Inhofe Begins Negative Campaign, Steers Clear of Issues

September 11, 2008 02:25 pm

— Oklahoma City, OK- After declining to debate on two separate occasions, Jim Inhofe has resorted to distorting State Senator Andrew Rice's accomplishments in a negative television ad rather than discussing the issues that matter to Oklahomans.

"We were hoping Jim Inhofe would give Oklahomans what they deserve- a campaign built on putting people before politics, a campaign about the issues affecting Oklahoma's families," said Geri Prado, Rice's campaign manager. "Instead, Jim Inhofe is using millions of dollars in special interest money on negative television ads."

Inhofe, who has been in Washington for 22 years, is known for his negative, issue-less style of campaigning. "As a career politician who has spent more than two decades in Washington, Inhofe has lost his way," Prado said. "He identifies more with his corporate contributors than his constituents who rarely see or hear from him in Oklahoma."

Inhofe has received over $1 million in campaign contributions from big oil, has voted against strengthening our military and has not fought for investments in renewable energy sources that would create thousands of jobs in Oklahoma while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.