RICE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT RACE CHANCE

Larry Rice thinks he can win this thing.

Rice, an independent candidate in Missouri's Nov. 7 gubernatorial race, said he isn't fazed by the money and political backing of major-party candidates Bob Holden and Jim Talent because they only commanded a combined total of about 24 percent of all votes in primary elections last month.

By winning a small amount of that support from both parties and getting voters who haven't participated in previous elections in the polls, Rice said he's sure to be the next governor of Missouri.

"Before Aug. 8, I thought I could win it. After Aug. 8, I knew I could win it," said Rice while campaigning in the neighborhood surrounding Jefferson Elementary School Thursday afternoon. "I'm going after the 76 percent that didn't vote in the primary."

In July, Rice submitted more than 20,000 signatures to the secretary of state's office to get his name added to the November ballot. He says he's the first individual to complete such a feat and sees it as a good sign for his future success.

No independent ever has been elected Missouri governor.

Rice has been in Cape Girardeau all week to campaign at the SEMO District Fair. He said people have been receptive to his campaign and are accepting literature and signs to place in their yards.

He has sought public office only once before. In 1992, Rice ran unsuccessfully to be lieutenant governor, an experience he said "taught me how not to do it."

By running as an independent candidate, Rice said his victory sounds more difficult than it actually could be. Winning is just a matter of continuing to seek grassroots support among the poor and middle-class families of Missouri, he said. Students at Missouri colleges and universities also are considered prime Rice supporters.

These are the people who are tired of the shenanigans of "professional politicians" and their willingness to "prostitute" themselves in order to win support from large corporations and special-interest groups, Rice said.

"These guys couldn't ignite the grass roots if they had a blow torch," said Rice. "This is the year of the independent. The people will not vote unless they have a reason to get involved."

Rice, 51, is a native of Texas and has lived in New Bloomfield, Mo., with his wife, Penny, since 1987. He is the founder of New Life Evangelistic Center, which has established homeless shelters in St. Louis, Kansas City, the Ozarks and other locations. His organization has 10 TV stations and 13 radio stations, all operated by homeless people.

He is running on a platform that opposes the death penalty and seeks improved funding for educational and health programs. Rice is an advocate of what he calls "creative compassion," or helping people without increasing taxes or creating a slew of new programs or government offices.

Cape Girardeau resident Denis Rigdon is among those who believes Rice has a good chance at winning. Rigdon said Rice's good works with the poor and homeless and his experience establishing and maintaining businesses are what make him attractive as a gubernatorial candidate. Also, his belief in "conservative liberalism" -- defined by Rice as thinking conservatively on moral issues and liberally on social issues -- is exactly what's needed in today's society, Rigdon said.

"I think the areas he's talked about need to be addressed," Rigdon said. "I've really been impressed with him. I just think an independent is what's needed."

Rice believes he's going to be Missouri's next governor after Nov. 7, but if he doesn't win, he said he'll survive. But he's more concerned about the people his platform pledges to support.

Said Rice, "I've got to do this to help the poor people. I've got to do this to help the struggling middle class. I've got to win it to prove you don't have to prostitute yourself to win."