Despite McCain Victories, Inhofe Says Bush Will be Nominee

Sunday, February 27th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAND SPRINGS -- U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., has a message for those who think Sen. John McCain has a chance in the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Think again.

Inhofe told the Tulsa County Republican Party Convention that while recent primary victories have given McCain's campaign a boost, he still doesn't think the Arizona Senator has a chance against party powerhouse George W. Bush.

"I think George Bush is going to win decisively," Inhofe said.

Inhofe said McCain's seeming surge is partly a myth being perpetrated by the national news media and Democrats. McCain carried Michigan, but Inhofe said he did it with votes from Democrats who were able to vote in the open primary.

Inhofe said the GOP should have a presidential nominee who preaches Republican values, not one "chosen by the Democrats as is the case with John McCain."

Tulsa County Chairman Rich Gradel said he agreed that Bush will probably win the Republican nomination, but said McCain's efforts to reach out to party outsiders has been good for the GOP. He said Oklahoma Republicans are doing the same thing.

"We call 2000 the 'Year of the Big Switch' in Oklahoma," Gradel said. "We're reaching out to Democrats and independents because we think a whole lot of people agree with us."

State Republican Chairman Steve Edwards said it is still too early in the race to determine a victor, noting that "Super Tuesday" is on March 7, when California, New York, Ohio and nine other states, including Oklahoma, have GOP primaries or caucuses. He said the object for his party is to simply get a Republican into the White House.

"I think that what is going to happen is the race is going to be decided in the next two weeks," Edwards said.