Published: September 11, 2008 01:10 pm      

Rice listens, talks to voters throughout Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY — While Jim Inhofe was at the GOP convention, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Andrew Rice took hundreds of questions and listened to many concerns during his visits throughout the state this week.



Rice began the week in Oklahoma City, Guthrie and Shawnee on Monday. He traveled to Tulsa and Sapulpa on Tuesday.



"People are looking for a leader who will put people before politics and do what is right for Oklahoma," Rice said. "This week I heard from seniors in Tulsa who don't want their Social Security privatized, and I listened to mothers in Guthrie who want affordable health care that provides quality coverage. I will bring people together in a bipartisan way to address these issues."



In Shawnee, Rice met with Jim Spurr at Van's Pig Stand on Highland Street.



"I think he's a sharp young man and he ought to be Senator," Spurr said after introducing Rice to other Shawnee residents. "They talked about Social Security. He had good answers. I want the First Amendment protected and the Second Amendment protected, and I know he does too. He's pretty clear about what he says."



Rice said traveling the state and meeting different people is his favorite part of the campaign.



"This week's tour has put me in 12 counties and has introduced me to hundreds of people," Rice said. "Jim Inhofe has been in Washington for 22 years and has lost his way. He has forgotten that these are the people we serve. People matter more than politics, and I will always remember that."