In 2006 I wrote about the idea of a "Community Candidate," a candidate who has already shown his dedication to the community before he even asks for your vote. I based this on a conversation I had with a UAW member who attended a political event in Brooklyn. He expressed frustration at the political process because it was so often based on nothing but hollow promises. He wanted to see more candidates that have an existing track record of serving the community. In other words, he wanted to see some results in advance. This led me to the idea of a "Community Candidate." This is also the idea behind the organization who operate in Michigan and New York State. Over in Oklahoma, Democrat Andrew Rice is showing the kind of dedication to his community that I am looking for in a Community Candidate.

Oklahoma State Senator Andrew Rice (also a candidate for US Senate in Oklahoma) was a driving force in setting up a task force to study hunger in Oklahoma...and the report is now out. Those of us who have watched average Americans get hit by the double blow of two Bush recessions AND the Republican "Drown America in a Bathtub" philosophy, it is no surprise that the report is a rather grim one. You can read the report here (PDF).

Andrew Rice is trying to raise awareness of this issue and raise support for Oklahoma food banks. From an email from Senator Rice:

As a relief worker overseas years ago witnessing poverty and human suffering, I made a vow. No matter what path my life would take, I wanted to always find a way to assist those among us whose circumstances leave them most vulnerable to economic, health, or political pressures beyond their control.

I kept that vow last year as an Oklahoma State Senator by co-authoring a bill to create the Oklahoma Task Force on Hunger, which just released its jarring report on hunger in [Oklahoma].

It's also why as a candidate for the United States Senate, I am announcing this week the formation of "Team Rice: On Our Side," a project to unite my campaign and all of my supporters in an effort to give a hand up to our fellow Oklahomans who need it.

The Hunger Task Force Report notes that hunger rarely occurs because there is not enough food. It happens because families and individuals cannot afford to buy food. Our task force found that hunger isn't limited to families on welfare or who are homeless. Many working families earning minimum wage or slightly better are being forced into impossible choices between buying food for their families or paying the rent, buying fuel and affording other basic necessities.

Beginning this week, my campaign will partner with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to establish our headquarters at 400 NW 23rd Street in Oklahoma City as a collection point for food donations. In addition, we will be encouraging our volunteers and donors to collect and donate non-perishable foods.

Organizing a political campaign of supporters and volunteers is also an opportunity to create a new network of humanitarians and advocates who want to assist and empower our fellow Oklahomans. You can learn more about "Team Rice: On Our Side" on my website, andrewforoklahoma.com.

Senator Rice is running against Bush Republican Jim Inhofe who is a solid advocate of the Republican trickle down, Drown America in a Bathtub philosophy that hurts so many poor and middle class Americans. The Senate race in Oklahoma really is a simple choice: pro-Bush Inhofe whose only interest is cutting taxes for the very wealthy, and Andrew Rice, the man who fights for poor and middle-class Americans.