Inhofe Weighs In On Presidential Race

Sen. Inhofe Weighs In On Presidential Race
Maintains Iowa result won't be particularly significant.
By Tim Granahan
Thursday, January 3, 2008

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe says the beginning of the presidential selection process is interesting, but says the overall effect of Iowa caucuses won't have a particularly important role in determing the end result.

On the Republican side, he notes the battle which has pitted former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has been particularly heated. But Inhofe doesn't think either man will end up as his party's nominee, although he says Huckabee is a close friend.

Inhofe says he believes there's a sleeper at this early juncture, in the person of former Senator Fred Thompson. Although some observers have noted a lack of spark in Thompson's campaign so far, Inhofe says he believes the 'Law and Order' star has been holding back, and will become an increasingly forceful candidate in coming weeks.

Among Democrats, Inhofe continues to predict New York Senator Hilary Clinton will overcome the efforts of others in the field, and go on to win her party's nomination.

But in the process, he says she'll be pushed further to the left, which will benefit the Republican party's eventual nominee.