Senate Hopefuls Debating Debate

By Ashli Sims, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- It looks like Oklahomans will vote without the top two candidates for U.S. Senate facing off again. Incumbent Senator Jim Inhofe and his democratic challenger Andrew Rice have met once. But talks for a second debate seemed to have stalled.

Both Senator Jim Inhofe and State Senator Andrew Rice were in town Tuesday to talk to business leaders. But after the forum, the two traded barbs over whether they would face off again.     

In the State Chamber of Oklahoma forum it was all business. But after, state senator Andrew Rice threw down the gauntlet.

"I've wanted to do a lot of debates with Jim Inhofe, but apparently he's too scared to come out and debate a guy," said Rice.

Rice, a relative newcomer to politics, is challenging long-time U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe.

Despite the pleasantries, there was a bit of a chill between the two. They've only faced off once and the two-year state senator accused Inhofe of ducking debates and not doing his job as a candidate.

"He's been an elected official for longer than I've been alive so you think he wouldn't be worried about it, but I think with his performance last Tuesday, he didn't do a very good job," said Rice.

Inhofe scoffs at the notion that he's scared of the candidate, who's 40 years, his junior.

"We accepted another debate in Oklahoma City, offering three dates. And those dates were all turned down," said Inhofe.

If the campaigns can't come together for a second debate, the current U.S. Senator doesn't see it as a problem.

"It doesn't really matter though, that much.  You have two so, ones a liberal and one is a conservative, there's not too much to be resolved in a debate I don't think," said Inhofe.

There is a third candidate in the race to represent Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate. Tulsa real estate developer Stephen Wallace is running as an Independent.

Voters head to the polls on November 4th.