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September 28, 2008

Project Vote Smart says organization not geting information from candidates

By Robert Barron Staff Writer

A statewide voting organization that tracks how candidates feel thinks they aren’t getting answers from some local candidates.

A project headquartered in Montana said they received fewer answers on a question about political courage that covers such issues as budget, taxes, environment, energy, health care, immigration and international issues.

Among those they did not receive a reply to their questions from included U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and his opponent, Democrat Andrew Rice, and U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, and his independent opponent, Forrest Michael. They also did not receive a reply from some local candidates, including state Rep. Mike Jackson and his opponent, Democrat Pierce Jones.

However, the candidates say they reply primarily to surveys that come from their constituencies and do not have time to reply to the hundreds they receive every election.

State Rep. Mike Jackson, R-Enid, said he receives between 100 and 200 every election cycle.

“To some extent we pay attention to those our constituents pay attention to,” he said. “Project Vote Smart is out of state and we primarily focus on those in the state.”

Jackson said voters also can check online to see his voting record on every issue.

“We fill out as many as possible, but we focus on the ones that are more local and pertinent to our constituents,” he said.

Jackson said he responded to surveys by veterans groups, the National Rifle Association and Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce.

Both Sen. Inhofe and Rep. Lucas were working on the bailout program last week and could not reply themselves, but their offices responded to questions about the Project Vote Smart survey.

Inhofe spokesman Josh Kivett said the campaign responds to “dozens” of surveys, but concentrates on those from Oklahoma.

“We’re proud of our positions. Sen. Inhofe is an outspoken man. What you see is what you get and we’re proud of his political courage,” Kivett said.

Lucas’ office said he receives “tons” of surveys and many are not locally based. The local ones have priority. Matt Dempsey, speaking for Lucas, said the Congressman is out meeting the people regularly and is very willing to share his opinions on the issues.

Jones, Rice and Michael could not be contacted.

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