma.
From the lingering memories of the Dust Bowl to decades-old poverty to the perception of its residents as uneducated hicks, Oklahoma gets kicked around as a butt of jokes, and, as a result, it often gets passed over for economic development.
Although Oklahoma has made some progress in the last decade to change its reputation, one leader in particular continues to harm the state when it comes to its basic image. That leader is U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican whose outrageous, public statements taint us all with the "hick" label.
Some in the GOP will argue that Inhofe is only colorful and obstinate, that the state's image matters little to economic development. But that argument is undercut by former and contemporary state leaders-in the private and public sectors-who have consistently realized how important public relations can be to a state like Oklahoma. Even with its now thriving energy sector, the state is part of a larger global business community. The state must welcome different types of people with different types of views and skills or our standard of living and quality of life will suffer.
Yet we know this: When the intolerant 73-year-old Inhofe opens his mouth, people cringe and Oklahoma suffers.
(In the coming weeks, Okie Funk, along with Blue Oklahoma, will set the record straight when it comes to U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. This blog will be publishing an open-ended series titled "The Case Against Jim Inhofe." The series will comment on Inhofe's political and business escapades, from his earlier lies about when he graduated from college to the insurance company he ran into insolvency to his dirty campaign tactics. It will focus as well on Inhofe's atrocious record on economic, health, energy, environmental, military and government spending issues. It will show how Inhofe has consistently hurt the state's image.)
"I am a businessman. And as a businessman I can tell you that I would not do business with Jim Inhofe because as his past behavior shows, you can't trust him"-U.S. Senate candidate Tony Caldwell ("Opponent Criticizes Inhofe Financial Deals-Congressman Rebuts Caldwell," The Daily Oklahoman, August 19, 1994)
"When political sleaze starts bubbling up, you'll almost always find Jim Inhofe nearby. So it is no surprise that Inhofe was a key player in the scandal that dethroned Richard Roberts at Oral Roberts University."-John M. Wylie, editor of the Oologah Lake Leader, "Political Scene," November 29, 2007
Political and media pundits often focus on the issue of personal "character" when it comes to candidates running for office, so why has 73-year-old U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe been given a free pass during his political career?
It is well documented that through the years, the Republican Inhofe ran a insurance company into receivership, was caught in lies about when he graduated from college, engaged in slimy campaign tactics, made a bigoted speech on the Senate floor and been mentioned as a possible witness in the ongoing legal mess at Oral Roberts University.
It's no wonder state Sen. Andrew Rice is gaining ground in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe this year.
Inhofe, a shill for Big Oil and health insurance companies, has become completely absorbed in Washington politics and culture, and he has repeatedly failed the vast bulk of his constituents back home when it comes to wages, health care, living costs, energy prices, privacy rights and government spending.
As expected, Rice is steadily building the name recognition he needs to challenge a well-funded incumbent in a political system that rewards the status quo and in a state dominated by an ultra-conservative corporate media.
A recent poll conducted by the Benenson Strategy Group for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee shows Rice is only nine percentage points behind Inhofe in the race. Two months ago, Rice was trailing Inhofe by 22 points. The polling results made national news. Even The Washington Post covered the poll, speculating the race might be competitive.
Chris Cillizza, writing in The Post says, "On the other hand, change is the order of the day in politics nationwide and Rice, a first term state senator, is a far more obvious change agent than Inhofe who has been in Washington since 1986."
The Rice camp says its gains are partially because of recent television advertisements that are helping to introduce the 35-year-old State Senator to Oklahomans outside of the Oklahoma City area. Inhofe's own television advertisements appear to be ineffective at this point. Is the race heating up? When and how will Inhofe go negative?
No one issue defines the difference between the state's candidates for U.S. Senator this year more than how they approach the current health care crisis.
U.S. Sen. Inhofe, 73, has long been part of a federal legislative system that rewards insurance companies and health management organizations at the expense of ordinary Americans. Millions of Americans lack health insurance. Those Americans who have insurance face skyrocketing premiums, increased costs of co-payments and issues like "pre-existing" conditions. People often go without health care to pay other bills. Inhofe has sanctioned the current health care crisis with his votes, his lack of interest and Republican ideology.
State Sen. Andrew Rice, 35, the Democrat running against Inhofe, has proven he believes in a better health care system for Americans. We have seen this in his sponsorship and support of bills to require insurance companies to cover routine medial care for those undergoing clinical trials and medical costs associated with autism. We also know he has promised in his campaign repeatedly to use his position as U.S. Senator to work for an overall better health care system for Americans.
""Every family, every child and every veteran should have access to the same health care options that taxpayers make available to members of Congress," Rice said recently. This is one of the great moral issues of our time."
It is hard to conceive of a person or voter-besides a very radical fringe of our culture-who truly does not see the current health care crisis as a moral issue. Certainly, there is room to argue over the exact approach to solving the health care crisis, but can any rational person believe the insurance companies will voluntary accept lower profits to help people? Our broken system calls for government intervention. The government intervenes if someone kills or physically hurts another person. This same intervention should apply to our health system. Even an increasing number of doctors in this country-some claim a clear majority-now believe we should have some type of universal health care program.
(This is a press release from the Andrew Rice campaign. Rice is running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Jim Inhofe. Rice easily won the Democratic primary on Tuesday.)
State Senator Andrew Rice accepted the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday night and challenged Sen. Jim Inhofe to a series of at least six debates.
Rice said openness and honest interaction with voters have been priorities since he began his unique path into politics.
"While I was in divinity school, I never intended to be a politician. But I stand before you tonight more determined than ever to help change the direction of this country by becoming your next U.S. Senator," he said. "Voters deserve to know my positions on the issues, and Jim Inhofe needs to be accountable for his 22-year voting record in Washington."
Rice said Inhofe continues to claim he supports troops, seniors and alternative energy.
"Sen. Inhofe says these things, but he has voted 17 times against measures to improve our troops' benefits at home and to upgrade their armor on the battlefield. He has voted against Medicare funding 18 times, and he has voted against shifting tax incentives to clean energy technologies," Rice said.
Rice asked supporters to visit his Web site, www.andrewforoklahoma.com, and sign a petition urging Sen. Inhofe to stand for debates.
"Political debates are an American tradition," Rice said. "Tonight I am challenging Jim Inhofe to a series of at least six regional debates so that Oklahoma voters can make an informed choice this November."
Rice, who thanked his family, voters, volunteers and his staff, said he understands what Oklahomans mean when they say they are tired of business as usual.
"People don't want their elected leaders wrapped in slick TV ads and carefully scripted appearances," Rice said. "By scheduling regional debates around the state, we give Oklahomans the best opportunity to come and evaluate the candidates side-by-side."
"It would have been naive to think we could have permanently transcended our differences as Americans out of 9/11, but it is not too idealistic to hope that we could have found common ground on how to protect our country and preserve our common values."-state Sen. Andrew Rice.
State Sen. Andrew Rice, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, has written a courageous response to a Florida man who has put up billboard advertisements with the message "Please Don't Vote for a Democrat" beside an image of the burning World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Rice's bother, David, was killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center.
Rice, 35, pictured right, who is running for the U.S. Senate this year against incumbent Jim Inhofe, 73, criticizes Mike Meehan's "divisive and desperate attempt to scare Americans" with his right-wing attacks.
"There are those in politics who will continue down this road because they simply have nothing else to offer," Rice writes on the The Huffington Post. "They have no coherent policy to marginalize extremism in the Middle East. They show no willingness to ask Americans to commit themselves to the shared sacrifice that is needed to deal with the climate crisis and transform our energy policy. They have no message except to demonize their political opponents and, in turn pollute America's faith in our otherwise inspiring democratic process."
Another day, another local, right-wing media outlet argues Democrats should be like Republicans so some Republicans can be to the right of the quasi-fascist, mission-accomplished president they so adore.
So here we are, still 14 months away from the 2008 elections, and already the editorial writers at The Daily Oklahoman feel compelled to criticize State Sen. Andrew Rice’s campaign against U.S. Senate Jim Inhofe.
Heck, Rice has not even officially announced he is running yet. The bullies and chicken hawks at The Daily Oklahoman, the propaganda ministry for the state GOP, must be scared.
I posted this today on the new runANDREWrun.com site, which encourages state Senator Andrew Rice to run for the U.S. Senate in 2008:
U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe has for too long embarrassed Oklahoma with his boorish, archaic views on global warming and people's rights. His reckless statements have been consistently reported by the national and international press. This press coverage has made the state seem like a place of ignorance. As an Oklahoma ambassador, Inhofe has failed miserably.
Do you want six more years of embarrassment and ridicule under Inhofe's leadership? Can you stomach it? Do you want to go through six more years of cringing every time Inhofe makes a spectacle of himself and the state in the news or in television appearances?
Oklahoma Senator Andrew Rice, pictured right, a rising political star in the Oklahoma Democratic Party, is the person who can beat Inhofe. He is intelligent, articulate and committed to progressive issues Oklahomans care about. He will stomp Inhofe in debates. He will serve as a logical and overwhelming contrast to an angry Inhofe, who spouts dead ideologies to an unenthused base. Andrew is positive, poised, fair and compassionate.
But the main reason Andrew can win is he stands up for those issues Oklahomans really care about, issues like decent wages, outstanding health care, and individual and privacy rights. As a native Oklahoman, Andrew knows the state well. He and his physician wife, Apple, are raising their young children here, and they want to help Oklahoma families prosper.
Do you want to send Inhofe packing from Washington, D.C.? Then sign the petition urging Andrew to run.
Let's show Andrew he has our support to make Oklahoma a place admired around the world for its sensible, hard-working, compassionate people, not its kooky politicians like Inhofe who have no clue about the world around them.
This is a community blog operated since 2006 by people dedicated to promoting and restoring progressive values in Oklahoma. A courageous band of patriots, we fight right-wing tyranny in one of the reddest of red states. Do you want to help by posting here? Do you want traffic back to your blog or site? We welcome posts written by liberals and centrist to conservative Democrats and Independents. Register above and start posting. Crossposting is allowed. Questions? Contact kurt.hochenauer@gmail.com.
Be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
Subscribe in a reader
